Make your business sparkle with lessons from popular Hallmark classics

In this Article:

• Festive Foundations
• Let the Hallmark holiday movie countdown begin!
• Wrapping up with holiday success

When the weather turns colder and the holiday displays show up in stores, it can only mean one thing - it's Hallmark holiday movie time! Beyond the twinkling lights and festive love stories, many of these yuletide films feature a small business in the plot and are packed with heartwarming lessons, so let's see what we can learn from them.

Festive foundations

Hallmark’s roots go back to 1910, when Joyce Clyde Hall, a young entrepreneur with a dream, arrived in Kansas City with two shoeboxes full of postcards. He started selling them out of the local YMCA, eventually turning his small business into what would become Hallmark Cards. 

With his brother, Rollie, they created greeting cards that allowed people to connect in more meaningful ways, setting the foundation for one of the most iconic brands in personal communication. Hall’s journey is a true Hallmark moment—a story of resilience, innovation, and a small business that grew into a household name. 

Today, Hallmark continues to celebrate stories of perseverance and community, particularly in its beloved holiday movies. In this post, we’re counting down 20 inspiring Hallmark movies that shine a light on small business challenges and lessons for success. Keep reading for takeaways you can apply to your business.

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Let the Hallmark holiday movie countdown begin!

Here are 20 Hallmark holiday films that highlight how small businesses face adversity and triumph with a little help from holiday magic—and the lessons every small business owner can apply to their own journey.

20. “Christmas Under the Stars”

In this heartwarming film, an investment banker finds himself working at a struggling family-owned Christmas tree lot after losing his job. The lot has been a part of the community for generations but now finds itself on the verge of closing due to competition and financial troubles. With a fresh perspective and a new marketing strategy, the business thrives once again.

❄️ Lesson: Innovative thinking and adaptability can help businesses navigate tough times. 

🎁 Sometimes, the hardest times in our lives are a gift to reinvent ourselves. Many people, after losing a job, discover they were meant to be their own boss. There’s something to be said for creating your own path by building your own business. Learn more in this insightful post.

19. “Cranberry Christmas”

“Cranberry Christmas” follows a separated couple who run a cranberry farm and holiday festival together. Their personal differences have caused a decline in the business, but when they reunite to manage the farm’s holiday events, they begin to rediscover their shared love and passion for the business they built. By the movie's close, the cranberry farm that once was in jeopardy of collapsing due to personal conflicts is thriving again.

❄️ Lesson: Strong communication and teamwork are essential for business success.

18. “A Timeless Christmas”

Imagine a man from the early 1900s time-traveling to the present to find himself in a historical mansion-turned-museum that’s struggling to attract visitors. That’s the plot of this Hallmark classic. The museum’s outdated exhibits aren’t drawing crowds, but a festive event combining both historical and modern elements helps boost attendance and saves the museum.

❄️ Lesson: Breathe new life into your business by hosting a themed or special event.

17. “Holiday Date”

This movie follows a young woman who feels the weight of modernizing her family’s fashion business to keep up with the competitors, but she’s hesitant to leave behind their traditional designs. Inspired by the holiday spirit, she finds a way to blend classic and modern styles, delighting both loyal and new customers.

❄️ Lesson: Balancing tradition and innovation is key to staying relevant.

16. “Love, Lights, Hanukkah!”

In a charming twist, a woman discovers her Jewish heritage and decides to bring new traditions to her family’s Italian restaurant. By hosting a Hanukkah celebration, she not only connects with her roots but also draws the community together, rekindling the restaurant’s place in the neighborhood.

❄️ Lesson: Building strong community relationships can be a lifeline for small businesses.

15. “A Nashville Christmas Carol”

This movie has us in the bustling city of Nashville where a family-run music shop faces a corporate takeover. With a little Christmas magic, a TV producer is moved to feature the shop in her holiday special, bringing a wave of customers and securing its future.

❄️ Lesson: Use your platform and resources to support other small businesses.

14. “The Christmas House”

“The Christmas House” brings viewers to a small hometown where two brothers return to help their parents decorate their house for the holidays. Meanwhile, a beloved local bakery in the town is struggling against competition from a chain store. By incorporating the bakery into community holiday events, they help drive customers back and keep the bakery going.

❄️ Lesson: Participating in local events can create buzz and attract customers.

13. “Christmas by Starlight”

What happens when a small local café is on the brink of obliteration? “Christmas by Starlight” tells the story of a family-owned café that is set to be demolished to make way for a new development. A lawyer (the daughter of the restaurant owner) makes a deal with the son of the development company to save her family’s café. In exchange for his help, she assists him with a legal issue the development company is facing. In the end, a compromise is made, the café is saved, the development company’s issue is solved and, of course, a new romance blossoms. The story emphasizes that small, family-owned businesses are the heart of the community.

❄️ Lesson: Partnerships and thinking outside the box can save a small business.

12. “Double Holiday”

The stress is on in this one as a marketing firm is losing clients, and two colleagues from different cultural backgrounds are tasked with planning a holiday party to save the company. Despite their differences, their collaboration produces a successful event that revitalizes the firm’s client base.

❄️ Lesson: Collaboration and diverse perspectives fuel innovation and success.

