Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Tom Arnold is the best part of this movie and so begins my petition to see him in more!

via Hallmark
Belinda (Kim Shaw) is headed home from NYC to spend Christmas with her dad, Carl (Tom Arnold!). She's bringing her longterm boyfriend, Logan, with her. Well, she was. Logan is very busy and important and get away from his busy and important job just yet, so Belinda sets off on her own. The first person she encounters is her ex-boyfriend, Dustin (Kevin McGarry). We gather that the break-up was not very mutual and that Dustin broke up with her. He's not seeing anyone at the moment though, he and his last girlfriend broke up by mutual consensus ("ohhh... mutual split. lucky her..." I think I like Belinda).



Belinda is just in time to participate in the town's annual scavenger hunt. Which, if I'm being honest, sounds awesome. Everyone is paired off as names are picked out of a hat, but since Carl is picking, he pairs Belinda and Dustin. The hunt is a 24-hour affair. You get texted clues and have to text back when you complete your task in order to get your next clue and everyone's clues are in a different order so you can't just follow around a better team. The hunt is a fundraiser, and this year they're raising funds for the restoration of the Old Textile Mill & Museum. Fun twist, Dustin is Mill/Museum's Director. Not-so-fun twist, Belinda's company is actually trying to broker a deal between the Mill/Museum and a big, bad developer.



Belinda is internally wrestling with her involvement in the Mill's sale, but Carl and Dustin are actually super supportive and awesome about it.



Throughout the hunt, Belinda and Dustin reconnect with people from their past which makes them reminisce about their time together in high school.



For something that happened 10 years ago, Belinda is very much not over the fact that Dustin was supposed to follow her to college but didn't in the end. Teenagers are dumb. But also, I wouldn't get over Kevin McGarry dumping me either.

But you guys! Dustin didn't go along to college with Belinda because his dad lost his job. Dustin stayed behind to get a job and he didn't tell Belinda because he didn't want to hold her back. Swoon!



Logan shows up towards the end of the hunt, and Dustin even tries to get him to contribute. But, we all know Logan doesn't stand a chance, and Logan's not doing himself any favors - complaining that the Christmas cookies aren't healthy, whining about the wifi, trying to cut their trip short, not wanting to go the Christmas karaoke finale...



Belinda and Dustin do not win the hunt, but Carl announces that they did raise $15k for the Mill/Museum. But all is not lost! Belinda's late mom had once befriended James, a wealthy but hermit-like neighbor, and the dynamic duo rekindled a friendship with him during the hunt. Overwhelmed by the generosity of their time and infected by the Christmas spirit, James donates a substantial amount of money to keep the Mill/Museum open.



Logan is absolutely flabbergasted as to why Belinda would want to see it stay operational when it means it could ruin her shot at a promotion. Plus, Carl never liked him anyway, so Logan is toast - but, to be fair, their break-up is really mature and mutual.

Belinda tells Dustin that she is, in fact, very much not over him and the two spend Christmas with Carl, his new girlfriend, Jenny, and James.



-

The best time of year is finally here... This song features in a few HM movies. I dig it.

Belinda and Dustin's chemistry is off-the-charts. I love the banter.


Comments