A Gift Wrapped Christmas

Writing skill, casting and chemistry between the main characters (with efforts from the supporting cast) make or break these generally formulaic Lifetime/Hallmark holiday films.

It is very interesting to me that many of these efforts, with similar small budgets, vary so widely in quality.

This recent made for TV production clearly didn't have the budget of the long ago big studio holiday films. Once upon a time, these had "A" list stars and the very best supporting actors in Hollywood. But, after all this is a made for TV production. So, direct comparisons are unfair.

My opinion is that the writers are not so much mediocre as...restrained.

However, mix some charisma and a little chemistry and reasonably witty writing together and you get a watchable story.

This one does better than average. It shows off Meredith Hagner at her best (perhaps by pushing other characters into a vanilla background).

This seems to be a "hallmark" of the Hallmark films. The female protagonist gets the lion's share of the story and the rest of the cast (with a few exceptions) fades into the scenery very quickly.

That would be the big diff between the holiday films of the past and those of the Hallmark channel. These current supporting actors are short-changed both in screen time and vibrancy of characterization.

Having said that, this is one of the better attempts.

Seen this a couple of times and still love it. The chemistry is so natural. Gives you a very warm feeling.

Personal shopper Gwen's new client Charlie is a workaholic, single father. Charlie likes things very simple, black suits, basic ties and thinks a mug is a perfect Christmas gift. The assistant however is almost like a hippie.

Because "A Gift Wrapped Christmas" managed to focus in on one of the most frequently frustrating aspects of celebrating the holiday: shopping for Christmas gifts. Gwen (Meredith Hagner) is the perfect personal shopper, and she manages to always find exactly what her clients need.

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Of course over the course of "A Gift Wrapped Christmas," Gwen learns how to not just buy the perfect thing, but look for love. But when the

There's nothing new in the storyline, a prissy workaholic young widower and his 8 yr old son get challenged to celebrate Christmas and maybe fall in love again through the work and persistence of his personal shopper. However Meredith Hagner shines in her role as the personal shopper - quirky, funny and incredibly lively performance steals the show. Travis Milne ably supports her as the widower. It's a good watch on a cold night

28 December 2016. It's not often that one really experiences the truly appealing, captivating, and probably too perfect to be true Christmas character, but A Gift Wrapped Christmas offers up one adorable gift in the form of Meredith Hagner as Gwen, a Meg Ryan-like super personality that shines. In the true entertaining tradition of holiday movies, this one is all about the happy female Christmas spirit charming the sad, dour, and back to business male executive with young son who often ignored.

The storyline is simple to the point of mind-less, meaning while the movie has a message, it's a singular sensation. It is a sense of enjoying life without having to overthink it and bask instead in the creative flourish, risk-taking, and colorful and tasty zest for life along with being sensitive and really aware of the human beings around you. The pass it forward philosophy and force is strong in Jedi Gwen.

The humor is light and sprinkled with good cheer but never outrageously so. The conflict, mildly depressing, but not long lasting, leading to the conclusion that facing up to the unknown and possible pain, is certainly worth the risk in the long run. Hoping your wish for the Gwen experience comes true for you too.