Hi Everyone!
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are now getting to relax a bit before Round Two - New Years Eve!
We appreciate you and your time so just letting you know this end-of-the-year recap is not our usual showing off of our favorite things. However, if you are a fan of Hallmark, please keep reading as I have a great experience to share about the fabulous weekend I just spent in… Kansas City, Missouri❣️ No, I wasn’t there for football-- in fact I wasn’t even aware that there was a game on Saturday between KC and the Texans. I was there for the OTHER headquartered hometown hero company located in KC that was throwing their inaugural Christmas Event... “The Hallmark Christmas Experience”! Yes, you read right! And I’m still on my “Hallmark High”!
Let me just preface by saying that I love the Hallmark Channel. It evokes a feeling of warmth and contentment that reminds me of simpler times and being at my Mom’s during the Winter time in Illinois- especially in her later years… And that warms my heart and makes me smile. Their set decors inspire me to want to pull out all of my holiday bins in September to begin decorating in their detailed colorful fashion.
Naysayers tease that their movies are always the same predictable format… singleton has just been jilted, goes back to their hometown at Christmas, (or has to convince a new acquaintance to be their significant other in order to save face), breaks down along the way, has to stay at an inn that is losing money, meets the hunk/honey that is either repairing it or owns it and has a child. The inn is also in jeopardy of a possible greedy corporate takeover from singleton’s company. But they start falling in love, get involved with the town’s tree lighting ceremonies, sing carols, walk and drink hot cocoa, confess their secret aspirations, choreograph choir festivities, and then receive the phone call that the “job is theirs” but need to be back on Christmas Day or else! Ugh! The drama of it all! But we know that after some confusion it all turns out and now they are royalty in an unknown country and living happily ever after.
Whew! So with that being said, here’s how My Hallmark Experience played out: Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, four separate dates were offered showing the line-up of what Hallmark actors would be there for that weekend. Several different price point packages were available with details of the events and times included. I was late to the party and could only go this last week so only the less expensive experience was available. For not knowing what I was about to get, I was ok with that.
I had visions of a cute Main Street festively decorated and with the “red or green” truck somewhere on site. I wasn’t too far off as the Crown Center Square (with the Hallmark Cards building in the background) was jumping with tree lighting, ice skating, vendor booths, fire pits, food options and The Jingle Bar! The Westin played host to the indoor “Reindeer Games and "Stars on Stage” Panel discussions. Those were very entertaining and informative as we laughed, shed a few tears, and were privy to info on upcoming movies, hearing about funny/awkward kissing scenes, learning details about the stars personal lives and seeing what they really looked like. As we waited in a line that moved quickly, Kristofer Polaha and Ashley Williams made for a fun distraction by coming out and taking selfies with everyone. He is SO handsome in person and she is exactly as bubbly as the characters she plays! The gal next to me had her picture taken the night before with Victor Webster as he was out walking his dog. Summer Villa is one of my personal favorites! If you know, you know…
It was ALL a delightful Christmas Experience and yes, I plan on going back next year! I’m curious to see the changes and additions they make between the first and second year as I feel this has the potential to catch on and really grow into a main holiday event for them.
Our team here at B3 want to thank you for your continued support and we wish you all a happy, healthy and fulfilling 2025!
XO Ramona
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