Christmas In Evergreen: Tidings of Joy

Katie Connell arrives in Evergreen as a skeptical writer, sent to investigate the town's famed devotion to Christmas while searching for a long-lost time capsule. She expects a human-interest fluff piece, but encounters a close-knit community with rituals, seasonal events, and personal memories that complicate her scoop. Meeting Ben Baxter, a local who helps with the time capsule hunt, forces Katie to look beyond her research notes. Through tree lightings, caroling, and old letters dug up from the past, she starts to question what nostalgia and belonging really mean. The film keeps the tone warm and romantic, focusing on how connections and community traditions can alter one person's outlook without relying on dramatic plot twists. It stays gentle and sincere.

Released in 2019 as a television movie, it was directed by Sean McNamara and uses characters created by Nancy Naigle and Zac Hug. The ensemble features Maggie Lawson, Paul Greene, Barbara Niven, Holly Robinson Peete, and Rukiya Bernard, among others.

It did not receive major industry awards or high-profile nominations, so it wasn't part of the awards conversation. Instead viewers and niche reviewers highlighted its seasonal charm and the chemistry between the leads. The film's recognition mostly came from audience appreciation during holiday broadcasts rather than official accolades.

While it didn't redefine holiday cinema, the movie reinforced the appetite for cozy, small-town Christmas romances and added to the seasonal programming viewers seek each year. Fans share favorite moments online, and the film resurfaces in winter playlists and reruns for comfort viewing, and it encourages seasonal decorating ideas too.

Audience response leaned positive, with a 6.7/10 user average from 49 votes. Critics were mixed, pointing out predictable plotting while noting good chemistry. Main themes include tradition versus skepticism, community bonds, memory, and the slow growth of romance within a town shaped by shared history.