How Many Hallmark Christmas Movies Can One Man Endure?

This notorious Grinch attempted to watch 24 straight hours of saccharine Christmas rom-coms, what could possibly go wrong?

I thought about pitching this idea to Jane for weeks, but I held off. I’d been doing some writing that I had been pretty proud of [shameless plug!] and I didn’t want to negate any of that with this idea of mine. This incredibly stupid, borderline ludicrous idea of mine — I was going to watch 24 straight hours of Hallmark Christmas movies and keep a running diary.

I finally got the courage to pitch the idea, and, much to my joy (at the time), Jane was all for it! We were doing this! I was even sent an email by fellow AJPTer, Corynne, about a contest I could enter if I watched 125 new Christmas films and reviewed them all. Everything was coming up Milhouse!

I was quickly jolted to sobriety by the realization of what I had agreed to do. I was going to have to follow through and watch these movies. For an entire day. Shit. I never should have opened my big mouth.

It’s not that I’m anti-Christmas or even anti-feel-good-rom-com. These are both things that I enjoy. But I had never ventured into the Hallmark Cinematic Universe (HCU) before, and I had heard the rumors. I’d heard enough that made me not want to watch them any time previously, but at the same time, I’m the kind of guy who likes to keep my finger on the pulse and know what people are talking about. Plunging head first into it during the lead-up to the holidays seemed like a great way to get acquainted with the HCU, possibly fill myself with some Christmas cheer, and kill an entire day without having to go outside in the cold. It was a win-win.