Christmas movies, with their heartwarming tales and predictable-yet-comforting plots, are a staple of the holiday season. This year, The Secret Gift Of Christmas arrived, and immediately sparked a sense of déjà vu for those familiar with Lifetime’s beloved 2015 film, A Gift Wrapped Christmas. The initial previews alone highlighted striking parallels, prompting a deeper look into whether this new movie truly offered a unique Christmas gift or was simply a re-wrapped version of a familiar favorite.
The Secret Gift of Christmas movie poster, featuring Meghan Ory and Christopher Russell, a holiday romance film about the secret gift of christmas.
From the outset, the similarities are undeniable. Consider the opening scenes. Both movies introduce us to our leading ladies in remarkably similar fashion:
Scene from The Secret Gift of Christmas movie showing Meghan Ory and Christopher Russell walking in a Christmas setting, highlighting the similarities to A Gift Wrapped Christmas.
Scene from A Gift Wrapped Christmas movie with Meredith Hagner, showcasing the original personal shopper Christmas movie and its influence on The Secret Gift of Christmas.
The visual cues are hard to ignore. Both films feature energetic, charismatic women who work as personal shoppers, catering to a high-end clientele of busy professionals needing help with Christmas gifting. These shoppers, Bonnie in The Secret Gift of Christmas and Gwen in A Gift Wrapped Christmas, are not just filling orders; they are passionate about curating the perfect presents that will genuinely resonate with the recipients.
The narrative threads continue to intertwine as both Bonnie and Gwen find themselves employed by widowed, workaholic single fathers. These men, still grappling with the loss of their wives, are emotionally distant from their children and resistant to the magic of Christmas. They instruct their personal shoppers to stick to safe, predictable gifts – plants and mugs are mentioned – lacking any personal touch. However, both Bonnie and Gwen, recognizing the true secret gift of Christmas lies in thoughtful connection, disregard these instructions. They embark on missions to find gifts that are not just impressive, but deeply meaningful and personal.
Predictably, the exceptional gifts chosen by Bonnie and Gwen achieve their intended effect, fostering goodwill, strengthening business relationships for their clients, and, more importantly, beginning to thaw the emotional ice surrounding these widowers. The initially skeptical fathers are gradually won over by the shoppers’ dedication and the positive impact of their thoughtfully chosen gifts. This transformation extends beyond just gift-giving; both men even allow Bonnie and Gwen to inject some much-needed style into their drab wardrobes, symbolizing a broader personal revitalization.
Furthermore, the women form genuine bonds with the clients’ children, becoming instrumental in repairing their strained family dynamics. As their relationships with their children improve and their stuffy demeanors soften, the romantic spark between the personal shoppers and their clients ignites. This burgeoning romance, in both narratives, faces obstacles in the form of jealous rivals, creating predictable yet engaging conflict and misunderstandings.
While the similarities are abundant, subtle distinctions prevent The Secret Gift of Christmas from being a complete carbon copy. Bonnie’s motivation in The Secret Gift of Christmas stems from unresolved grief over her mother’s death and estrangement from her father, suggesting a deeper emotional arc. Gwen, in A Gift Wrapped Christmas, is portrayed more as naturally gifted and joyful, with a less emphasized personal backstory, although she does have an absent, free-spirited mother. The resolutions also differ slightly. In A Gift Wrapped Christmas, Gwen delivers a longed-for sled to her client’s cabin, while in The Secret Gift of Christmas, Patrick, Bonnie’s client, rediscovers and returns a cherished angel necklace Bonnie believed lost, a more symbolic and personal gesture. Bonnie’s journey also includes a subtle exploration of potential shopaholic tendencies, and a gentle lesson learned about “presence” outweighing “presents,” subtly delivered by a magical Santa figure. Gwen, in contrast, seemingly faces no such personal hurdles.
While A Gift Wrapped Christmas remains a perfect 10 in my book, The Secret Gift of Christmas earns a solid 7. Meghan Ory, while doing a commendable job channeling Meredith Hagner’s Gwen-esque energy, doesn’t quite capture the same effervescent charm that Hagner brought to the original. Hagner’s performance was truly a breath of fresh air. However, The Secret Gift of Christmas boasts Christopher Russell, who delivers his signature blend of handsomeness and genuine sweetness, a comforting presence in the Hallmark Christmas movie landscape. Credit is also due to the actress playing Christopher Russell’s daughter; she perfectly balanced youthful wisdom and vulnerability, making her character both sympathetic and admirable.
In conclusion, despite its heavy reliance on the framework of A Gift Wrapped Christmas, The Secret Gift of Christmas is a well-executed and enjoyable holiday film. It might not unveil a completely novel Christmas narrative, but it delivers familiar comforts with a charming cast and a gentle reminder about the true secret gift of Christmas: meaningful connection and heartfelt presence, rather than just perfectly wrapped presents.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 7 out of 10.
September 26, 2024
