Everything Jen Lilley Loves About Holiday Movies and Christmas

Published: December 25, 2024

Everything Jen Lilley Loves About Holiday Movies and Christmas

By Movieguide® Contributor

Christmas movie regular Jen Lilley is sharing what she loves about Christmas and holiday movies.

“Holiday movies are so fun. My favorite part about them is the profound impact they have on viewers,” Lilley told Northern Virginia Mag. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve met a fan at Christmas Con who has told me one of my Christmas movies was the only 90 minutes they didn’t cry all season because they’ve experienced a recent death in their family. I cry tears of awe and gratitude every time I hear someone say that.”

“So, while these movies might not garner an Academy Award nomination, they’re a genre I’m extremely grateful to be part of because they’re impacting lives and bringing people peace and joy!” the Virginia native said.

Lilley loves all the decorations on the movie sets and even steals some of the decorators’ ideas.

“I’m obsessed with the on-set decorations — our set decorators are absolute geniuses. I take so many photos to inspire my own home décor every year. This year, for example, I’m including dried orange slices on my Christmas tree, which I took from my upcoming movie OPERATION MISTLETOE,” she confessed.

“I have had the pleasure of working with so many incredible actors and actresses over the course of my career,” she continued. “If I had to list my top three male co-stars from the holiday movie genre, I’d say Jesse Hutch, Matthew Morrison, and Trevor Donovan, although it’s tough to narrow the list down to three.”

Lilley’s next movie underway is HOLIDAY HEARTS, which is based on a book by Dana Volney.

“We have an amazing cast on board, including six other award-winning and iconic actors I’m not allowed to announce yet. We’re set to start shooting in January for a 2025 holiday release,” the DAYS OF OUR LIVES star said. “This project is incredibly special to me. The script is one of the most powerful and moving stories I’ve ever read.”

HOLIDAY HEARTS will film in January in Las Cruces, New Mexico. If the movie is successful, there may be two more sequels in the franchise’s future.

“I play Dr. Silver Morgenstern, a heart surgeon who returns to her hometown after sustaining an injury rendering her incapable of continuing as a surgeon. She meets Fisher Tibbs, a man who’s dedicated his life to helping underprivileged children while battling a terminal heart condition and in need of a heart transplant. The story explores their connection and how it leads both characters to rediscover hope and purpose in a tremendously powerful and layered way,” Lilley shared.

One of Lilley’s favorite things about the holidays is savoring time with loved ones.

“I love that the holidays are a time where you can slow down and focus on your family and friends. I love making and decorating cookies and gingerbread houses with my kids, making the ugliest Christmas sweaters we can muster up, playing a holiday version of Minute to Win It and of course, having Christmas movie nights with popcorn, hot chocolate, and a candy bar. I also love meeting all of my fans at Christmas Con.”

“I love making and delivering gifts for our neighbors and I think my favorite part of the holidays is prioritizing others and providing gifts to children and families in need that my family and I might never meet,” she continued. “That’s so special. And yes, I will be coming to Virginia to visit family, and I cannot wait!

In the first week of December, Lilley’s movie, A PARIS CHRISTMAS WALTZ was the seventh most popular movie on Netflix across the world.

“Thank you to everyone who has seen this filmed and loved it!” Lilley shared in a celebratory Instagram post.