The talisman of indulgence is believed to possess mystical powers that grant its wearer the ability to indulge in their desires without consequence. It is said to be imbued with a delicate balance of energy that allows one to freely indulge in pleasures, while also maintaining a sense of moderation and self-control. Legend has it that this talisman was created by ancient sorcerers who sought to find a way for individuals to enjoy life's pleasures without being overwhelmed by them. They recognized the importance of finding a balance between indulgence and discipline, and so they crafted this talisman as a symbol of that delicate equilibrium. The talisman is said to provide its wearer with a heightened sense of awareness and self-awareness, enabling them to make wise choices when it comes to indulging in their desires. It is believed to enhance one's ability to differentiate between healthy indulgence and excessive indulgence, helping them to avoid the negative consequences that often accompany overindulgence.

A Magical Christmas Village (2022)

A Christmas Village brings the magic of Christmas to the lives of Summer and her family, healing old wounds and bringing new love to Summer and her family.

A Magical Christmas Village was originally released on the Hallmark Channel November 4, 2022.

Where can I watch A Magical Christmas Village online?

A Magical Christmas Village is available to stream from the following providers:

Is A Magical Christmas Village available to buy on DVD?

When will A Magical Christmas Village air on TV in 2023?

10/22/23 – 6:00am on Hallmark Channel

This movie normally airs throughout the holiday season on the main Hallmark Channel. For a complete schedule of dates and times, please click here.

Year Released

Cast Includes

Alison Sweeney (Summer), Luke Macfarlane (Ryan), Marlo Thomas (Vivian Todd), Maesa Nicholson (Chloe Ashby), Maria Meadows (April Dutton), Alaysia Jackson (Molly), Trae Maridadi (Sam), Ryan Mah (Cliff), Kareem Malcolm (Matt Dutton), Madonna Gonzalez (Claudia)

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A Magical Christmas Village Movie Trailer

Other movies you might be interested in:

1. Match Made in Mistletoe (2021)
2. Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas (2004)
3. Random Acts of Christmas (2019)
4. The Christmas Ball (2021)
5. The Star (2017)

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‘A Magical Christmas Village’: Marlo Thomas & Alison Sweeney Tease Classic Mother-Daughter Holiday Squabbling (VIDEO)

Flighty, fabulous, and “magical.” That’s what Marlo Thomas says to expect of her matriarch, Vivian, in Hallmark‘s upcoming A Magical Christmas Village. In the holiday flick, premiering November 4 on The Hallmark Channel, Thomas and Alison Sweeney co-star as a mother-daughter duo who couldn’t be more different.

Sweeney’s Summer is also a mother to a daughter who takes after grandma more than anyone else. After a breakup, Vivian moves in with her daughter and granddaughter and immediately sets up a miniature Christmas village. The holidays take an expected turn when, as Chloe (Maesa Nicholson) begins setting up the village’s figurines, real-life events appear to mimic the scenes she creates.

Vivian is a firm believer in magic, and “that’s the part that I love about her,” Thomas tells TV Insider and TV Guide Magazine’s Jim Halterman. “She has a daughter who doesn’t believe in magic and a granddaughter who does, and so there’s this triangle” that Thomas thinks viewers will love seeing play out.

“There was just a wonderful, glamorous element to her that was so down to Earth. I can’t describe it,” Sweeney adds of her co-star. “You can also see how my character, her daughter, is so frustrated by the whole thing. There’s a lot of drama, there’s a lot of fabulous hair, great outfits, but it all annoys my character.”

Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas 2022: The Complete Lineup

“Summer is very practical, and Vivian is the one who just lets life happen. That ends up causing a lot of friction between them, especially at the holidays. I think the audience will really relate to that because most of the year, you can get through it. But somehow getting close to Christmas, everything just feels more tense.”

Learn more about the generational squabbling seen in A Magical Christmas Village (also starring Luke Macfarlane as Summer’s possible love interest) in the video interview above. The film is part of Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas lineup.

