If you are a lover of made-for-TV Christmas movies like me, this is the perfect book for you! McMillan did a great job splitting these movies into different categories - those about family, those about fashion, those about travel, those about food, etc. and creating not a recommended viewing list for each category, but also accompanying activities, trivia, and snack or drink recipes. This book introduced me to some new movies to add to my list for this holiday season, as well as some great ideas about how to celebrate. The book had a very personal feel, as if a friend was providing her own experiences and recommendations. Definitely an enjoyable read for the holidays!

This book was very cute and I love the quirky crafts and yummy sounding recipes to help you have a "themed" movie watching experience. Every Christmas Eve my two sons and their partners gather at my home for dinner and a movie. I can't wait to try out these little helpful hints to make the evening all the more special and merrier.

I am a little disappointed that these movies are generally available only in the USA as it would have been fun to do on Christmas Eve as is my tradition...BUT it doesn't mean I can't use some of the ideas with any old Christmas movie I have on DVD or can find on TV at the time. There is a lot packed into these 113 pages and it sound like a lot fun.

P.S.
My Christmas Movie Name is: Angel St. Nicholas
I am most looking forward to doing: The Old-Fashioned Christmas

I absolutely loved this book! I am a huge fan of Christmas. A huge fan of Christmas movies. And since I came across Hallmark's productions, I am also a member of "Countdown to Christmas" yearly club! :-) I've had tons of Christmas movies on my IMDB list, but this book made me discover even more of them. Also, it is full of warmth, coziness and puts you in the right "I-Want-Christmas-Now-!" mood!
Highly recommended to all of you Christmas freaks out there!

A Very Merry Holiday Movie Guide is sweet book that captures the warmth of Christmas in its pages. While it is anchored by Christmas movie recommendations (mostly romance movies), it is more accurately a book that helps you fall further in love with all aspects of the Christmas season and its festivities – from Christmas card hacks to dressing like a Christmas heroine. Its lighthearted sometimes cheeky content is matched with sweet illustrations and designs (although the people-oriented illustrations seemed to detract a tiny bit from the overall charm). Especially in the current climate of days spent indoors that need a little extra fun and cheer, this is the perfect early stocking stuffer or hostess gift. The only things that could add to it are the inclusion of the years that each of the movies was released and perhaps a different title to let readers know all that is tucked in its pages.

#AVeryMerryHolidayMovieGuide #NetGalley

Author Rachel McMillan’s love of the Christmas holiday season, as well as her organizational skills, shine through in her new book A Very Merry Holiday Movie Guide. I would say that this book is more of a planning guide for holiday activities centered around made-for-tv movies organized by theme. (Don’t expect to find your favorite holiday movie if it was not made-for-tv.)

What seems to be missing, at least for me, is the channel or service that produced the movie. Knowing whether a movie is a Hallmark or Netflix Original would certainly be helpful in trying to find the movie. I also found myself looking for an appendix with a listing of all of the movies without having to sort through the various themes.

This book would make a cute pre-holiday gift for Hallmark Channel aficionados and those who love the warm and fuzzy predictability of made-for-tv holiday movies. It is divided into sections that allow the reader to focus on and plan activities around their favorite holiday themes or traditions. I can see groups of friends deciding on a theme and creating viewing parties - socially distanced, of course, in the age of COVID-19. This book, like made-for-tv movies, is a fun and feel good escape!

Rating 5

"A Very Merry Holiday Movie Guide" by Rachel McMillan is a great book to read to prepare for the holidays. I've been wanting to do more around the holidays but other than googling I did not know where to start. Luckily, I came across this book and now have so many ideas and wants for the holiday season. This book is filled with movie ideas, book ideas, holiday clothing options, cooking recipes, and a variety of different traditions. I loved how the book was separated into different categories because it will help the reader seek out what exactly they are looking for. It also made it easier to organize and plan my own holiday with how the chapters were set up. I loved the helpful tips when it came to Christmas shopping and how to put together a good stocking. I have already made a list of some movies I have to watch just based off of reading the little synopsis that was provided in the book. Overall, this was an easy enjoyable read that I will look back on for the years to come. 

