Hallmark and Great American Family Have Already Announced Their Holiday Lineup

It's barely the start of pumpkin spice season, but Hallmark Channel is already ready to start the "most wonderful time of the year."

The channel has laid out its plans for the upcoming holiday movie season, which kicks off with its round-the-clock holiday programming on Friday, October 20^th.

They just announced that the Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas and Hallmark Movies' Miracles of Christmas will ring in the yuletide season.

There are 40 new original movie premieres that will roll out across Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and its subscription streaming service Hallmark Movies Now for the 2023 holiday season.

On Turkey Day it will be a Merry Thanksgiving Weekend and feature an "all-new original movie premiere."

Hallmark shared, "Starting Friday, November 24, and continuing through Sunday, November 26 fans can take a break from their holiday shopping and enjoy a double feature with new movies premiering at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET each night."

Hallmark Movies Now is saying there are hundreds of holiday titles and will give users early access to exclusive movies.

So, if you're craving that one Christmas movie where the uptight career woman gets stranded back in her small hometown. Then, during the holidays, she runs into and falls in love with that cute but former dork from high school. Yeah, they’ve got that and many more.

Not to be outdone, Great American Family has also announced its Christmas programming for this holiday season.

Great American Christmas is also back on Friday, October 20, with the first premiere of holiday programming on Saturday, October 21. It will comprise 20 holiday films and some other holiday programming this year. Actors like Danica McKellar, Candice Cameron Bure, and Chad Michael Murray will appear in the films. A full list of release dates will be coming soon.

It looks like the most wonderful time of the year to going to be another fun and festive jolly time for all.

Fall seems to arrive earlier every year. Coffee shops like Starbucks now introduce their autumn-themed drinks as early as August, and stores swiftly stock their shelves with Halloween decorations.

When we think of fall flavors, pumpkin spice often comes to mind. Many of us are aware that pumpkin spice isn't actually derived from pumpkins. A pumpkin is a squash that has a distinct taste far from the combination of cinnamon and syrup. Pumpkin spice is just a mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.

While this spice blend lends its flavor to a wide range of products, including lattes, cereal, pretzels, donuts, gum, and more, it's worth mentioning that not all people prefer it. In fact, there exists a Reddit thread specifically devoted to discussing the dislike of pumpkin spice-flavored items. A commenter expressed, "I'm in the hate pumpkin spice camp as well. It absolutely takes over the dairy aisle in the stores to the point of not carrying my usual products." Another Redditor added their thoughts with, "Every season they hardcore promote pumpkin spice everything to kick off fall, and I hate it. It doesn't even smell that good."

Besides the popular pumpkin spice latte, there's a wide variety of seasonal ingredients that contribute to the special taste of autumn, whether you're preparing your own homemade treats or enjoying comforting dishes. These flavors range from the components in traditional apple pie recipes to the aromatic spices found in typical autumn soups, all representing the essence of the season's most cherished foods. Who knows, maybe down the road, we'll be as crazy about apples or cinnamon as we are about pumpkin spice.

If you're looking to step away from the pumpkin spice trend or simply want to savor a wider range of fall flavors, take a peek at these other flavors that scream "autumn."

Apples and the fall season are often linked and commonly used in Halloween activities and various desserts. When autumn rolls around, apples ripen into those sweet goodies people adore, making them the stars of the show in loads of fall recipes, from apple crumble cakes to good old apple pies. And let's not overlook the classic favorites of apple cider and cider donuts.

Cinnamon has the perfect Fall vibe, especially when you mix it with classics like apple, sugar, or vanilla. While it enhances the taste of traditional autumn recipes, cinnamon can also stand on its own. This sweet spice is like the secret ingredient for giving your treats that homemade autumn taste. So, whether you're spicing up your morning joe, cookie dough, or even a hearty stew, just a dash of cinnamon will cozy up your recipe game.

Caramel is a go-to sweet treat when the weather gets cooler. You can just drizzle it over almost anything baked, whether it's warm apple crisp or a big scoop of ice cream. And if you're feeling fancy, a pinch of sea salt can take it up a notch. It's a perfect match for Fall classics like apples, ice cream, or brownies.

Incorporating a touch of maple can infuse your dish with an ideal blend of sweetness and earthiness. This delightful maple essence works wonders in desserts such as maple buttercream frosting, maple cookies, and even pumpkin pie. It also shines in savory dishes like maple bacon, maple-glazed salmon, and chipotle maple chicken wings.

Almonds are another fall favorite. They add a cozy, nutty taste to both sweet and savory dishes, like almond cake with chai or salads with autumn fruits and veggies. They make everything from pumpkin pies to roasted Brussels sprouts even more delicious. So, this Fall, remember that almonds are one the flavors of the season.

Pecans are a prized autumn nut, celebrated for their sweet, buttery flavor and satisfying crunch. Pecan pies, pecan bars, and candied pecans are just a few examples of how these nuts are featured in Fall desserts. Their distinct taste and texture make them a must-have during holiday gatherings.

Sweet potatoes are a beloved Fall ingredient, known for their earthy sweetness and versatility. They take center stage in classic dishes like sweet potato casserole and sweet potato fries. Packed with nutrients, they offer comfort and wholesomeness in every bite, making them a staple of Fall meals.

Known for their tartness and vibrant red color, cranberries bring a zesty kick to Fall meals. Whether in the form of cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving or dried cranberries in salads, they add a burst of flavor that balances the richness of other fall dishes. Cranberries are a nod to the season's crispness and festivity.