A Magical Christmas Village, TV Movie Premiere, Friday, November 4, 8/7c, The Hallmark Channel

Hallmark For All Seasons

“A Magical Christmas Village,” starring Alison Sweeney, Luke Macfarlane, and featuring Marlo Thomas, aired on Hallmark Channel during the 3rd weekend of 2022’s Countdown to Christmas, on November 4, 2022. It was filmed in Vancouver, Canada.

Melissa Salmon provided the script, having written for Alison Sweeney several times in the past, including 2017’s “Christmas at Holly Lodge.” Jason Furukawa directed, this being his first Hallmark feature.

The poster is cute, but I do wish that Luke Macfarlane was visible in it since it’s not like he’s a minor character in the movie.

Music: Opening credits featured Little Bit of Christmas (affiliate link) by Juliet Roberts.

In a nutshell

I tend to like Alison Sweeney’s movies, so I was looking forward to this one, especially since it also added a touch of Christmas magic with the little village. If I didn’t have a cat that would terrorize that village the same way Godzilla invaded Japan, I’d probably have one of those little villages in my house every holiday season as well. Despite these things, I was a bit disappointed by the movie.

The Plot of “A Magical Christmas Village”

Summer’s life changes when her mother Vivian move in with her and daughter Chloe. Vivian sets up a miniature Christmas village, and as Chloe begins setting up the figurines, real-life events seem to mimic the scenes she creates.

Actors & Chemistry

Alison Sweeney was solidly good in this one, but she always is. She seems like the consummate professional actress who knows the brief and lands it without effort. It’s seamless with her. The same holds true for Luke Macfarlane, who was Mr. Charming just as much as he ever is.

The rest of the cast was good as well – I particularly liked Maesa Nicholson, who played Chloe. She’s been in three Hallmark projects this year, and has been great in all of them. I’m sure Hallmark will keep hiring, which makes me happy.

image: Hallmark Crown Media

And of course, Marlo Thomas. While younger folks may not know who she is, I am just old enough to remember “That Girl” and how revolutionary that show was at the time. While the character of Vivian dove too hard into the hippie realm (which doesn’t match Vivian’s possible age in this movie), it was fun having Thomas back on my TV.

Find the Tropes!

An overhead shot of a car driving down the road. Single mom(s). Dead parent. Cute (teenaged) kid. House with a front porch. A Christmas market.

A very pretty Christmas gazebo. We saw some crafting going on. Ice skating complete with a slip and fall. Chloe dressed up like an elf. A final kiss as the snow begins falling.

Did I Hear/See That Right?

The movie did not start out well at all. As two women walk through an old building, one of them says something like, “It was hard to see from your blueprints, but this place is amazing.” Um….it’s one big, dark open room with nothing in it but furniture covered in drop cloths and a FULLY DECORATED CHRISTMAS TREE while workmen do construction in the background. WHAT?

Mom Vivian has to move out of her boyfriend’s house and all she has is a few suitcases and about 10 boxes? And most of those boxes hold her Christmas village and (apparently) glass canisters of dry goods? Did she give up ALL her possessions to move in with the guy?

Did Ryan pick up Summer before dinner? Because it was implied they’d meet there, and yet he took her home and they said good night at her door. Or did they walk from main street to her house? Is the town that small? I have so many questions.

There were so many nitpicky things that I know I should let go. But I can’t. The sister hands her husband a hot glue gun and he pretty much has to hold the HOT GLUE end AND she pushes it up against his winter coat when she hands it to him. And is there a need to go to a Christmas market almost every day?

Feelgoods

I know Summer calls her mother “Vivian” several times instead of Mom, but it made me laugh because my 18-year-old son has called me “Jane” for at least 10 years with no signs of stopping. At first he’d only do it when he was upset with me and trying to make a point, but now he does it all the time.

Loved the “Elf” quote that Chloe put on the fridge. That’s one of my all-time favorite modern Christmas movies.

The random “reach out and touch her upper arm” as Ryan was leaving the Christmas market in the first half of the movie was HILARIOUSLY AWKWARD and I loved it.

image: Hallmark Crown Media

Re-watchability of “A Magical Christmas Village”

I don’t think I’d watch this again. This movie was too…normal? staid? safe? for a magical Christmas movie.

