I love a cheesy Christmas movie on a good year, and with what we have collectively experienced over the past nearly two years of Covid-related trauma, we are extra deserving of feel-good flicks. Lifetime apparently thinks so too, and they have gifted our community with their network’s first ever lesbian Christmas movie, airing December 19th.
It’s a true rarity that we are given a sweet, healthy, and predictable film of two women falling in love. An entire movie without dysfunctional dynamics, manipulation, affairs, graphic male-gazey sex scenes, misery or deaths seems to be too high a bar– yes, this is what we have come to expect from lesbian cinema. I know the world isn’t a candy-coated winter wonderland, but I also know how disingenuous it is to constantly portray lesbians in such a dark light. We are here, we are wholesome, and we want to see that on screen!
I’m hooked from the get go, with an adorable meet cute setting the pace. Charlie (Tattiawna Jones) is the outdoorsy tree expert searching for the state capitol’s perfect Christmas tree. Alma (Elise Bauman) helps run the family owned Christmas company. Alma also has amazing bangs and reminds me of a lesbian Zooey Deschanel. They both read as chapstick lesbians in their non-heeled boots and jeans and lowkey style. Maine lesbians, y’all want to chime in here? Are you all this darling?
Alma finds herself at a total loss for words as she first lays eyes on Charlie and it’s absolutely pure. Who hasn’t found themselves tongue-tied over a total babe? Wearing reindeer antlers while doing so gives the encounter an extra bit of delightfulness.
“You know nothing’s random. Well, the next person you meet could be the person who changes your life,” Charlie muses to Alma as the new friendship between the two begins to blossom. Here are some parts to look forward to: Alma’s craft vest, Charlie bonding with Alma’s Dad, a gingerbread house competition, and flirting over tree knowledge.
The leads model overcoming conflict in a healthy way as we get the happy ending. We love to see it! I will talk about healthy lesbian role models until I’m blue in the face. We can’t see it enough.
Under the Christmas Tree is everything we have come to know and love in a Lifetime movie, but with the pièce de résistance: lesbians. Enjoy this heartwarming holiday treat for the syrupy sweetness it is.
Premieres Sunday, December 19 at 8/7c on Lifetime. Need more wholesome lesbian Christmas content? Check out Christmas at the Ranch.
