Review: “A Home for the Holidays” (2023)

I’ll be honest — I only clicked play because of the renovation angle (though that opening font was pretty nice!).

As someone who loves watching old houses get new life (as long as it’s a remodel and not a remuddle), I couldn’t resist a Christmas movie about saving a historic home. And you know what? Sometimes low expectations lead to the best surprises!

Our leads handle their roles with refreshing competence. Sure, there are moments when reactions feel a bit overdone, but overall, the performances work.

The first kiss is… well, let’s just say Russell understands that kisses start with a pucker, even if our leading lady seems uncertain about this basic principle. Come on — you’ve just gotten your dream house, a ready-made family, and true love! A little more enthusiasm in the kissing department wouldn’t hurt!

The Christmas decorations hit exactly the right note — charming and rustic, just what you’d expect from a real family. Maybe slightly professional-looking, but not so perfect that you can’t believe regular folks did it themselves.

The wardrobe stays true to the setting — practical winter wear for a snowy Colorado town. Cozy sweaters, warm coats, scarves, and mittens feel authentic rather than costume-y. Sometimes simple is exactly right.

Our story kicks off with what might be the most creative meet-cute in Christmas movie history.

Picture this: Ella, finally getting her dream fixer-upper after ten years of hoping, encounters a stranger in her new house. Her only weapon? A mounted fish. Yes, you read that right. One fish-whacking later, we learn that the intruder is actually the house’s rightful owner. Talk about making a first impression!

The plot follows some familiar beats but with enough renovation drama to keep things interesting. Ella, a hardware store owner who learned carpentry from her late father, faces off against Russell, a recently divorced writer who wouldn’t know a Phillips head from a flat head.

When demolition threats loom, it takes a whole town pitching in to save both the house and the romance.

Clean content throughout, with an emphasis on community values and working together. The kind of movie where support comes through actions rather than sermons.

What started as a “well, maybe it won’t be terrible” turned into a genuinely enjoyable holiday film. It proves that sometimes the best Christmas movies, like the best home renovations, just need good bones and honest effort.

As someone who gets excited about crown molding and properly restored hardwood floors, this movie hit my sweet spot. The renovation aspects feel genuine rather than HGTV-artificial, and watching a community come together to save a historic home? Well, that’s the kind of Christmas magic I can believe in!