The Rankings

Despite the minor issues with how the movie’s story was told, it will likely end up solidly in the middle for the year, which is a good thing.

I also want to add that I chose not to write up last weekend’s “Christmas Bedtime Stories,” starring Erin Cahill and Steve Lund. I was somewhat okay with the movie until the last ten minutes. When the MIA husband showed up at the Daddy/Daughter dance, I just got MAD. Listen, I know this is Hallmark and so it’s a very easy breezy version of life. But it was egregious to show that a person can be a prisoner of war for YEARS and come home and automatically resume their life. And not just come home, but come home with NO announcement of his return, NO slow exposure to normal life, NO PTSD and then just pop up at a holiday dance. That does an incredible disservice to the POW experience.

I knew any write-up I provided would just be one long rant about what really happens when a POW is brought home (hint: it can takes weeks/months to re-introduce them to normal life). The only reason the movie scored as high as it did was because it had about 1,000 tropes and I liked the cast.

1. Ghosts of Christmas Always (air date: Oct 30) – 732 pts – weighted score: 122.4 (85.9%)
2. A Kismet Christmas (air date: Oct 24) – 664 pts – weighted score: 113.2 (79.4%)
3. Two Tickets to Paradise (air date: June 25) – 664 pts – weighted score: 111.4 (78.1%)
4. Just One Kiss (air date: Apr 2) – 660 pts – weighted score: 111.2 (78.0%)
5. The Presence of Love (air date: Mar 13) – 650 pts – weighted score: 110.9 (77.8%)
6. Wedding of a Lifetime (air date: Sept 17) – 640 pts – weighted score: 108.2 (75.9%)
7. Dating the Delaneys (air date: Aug 20) – 638 pts – weighted score: 106.5 (74.7%)
8. Love, Classified (air date: Apr 16) – 624 pts – weighted score: 106.1 (74.4%)
9. A Royal Runaway Romance (air date: Apr 9) – 617 pts – weighted score: 105.9 (74.3%)
10. Jolly Good Christmas (air date: Oct 29) – 625 pts – weighted score: 105.7 (74.2%)
11. We Wish You a Married Christmas (air date: Oct 22) – 623 pts – weighted score: 105.7 (74.1%)
12. Rip in Time (air date: May 22) – 622 pts – weighted score: 105.3 (73.9%)
13. We Need a Little Christmas (air date: Oct 22) – 614 pts – weighted score: 105.1 (73.7%)
14. Campfire Christmas (air date: July 16) – 621 pts – weighted score: 104.9 (73.6%)
15. Noel Next Door (air date: Oct 21) – 609 pts – weighted score: 104.8 (73.5%)
16. Caribbean Summer (air date: June 11) – 636 pts – weighted score: 104.7 (73.5%)
17. A Cozy Christmas Inn (air date: Oct 28) – 626 pts – weighted score: 104.6 (73.5%)
18. Always Amore (air date: Apr 3) – 618 pts – weighted score: 104.5 (73.3%)
19. Hidden Gems (air date: Jun 4) – 611 pts – weighted score: 102.3 (71.8%)
20. A Magical Christmas Village (air date: Nov 4) – 592 pts – weighted score: 101.8 (71.4%)
21. Pumpkin Everything (air date: Oct 8) – 603 pts – weighted score: 101.6 (71.3%)
22. Autumn in the City (air date: Oct 15) – 594 pts – weighted score: 100.2 (70.3%)
23. Love in the Limelight (air date: Aug 6) – 604 pts – weighted score: 100.0 (70.2%)
24. Second Chance at Love (air date: Mar 26) – 585 pts – weighted score: 99.7 (69.9%)
25. Christmas Bedtime Stories (air date: Oct 29) – 575 pts – weighted score: 98.8 (69.3%)
26. Romance in Style (air date: Aug 13) – 562 pts – weighted score: 97.2 (68.2%)
27. Big Sky River (air date: Aug 7) – 568 pts – weighted score: 97.1 (68.1%)
28. Game, Set, Love (air date: Aug 27) – 552 pts – weighted score: 95.3 (66.9%)
29. A Tail of Love (air date: Apr 23) – 557 pts – weighted score: 94.4 (66.2%)
30. The Perfect Pairing (air date: Jan 15) – 563 pts – weighted score: 92.7 (65.0%)
31. Christmas in Toyland (air date: July 23) – 544 pts – weighted score: 92.4 (64.8%)
32. The Wedding Veil Legacy (air date: Feb 19) – 543 pts – weighted score: 92.0 (64.5%)
33. Welcome to Mama’s (air date: Feb 26) – 540 pts – weighted score: 91.9 (64.5%)
34. Butlers in Love (air date: Jan 29) – 527 pts – weighted score: 91.3 (64.0%)
35. Feeling Butterflies (air date: Mar 12) – 542 pts – weighted score: 91.2 (64.0%)
36. To Her, With Love (air date: Sept 11) – 536 pts – weighted score: 89.4 (62.7%)
37. The Wedding Veil Unveiled (air date: Feb 12) – 515 pts – weighted score: 86.9 (61.0%)
38. My Grown-Up Christmas List (air date: July 9) – 514 pts – weighted score: 86.9 (60.9%)
39. Road Trip Romance (air date: May 14) – 492 pts – weighted score: 85.9 (60.3%)
40. Don’t Forget I Love You (air date: Jan 22) – 508 pts – weighted score: 85.8 (60.2%)
41. The Wedding Veil (air date: Jan 8) – 508 pts – weighted score: 83.3 (58.4%)
42. Where the Heart Belongs (air date: Jan 1) – 435 pts – weighted score: 74.5 (52.3%)
43. 14 Love Letters (air date: July 31) – 420 pts – weighted score: 73.5 (51.6%)

