A Little Christmas Charm is exactly what it says it is — charming. While it’s actually referring to an actual charm bracelet, the story is super sweet and fun. Starring Ashley Greene and Brendan Penny, it follows a hopeful jewelry designer/vintage store employee named Holly (Greene) who comes across a lost charm bracelet in a coat pocket that was donated to her store. As she sets out to return it to the original owner, she teams up with a journalist named Greg (Penny) who is in desperate need of a story. As they begin to find out more about the owner’s story, they end up creating their own love story for themselves in the process.
Originally, I was worried that this was going to resemble The Christmas Ring, a Christmas film that Hallmark debuted earlier last month, but thankfully it didn’t. Aside from tracking down a precious heirloom, the two films have nothing in common. Penny and Greene do a great job with their performances, particularly Penny. He plays the perfect Grinch in this film. While he mocks the usual Christmas traditions, you can’t help but love him, especially as Holly starts to wear him down. That’s something I’ve found with a lot of Penny’s characters on Hallmark. There’s just something about him that is so endearing, as an audience member, you’re bound to like him in anything he does.
My favorite part of this film was the vintage feel to it. While it doesn’t hurt that Holly actually works at a vintage clothing shop, it’s when she and Greg dress up to go to an event at the local steam train, where everyone wears period pieces. There’s nothing I love more than a vintage Christmas! In addition, I really loved the character of Holly. There’s just something about her that spoke to me. Whether’s it’s her determination to find the owner of the bracelet or her love for Christmas, she definitely feels like a version of myself. However, it wasn’t until I saw the way she arranged her hot chocolate with multiple toppings, including extra chocolate chips, peppermint, and marshmallows, that I realized she was a girl after my own heart. The only problem I had with her was her choice of a tree. It was white. Gross. I’m a green tree type of girl, you know?
There were only two things that confused me about this movie. The first being why Holly got so offended when she discovered Greg was writing a new story. I think anyone would understand him being stressed about having to have a story by the Christmas deadline. Of course, it’s not a Hallmark movie unless the couple has an argument about something mundane, but this one was super ridiculous. The second thing is something trivial yet super important to me…At one point in the movie, Greg is seen having some milk and cookies, something we all do. The strange part is that he pours his milk out of a jar. While I love the aesthetic, is that even a reality anymore? Do people still buy their milk in jars? Or are we supposed to believe he buys his milk in the regular plastic/cardboard jugs and seemingly pours it into a glass jar? I NEED ANSWERS HERE, HALLMARK!
As you can tell, this movie completely enamored me and I didn’t even expect it. Not only did it make me want to start wearing and collecting my own Christmas charm bracelet, but I kind of want to have a vintage Christmas party where everyone dresses like they're from the fifties. Maybe next year if and when the pandemic isn't an issue? With a fun mystery and a lot of Christmas merriment, A Little Christmas Charm is one that you won’t want to skip. I’ve already recorded it and am ready for my next viewing.
Did you check this one out yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
***I do not own this photo.