Maggie Dallen

Maggie Dallen’s “Believe in Christmas” (2024) is one of those flicks that practically begs for fuzzy socks and a mug of hot cocoa. The plot? Oh, it’s got all the classic holiday feels with just enough new twists to keep you actually paying attention. The story kicks off with a small-town librarian—yeah, the kind who can recite Dickens and still rock an ugly sweater—who’s basically given up on the whole Christmas magic thing. She’s seen too many failed gingerbread houses and broken ornaments to believe, you know? Life’s a little too messy, and honestly, who has the time? Of course, everything gets turned upside down when a mysterious stranger rolls into town—he’s charming, a little awkward, and carrying enough secrets to fill Santa’s sleigh. Their paths cross, sparks fly (in that awkward, banter-heavy way that rom-com fans eat up), and suddenly our heroine finds herself roped into a community Christmas project that’s supposed to save the town’s beloved library from closing. There’s caroling, cookie disasters, and a cast of side characters who are basically walking reminders that small towns are weird and wonderful all at once. What really sets this movie apart is how it leans into the chaos of real life. The characters mess up, they argue, they laugh too loud, and yeah—sometimes they even cry over spilled cocoa. Underneath the tinsel and fairy lights, it’s about second chances, finding hope where you least expect it, and remembering that sometimes, believing in Christmas is about believing in people.