Weekend: DJ, play a Christmas song

Skimm'd while stocking up on the best products of the year — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today December 24, 2023 [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( [theSkimm Logo] Daily Skimm WEEKEND Skimm'd while [stocking up on the best products of the year]( [Update location]( or [View forecast]( Weekends are a good time to unwind. For that, we’ve rounded up the most fun and interesting stories we came across this week — the ones we texted our friends about. Enjoy. [Teal Quotes] “Christmas Tree Cluster” — [The formation of young stars]( NASA discovered in the Milky Way. Fir real. theSkimm With Hallmark Holiday Movie Mastermind, Nina Weinman ‘Tis the season for all the holiday movies. Hallmark alone has [42 new ones]( this year — including “[A Merry Scottish Christmas](,” “[Christmas on Cherry Lane](,” and “[A Biltmore Christmas](.” Plus, “[Catch Me If You Claus](,” which involves an aspiring news anchor on the verge of her big break when she captures an intruder claiming to be Santa’s son. To learn more about what it’s really like to make one of these holly, jolly tales, we interviewed [Nina Weinman](, the writer behind “Catch Me If You Claus” and dozens of other Hallmark movies. Here’s what she had to say… Q: When you first started writing movie scripts, did you set out to work on rom-coms and holiday movies? I’m a rom-com girl through and through. My favorite movies are “Legally Blonde,” “10 Things I Hate About You,” and all of those really fun, young romantic comedies. I’ve always flocked to those, so that’s what I wanted to write. My very first spec script was called “Always a Bride,” which Hallmark ended up making years ago as “I Married Who?” Q: So I’m guessing there aren’t any horror films or thrillers in your future? I don’t know. It’s not really my voice. I like to write things that make me happy and excited. The world is kind of crazy, so I like to write things that I want to see. Q: How many Hallmark movies are you currently working on — and how many of those are for the holidays? At any given time, I can be working on between four and six projects. When COVID hit and production was shut down, they were only focusing on development — I had eight movies in various stages of development over 18 months, which was kind of crazy ... It’s funny, because it’s Christmas season right now, but my life feels like it’s always Christmas. I pretty much always have a Christmas movie in development, so my head is always in that space. If I don’t, it’s like, I need to think of some stories. I need to find a book and pitch something. I’ve got to get my Christmas movie for next year. Q: Is there anything a Hallmark holiday movie absolutely must have? One thing we always hear is, ‘more Christmas, more Christmas, more Christmas.’ Whenever we turn in a draft, it’s like, ‘more Christmas.’ Hallmark is a 113-year-old brand, and it’s unwavering. The brand is front and center, so we’re never going to veer away from [that] in any way, shape, or form. That’s number one. Beyond that, it’s really just keeping with the Christmas spirit: love, family, togetherness, all that feel-good stuff. No matter what’s going on in the world, people know they can go to Hallmark, and they’re going to smile for two hours. They’re not going to be thrown for a loop. Yes, there’s a formula to the rom-com — that’s true at Hallmark and everywhere. But [it’s about] taking people on a really fun ride to get there. Q: Speaking of formula, Hallmark has become quite famous for having lots of overlapping plots and themes. How true is that? I do think it’s changing a lot, especially this season. [We’re thinking about] what stories we haven’t yet told — while still staying on brand. That’s what I’m always looking for, and I think this year’s lineup at Hallmark is really evident of some big swings that’ve paid off. There’s this cliche of a girl going back to her small town and falling in love with her ex — but I don’t think there’s been any of that this year ... We’re getting to take more risks and do things a little differently now. Q: Have you ever used your own life or your friends’ lives as inspiration for your movies? I take moments, [but] I’ve never taken anybody’s real story. [Around 2015], I [was working on] a movie, and I was supposed to go to Jamaica for a wedding. The bride had a medical emergency and couldn’t [make it]. She was fine, so everybody else still went. [During the trip], I had a notes meeting with Hallmark [and] they asked how the wedding was. I said, “Well, there’s a story there,” and [by the end] they were like, ‘Oh, that’s a movie.’ I fictionalized just the event of everybody going to a wedding — except the bride and groom — and turned it into “[Destination Wedding](.” So, inspiration? Yes. The actual story? No, because it wasn’t anything like what really happened … I’m always thinking in stories — I see the world as a writer. I’ll see little things, posts, or whatever, and I’ll think, That’s the seed of a movie. Q: What’s your all-time favorite holiday movie and why? “[Elf](.” It’s one of those movies that had a resurgence in my life, thanks to my kids [and] watching it with them. It’s fun and funny ... and it makes me laugh every single time. My husband and I will even quote it to each other. He’ll be like, “You sit on a throne of lies.” Psst, this interview has been edited for length and clarity. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Hallmark holiday movie mastermind Nina Weinman takes us behind the scenes #theSkimm %0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) What's Happening ❤️ In relationships… As more couples are vowing to have “[non-wedding weddings](,” other pairs are realizing the holidays [aren’t always the most wonderful time of year](. So if you’re newly single, perhaps you can learn a thing or two from these [real-life golden bachelors and bachelorettes](. And beware of [the latest ick](: travel stories that are, at best, [questionable](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 💄 In beauty… Think those [$500 beauty advent calendars]( are over the top? The Golden Globes gift bag includes a [$1,025 “Pure Gold” balm](. Meanwhile, [glitter lips]( are still getting the kiss of approval, and the “[Scandi hairline](” is looking pretty bright. Plus, prepare for fragrance to go [up in smoke]( next year. --------------------------------------------------------------- ✈️ In travel… Who knew, making [new friends at airports]( is taking off — which could be another reason to embrace the [new year, new adventure]( mentality. Worth considering: Why live like a local when you could [live with a local](? Or, perhaps you’d prefer [swapping homes with a stranger](. You could also get inspired by [the 9-month cruise]( making waves on TikTok. Bookmark'd Here's a look at the reads we’ve saved, texted, and emailed to our friends… [The Age Gappers](...what it’s really like to date someone decades older or younger — from people actually in those relationships. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Meet the AI Whisperer](…the powerful tech has a bias problem — particularly when it comes to women and people of color. One data scientist is trying to fix that. --------------------------------------------------------------- [The Great Cousin Decline](…who will understand our parents’ weird habits now? --------------------------------------------------------------- [What’s Ahead in 2024? The Cookie Cutters Tell All](…preferences for gnomes and mushrooms reveal more than you think. theskimm beta We’re building a tool to help you cross off the to-dos keeping you up at night. Meet [theSkimm Beta](, a space where you can learn how to [manage your debt]( and [get more pleasure](. Check it out. Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… 1. Our latest Etsy obsessions. Head to our [Etsy storefront]( to shop all the cute decor we're currently eyeing. We can't stop thinking about these [pastel candles](. [Check them out]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. A Skimm'r-exclusive discount at Brightland. Use code SKIMMHOLIDAY to get 15% off our favorite olive oil for [cooking](, [drizzling](, and [sneaking garlic into everything]( without needing to peel a single clove. [Get cooking]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Skincare tools to pamper yourself this week. PMD Beauty's [rose quartz gua sha]( helps sculpt and depuff your skin. Pairs well with this juicy [collagen sheet mask](. The perfect post-holiday self-care session, coming right up. [Chill out]( Psst…love our recs? Follow [@skimmshopping]( on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag). Save the Date Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about... [December 25] Prepare for another purple reign: The movie musical of “[The Color Purple](” is now in theaters. --------------------------------------------------------------- [December 25] Just in case we’re your only source of info, [Christmas]( is Monday. --------------------------------------------------------------- [December 26] Bring out the kinara — the weeklong celebration of [Kwanzaa]( is here. --------------------------------------------------------------- PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it [here](. Skimm'd by: Rasheeda Campbell, Hannah Parker, and Melissa Goldberg --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos courtesy of Hallmark Media, Brand Partners Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? 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