How to Play the Hallmark Christmas Movie Drinking Game
Ready to hit the ground guzzling? We recommend whipping up your favorite big-batch Christmas cocktail and going easy on the liquor, especially if you're settling in for a double feature. Depending on the Hallmark cliché you stumble upon, you'll take one sip, two sips or—in the most extreme cases—finish your drink. Ready, set, sip!
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Take a Sip If...
Stephen Huszar and Katie Cassidy in "A Royal Christmas Crush" (2023). (Johnson Production Group/Hallmark)
- Within the first 10 minutes someone says, "We only have a week until Christmas!"
- Someone has a Christmas-y job on a tree farm, at a bakery or planning a town festival, etc.
- The main character has a dead parent or spouse.
- You hear a Christmas-themed name, including, but not limited to, Holly, Noelle, Chris or Nick.
- The leading lady's businessman boyfriend cares more about his job than her.
- Someone gets a magical glimpse into the past, future or someone else's life.
Bonus: Take two sips if time travel exists.
- The main character moves from the big city to their small hometown or...
- gives up a corporate career to pursue a niche (read: not economically viable) personal dream or...
- reconnects with a high school flame.
- There's a rival brunette.
- Someone partakes in a quintessential Christmas activity like a snowball fight, ice skating or baking cookies.
Bonus: Take two sips if they build a snowman or go on a sleigh ride.
- A Scrooge-like boss hates Christmas and doesn't understand work-life balance.
- A notable TV star or film legend (Jane Seymour, Teri Hatcher, Wallace Shawn and the like) makes a cameo or...
- someone from "When Calls the Heart" shows up or...
- an actor's real-life spouse and fellow Hallmark star appears.
- Someone gets snowed in.
Bonus: Take two sips if a car is stuck in a snowbank or a flight/train is cancelled.
- Christmas tree decorating turns into something more.
- Jingle bells mark a scene transition.
- You can tell they're not actually drinking whatever's in that mug.
- There's royalty.
- Someone attends a Christmas tree lighting or festival.
Bonus: Take two sips if a holiday tradition causes way too much stress.
- It's totally obvious the movie was filmed in summer (green trees, a noticeable lack of dead foliage).
- The main characters kiss under the mistletoe, by a Christmas tree or in the snow.
Bonus: Take two sips if their romance began as a love-hate relationship.
Finish Your Drink If...
Ashley Williams and Kimberly Williams-Paisley in "Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday" (2021). (Fred Hayes/Crown Media)
- The main character goes on a date while fully engaged to someone else.
- It snows on Christmas Day.
- A character turns out to be Santa or a possessor of Christmas magic.
- The small business defeats corporate greed.
- The main character becomes a royal in another country.
- Actual Christmas magic saves the day.
The Hallmark Channel's 2023 Countdown to Christmas begins Friday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT.
