Christmas on Mistletoe Farm Parent Guide

Recently widowed Matt Cunningham (Scott Garnham) is struggling to balance his responsibilities as a single parent of five children with an increasingly stressful job. He has a big presentation looming ahead and he’s been told that his job depends on its success. When he inherits a farm from his estranged father, Matt sees an opportunity to find some quiet time to work on his project while his kids enjoy the countryside. Unfortunately, the farm needs a lot more work than he had anticipated, and Matt has an even harder time juggling his responsibilities on top of his new chores. When an opportunity to sell the farm comes up, Matt jumps at it, but his children and the local villagers have other plans.

Rather than launch into my opinions I’m just going to list some of the Christmas movie tropes in this film: An unexpected inheritance. A dead wife/mom. A man saying “December 24^th? But that’s Christmas Eve!” A grinchy businesswoman who hates children and Christmas. Threats of being fired. Quirky villagers. A man and woman meeting by literally running into each other. Mistletoe. Greedy land developers. A town Christmas party. A musical number right before the credits. Sweaters of various colors. In other words, this movie has everything.

I’m usually not the biggest holiday movie fan, but there’s just something so charming about the genre when it’s done earnestly. As a critic, I could point out the flat cinematography, cliched writing, or the campy acting in this production, but it really doesn’t matter. There’s such a deep level of sincerity and holiday spirit that I can’t fault it. I had a fun, if somewhat mindless, time and my six-year-old had a few good laughs.

If you like holiday flicks, you’re going to love Christmas on Mistletoe Farm. It’s festive and charming and completely sincere if a bit corny and clichéd. And on top of that it’s very family friendly. Unlike the romance centered side of the genre, this story is focused on a man, his children, and their community. There is a bit of romance, but it’s not a main plot point. Aside from some very mild swearing, there isn’t much that would keep most audiences away. And the messages around the importance of family, doing the right thing, and the holiday spirit are sure to warm even the grinchiest of hearts. I know I’m feeling distinctly jolly after my viewing.