Review

Movie Review: Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses
Subtitle: “Where Decorating a House Turns Into Decorating a Life—With Feelings.”

Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses kicks off with one of Hallmark’s most dependable premises: a career woman in need of a fresh start and a brooding man in need of a personality transplant. It’s a match made under the mistletoe and wrapped in enough twinkling lights to power a small town.

The story follows Abbey (Jill Wagner), a single mom and aspiring interior decorator who lands her big break redesigning the mansion of Nick (Matthew Davis), a wealthy businessman with the charisma of a lukewarm latte. Nick is the kind of guy who’s so busy running his company that he doesn’t realize Christmas is a vibe, not just a date on the calendar. Naturally, it’s up to Abbey to teach him that holiday cheer can be measured in both tinsel and tears.

Abbey dives into the decorating job like it’s the Olympics of Garland Placement. She’s hanging wreaths, stringing lights, and basically transforming Nick’s sterile house into Santa’s personal vacation villa. Along the way, she and Nick butt heads over everything from budgets to whether red bows are “too much.” (Spoiler: In Hallmark Land, there is no such thing as too much red.)

Jill Wagner brings a plucky charm to Abbey, whose enthusiasm for Christmas and decorating is only rivaled by her love for her son. Matthew Davis, meanwhile, nails the “grumpy guy secretly full of heart” trope, though you’ll spend the first half of the movie wondering if he’s actually just allergic to joy.

The romance between Abbey and Nick unfolds exactly as you’d expect—slowly, with lots of longing glances and the occasional accidental mistletoe moment. They bond over shared Christmas traditions, and Nick even shows his softer side when he helps Abbey’s son make a snowman, proving that all grumpy businessmen have a latent Frosty-loving side.

The subplot? Oh, it’s there, and it involves Abbey’s struggle to balance her career ambitions with her role as a mom. Of course, she solves this dilemma with a series of heartfelt speeches and a little help from the magic of the season. Because in Hallmark world, all life problems can be resolved with the right Christmas ornament.

Let’s not forget the unintentionally funny moments:
- Abbey decorates Nick’s house on a budget that would make Martha Stewart jealous, yet somehow everything looks like it was imported directly from the North Pole.
- Nick’s “big business deal” is vaguely mentioned but never explained, because who needs plot details when there’s hot cocoa to sip?
- And then there’s the title itself—Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses. It’s so Hallmark-y you almost expect the characters to say it out loud at some point, but thankfully, they resist.

Final Verdict: 4/5 festive bows. Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses is the cinematic equivalent of a gingerbread cookie—sweet, comforting, and just a little too predictable. It’s perfect for a cozy night in, as long as you’re okay with shouting “JUST KISS ALREADY” at the screen while they hang their 47th wreath. Watch it with your coziest blanket and a side of Christmas cookies—you’re going to need snacks for all that decorating inspiration! 🎄🎁❤️