A Gift Wrapped Christmas (2015 Lifetime)
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Cast: Meredith Hagner, Travis Milne, Anna Van Hooft, Dolores Drake, Beverley Mitchell
Director: Lee Friedlander
Writer(s): Barbara Kymlicka
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlySynopsis (via Lifetime)
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. When Gwen meets his 7-year-old son Owen she is sad to see how little time Charlie is spending with him. She makes it her Christmas mission to get Charlie into the holiday spirit and appreciate the family he has. As Christmas nears, will Gwen be able to win over Charlie with her personal touch and help him re-discover what’s important at Christmas? Meredith Hagner, Travis Milne, Beverley Mitchell, Anna Van Hooft, Anthony Bolognese star. (2015)
Recap/Wine Thoughts!
Gwen is a personal shopper in THE City! She knows EVERYBODY in the mall, and they all love her. Gwen gives the best presents. She walks around shouting, “HAVE A GOOD ONE!” and drives a Doge stratus named Daisy.
Gwen is assigned to a high-profile client downtown, Charlie Baker! He is in a high-rise office. Dolores Drake (My favorite Christmas movie star!!) is Charlie’s assistant with a bad back from her cheap office chair. Dolores Drake has a desk full of coffee mugs because Charlie gets her mugs for every occasion. HE IS THE WORST GIFT-GIVER!
In his office, Charlie is no fun. He doesn’t want to dress up for the holiday party and only wants to wear grey or black. Gwen can’t have it and drops down to take his measurements. Gwen is tasked with getting a gift for Charlie’s son’s teacher, and when Charlie suggests a mug, Gwen asks if his wife knows what the teacher might like. “My wife is DEAD!” Charlie shouts before taking a phone call. Charlie gets a rave from the teacher for his thoughtful gifts of books! (Gwen took a shot in the dark.)
Beverly Mitchell shows up as Gwen’s sister, who is forcing her husband to follow a lettuce-only diet. (Why isn’t she the star of this movie and looking so homely?) She is also nosey as hell and tries to set Gwen up with a psychologist.
Charlie and Gwen have a whole love-hate thing, and it is hot.
Gwen goes out on a limb and gets Charlie Baker a purple pinstripe suit (it brings out the green in his eyes), and he is super annoyed. Not only is it not what he asked for, but it doesn’t fit because Charlie gained weight. (Gwen’s words, not mine.) He gets on a scale later at home, and he has gained weight. LOL, fat jokes are HILAROUS!
The gifts Gwen has been buying for Charlie’s clients are starting to pay off. He lands a big client because of Gwen’s gift basket. Gwen also decorates Charlie’s office with Christmas decor, much to the delight of Charlie’s son, Owen. (Who Gwen starts looking after and infusing with Christmas joy!)
Then the Bitchy Brunette/Charlie’s girlfriend arrives in town. Victoria steals cabs from young families and wears her hair pulled back at all times. Victoria does not like Gwen or her gifts; she thinks Gwen is classless. Victoria doesn’t like kids and makes Owen a Wagyu Beef Burger with Wasabi cotton candy foam at a trendy restaurant.
Charlie and Owen go to Gwen’s Beverly Mitchell’s house to pick up a stuffed animal Owen left behind and have a proper burger. Gwen and Charlie get to talking, and he admires her car. It belonged to her dad, who passed away recently. When Gwen gets cold, Charlie gives her his jacket. He ignores a phone call from Victoria, and they make snowmen marshmallows with Owen. (Awww!)
SHOPPING MONTAGE!
- Gwen ties a nose trimmer
- Gwen tries to wrap a yoga ball
- Gwen wraps presents for the office Christmas party.
Gwen joins Charlie at the work Christmas party and puts pine trees in his suit as cufflinks. Dolores Drake LOVES her back brace! She isn’t a fan of Victoria and tells Gwen that Victoria makes more of a business partner than a life partner.
They play a game at the party where they have to guess Christmas Melodies. Victoria wins the first round but refuses to sing the words. Then Charlie and Gwen answer the second round and sing “Silent Night” together. (They are alright, even if Gwen carries the whole performance and is giving middle school choir director.) Gwen gets upset when she sees Victoria being a HATER and rushes off, but the car won’t start!
Victoria tries to get Charlie to propose, but the pine-scent cufflinks turn her off, and she starts sneezing. Charlie sends Victoria home in a cab and goes home to spend time decorating with Owen.
DECORATING MONTAGE!!!!!! (With the most psycho-sounding Christmas music I’ve ever heard.)
Victoria goes out of town for work, leaving Gwen, Charlie, and Owen time to bond while playing football. Charlie asks Gwen what she wants for Christmas and she simply says, “snow!” They almost kiss, but Gwen stops them and says “What about Victoria!?!”
Victoria comes back, belittles Gwen, and tells her to pick out an engagement ring for her for Christmas. Gwen isn’t the only own unexcited by Victoria’s return. Charlie and Owen are unimpressed with her impromptu gift of Christmas on the beach. Later at dinner, Victoria doesn’t even know Charlie’s eye color or what Owen wants for Christmas. He is unimpressed and breaks up with Victoria on the spot. (I loved it! Best break up ever! Victoria saying “We can work that Ouoot!” was so funny! )
Meanwhile, Gwen is finishing up shopping the final items on Charlie list and sees “engagement ring” written on it. She gets the wrong idea and storms off crying hysterically. (Okay, not really, but that would be hilarious.) She actually eats Christmas cookies while looking sad. She talks to her mom, who is climbing mount Everest or something. The mother tells Gwen that she always makes other people happy, but should do what she wants for herself and make herself happy.
Susan (RIP, Ally Warren) shows up at the office the next day and is Charlie’s new personal shopper, he is confused. Charlie leaves town early to spend time with Owen. Carlie realizes that he left the toboggan and calls Dolores Drake to help him get it back to the cabin.
Gwen rushes to the office to tell Charlie how she feels, but she is too late. Dolores Drake gives Gwen the toboggan and Gwen drives Daisy up to the cabin, singing suddenly off key! The car breaks down leaving Gwen stranded. She walks the toboggan to the next bus station and makes the long journey. (She even gives a cookie to a homeless Santa! Isn’t Gwen so nice?!?1)
Charlie is thrilled to see Gwen and gives her his thoughtful gift, a snowglobe. (The mugs of Christmas.) Gwen explains that stopped working for him because she didn’t want to get in between him and Victoria. Charlie tells her that she doesn’t need to worry about that because, Gwen changed eververything. Then they kiss!!!!!
Owen interrupts, bit at least he looks adorable in kid ugg boots. They look outside and it is REALLY snowing! Merry Christmas!
Side Note/Stray Thoughts
A Lifetime Christmas Classic, for sure!
Happy Christmas in July
Meredith Hagner was almost stuck in TV movie purgatory before signing on for the edgy comedy/thriller Search Party.
Owen, man, I couldn’t understand anything that adorable kid was saying.
Beverley Mitchell playing second fiddle/sister here is very perplexing. Why would she take this role?
Overall rating
Pour it up (Yes, you should watch it!)
Put a Cork in It
Christmas Feels: 🎄🎄🎄🎄 (5 Christmas Trees)
Enjoyment Level: 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 (5 glasses of wine.)
