A Christmas in Tennessee

Allison Bennet runs a small bakery in the mountain town of White Pines, Tennessee, alongside her teenage daughter Olivia and her mother Martha. When Matthew, a smooth real estate developer, arrives with plans to turn the area into a corporate ski resort, the town rallies to protect homes, jobs, and the bakery that holds so many memories. Allison organizes meetings and fundraisers, and as she pushes back against the sale she also feels an unexpected pull toward Matthew. A surprise visitor with an obvious sweet tooth for cookies and milk shows up at a critical moment, offering an unusual piece of help that shifts the town's options, without revealing how everything is settled.

Released in 2018, A Christmas in Tennessee was directed by Gary Yates and created by Cassie Doyle. The made-for-TV family romance stars Rachel Boston, Patricia Richardson, Andrew W. Walker, and Caroline Rhea in a festive supporting role, aiming squarely at holiday audiences.

The film did not receive major industry awards or significant award nominations. Instead, its recognition has been largely informal, coming from seasonal broadcasts, streaming playlists, and fans who revisit light holiday titles rather than from critics' prize circuits.

Though not a breakout cultural phenomenon, the movie fits neatly into the contemporary holiday TV tradition, with its cozy small-town backdrop and bakery-centered scenes. Caroline Rhea's Mrs. Claus cameo and the recurring cookie-and-milk motif help it stand out enough to be remembered by viewers who curate comfort films for the season.

Critical and audience reaction was modestly positive, reflected in a 6.5/10 average from a small number of votes. Reviewers and viewers tend to praise the warm family dynamics, the theme of community resisting commercial development, and the gentle romance. It leans toward predictable holiday formulas, but people looking for a feel-good, family-friendly story about preservation, connection, and a little seasonal magic will likely enjoy it.