To see where this movie lands in my overall rankings of Hallmark movies, visit my Hallmark Movie Rankings page!

What did you think of “A Magical Christmas Village”? Comment below and let me know!

It is believed to enhance one's ability to differentiate between healthy indulgence and excessive indulgence, helping them to avoid the negative consequences that often accompany overindulgence. Those who wear the talisman of indulgence are said to experience a sense of calm and contentment, as they are able to fully enjoy and appreciate the pleasures of life without feeling guilty or regretful. They are able to savor each moment and experience without fear of consequences, knowing that they have the power to indulge in a manner that is both enjoyable and responsible.

However, it is important to note that the talisman of indulgence is not a magic fix-all solution. It does not guarantee eternal happiness or absolve one from all consequences. Rather, it serves as a reminder and a tool to help individuals strike a balance between indulgence and responsibility. In today's fast-paced and demanding world, the talisman of indulgence can serve as a valuable reminder to take time for oneself, to enjoy life's pleasures in moderation, and to find joy and contentment in the present moment. It serves as a symbolic representation of the importance of self-care and self-awareness in leading a fulfilling and balanced life..

Reviews for "The Talisman of Indulgence: A Tool for Embracing Joy and Adventure"

1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Talisman of Indulgence". The storyline was confusing and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and I struggled to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style felt rushed and amateurish. Overall, this book did not live up to my expectations and I would not recommend it to others.

2. John - 1/5 - "Talisman of Indulgence" was a complete waste of time. The plot was convoluted and nonsensical, making it difficult to follow or care about what was happening. The dialogue was cringe-inducing and the characters were uninteresting. It felt like the author was trying too hard to be edgy and unique, but it just came off as pretentious. I regretted every moment I spent reading this book and I would not recommend it to anyone.

3. Emily - 2/5 - I found "Talisman of Indulgence" to be a boring and predictable read. The plot lacked originality and seemed like a combination of other more successful fantasy novels. The pacing was slow and there were numerous unnecessary scenes that added nothing to the overall story. The writing was also mediocre, with too many cliché descriptions and predictable characterization. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend this book to fans of the genre.

Unleashing Your Imagination with the Talisman of Indulgence