Should you read "A Very Merry Holiday Movie Guide"?
Yes! This book has a little bit of everything so I'm sure you will find something helpful. Whether you are alone, have family, kids, pets, this book can help make an impact on your holiday season. 

**Received an advanced copy through NetGalley in return for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

Thank you NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for this ecopy of A Very Merry Holiday Movie Guide! Rachel McMillan lets her affinity of Hallmark movies and holiday cheer really shine through in such a way that inspires you to bake a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies or sing Christmas carols. Her book is more of a guide to enjoying the season, ranging from ideas of movies to watch, to giving you tips on how to, “make Christmas shopping an event.” The joy that radiates from this book is so soothing and genuine that it is sure to plant a soft smile on your face for the remainder of the day.

I initially was interested in this book because I’ve been feeling in the festive mood the closer we get to November. Okay, I’ll be honest I was in the holiday mood since September 1st, but this book really took me to a new level of excited. I already love Hallmark movies and almost use the excuse to watch them as a rite of passage into adulthood: once you genuinely love watching them is when you know you’re finally living your best life. McMillan structures this book so perfectly that it feels effortlessly like she was raised in the North Pole herself. Each “chapter” is written for the type of Christmas-lover there is, such as, “the romantic’s Christmas” or “The Homebody’s Christmas” (obviously went straight to that one after this year we’re having.) There are so many fun facts surrounding this holiday spirit snuck into each section that only enriches the reading even more. I’ll be sure to buy my sisters a copy this holiday season since we all share this love for Hallmark, baking and all things festive. The best part about it is that it doesn’t cater to this commercialized perception of what the holidays have become with Black Friday and gift giving, but she highlights the true spirit of the season and the memories that you can create during these few months of the year. Thank you Rachel McMillan for making me feel so cozy and warm after this enjoyable read!

If you are looking for a great book to help you with your holiday movie watching, this is the book for you! I am a holiday movie fanatic and loved using this book to help me plan out what I wanted to watch this Christmas and get me into the mood for Christmas! I loved the cover art and how quaint it looks along with the layout and interior design of this book. It is a very festive book and the interior art is adorable and on point for the book's subject. This book would also be a great gift for a fellow Christmas movie lover as well!

This was a really cute idea for a book. I especially loved how it was divided into movie themes with tips, recipes and ideas for new traditions based around the specific theme and film list My only complaint was that this was very American so I hope i can watch these films on Canadian channels.

This book is aimed for a US market, as it reference a lot of American TV channels and store. However, the phenomenon of Christmas Movies has crossed the pond. And so the book can be enjoyed in the UK as it’s all about creating your own holiday traditions based from Christmas movies.

McMillan identifies sixteen types of Christmas movies and creates a tradition around them. Each chapter follows a similar structure, discussing the themes, ideas for a party or event based on that theme, often with a recipe or . A viewing list of films from that them, ideas for a new tradition and a festive fact.

Mixed in are recipes, party games and helpful lists for you to create your own new Christmas traditions, so you too can pretend you are living in a feel good Christmas movie.

Full review to follow on my blog.

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Such an excellent guide to Christmas movies and I really enjoyed some of the tips for having a cosy evening and enjoying the movies. Even though I am fairly certain I have seen most hallmark Christmas movies over the years,I will admit I found a few listed here that were new to me and have been added to the list!

This delightful guide evokes the Holiday spirit with lots of hacks, tips, and ideas for new traditions. It includes an assortment of themed Christmas viewing nights complete with movie recommendations, recipes, decorating ideas, and more. The Christmas movie spirit definitely takes over in December, and this guide gives busy moms an extra way to add even more family fun to movie night.

Like so many others, I’m a Christmas fanatic and any book with Rachel McMillan’s name on it is one I will no doubt be picking up. So when I heard about her nonfiction offering celebrating the love of Christmas, I was extremely excited. A Very Merry Holiday Movie Guide did not disappoint.

