Holiday Addiction: Cheesy Hallmark Movies

Those of you who know me understand that I am in no way overly feminine. Actually, I am probably more of “one of the dudes” than anything else. That is why my addiction to cheesy Lifetime and Hallmark movies surprises me. I love them and love them even more when they have a holiday theme. It is definitely one of my guilty pleasures.

It is quite odd because even when I am watching them, although I am thoroughly enjoying it, I am asking myself why I am enjoying it. I do not consider myself a feminist but these movies make women look horrible. When they are not making rash decisions or in need of a man to make them happy, they are cheating on their boyfriend who works too much. Why is having a boyfriend who is motivated something to be frowned upon? Also, they are generally cheating on their successful boyfriend with their childhood friend who is the town plumber or waste management worker. Do not get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with these professions, I just find it odd that the hottest guy in your small town is the local gas station attendant. I also find it unrealistic that the hot shot New York lawyer is madly in love with this man after just two days. Again, why do I love these so much?

Some other themes include single mom who needs a father figure for her extremely charismatic child, hot shot city gal accidently stranded with a very handsome small town stranger but she is engaged…but not for long, and finally my favorite theme, very successful business woman who has not been back to her small home town in 10 years only to find her long lost love. Do these sound familiar? They are ALL the same yet I watch them all. I cannot stop. I think someone needs to throw an intervention for me like Robin, Ted, Marshall, and Lily did to get Barney to stop doing magic. I may also need an intervention to stop creating memes. I am having way too much fun doing that too and I think my husband is getting tired of pretending that they are funny as I just sit and have a giggle fit because I think I am just so hilarious.

​So, I ask you, why are we addicted to these movies? Are we not smart, realistic, and successful women who have a good head on our shoulders? I often watch these movies and think the love interest is super creepy. Do red flags not go up when some dude professes his love after two days of hanging out? Just what every girl needs, a creepy stalker. I think they need to make sequels to these movies. What happens after they have been dating awhile and find that they have nothing in common? Local townie dude spends too much time at the local sports bar and cute successful gal becomes resentful because she is now working at the Walgreens instead of as the fashion editor for Vogue. As I am watching them, I hate them but I cannot stop. I am just weirdly addicted. Hello, my name is Krista and I am a romcomaholic.

So, next time you are watching the local bakery on the brink of closing down but some handsome stranger comes along only to find that her cookies have a secret ingredient that cannot be found anywhere else only to save her business; please ask yourself why this is entertaining to you. I know I will be questioning myself every single time. But even after all of this, I cannot wait for the new Christmas movies to air. Bring them on holiday season! I have my blanket, snuggly kitty, and hot chocolate ready for you!