Review

Movie Review: Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Subtitle: "When Holiday Cheer and Competitive Spirit Collide in Flannel."

Christmas Scavenger Hunt answers the age-old question: What happens when you mix a small-town Christmas festival, a hyper-competitive ex-couple, and an absurdly specific holiday-themed to-do list? The result is a Hallmark movie so full of festive cheer, you’ll feel like you’re being smothered by a pile of tinsel—and you’ll love every second of it.

The story follows Belinda (Kim Shaw), a big-city career woman who reluctantly returns to her hometown for the holidays. There, she’s roped into the town’s annual Christmas scavenger hunt and—wouldn’t you know it—gets paired with her ex-boyfriend Dustin (Kevin McGarry), the local golden boy who can fix tractors, bake cookies, and probably chop firewood in his sleep.

The scavenger hunt itself is like a holiday-themed obstacle course designed by someone who binged The Amazing Race while eating Christmas cookies. Tasks range from decorating gingerbread houses to singing carols to hauling massive Christmas trees through snowy fields, because why wouldn’t that be part of the fun? Naturally, every challenge provides the perfect opportunity for Belinda and Dustin to bicker, bond, and gradually remember why they were once in love (and why their relationship ended with the kind of vague misunderstanding Hallmark specializes in).

Kim Shaw plays Belinda with just the right mix of skepticism and charm, while Kevin McGarry delivers peak Hallmark leading man energy—earnest, rugged, and capable of making you believe that chopping ice is a legitimate bonding activity. Their chemistry is undeniable, even when they’re arguing about the “right way” to build a snowman. (Spoiler: there’s no wrong way when love is in the air.)

But let’s talk about the real MVP of this movie: the scavenger hunt itself. It’s not just a plot device; it’s practically a character. Each task feels more absurd than the last, yet somehow, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the festive ridiculousness. At one point, Belinda and Dustin have to track down a snow globe in a Christmas market, and you’ll find yourself genuinely invested in whether they’ll find it (they do, obviously, but it’s the journey that counts).

Of course, no Hallmark movie is complete without some eye-roll-worthy moments. For instance, Belinda’s big-city boyfriend—who conveniently has the personality of a wet sock—shows up just in time to remind her why she belongs in her hometown. And the town’s mayor, who seems to have an unlimited supply of Christmas spirit and matching scarves, delivers a heartfelt speech about the true meaning of community that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe consider joining a scavenger hunt yourself.

Final Verdict: 4/5 candy cane clues. Christmas Scavenger Hunt is as predictable as it is charming, with just enough holiday chaos to keep things interesting. It’s a delightful mix of small-town charm, festive shenanigans, and second-chance romance that will leave you grinning like a kid on Christmas morning. Just don’t try to replicate the scavenger hunt at home—unless you have a Dustin of your own to help carry the tree. 🎄