'Christmas for Keeps' Review: Sweet, festive watch that highlights warm friendships

Five friends reunite to honor their late teacher in this heartwarming Hallmark Christmas movie that will leave you smiling
PUBLISHED DEC 19, 2021
A still from 'Christmas for Keeps' (Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss)
A still from 'Christmas for Keeps' (Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss)

Spoilers for 'Christmas for Keeps'

Hallmark Movies and Mysteries just premiered its brand new Christmas original 'Christmas for Keeps' and it hit all the right notes for a festive watch. The movie is one of the many holiday watches the channel is offering making for a very cozy, movie-filled Christmas.

If you're not one for having an energetic party and family-filled Christmas and would rather snuggle indoors with a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate then we suggest tuning into 'Christmas for Keeps'. The Hallmark movie will follow a group of childhood friends as they reunite after years to celebrate the life of their favorite high school teacher who recently passed away. Before you read on to know our thoughts on the movie, consider checking out 'A Royal Queens Christmas' and 'A Dickens of a Holiday!' as well!

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The story begins as we see Avery (Christa B Allen) trying to get together the old high school gang for the memorial being held to honor the life of their teacher Mr Massey (Everick Golding) who passed away. But it isn't going to be easy as each one of them is busy with jobs, kids, and more. But as with good Christmas watches things work out and they all reunite for a Christmas in their hometown together after years. 

Christa B Allen in 'Christmas for Keeps' ( Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Astorga)

The Hallmark movie has all the classic aspects of a holiday watch from twinkly lights, Christmas hometown traditions, elf costumes, and more. But that's not all as friendship takes center stage. The childhood friends who have grown up and are busy adulting still make time for each other. The love, support, understanding, and encouragement that friends give is unparalleled and the movie showcases it beautifully. Christa B Allen is the one who manages to shine the most as the optimistic, sweet friend who cares deeply about everything. Realism too is brought into the picture as each friend struggles in their personal lives, be it a failing career or not having time for family and we appreciated the honesty of life shown here. The value and significance that a special teacher hold in someone's life is displayed very heartwarmingly as each of the five friends remember the lesson he gave in flashbacks.  But that's not all as the movie also throws love into the mix and the realizing of feelings between Avery and Ben (Ryan Rottman) was a sweet friends-to-lovers trope that we adored.

Christa B Allen, Everick Golding, Ashley Newbrough, Marielle Scott in 'Christmas for Keeps' (Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss)

'Christmas for Keeps' is a cute watch that highlights friendships and pupil-teacher bonds in a warm manner. The flick ticks off all the boxes for a holiday watch and will have you wanting to catch up with friends and reminiscing about school life. So if you're feeling down grab those special to you and have a sit down for this Christmas movie!

You can now watch 'Christmas for Keeps' on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel.

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