I am a HUGE Christmas movie fan. There are always 10-15 of my favorites on my DVR year round. Since this year’s new Christmas movies started airing in October, I have fallen behind as usual and there are currently 24 brand new, not yet watched, Christmas movies on my DVR. One of the reasons this number is so large, other than my very busy October, is for the last 3 years, we have added the Christmas movies from Great American Family to our must-watch list.

If you haven’t watched Great American Family yet, why not? If you are looking for wholesome, God-honoring movies, Great American Family is the place to be. I know what Great American Family stands for and I don’t have to fear that they will sneak in relationships and concepts that we don’t allow in our home.

About A Christmas for the Ages

Prompted by their youngest granddaughter, four generations celebrate family and what Christmas was like in the 40s, 60s, 90s, and present day.

The movie stars Natasha Bure, Anna Ferguson, Kate Craven, and Cheryl Ladd.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

I already had this movie scheduled to record this Sunday night and even though we’ve seen it, I’m still going to record it so I can watch it again and again. A Christmas for the Ages isn’t your typical Christmas Rom-Com, it’s a movie about family, traditions, and love.

In all honesty, watching the opening scene I was nervous. The acting seemed stilted and the dialog seemed odd. Thankfully all that improved greatly as the movie went on. I really wish they had gone back and re-shot the opening scene because I feel some people might stop watching in the first few awkward minutes and miss a great story.

This movie centers around 4 generations of one family and how time changes who they are and what roles they play in the family. This is something we can all relate to, change is inevitable and we want to transition from one season to the next with grace, but that isn’t always easy.

If you love a heartfelt Christmas movie, watch A Christmas for the Ages on Great American Family.

The Giveaway

One US based winner will receive a 3 month subscription to Great American Flix. The winner cannot have won a Pure Flix subscription in the last 6 months. The giveaway ends at 12:00am ET on December 6, 2023. The winner will be verified and their email will be forwarded to the sponsor for fulfillment.

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About A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish

Brimming with overtones from the classic fairytale, this contemporary musical follows Katherine “Kat” Decker (Laura Marano) dreaming of becoming a famous singer-songwriter. Her reality, however, is suffocated by her conniving and cruel stepfamily and a demoralizing job working as a singing elf at billionaire Terrence Wintergarden’s Santa Land. When she starts to fall for Nick (Gregg Sulkin), the handsome new Santa at the tree lot, things begin to look up. Unfortunately, when her stepmother and stepsisters realize Kat has been invited to the prestigious Wintergarden Christmas Gala, they’ll stop at nothing to procure their own invitation and keep Kat from attending. With the help of her attentive dog, a true friend, and a little bit of holiday magic, Kat may just make it to the gala, discover the true identity of Nick, and experience the true meaning of Christmas.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

We enjoyed the movie. It was cute, funny, and held true to the Cinderella Story narrative. We have always enjoyed the work of Laura Marano from her days on Austin & Ally and Gregg Sulkin from his days on Wizards of Waverly Place so it was nice to see two of our favorite former Disney stars again. If you are looking for a fun, light-hearted Christmas movie for your family to enjoy, pick up your copy of A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish today.

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For the last month or so I have been seeing a lot on Facebook about the movie Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas. The movie opens in theaters on November 14, 2014 for a limited 2 week engagement. The other morning I was checking the website to see where it was playing near me. Trying to find time in our calendar, the last 2 weeks before Aaron’s wedding to drive 30 minutes to see this movie was proving difficult. Later that day, I received an email asking me if 1) I would like to participate in a conference call with Kirk Cameron-YES 2) Would I like to watch the movie via online screener in the comfort of my home before it is released int theaters-YES and 3) Would I write a review of the movie and host a giveaway of movie swag-YES!

On November 5, 2014 I was a part of a conference call with Kirk Cameron that also included a Twitter chat, you can check out #kirkchat on Twubs to read the tweets. While on the conference Kirk told us about the movie and why he made it. He also answered some of our questions about his life and family (he is a homeschooling dad of 6!), Growing Pains, his faith and Christian walk. If was fun to hear from him and to learn a little more about the personal side of Kirk.

About Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas

This Christmas, have your family join with Kirk Cameron’s family and dive headfirst into all the joy, dancing, celebration, feasting, imagination, and traditions that glorify the true “reason for the season.” KIRK CAMERON’S SAVING CHRISTMAS is an engaging story that provides a biblical basis for our time-honored traditions and celebrations, and the inspiration to stand strongly against a culture that wants to trivialize and eliminate the faith elements of this holy season. So take in the splendor; take in the majesty; take in the story. Take it all in… and let’s put Christ back in Christmas! KIRK CAMERON’S SAVING CHRISTMAS is in theaters for a limited engagement beginning November 14 for two weeks only!

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

This movie wasn’t at all what I expected it to be. I would call this infotainment or an illustrated sermon. The movie was slow moving and the parts with the character D’Andre could have been omitted and nothing would have been lost in the message. That being said…I loved that this movie helped me look at traditional symbols of Christmas in a new light. The swaddling cloths, the Christmas tree, the toy soldier and even Santa Claus have their place in a Christian Christmas celebration.

