Review

Movie Review: Christmas Class Reunion
Subtitle: “When Old Flames, Awkward Small Talk, and Holiday Chaos Collide in the Most Predictable (and Hilarious) Way.”

“Christmas Class Reunion” is Hallmark’s latest festive gem, combining all the classic holiday ingredients: old high school friends, unresolved romantic tension, and enough awkward “catching up” moments to make you want to skip the holiday office party. The premise is simple, but the delightful chaos that ensues will have you both cringing and cheering in equal measure. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you combine a high school reunion with a Christmas miracle and a lot of misplaced mistletoe, this movie has the answer—and it involves a lot more eggnog than you’re prepared for.

The plot follows Carly (played by Brooke D’Orsay), a successful career woman who, after years of avoiding her high school reunion, decides to return to her small hometown for a Christmas class reunion that she really doesn’t want to attend. It’s your classic "returning to your roots" scenario—except this time, Carly isn’t just reliving the nostalgia of high school; she’s also awkwardly bumping into every single one of her classmates, including the one person she was definitely NOT expecting to see: her old high school sweetheart, Matt (played by Chris McNally), who definitely has unresolved feelings and definitely still has a killer smile.

The humor? Oh, it’s the best kind of awkward. Watching Carly try to navigate through her old classmates’ way too detailed updates on their lives (you know, the ones who married their high school sweethearts and have 4 kids and a golden retriever) is like watching a train wreck in slow motion—you don’t want to look, but you can’t stop. She’s forced to pretend she’s happy with her life, even though she’s still wearing her “I-can’t-believe-I-have-to-deal-with-this” face while dodging questions about why she’s still single. Add in Matt, who totally still has feelings for Carly (and is way more charming than she remembered), and you’ve got the perfect mix of romance, cringe, and holiday magic.

Of course, there’s the inevitable Christmas miracle. After way too much holiday cheer (read: eggnog and awkward dance-offs), Carly realizes that maybe this is the Christmas she’s meant to reconnect with her past, rekindle an old romance, and finally make peace with her small-town roots. The town is, as always, decorated to perfection, complete with an over-the-top Christmas tree, a holiday parade that’s basically just an excuse for the town to show off their overzealous love for the season, and a Christmas lights contest that’s way more competitive than it has any right to be. Watching Carly and Matt team up to save the reunion from complete disaster (with way too many Christmas cookies in tow) is everything you need in a feel-good holiday movie.

And let’s not forget the small-town drama. From the obligatory “Who’s going to win the Best Christmas Lights Award?” competition to the town mayor who’s way too invested in Carly’s love life (because obviously, everyone in the town knows everything about her except what actually happened with Matt), the film is a glorious mess of love, family dynamics, and “I can’t believe I’m back here” moments. But, of course, everyone’s happier by the end, because it’s Hallmark, and that means everyone gets a happy ending.

The grand finale is pure Hallmark—full of Christmas cheer, romantic confessions, and the ultimate "kiss under the mistletoe" moment where Carly and Matt finally admit they were always meant to be together, surrounded by twinkling lights, way too many enthusiastic classmates, and the realization that sometimes, the best holiday miracle is just letting go of the past.

“Christmas Class Reunion” is a hilarious, heartwarming holiday movie that hits all the right notes: love, awkward reunions, and more Christmas spirit than any high school reunion ever deserved. It’s perfect for anyone who loves nostalgic holiday movies, awkward small-town reunions, and the idea that nothing says “Christmas miracle” like a slightly too dramatic romantic kiss at the holiday party. Grab your coziest blanket, some holiday treats, and settle in for a reunion you didn’t know you needed—but won’t be able to stop watching. 🎄🍪💋