Hallmark Plus offers another snowy escape from holiday stress, this time with a gift-wrapping twist. “Unwrapping Christmas Olivia’s Reunion” is giving us what looks to be a festive cocktail of romance and yuletide chaos, guaranteed to warm even the most Scrooge-like hearts (or at least distract them for two hours).
Our protagonist, Olivia, is apparently a gift-wrapping prodigy, though her talent for neatly packaging presents is likely less useful when she’s snowed in with her ex. Yes, you read that correctly – snowed in. With the ex. Hallmark is clearly leaning into the awkward-reunion trope, and honestly, who can blame them? It’s a holiday staple as reliable as fruitcake.
Olivia’s predicament adds a wrinkle to her holiday plans, since she also has this important Christmas Gala to attend, and is expected to be the star of the show. Presumably, she would much rather be at home admiring some tastefully arranged mistletoe than reliving the glory days (or not-so-glory days) of her past relationship.
The real question is, how will Hallmark handle this potential minefield of emotions? Will they opt for the predictable route, where exes rekindle their flame amidst a blizzard of holiday spirit? Or might they throw us a curveball, reminding viewers that some gifts are better left unopened? (Figuratively speaking, of course. Gift-opening is the lifeblood of Hallmark.) Let’s hope it’s closer to “Love, Actually” than “The Revenant,” but with more tinsel.
“Unwrapping Christmas Olivia’s Reunion” premieres Thursday, November 28 on Hallmark Plus.
