12 Hallmark Movies All Moms Should Watch to Unwind This Holiday Season

If you're going to watch one Hallmark holiday movie this season, Christmas Under Wraps should be your go-to. Candace Cameron Bure stars as Lauren Brunell, a down-on-her-luck doctor who ends up moving to a small Alaskan town and falling in love just in time for the holiday season. There's also a little mystery woven into the background of this sleepy town that will really get you thinking.

Honestly, this movie is an oldie but a goody, but be warned: it starts out sad as all hell. The flick follows the tragic story of the Boyajian family, who hasn't celebrated Christmas since they lost their son in the Persian Gulf War 11 years prior. But when a suspicious stranger shows up around the holidays, things start to change for the family that's lost its way.

This is another Hallmark holiday title that frankly starts out a little bleak. Martha (Kristy Swanson) is up against some serious odds after her assh*le husband abandons her and their three kids, forcing them to live on the streets. Despite having the deck stacked against her, the mother of three takes a job at local diner and the family's luck starts to look up thanks to a little Christmas magic.

We're going to be pretty up front about this one: you're either going to hate it or love it, but either way, it's a guilty pleasure. Alicia Witt plays a shop owner named Alice Chapman who's forced to meet her fiancé's family over the holidays without him there. Things take an, ahem, twist as she comes face to face with her fiancé's brother and they hit it off. If you've ever seen The Family Stone, then this will ring familiar.

Obsessed with anything and everything related to dance? Then this one will shoot to the top your list! Alexa and Carlos PenaVega star in this sweet flick that follows a widow named Laura Trudeau, who leaves her comfy Utah home to take over a hotel renovation project. Although she's racing against the clock to get the hotel up and running before a benefit on Christmas Eve, she runs into an old flame — and you can definitely say things get saucy on the dance floor.

When Terry McQuinn (Gary Sinise) has to return home to take care of his late father's estate, he has one mission in mind: clean the place up and get out ASAP. But in typical Hallmark movie fashion, that's not how things end up shaking out. What starts out as a true tearjerker turns into a wholesome holiday love story we're always pining for this time of year.

Candace Cameron Bure gives another solid performance in this fan fave that centers on a scourge named Stephanie. In an effort to please her father (who's a major tightwad!), Stephanie tries to put the kibosh on Christmas cheer by shutting down the cozy Snow Valley Lodge until she meets a handsome fellow named Brady. As expected, her outlook totally changes after a few romantic rendezvous with her new beau. How steamy!

Although this title definitely has a twinge of creepiness if you think too hard about it (getting 12 packages in a row from a stranger IRL is a little cringe-worthy when taken out of context), the Hallmark spin will make you wish it happened to you. Cynthia (Meredith Hagner) is on the receiving end of nearly two weeks of gifts from a man she knows nothing about — who ends up being everything she's ever dreamed of. Swoon.

For anyone who hasn't checked out this classic flick yet, yup, Dermot Mulroney plays Lori Loughlin's McDreamy love interest in this movie that follows a protagonist named Mackenzie on her quest to fix up a hotel before Christmas. And, spoiler alert, despite some pitfalls, the duo get the job done thanks to a few helpful elves.

After recently losing her husband, Kathy Howard (Kellie Martin) plans on downplaying the holidays . . . until she falls for her Christmas tree salemsman, that is. Will her new love interest be enough for Kathy to move on? Fingers crossed!

This movie is based on the classic book (you know, the one that made you cry your eyeballs out when you were younger) and stars Rob Lowe of all people. What does that mean exactly? It's a must see. Watch little Nathan Andrews try to get his mom a pair of Christmas shoes before time runs out and see who helps him along the way.

Being a single mama is tough, especially around the holidays. And no one knows that better than Jennifer Cullen and her Uncle Ralph (played by Harry Winkler). Fortunately, things start to look up for the young mom once she connects with Morgan Derby, a handsome fellow her uncle brought to town with him, just in time for Christmas.