#Xmas

5.7/10 · 1,396 ratings20221h 24mChristmasWeirdness 5/10Bingo card

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The premise

When Jen gets the chance to enter a brand-design contest, she poses as a family influencer, and when her video is selected as a finalist, she's torn between continuing her perfect family or revealing the truth.

How unusual is it?

Middle of the road, with a twist — a fake relationship, mistaken identity and a second-chance romance keep it from being totally by-the-book.

Who’s in it

Behind the camera

Show

Wait, what?

The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.

  • The protagonist literally borrows a baby and renames him 'Leo Ansel' for a marketing contest.
  • A scene involves passing a baby through a window to hide his true parentage from guests.
  • The mother of the protagonist joins the fraud and plays a 'shockingly-young live-in Grandma' character.
  • The influencers are revealed to be a 'failing marriage' trope that mirrors the protagonist's 'fake marriage' trope.

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 40 to find more movies that do the same thing.

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)
Jen Taylor is a talented decorator in Astoria, Oregon, who struggles with self-doubt and the financial instability of the home decor shop she runs with her sister, Ali. When the famous lifestyle brand HyggeAtHome announces a search for a new resident designer, Ali convinces a reluctant Jen to enter. Feeling that her real life isn't 'aspirational' enough, Jen creates the persona of 'Jen T,' a woman who has it all. She enlists her best friend and photographer, Max, to play her husband and borrows Ali’s baby, Reed (renamed Leo Ansel for the brand), to complete the image. The video becomes a sensation, catapulting Jen into the top ten finalists. The situation spirals out of control when Jen’s mother, Liz, sees the video and arrives in town, believing she has a secret grandson. Simultaneously, HyggeAtHome founders Zoe and Charlie announce they are visiting the finalists to experience their 'Hygge' holidays. To maintain the lie, Jen and Max move into a rented luxury home provided by Liz, who agrees to play the 'live-in grandma' in exchange for family time. The visit is a series of frantic maneuvers, including passing the baby through windows to his real parents and faking a marriage history. Amidst the chaos, Jen and Max—who dated briefly in college—begin to rediscover their romantic connection, culminating in a mistletoe kiss that feels far too real for a performance. As the pressure of the brand's expectations for 'food, fun, and philanthropy' mounts, Jen organizes a massive town Christmas dance. However, the facade cracks when the baby calls Ali 'Mama' in front of the influencers. Overwhelmed by the dishonesty and the crumbling relationship between Zoe and Charlie—who reveal they are actually separating despite their perfect online image—Jen confesses the entire fraud during a livestream. Max, hurt that Jen used their real connection as part of a stunt and fearing she will never want a real commitment, prepares to move to Portland for a new job. Ultimately, Jen posts a final, authentic video apologizing to her followers and embracing her 'messy' reality. Zoe and Charlie disqualify her but offer a future collaboration based on her true self. Jen finally stops running from her feelings and intercepts Max, confessing her love and choosing a real life with him over a curated one.

Beat by beat

  1. Opening

    Jen and Ali struggle to keep their decor shop afloat and decide to enter the HyggeAtHome influencer contest.

  2. Midpoint

    Jen becomes a finalist, forcing her to move into a rented house with Max and her nephew to fool the visiting brand owners.

  3. Rising action

    Jen and Max are forced to kiss under the mistletoe for social media, reigniting their dormant romantic feelings.

  4. Climax

    During a town-wide Christmas dance, the baby's real parents are exposed and Jen confesses the entire lie on a livestream.

  5. Falling Action

    Max decides to leave for Portland, feeling that Jen is only capable of 'pretend' intimacy.

  6. Resolution

    Jen posts an authentic apology video and stops Max from leaving, finally committing to a real relationship.

40 tropes in one movie

We counted 40 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.

Rating 5.7 vs every rated Hallmark moviemedian 6.4This movie · 5.7567

Among the lower-rated Hallmark movies — the median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog #Xmas 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.

  • “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
    — Jen TaylorSpeaking to her followers about the pressures of social media.
  • “We choose to bless this mess and keep it real, because over here, we are 'Jen-uine'.”
    — Jen TaylorThe catchphrase of her fake 'Jen T' persona.
  • “We also have a marriage that's failing because we'd rather perform the role of happy couple than actually try to live it.”
    — CharlieRevealing the truth about his relationship with Zoe.

Meet the characters

Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.

  • Jen Taylor

    Lead

    Interior Decorator

    InsecureCreativePerfectionistAvoidant
  • Max

    Love interest

    Photographer

    Best friend and former college boyfriend

    PatientTalentedLoyalSincere
  • Ali

    Supporting

    Business Owner

    Sister

    AmbitiousStressedEncouraging
  • Liz Taylor

    Supporting

    Former Actress

    Mother

    DramaticMeddlingRomantic
  • Zoe and Charlie

    Supporting

    Lifestyle Influencers

    Judges/Brand Owners

    PolishedDemandingSecretly Unhappy

Questions people ask about #Xmas

Where can I watch #Xmas?

#Xmas is available via fuboTV, Philo, and Hallmark+ Amazon Channel. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

How long is #Xmas?

#Xmas runs about 1 hour and 24 minutes, and was released in 2022.

Is #Xmas a Christmas movie?

Yes. #Xmas is a Hallmark Christmas movie, set during the holiday season.

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Talking Hallmark

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Data and sources

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Sources:IMDbTMDB