Three sappy Hallmark movies that are sure to get you in the Christmas spirit

Christmastime calls for rosy cheeks, a brisk winter chill, buying presents for loved ones, cuddling into the couch with a cup of hot chocolate and watching Christmas movies.  Christmas movie lovers look forward to the holidays when they can turn on the TV and easily find a festive film to watch.  While at times sappy, the Hallmark channel offers Christmas movies back-to-back all season long.  Hallmark brings out the best of the best Christmas movies to get you in the holiday spirit.  

Calling all cat lovers!  The Nine Lives of Christmas (2014) brings together Zachary and Marilee, a pair who seem to be too caught up in their jobs to find romance.  Zachary, a firefighter, is “comfortable” with being single because of his demanding job.  He doesn’t have much free time, and the little time he does have he devotes to flipping houses.  Marilee works at a pet store while she is studying her way through veterinary school.  When a stray cat sneaks its way into Zachary’s home, he has no problem with the low-maintenance company the cat provides him.  Marilee lives in an apartment that doesn’t allow pets, but she’s a cat lover and keeps one secretly.  When Zachary’s new companion goes missing, he’s found by none other than Marilee.  They bond mutually over their connection with their cats, and they begin to realize that they enjoy each other’s company.  The two come to learn that being single is not as fulfilling as they thought.

Christmas is looking rather bleak for Jules in A Princess for Christmas (2011).  Jules has the responsibility of caring for her orphaned niece Maggie and nephew Milo.  After being let go from her job at an antique shop and dealing with Milo acting out because of his parent’s death, Jules struggles with raising the kids alone.  When an English butler shows up with an invitation for them to join their distant grandfather at his castle for Christmas, Jules decides to take a chance and bring the kids to Castlebury, England to meet their grandfather.  Upon arrival they meet a rigid fellow, Edward, Duke of Castlebury, Milo and Maggie’s grandfather.  Jules and the kids get to know Edward and his other son, Aston, Prince of Castlebury, as they spend time together in the castle making up for lost time.  During their stay in Castlebury, Jules and Ashton fall for each other.  Together the newly reconnected family decides to throw a Christmas Eve ball.  During the planning of this elegant ball Jules overhears some information that causes her to question if she will ever be good enough for Ashton.

Emily, a sweet, down-to-earth seamstress, is deeply in love with her European boyfriend Leo in A Royal Christmas (2014).  With Christmas fast approaching, the couple discusses their plans for their first Christmas together.  Leo reveals a huge secret that Emily never saw coming, he is actually Prince Leopold, heir to the throne of a small country called Cordinia.  When they arrive in Leo’s home country, Emily quickly learns of his mother’s disapproval of their relationship.  Queen Isadora makes it clear that she thinks that it’s wrong for her son to be in a relationship with a commoner.  Ostracized by the queen, Emily makes friends with the wait staff and maids.  To make matters worse, Queen Isadora invites Leo’s ex-girlfriend, Dutchess Natasha, to come visit for Christmas.  Emily struggles to fit in with her royal surroundings.  She wonders if Leo could truly be happy with a commoner like her or if he is really meant to be with someone of royal status.  

If you aren’t feeling the excitement and anticipation that comes with Christmas, these movies will put you in the mood for the festive fun that comes with the holiday season.  Whether you want to spend your time decorating for the holidays or would rather spend it nestled on the couch watching movies— the Hallmark Christmas movies, in all their sappy glory, just can’t be beat.