Beginnings. There is always a starting point for everything. Sometimes you can pinpoint it and sometimes you can’t. But that’s part of the reason that I love television and movies – they give you a chance to pinpoint a characters beginning, middle and end.
And for Hallmark+ they are giving us the chance to pinpoint the beginning of these families stories. Holidazed follows six families, all living on the same cul-de-sac, as they gather for the holidays when emotions are amplified and relationships tested. But in the end, all come together in heartwarming and funny celebrations that showcase what we do have in common: LOVE in all its different forms.
We love a good love story and we love a story that follows stories from all different people and how they connect.
Holidazed is the newest show from Hallmark+ and features an all star cast. All of the families live on the same street and have history. Not everyone likes each other, there are different ways of celebrating the holidays, and life is always changing. In the first episode, we’re getting a feel for who all of the families are and what is going on in their world.
THE MANETTI-HANAHANS
You know that family that lives on the block that always tries to have the biggest display on the block or tries to out do everyone? That’s the Manetti-Hanahans. Their Christmas lights are iconic and their neighbors hate them.
But peace must be kept as their daughter, Katie is dating Kevin, the son of the next door neighbor. The fathers may not like each other but for the sake of their kids and not facing their wives wrath, they are shutting up.
The family is chaotic and filled with love. Chuck and Connie have hearts of gold and their kids come first. Well, even though their kids don’t realize it. They are all different, give each other a hard time, and all seem to take things in stride. They love an argument and a chaotic family dinner.
Connie is determined that this Christmas will be different and that her children will get along. She decides that they all will be signing a contract and agree to behave. No one wants to do it or take it seriously, but she’s not giving up.
THE LINS
The Lins are dysfunctional, but they own it. The family is happy to have their son and his partner home for the holidays. An overly affectionate family, they are planning their sons wedding to his partner. They think that they have thought of everything in order to make Christmas as special as can be.
That includes sending Grandma Lin to a Palm Springs spa in order to keep everything calm for the holidays.
This works because the Lins are hiding a big secret from her. Grandma Lin doesn’t know that Ted, her grandson, is gay. With the wedding the next year, Ted knows that he’s going to have to tell her. Ted is trying to navigate his world and the pressure of expectations – especially those of his Grandmother.
The entire family thinks that they have time to hide things from Grandma, until her flight is cancelled and she shows up at the door.
As the family tries to get her on a flight, she finds the wedding binder and assumes that its her granddaughter getting married. She refuses to go to Palm Springs now. She is going to be there for the holidays. Grandma Lin is the traditional family matriarch who brings a strong sense of family values.
Christmas should be interesting with her there and the truth coming out.
THE WOODS
Lucy Woods is a single mom who is trying to build the best life for herself and her child. She’s got a huge crush on the handyman, but she doesn’t know how to articulate it. She works hard and doesn’t see that someone could be interested in her.
She’s got a sister, Sylvie. Sylvie is the adventurous sister, who brings a vibrant energy and spontaneity to the family dynamic. She shows up and you can tell that she thinks Lucy is below her and that her life is boring.
Lucy’s daughter, Annie, is experiencing jealousy for the first time as her best guy friend is distracted by someone that Lucy doesn’t really seem to like. Her Mom tries to reassure her that all is going to be okay, but for Annie, it feels like the end of the world.
THE HILLS
Josh Hill has returned home to make sure his parents are settled before he moves to Australia. He’s got three days before he’s supposed to board a plane to Sydney for his new job.
His way of life is very different than his parents. Josh comes across at the type that tries to solve everything by buying something to help, but investing time? Too much.
His first day home he gets pulled over by Nora Jacobs. The two don’t get along and she takes him as the person who thinks that he’s above all the rules. Josh takes her as a stickler for the rules, that doesn’t take a look at the big picture.
But Nora has been through a lot. Her husband passed and she’s raising her son alone. She wants to have connection with others, but it’s the one thing she’s missing.
As Josh keeps making mistakes, and she keeps having to write him up, she calls in favors to make sure he gets community service so that he can leave for Australia on time.
THE LEWINS
Talk about some complicated family dynamics. The Lewins have them. Jennifer and her husband are welcoming her parents for the holidays. Yes, her parents may be divorced, but when they split up everything, they seemed to have forgotten to split up the holidays.
Jennifer asked her Mom to do one thing – tell her ex that she’s got a new boyfriend coming with her for the holidays. Linda hears what her daughter is asking of her, but she doesn’t do it. She says that her ex blocked her and that’s why she couldn’t. What she does is put her daughter in a situation that she has to be the one to deliver the news.
She’s argued with her Mom, but knows that for the sake of her son she’s going to put up with the drama.
Her father may be acting like he’s totally fine with his ex-wife moving on, but he’s not. It definitely isn’t about to get easier when she shows up and her boyfriend is half her age.
THE CAMARENAS
The Camarenas arent’s scrooges, but they aren’t the type that goes all out with decorations and over the top holidays. Instead, that’s left to their next door neighbors, the Manetti-Hanahans.
Gaby has returned home for the holidays. She’s excited to spend time with and cook for her family. When she comes home she gets the shock of a lifetime. Her brother is dating her nemesis, Katie.
Gaby had wanted just a normal holiday at home, but it’s not even close. Her worst nightmare is happening and she doesn’t know how to cope. Katie is trying her hardest to bond with Gaby, but it’s not going over well. Gaby hasn’t forgotten the past.
And it doesn’t make it any better that her parents seem to be favoring Katie over her.
As you can tell, there is a lot of stuff happening here, but the way they show set itself with this episode, we loved. We want to see how it all works out and how this whole street comes together for the holidays.
