Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Formulaic holiday romance has festive drinking, stereotypes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Dear Christmas
What's the Story?
In DEAR CHRISTMAS, Natalie Morgan (Melissa Joan Hart) has a hit podcast about love, but has never managed to find it herself. When she travels back to her family home for Christmas, she's met by familiar traditions and something completely new. A local man called Chris Massey (Jason Priestley) keeps showing up to help out, catching Natalie's eye. But can he capture Natalie's heart?
Is It Any Good?
Even with its host of familiar names -- its central '90s icons joined by Ed Begley Jr. as Natalie's father -- this Christmas romance never quite finds the sparkle in its star power. Dear Christmas follows the festive romcom formula to the very last detail, but doesn't up the stakes enough for the drama to really kick in. Is the audience really invested in the romance and, more importantly, are the characters?
Where it does shine a little more brightly is in the candy-cane cuteness of the setting and the warm family dynamics. The festive atmosphere of the town and the Morgan family home do a good job of conjuring the wonder and magic of years of history and tradition. A classic it's not, but with a hot cocoa on a winter's night, it has enough heart and shiny lights to muster up some festive cheer.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the portrayal of family in Dear Christmas. What did the Morgan family place importance upon and how did they show their love for each other?
What did the film have to say about love? What affect did Natalie's parents have on her idea of love? How do you think the relationships we see around us can influence our own views and behaviors?
How might the film be accused of playing to gender stereotypes? What are some of the common expectations of how women should behave? What about the expectations of men's behavior? How does the media perpetuate these generalizations?
Many Christmas traditions are seen in the movie. Can you think of films that center around holidays other than Christmas? How do they compare?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 27, 2020
- Cast : Melissa Joan Hart , Jason Priestley , Ed Begley Jr.
- Director : Emily Moss Wilson
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lifetime Television
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Holidays
- Run time : 86 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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