11. “The Christmas Promise"

This movie follows a woman who is trying to recover after a tragic loss. To cope, she decides to renovate a cabin she and her fiancé once planned to live in. As she works with a local carpenter, she learns to open her heart again and rediscover joy. The carpenter’s craftmanship and dedication highlight the value of small businesses that bring a personal, caring touch to their work.

❄️ Lesson: Extra care and kindness in your services can spark word-of-mouth recommendations which help businesses grow. 

🎁 Don’t miss this post all about word-of-mouth marketing for tips on how to make it work for your business.

10. “Three Wise Men and a Baby”

Three brothers take on the unexpected task of caring for a baby over the holidays. One brother, a pet therapist, is struggling with his business and personal purpose. Through caring for the baby, he rediscovers his passion, which leads to the success of his pet therapy practice.

❄️ Lesson: Rediscovering your purpose can reignite your business's success.

9. “A Cozy Christmas Inn”

A small-town inn is struggling to stay open and is on the verge of being sold. By hosting holiday events and promoting the inn as a festive destination, the owners bring in enough business to keep the inn running.

❄️ Lesson: Hosting seasonal events can attract customers and generate revenue.

🎁 For more inspiration on how to prepare your business for the holidays, check out this holiday prep checklist.

8. “Hanukkah on Rye”

Two rival deli owners, unaware they’ve been matched by a matchmaking service, fall in love during Hanukkah. Both delis are struggling in a competitive market, but by merging their businesses and offering a unique dining experience, they attract more customers and succeed together.

❄️ Lesson: Collaboration with competitors can open up new opportunities. 

🎁 Choosing the right partners for your business is important. We’ve got a guide to help you choose wisely, view our 7-point checklist for a successful business partnership post.

7. “Holiday Heritage”

Holiday Heritage tells the story of a woman returning home to help her family heal and reconnect during the holiday season. She works with a local business to bring new life to their town’s traditions, blending Kwanzaa and Christmas celebrations to honor their heritage.

❄️ Lesson: Never underestimate the role of small business in preserving culture and bringing communities together.

6. “Snow Globe Wishes”

In this whimsical tale, a woman inherits her grandmother’s Christmas shop, which is struggling in the digital age. She discovers magical snow globes that attract tourists, and she reignites the shop’s success by capitalizing on their uniqueness.

❄️ Lesson: Offering unique, memorable products can set your business apart.

5. “Christmas in Maple Hills”

A real estate developer returns home to find the local business district struggling, with several small businesses, including a bakery, on the verge of closing. She organizes a community festival that brings in enough business to save them all.

❄️ Lesson: Hosting or participating in local festivals can be a great way to garner support for your small business.

4. “Merry & Bright”

Here we have a movie with a sweet plot. A candy cane company is struggling to stay afloat, and the owner is considering selling it. A corporate consultant helps her develop a new product line that revitalizes the company and keeps it in the family.

❄️ Lesson: Diversifying your product offerings can breathe new life into your business.

🎁 Stanley diversified their product offerings quite successfully and found great profitability in doing so. See how the company did it, here, and gain some insights on how you can, too.

3. “A Christmas Miracle”

Ever find yourself lacking an idea? In this next movie a small publishing company is on the brink of closing due to its magazine lacking compelling stories leading to declined readership. A single mom with aspirations of being a journalist moves to the city and is hired by the lifestyle magazine. When she’s assigned to cover a heartwarming Christmas story, she teams up with a charming colleague who helps her see the magic of the holiday season. Once filled with the holiday spirit, she authors an amazing article that captures the public’s attention, saving the company.

❄️ Lesson: Finding the right narrative can make all the difference in business marketing.

2. “Holiday Heritage”

Family businesses can be challenging, and Hallmark family businesses are no exception. In this movie, a soul food restaurant is at risk due to family disagreements. Through the film, they come to appreciate that by celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa, they can come together and rally community support, saving the restaurant.

❄️ Lesson: Strong family ties and community connections can be a business's greatest assets.

1. “Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa”

In the number one movie on our list, a professional retail designer returns to Evergreen for Christmas and discovers the town’s beloved general store has closed. Using her skills, she works with a local contractor to restore the store to its former glory, bringing back the town’s cherished traditions. Their efforts, along with the discovery of a long-lost letter to Santa, help bring the community together, reinforcing the town’s holiday spirit and love for their small businesses.

❄️ Lesson: Restoring and refreshing a small business while preserving its core traditions can revitalize customer loyalty and attract new business.

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Wrapping up with holiday success

💡✍ As you prepare for the holiday season, remember that it’s often the small, seemingly ordinary moments that create the magic—your very own Hallmark moments. Whether it’s finding a creative solution to a business challenge, receiving unexpected support from your community, or reigniting your passion for your work, these moments are the heart and soul of small businesses.

Just like in these holiday films, it’s the love, dedication, and resilience you bring to your business that creates something truly special. This season, embrace the spirit of giving, connection, and innovation, and let the magic of the holidays fuel your success. Your small business is more than just a business—it’s part of the fabric of your community, and with every challenge overcome, you’re writing your own story of triumph and holiday joy.

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