Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wholesome but bland and predictable holiday romance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Joy for Christmas
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In JOY FOR CHRISTMAS, shortly before the holiday, Holly (Cindy Busby) quits her job as a publisher's publicist and heads home to help organize her family's traditional annual toy drive. Once home, she learns that the Giveaway, her dead mother's passion project, has been sidelined by a fraud-induced cashflow problem. Under her dad's direction, the company outsourced the charitable event to scammers who ran off with the proceeds. It's too late to raise more funds the usual way. Surely the Giveaway must be canceled since there are no funds and no toys collected or wrapped. Yet plucky Holly believes that if she can only get baseball player Jack (Sam Page), whose charitable efforts were also upended by the same scammers, to make an appearance at a last-minute ball, all will be well. One problem: Jack hates Christmas.
Is It Any Good?
Nothing here is in the least bit plausible, but the performers are charming and the sentiments are heartfelt enough to carry a holiday-themed, family-values-touting movie. Joy for Christmas is brimming with hare-brained ideas (guests are expected to come to a ball with sufficient cash to make substantial donations?) and an implausible timeline (a canceled ball can be thrown back together a day in advance?). All of this necessitates the use of tons of repetitive exposition. But the boy gets the girl and the kids get the toys. Under the circumstances, what more could you ask for?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what elements of the standard holiday movie this one focuses on. Is it a well-made version?
Holiday-centered movies are often low-budget and don't usually feature well-known actors. Do you think that is a plus or a drawback?
If you were making a holiday movie, which commonly-used elements would you focus on? Romance? Teaching Christmas spirit to resisters? Sharing bounty with those who have less?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 19, 2021
- Cast : Cindy Busby , Sam Page , Erin Boyes
- Director : Pat Williams
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Holidays ( Christmas )
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : December 9, 2025
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