So much average

For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

I liked this movie. Good supporting cast. The guy was not too annoying and the girl was sweet. Overall, It had a decent story. I would watch again.

This story is contrived to say the least but the writing, like the acting was lazy. Many details don't make sense. The leads have potential but never realize it.

Yes, it was Hallmark's same tried and true formula, but you know that before watching in most cases. In this instance, Merritt Patterson is the hotshot designer who left her small home town for a designing job in the big city. Upon returning home, she almost immediately runs into her old boyfriend. Her past feelings soon return as does her yearning for the small town life she had in the past but she is tied to her big city boyfriend. After spending a snowbound night in a "magical" cottage, the two old flames reunite for another happy Hallmark ending.Some actors/actresses just seem to be cut out for casting in these Hallmark feel good movies and this time it's Merritt Patterson. At least in my opinion, Merritt and Jen Lilley are perfectly cast in these roles and are extremely likable, resulting in an enjoyable movie, albeit with the same old premise.

The Christmas Cottage is a story about coming home, nostalgia, and a love rekindled through the magic of a family cottage, where any couple that spends a night there together will find an everlasting love.The story begins in San Francisco, where Lacey is a hardworking home designer striving with Roger - also her boyfriend - to land their first big project, a huge multi-million dollar opportunity that will set their firm up for years to come. They've designed a model "living space" that accommodates work and fitness under one roof, a functional home with wall panels that are projected with whatever season or scene the homeowner desires, even adapting the scenery's lighting automatically to owner's sleep patterns.However, before the deal is closed, Lacey insists to Roger that she must return home to fulfill her maid-of-honor duties for her best friend Ava's wedding, promising him that she'll finish the designs for their proposal to the client while she's away. While that was clearly Lacey's intent, Ava won't have any of it, insisting that her maid-of-honor participate in the activities and tasks over the time leading up to the wedding. This includes decorating the cottage, which has been in Ava's family forever, was a big part of their growing up together, and has the aforementioned legend attached to it.Enter Ean, Ava's brother, who used to date Lacey before their different worldviews caused their split. While Lacey believed in a life ordered around work, Ean believed relationships - and experiences - were more important. Lacey and Ean grew up together with many shared experiences, with Ava and in the family cottage. Both are creative: Lacey channeled hers through drawings and sketches that were business related, while Ean became a world traveling chef. His running off precipitated the split, and cemented Lacey's belief that he could never "put down roots".The next day when Lacey goes to decorate the cottage, Ean arrives to help. Whereas she has designated 2 hours to the task, he is in no hurry. Not only does Ean suggest that Lacey "warm" her efficient design idea with more color, he reminds her that there's more to do than she'd planned, like purchase food etc. As evening draws near, it begins to snow such that the two must spend the night in the cabin together, on separate couches near the fireplace when the power goes out. Hence, the cabin's legend is engaged.Most of the rest of the narrative involves Lacey and Ean reconnecting while reminiscing on what worked in their previous relationship. Of course, the Christmastime atmosphere and some prodding by Ava, who wholeheartedly believes the legend because of its impact on her family since her great grandparents, doesn't hurt. Inevitably, Roger arrives on the scene and the rekindled romance between Ean and Lacey is delayed, but not for long as the story proceeds as expected. The highlights are the wedding toasts, first from Ean and then by Lacey, which are really given about and to each other more than they are for Ava and her now husband Mason.