Under the Christmas Tree

Under the Christmas Tree is the first lesbian holiday movie to air on the Lifetime Channel. And it’s not surprising that Lifetime hit this milestone sooner than the Hallmark channel. Under the Christmas Tree is not Lifetime’s first WLW movie by any means. It’s one in a respectable line of Lifetime TV movies with WLW content. What is surprising to me is that that the Hallmark channel does have multiple Christmas films about gay male couples, but none yet about female couples. What gives, Hallmark? Luckily, Lifetime is here to pick up at least some of that slack with Under the Christmas Tree. Hopefully, this cute, feel-good lesbian holiday film will open up the door to more like it.

Like every holiday TV movie, Under the Christmas Tree takes place in a quaint, small town. In this case it’s Camden, Maine. Also like every holiday movie, we’ve got someone from the big city here to be reluctantly charmed by the small town lifestyle. The films starts when Charlie and her assistant, Rohan search for the perfect Christmas tree for the state’s tree lighting ceremony. Charlie finds the absolutely perfect Christmas tree, but it’s on private property. The tree is owned by the Beltran family. While Mr. and Mrs. Beltran are happy to offer up the tree, their daughter Alma isn’t. Alma loves Christmas. It’s her life and her career. She loves the tree too, and doesn’t want it cut down. But Charlie wants that Christmas tree. Or, maybe she just wants a reason to stick around and flirt with Alma.

TV Christmas movies fit a very specific mould. Under the Christmas Tree is no exception. This is a deeply predictable movie. The romantic leads are both women, but that doesn’t change the low stakes and cliche plot points of the film. But for the first time, I understand why people like these movies. There is something comforting about a story where you basically know how it ends. It’s likely that as time goes on and we get more lesbian Christmas movies, the charm and comfort will wear off. But Under the Christmas Tree is one of the earliest films to hit this mark. I thought I didn’t like these Christmas movies because they’re cliche. Turns out, I just didn’t like them because they’re all straight. Under the Christmas Tree gives me and other queer women a sweet, cliche romance that allows us to fantasize or imagine ourselves in.

On top of the comfort of the cliche plot, Under the Christmas Tree takes place in a very kind universe. Homophobia does not exist in Under the Christmas Tree. Alma and Charlie are both openly gay without angst or push back. Alma’s parents spend most of the movie trying to set the two women up. The film takes place in a beautiful bubble where being gay really is completely okay. And again, for this type of film, I’m thrilled to see it. So many queer people are always reticent to watch a queer movie because they want an escape from queer persecution and angst in fiction. Not every story can or should provide that. But Under the Christmas Tree really does. There’s a huge demand for fluffy, happily ever after queer stories among queer audiences. And what better place to fill such a demand than in a holiday romance film?

The romance of the film is also really charming. Regardless of gender, many a romance film features leads that just don’t seem to like each other. Most frequently, due to some sort of rivalry. Not so in this movie. Alma and Charlie like each other pretty quickly. It’s just the romance that’s a slow burn. These are two women who genuinely get along and enjoy each other’s company. That’s not a given in every romance. It’s great to see that all of Alma’s dorky interests- her love of Christmas activities, her pet chickens, the craft vest she wears- are all things Charlie likes. Alma’s a dork. Charlie sort of is too. Neither of them need to change or hide who they are. Not only does Charlie like Alma. But Charlie likes Alma because of her pet chickens and love of Christmas. I love to see it.

Under the Christmas Tree is a fuzzy sweater or a freshly-baked cookie on a cold day. It is such a warm, comforting watch. It’s also a PG. And I’m always happy to see queer content that can be consumed by younger viewers. It’s entirely possible the goodwill I feel for this film will not extend to future queer holiday movies. But Under the Christmas Tree really hit all the right notes for me. This is such a comforting, warm fantasy. I was really, really charmed by it.

Overall rating: 6.6/10

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