Odio la Navidad

I love her because she was what we need to see -- she was open to love and yet, she loved people more. She was not someone's doormat but she know what she needed... And I am so glad they found baby Jesus in the end--True love, love personified makes Christmas great! For Italian family, the overbearing mom was a bit too much, but all moms are overbearing. The dad as a great counterbalance but the roommate's character as being a tinder babe was too much. If your love life is determined with an app and a overcharged libido, then what about the constant feeling of emptiness afterwards. I hope that they can continue the story because the cast is worth it!

The Netflix descriptor begins ' Every Christmas is the same story' - well of course it when you copy from the original (The Norwegian Home for Christmas) which was released last Xmas on Netflix!! Do they acknowledge this anywhere? Hugely disappointing from a company that supposedly prides itself on its creativity here shamelessly copy and pasting Oslo into Venice and expecting audiences not to notice as it sinks

This Italian has a sexier lead than the Norwegian but her beauty and charm make it hard to accept the premise of her being unable to attract or keep a boyfriend.

But otherwise I'd strongly recommend Home for Christmas which feels like the real deal unlike soggy imitation that is more panned than panettone.

This starts off well but starts to lose its way midway through the series. It is based on the Norwegian series 'Home for the Holidays", and in some respects is a funnier. However, it really is just a repeat of the script, but with a beautiful Venetian backdrop. Sometimes, there is a loss of continuity as maybe they are not planning on a second season, but overall it's fairly entertaining even if a bit silly. The story really doesn't go anywhere, and the final episode is just a bit too sickly sweet. It remains to be seen is there will be a second season , and if they will stick slavishly to the script or maybe change the story line around.

The series is okay, but it is a remake, and Netflix's original series Home for Christmas (2019 and season two in 2021) is way better. Home for Christmas just captures the Christmas spirit in a different way, and the main actress has this amazingly warm charisma about her.

All in all, I hate Christmas is an okay series, and the Italian setting certainly is charming in it's own way. But it just can't compare to the original series set in Norway. The snowy surroundings and winter wonderland-feeling in HoC is just divine.

I really hope Netflix will want to invest in a third season of the original story, rather than making a season two of this version.

I loved the original Norwegian series by Per-Olav Sorensen 'Hjem Til Jul' (Home for Christmas 2019-2020), it took me a bit by surprise as it didn't end up being a complete cliche, but that didn't prevent me from enjoy this Italian version of the series.

There were elements that were identical to the Norwegian original, but there were plenty that were not. Let's start with one of the main reasons to watch this two season Christmas series...and that is the gorgeous backdrop of Chioggia, Italy. The boats, canals, bridges, Christmas markets, lights, bell tower and local nativity scenes...not to mention the lovely Italian language itself.

I really enjoyed the Norwegian actress Ida Elise Broch, who played Johanne the nurse and still single 30 year old in the original. I think Pilar Fogliati, who plays Gianna, is lovely...in fact maybe too lovely to be believable as a single 30 something, but she is a fantastic actress who manages too pull off some of the quirkier aspects of her character.

If you enjoy romantic holiday comedy series, I think you will enjoy this one. The backdrop in Italy really added a lot for me and I loved seeing the individual nativities...I also liked seeing the icons of Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus in their canal boat (it added a whole level of comedy to have the Baby Jesus lost and ongoing scenes with divers etc. Trying to recover him). There was more comedy than the original Norwegian series...plenty of colorful knitted sweaters, and a different message in the end. My review is based on watching tge series in its original Italian with English subtitles. (I was a little confused with the English translation about seeing the Santa sleigh? I am guess it was the equivalent of seeing fireworks when you "fall in love"?). Overall a pleasant way to pass the time, not quite as good as the Norwegian original, but enjoyable all the same.

Review based on watching in it's original Italian with English subtitles.