Filled with festive facts, creative craft ideas, and sparkling suggestions for new ways to celebrate the holiday, A Very Merry Holiday Movie Guide is sure to put you in a yuletide mood. Whether you love celebrating Christmas with plenty of glitz, or prefer spending a cozy December 25th at home with a cup of eggnog, there’s something for everyone in this book. Each chapter focuses on different personalities and gives tips on ways to enjoy the season to the fullest, complete with a customized viewing list of some of Hallmark’s made-for-TV Christmas movies to help get you in the spirit.

One of my favorite parts of the book is the author’s writing style. McMillan’s voice evokes that cozy feeling of home that we all search for throughout the holiday season. I also love how the idea that there is no right or wrong way to celebrate the season is portrayed throughout the book. Whatever brings you the most joy is the manner in which you should spend this beloved season.

Put on your favorite Christmas music, pour yourself some hot cocoa, and snuggle into your coziest pjs and socks and get ready to be swept away by this charming love letter to the most wonderful time of the year.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harvest House through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the perfect gift for someone who loves Christmas.
It’s filled with movies, starting new traditions, festive facts and so much more.
I discovered movies I’d never heard of before.
Thank you Netgalley for this arc, in return for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for my copy of A Very Merry Holiday Movie Guide by Rachel McMillan in exchange for an honest review. It published October 6, 2o20.
Oh, my, goodness! I ADORE this book! I had to read it in one setting! It actually brought tears to my eyes with the longing of Christmas. This book reminded me of that special holiday feeling and made me oh, so nostalgic! I had to put Christmas music on and drink Countdown to Christmas tea while reading it to set the mood.
I love the format of this book, with different movie recommendations, ways to make new traditions, and facts!
If you're a Christmas lover, you need this sweet book! So many sweet and thoughtful tips that go beyond commercial Christmas things, but rather ways to love others and make the holiday season much more meaningful.
This would make an excellent gift, I know my mom is going to love getting a copy!!

I LOVE ANYTHING CHRISTMAS!! I always love playing anything Christmas during the season, especially music and movies. This is such a great guide to all the Christmas classics. Love it. Thank you netgalley for this! Christmas came early and I’m in love.

I don’t know about you, but it’s 2020, and I’m ready for Christmas movies yesterday.  Even my 17-year-old daughter who is a confirmed “We don’t do Christmas before Thanksgiving” traditionalist is ready for all the Christmas right here in the middle of October.  

That’s why I was so excited to receive a complimentary e-galley of this book, and I’d like to thank NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for this gift in exchange for my honest review.  

This book is a celebration of Christmas movies and so much more.  It’s a nod to the festive joy of that most wonderful time of the year – and all that that encompasses.  It’s a guidebook for doing Christmas in a way that maximizes that cozy pleasure that we all long for in December.  

From baking to shopping to reading to carols (and yes, movies) and so much more, this little book is sure to become an instant favorite.  I enjoyed it so much, I’ll be buying my own copy for my coffee table this year and several copies for stocking stuffers and Secret Santa gifts.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel McMillan nd Harvest House Publishers for a copy of A Very Merry Holiday Movie Guide. This is my personal review.

I was so happy I got this to review! I loved the ideas - suggestions for movies and activities to go with them! What a perfect preholiday gift this is for so many of my friends and family. None of us are sure what the upcoming holidays season will be like and to have this amazing book full of such great things is going to be a great book to have. The recipes are a great addition to go with the entire theme of the book.
I will be sending this to many people to enjoy as much as I have.

I loved this book as it made me discover a lot a new to me to Christmas movies and gave a lot of ideas for Christmas activities.
It's well written, full of humor and the perfect read for Christmas.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was so much more than a listing of Christmas movies! Yes, there were MANY movies with a little blurb about each of them but there were also holiday recipes, gift ideas, and even Christmas movie bingo! In all, it's a pretty cute book full of Christmassy goodness. I'm ready for all the holiday movies to begin!