While it’s common knowledge that actors can differ greatly from their roles, many might find comfort in knowing that some Hallmark stars genuinely cherish the holiday season. A handful of these actors openly express their fondness for Christmas, quite apart from their professional commitments.
First up is Lacey Chabert, renowned as the queen of holiday films. Over the years, she has shared countless stories about her affection for Christmas and the joy of being part of holiday traditions. In a memorable interview on “The Rachael Ray Show” in 2022, she recalled how her childhood family traditions involved watching the same holiday movies, creating lasting memories. This connection is evident when viewers tell her, “One of your Hallmark movies is part of our family tradition.” During a 2021 interview on “Good Morning America,” she expressed that being part of the Hallmark holiday slate feels as thrilling as Christmas itself.
Chabert also shared about her own Christmas celebrations with her family. She humorously mentioned that her Christmas decorations were up the same day as her Halloween decor was taken down, all while playing Christmas music. She and her husband, David Nehdar, enjoy cozying up in matching Christmas pajamas and indulging in movie marathons on the day itself, complete with a tiny set for their daughter.
Jordin Sparks says Christmas runs in her veins
Unlike Lacey Chabert, Jordin Sparks is a relatively new member of the Hallmark family, having starred in festive films after winning “American Idol.” However, her love for Christmas goes way back. In a 2021 conversation with TV Insider, she disclosed that her birthday is just days before Christmas, saying, “It basically runs through my veins. I just love that season. Everyone becomes a little kinder.” She appreciates the magic that the holiday season brings.
Epidemic Sound, she emphasized how significant Christmas has been throughout her life, especially the music. “I start listening to Christmas music in the ‘Ber months — September, October, November,” she remarked with a smirk, laughing as she admitted that it was also when she began preparing her holiday lights display. Additionally, one treasured tradition includes making her grandmother’s almond roca toffee.
Danica McKellar watches Hallmark movies while gift-wrapping
Another Hallmark actress who embodies the holiday spirit is Danica McKellar.
Besides being involved in holiday films, she also loves watching them during the lead-up to Christmas. In a December 2018 post on Instagram, she shared a charming picture of herself by her Christmas tree. Sporting a festive red sweater and socks that read, “If you can read this, I’m watching Hallmark Christmas movies,” she mentioned how crucial these films are to her holiday preparations. She shared, “Ahh, this is the time of year when I binge Hallmark Christmas movies from my DVR while baking and wrapping Christmas presents. Love! It!”
Fans of Hallmark will recognize that McKellar is one of the stars who transitioned to Great American Family. At her new network, she has maintained her love for festive films,appearing in titles like “A Royal Date for Christmas,” “Christmas at the Drive-In,” and “A Cinderella Christmas Ball.”
Paul Greene’s Cherished Holiday Memories
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Another star who has moved from Hallmark to Great American Family is Paul Greene, who is also a huge fan of Christmas in real life. Before he made the switch, Greene shared how his fond memories from childhood in Alberta, Canada, felt like they belonged in a Hallmark movie.
In a conversation with Hallmark Channel, he fondly remembered his family’s holiday tradition of snowmobiling. After their icy rides, they’d return home like “frozen popsicles,” where his mother would have hot chocolate and homemade square pizzas waiting. Waiting for them to cook by the fireplace became a significant memory for him. Greene expressed, “I truly had an amazing childhood during Christmas.”
Even after moving to a different network, Greene’s experiences with Hallmark have left him with cherished memories. In December 2023, he launched “12 Days of Paul Greene Movies: The Christmas Edition” on Instagram, sharing fun trivia and behind-the-scenes insights from his time at both Hallmark and Great American Family. For Greene, Christmas remains a joyous occasion.
Jonathan Bennett Embraces the Christmas Spirit
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Switching gears from joyous holiday memories, Jonathan Bennett has shared that his family Christmas traditions were quite turbulent, leading him to find refuge in Hallmark films. He explained to Us Weekly that these films create an escape from his family’s chaotic dynamics by depicting ideal family life.
With Hallmark’s focus on inclusive representations, Bennett highlighted how watching these films during the holidays positively influences his complex family relationships. He noted that seeing characters that reflect his identity has made family watching time more comfortable, allowing for transformation. Bennett also expressed how gratifying it was to hear from others in the LGBTQ+ community who resonated with similar experiences in the representation of love.
Besides his role in holiday films, Bennett is also the host and producer of Hallmark’s “Finding Mr. Christmas,” a competition show aimed at discovering the next star for the network’s festive movies. He hopes this will encourage meaningful conversations among families, expressing to Forbes his aspiration to facilitate genuine interactions during the holidays.
Candace Cameron Bure’s Christmas Passion
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Beginning with Hallmark’s most celebrated Christmas actress, it’s appropriate to conclude with Candace Cameron Bure, a familiar face in seasonal films on both Hallmark and Great American Family.
In various interviews, Bure has openly expressed her enthusiasm for the holiday season. A notable moment was during a chat with her brother, Kirk Cameron, for his YouTube channel, where they shared cherished and amusing family stories. They laughed about memories of a real Christmas tree that turned out to have bugs and a year they had to settle for leftover branches when they got their tree too late.
Now that she has her own family, Bure takes pride in organizing Christmas festivities and cherishes the differing perspectives she gains as a parent. She has implemented strict guidelines for gift unwrapping, ensuring each gift is opened individually to maintain the joy of the moment. Much like in her films, her favorite memories involve togetherness and finding joy in the unexpected. The essence of a Hallmark holiday is alive in Bure’s family celebrations and particularly resonates with the spirit she represents on Great American Family.
Sophia Michaels
