KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The first significant snowfall of the season happened just in time for the launch of Hallmark’s Christmas Experience. On Saturday, a pristine layer of snow blanketed Crown Center Square, near Hallmark’s headquarters, resembling a scene from a cozy Christmas film.

“The secret behind the perfectly timed snowfall is a company mystery,” quipped Darren Abbott, Hallmark’s chief brand officer, during the premiere of “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” that Saturday. This feature, which features a cameo by Donna Kelce, showcases a charming collaboration between Hallmark and the NFL.

For four weekends until December 22, guests can stroll through the Square adorned with vendors selling everything from handcrafted items and holiday jewelry to delicious treats like BBQ, Christmas tamales, and even bacon brittle for those who might pass on traditional figgy pudding. Attendees can also enjoy ice skating accompanied by festive music, all under the glow of a stunning 100-foot lighted tree that enhances the joyful ambiance.

The event features marathons of Hallmark movies, workshops to create holiday decorations, and discussions with network stars sharing behind-the-scenes insights about their shows. During a panel, Melissa Peterman, a star of “Haul Out the Holly,” mentioned experiencing a heatwave while filming, leading to the faux snow melting on set. She humorously noted that when she was dressed for warmth, she often skipped wearing pants underneath. Another memorable moment unfolded when Jonathan Bennett, the co-creator and host of “Finding Mr. Christmas,” playfully pretended to auction off Tyler Hynes’ hotel key, sending the audience into a playful uproar.

According to Lindsey Roy, Hallmark’s senior vice president of branded experiences, “The Hallmark Christmas Experience is a way to fully immerse our fans in the Hallmark universe. Bringing the magic of the movie square to life and making our talent accessible to the fans has been a long-time dream for us, and we are thrilled to see it realized.”

Friends Who Can’t Get Enough of Hallmark

The trio decorated Barth’s SUV with festive candy cane antlers and a Grinch motif, though they found some decorations lost along the 100-mile journey. “We did drive a bit fast,” Sanzone admitted.

“Keep it down! It’s going to end up in the newspaper, Ruth!” Barth teased, eliciting laughter from her friends.

Although Sanzone views Hallmark movies as quite opposite of her personality, describing herself as “not romantic in real life,” she finds joy in them. Barth added, “You’d never guess we binge-watch Hallmark every day, but we do.”

Bucsa, the group’s romantic, enjoys the wholesome content of Hallmark movies, declaring they are “pure and clean.”

A Family Bond Strengthened Through Hallmark Movies

Later that Saturday, Dee Chavosky attended a panel alongside her daughters and cousin, eagerly anticipating the entertaining antics of Hallmark stars during the “Reindeer Games.” Chavosky, 78, sported a shirt designed by her daughters that called for “Christmas lights, Hallmark nights,” while another shirt humorously proclaimed, “So many Hallmark men, so little time.”

“I adore Hallmark!” Chavosky declared. “The movies bring so much joy. They are simply feel-good films.” She and her late husband, who passed away in March after 62 wonderful years together, used to watch Hallmark movies frequently, often knowing the lines before they were spoken due to repeated viewing. They cherished those moments, particularly the lines where the romantic lead points out something on the other’s face as they begin to fall in love.

In a loving gesture, Chavosky’s daughters aimed to bring their mother to the Christmas Experience to offer her some moments of happiness during this holiday season without their father. “We’ve given her ‘homework’—watching 20 to 30 holiday movies,” Dana, her daughter, mentioned. “Each week, we have a list of Hallmark films to catch up on.”

“They would watch movies and remember the actors so we could recognize them when we met them here,” she explained.

Chavosky quizzed attendees on various details from films, Dana mentioned, “that way, no one could pretend to know.”

Chavosky expressed that her husband would have been excited about her short encounter with Tyler Hynes in the elevator, reminiscing about their high school romance. “He was my best friend, and that will never change,” she shared.

A fan tells Benjamin Ayres, ‘You are in bed with me every single night’

For Benjamin Ayres, star of the upcoming “The Santa Class” (set to premiere on December 14 at 8 EST/PST), one fan interaction with an 85-year-old woman is particularly memorable. Her comments were a tad more risqué than typical holiday thoughts.

“She said, ‘You’re in bed with me every night,’ and I responded, ‘Indeed, I am,’” Ayres recalled with a big smile. “Then I told her, ‘I’ll see you tonight,’ and she replied, ‘Yes, you will.’ It was fantastic.”

‘I really wanted to be here for (the stars) because they’ve been so good to me’

On Sunday, Paula Rose eagerly stood in line for a photo with eight network stars. The 70-year-old from Cincinnati, originally undecided about attending, was persuaded by her best friend over drinks.

“I told her, ‘I really want to experience the Hallmark Event, and I want to do everything. I aim for the top package,’” Rose recounted. Her friend encouraged her by saying, “Paula, you need to go,” wanting her to enjoy something personal.

Rose expressed her admiration for Hynes, Wes Brown, and Kristoffer Polaha—all of whom were there for photo opportunities—but also felt fondness for all the stars. “Their movies bring me so much joy and some tears,” she added. “I genuinely look forward to it all the time.”

When it was Rose’s turn for a photo, Hynes welcomed her warmly, rubbing her back and checking if she was enjoying herself. He has a devoted fanbase, affectionately known as the Hynies, which he attentively engages with both in person and online.

During the photo session, Hynes’ co-star Hunter King listened carefully to Rose and sweetly thanked her for being present. When it was time for pictures, Hynes, Brown, and Polaha gathered closely around her, capturing yet another memorable moment from the weekend.

The more I converse with Hallmark fans, the clearer it becomes how meaningful these movies are to them. While some skeptics may mock what they perceive as clichés,

Sanzone, one of the humorous friends by the fire, joked that whenever she watches a film with her sons, they roll their eyes and say, “Oh please, it doesn’t happen like that.” Yet, for fans, these films represent endless happy endings, serving as a salve for the harsh realities of life that often deviate from expectations. In Hallmark’s cozy winter wonderland, life feels like a fairy tale, fulfilling many Christmas dreams.