I would recommend this movie for those ages 12+, I feel younger children would be bored.This is a great movie for a small group or church to see together as it would be a wonderful springboard for discussion.

Saving Christmas Soundtrack

1. Joy-1 Girl Nation
2. Christmas Time Again-Steven Curtis Chapman
3. Saving Christmas-Building 429
4. Let Us Adore-Jason Crabb
5. Away In A Manger-Casting Crowns
6. Deck the Halls-Tenth Avenue North
7. Hark The Herald Angels Sing-Matt Maher
8. Silent Night (Christ is Born)-Jason Crabb
9. O Holy Night-Kerrie Roberts
10. O Come, O Come Emmanuel-Rhett Walker Band
    Bonus Track
    Father, My Father/Silent Night-Isabella Cameron and Kenzie Mae

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If you are on the lookout for a new, heart-felt Christmas movie, Angels Sing fits the bill. The film opened in select theaters and On Demand last weekend and is available for pre-order now on Blu-Ray and DVD at the above link with a release date of December 10, 2013.

 About Angels Sing

Harry Connick, Jr. stars as Michael Walker, who, as a child, wished every day was Christmas. That is, until a tragic accident crushed his holiday spirit. Thirty years later, Michael still can’t muster any joy for Christmas, despite encouragement from his playful wife (Connie Britton) and well intentioned parents (Kris Kristofferson and Fionnula Flanagan). But when his young son (Chandler Canterbury) faces a tragedy, Michael needs to make amends with his past. A mysterious man named Nick (Willie Nelson) gives Michael a gift that instills in him the courage to find the Christmas joy that he lost.

The Mom Maven Says…

I enjoyed the movie. It has a great cast and a poignant story. If I were you, I’d buy the DVD or Blu-Ray because this is a movie that you will want in your annual Christmas movie rotation. The movie is rated PG and I find it appropriate for ages 8 and up. This is more like a made for TV movie than it is ready for the big screen but if you like heart-felt family Christmas movies you should add Angels Sing to your must watch list.

Visit the Angels Sing website to enter the Christmas Caroling Contest, Christmas Decorating Contest and/or the Ugliest Christmas Sweater Contest! You can also follow Angels Sing on Pinterest for all sorts of awesome Christmas ideas! Pre-order you copy of Angels Sing  today!

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Check out these bloopers from the movie:

Your family can have even more Santa Paws fun when you whip up a batch of scrumptious reindeer sugar cookies and while they’re in the oven keep kids busy with a holiday puppy puzzler page. Then indulge in some holiday crafting by making Charity’s festive mistletoe barrette! Just click on the grapic below to get started.

Order your copy of Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups [Blu-ray + DVD Combo] today!

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The Heart of Christmas.

About the movie:

  It takes an entire community to make a little boy’s dreams come true in the Image Entertainment release of The Heart of Christmas, the heartbreaking yet hopeful film about a family faced with losing their child and their quest to give him one last Christmas. Based on the inspiring true story that gained national attention, The Heart of Christmas boasts a stellar cast that includes Candace Cameron Bure (“Make It or Break It,” “Full House”), Jeanne Nielson (Faith Like Potatoes), George Newbern (Father of the Bride), and Erin Bethea (Fireproof). The film recently received an Emmy® nomination for Outstanding Lyrics and Music for its title song, composed and performed by Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter, Matthew West, who is also featured in the film. A wonderful gift for everyone, The Heart of Christmas heads to DVD on October 16, 2012 for an SRP of $27.97.The Heart of Christmas tells the story of Austin and Julie Locke, who are devastated to learn that their young son, Dax, has been diagnosed with cancer. With courage, determination and faith, they decide to give Dax one last Christmas – even if it has to be in October. When the community sees the holiday decorations and learns the heartbreaking truth, what happens next is a miraculous outpouring of care and support. The Heart of Christmas will touch your heart and bring home the spirit of the holidays.

In 2010, singer/songwriter Matthew West asked his fans to send him their inspiring true stories so he could turn those stories into songs. Among the thousands of submissions he received, there were three separate letters about the Locke family and the community that came together to support them. Moved by the letters, Matthew wrote “One Last Christmas,” which inspired the filmmakers to share the story with an even wider audience. Premiering on GMC last December, The Heart of Christmas became the most-watched World Premiere Movie in the history of the network, drawing 3.6 million viewers.

For more information about this inspiring true story of hope and compassion, visit the Dax Locke Foundation website at: http://www.daxlocke.org.

My Review:

I watched the movie last Christmas on television and I was moved to tears. I had the opportunity to view it again for this review and yup, more tears! This true story has been turned into a well written screenplay. The story of the Locke family, which is played out daily by families with ill children, will touch your heart and possibly change your life. In the movie, the life of a stranger and her family is changed because of Dax’ story, remember to cherish every moment.

The Giveaway:

One lucky US reader of The Mom Maven will win their own copy of The Heart of Christmas on DVD. The giveaway ends at 12:01 am on 11/30/12. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and verified. The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize via email.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received nothing in exchange for this post All opinions are 100% mine.

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