Christmas Made to Order
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The premise
A Hallmark Channel original movie. When architect and Christmas amateur Steven (Jonathan Bennett) finds himself hosting his family for Christmas, he recruits holiday coordinator Gretchen (Alexa PenaVega) to bring holiday joy to his home.
How unusual is it?
Mostly classic comfort-watch, give or take an enemies-to-lovers arc.
Who’s in it
Alongside them
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Behind the camera
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Directed by
Written by
Wait, what?
The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.
- The concept of a 'Christmas Ambassador' who is essentially paid to hang out with a family because the host is too busy to talk to them.
- The sister is a master mechanic who restores old cars in her spare time and fixes a car's alternator overnight in a driveway.
- The 'Believe' sign randomly found in the woods that has been there since the protagonist's childhood.
Every trope, all in one place
Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 26 to find more movies that do the same thing.
Time & season3
Romance6
Tone & quirks6
Why we’d put this one on
Jonathan Bennett plays a workaholic architect who gets stuck hosting his whole family for Christmas and hires Alexa PenaVega's professional decorator to make his bare house festive in a hurry. Naturally she ends up running the holiday and warming him up at the same time. The job title here is my favorite touch: she becomes the family's Christmas Ambassador, essentially paid to hang out because he is too busy to talk to his own relatives. At a weirdness of 3 it is straightforward cozy fare. Likeable leads, twinkly lights, and a tidy enemies-to-sweethearts arc.
How it all plays out
Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.
Full story (spoilers)
Beat by beat
Opening
Steven and Gretchen have a 'meet-cute' collision in a lobby, covering Steven in fake snow and establishing their opposite views on Christmas.
Inciting Incident
Steven's sister Kirsten reveals a burst pipe has ruined her house, forcing the family to move Christmas to Steven's unprepared home.
Midpoint
Steven hires Gretchen as a 'Christmas Ambassador' to manage his family's holiday expectations while he works on a career-making pitch.
Subplot Climax
Gretchen encourages Steven's niece Paige to reveal her singing talent to her parents, leading to a breakthrough in family honesty.
Climax
Steven tries to get Gretchen a corporate job; she refuses, they argue over her professional worth, and she leaves feeling like just an employee.
Resolution
Both Steven and Gretchen quit their respective corporate jobs to follow their true passions and reunite on Christmas Eve.
26 tropes in one movie
We counted 26 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.
How it stacks up
Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.
Among the lower-rated Hallmark movies — the median is 6.4.
Where this one fits
The corners of the catalog Christmas Made to Order belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.
Lines worth quoting
The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.
“Christmas is one day a year. I think people go overboard for it.”
— StevenSteven expressing his initial cynicism about the holiday to Gretchen. “I don't just do Christmas. Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, Halloween. Basically if it's a day off with a whole lot of food, that's my time to shine.”
— GretchenGretchen explaining her business, Holidays Made to Order. “You're a part of our family, Gretchen, whether you like it or not.”
— Ellen (Steven's Mom)The family welcoming Gretchen into their inner circle on Christmas Eve.
Meet the characters
Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.
Steven Brenner
LeadArchitect
WorkaholicOrganizedInitially cynicalFamily-orientedGretchen
Love interestHoliday Decorator / Catalog Stager
Hired decorator and romantic interest
FestiveCreativeEncouragingAmbitiousPaige
SupportingStudent
Niece
MusicalHesitantAthleticKirsten
SupportingMechanic
Sister
OverachieverHandyProtective
Questions people ask about Christmas Made to Order
Where can I watch Christmas Made to Order?
Christmas Made to Order is available via fuboTV, Philo, and Hallmark+ Amazon Channel. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.
How long is Christmas Made to Order?
Christmas Made to Order runs about 1 hour and 22 minutes, and was released in 2018.
Is Christmas Made to Order a Christmas movie?
Yes. Christmas Made to Order is a Hallmark Christmas movie, set during the holiday season.
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Talking Hallmark
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So do we. Come hang out on the Talking Hallmark channel, where we dig into movies just like this one, episode after episode.

“This Hallmark Christmas movie is aggressively stupid”
Data and sources
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