Your Christmas of Mine? - A Movie Review

We were supposed to spend the holiday together.

Switching places, Your Christmas or Mine? is a 2022 film. Hayley and James have been dating for two months. When a romantic gesture falls apart, they spend the holiday with one another's families and learn secrets about each other.

Your Christmas or Mine? starts as a heartwarming romantic holiday film with a sweet couple. The film has an original story but the main romance soured my taste in the film. The main couple is not a prime example of a healthy romance.

James and Hayley (Asa Butterfield and Cara Kirk) only spend ten minutes together until they’re separated into their own story arcs. While James spends time with Hayley’s lively and fun-loving family, Hayley ends up at James’ mansion with his stern father, Humphrey Hughes (Alex Jennings).

I don’t like Hayley. She is irresponsible, doesn’t take fault for her actions, and expects too much from James when they have only been together for two months! To me, she is a walking red flag with everything that she does. While she snoops in James’s private business, James is respectful of Hayley’s house and only travels where he believes is suitable.

I was yelling at my TV screen the more irresponsible things Hayley did, like leaving a door open and the dog wandering off. Don’t get me started on what Hayley does to the dog! She actually says ‘chill out’ to the pet owner when he discovers what happens. Who says that?

Hayley’s family are the best characters in the film. They felt like a real family. They wear Christmas shirts with their titles, play games, and enjoy being together. Except for the grandmother. Nan (June Watson) is the best character! Credits also include Daniel Mays, Angela Griffin, and Natalie Gumede.

Jim O’Hanlon chose an original idea. Not many holiday films have done this idea where a couple accidentally end up at the other family’s house on Christmas. He makes a point about family. You can’t choose family. Make the best of what you have because you only get one.

The main couple is not established enough. Hayley and James have a lot to work on, but in my opinion, I don’t think they’re right for each other. Of course, maybe that’s how it’s meant to be to teach a lesson about romance. James even blames Hayley’s family for whatever reason when they’re nothing but devoted to his last-minute invite, treating him as if he were family.

Characters and resolutions are solved too quickly by the end. With everything Hayley puts him through, James’s dad remarks how bright Hayley is and how she’s filled with hope. Um... okay. From what I make of things, Hayley’s behavior is not right and she wasn’t respectful of his personal items.

Despite its shortcomings, Your Christmas or Mine does have its redeeming qualities. The festive visuals and Christmas-themed settings add a warm and cozy atmosphere to the film, capturing the spirit of the holiday season effectively.

The locations are beautiful as snow falls from the sky. I want to take a trip to London. Decorations are set up around the town and in homes. With the two locations, we immediately get the idea of the perspective of Christmas. While Hayley’s family decorates the house from head to toe, James’s father doesn’t set up anything festive in the immense mansion.

Your Christmas or Mine is a suitable holiday film. Everyone will have a different opinion about it so take a look at it for the holidays. I want to see how the sequel follows up.