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Jacks joins us this week to kick off the newest Hallmark Channel Christmas show, Twelve Dates 'Til Christmas, with a double-episode breakdown.
Episode 1: When Kate's best friends sign her up for a holiday-themed dating service, she reluctantly joins, but has no idea just how much her life is about to change.
Part 2: Kate's would-be date number one, Richard, tries to reconnect. Meanwhile, Mac attempts to prove his independence, but learns he might need to ask for help
December 5, 2025 | Hallmark Mystery Channel
It doesn’t feel fair to have your heart broken at Christmas. But that’s exactly what happened to Kate.
Kate is currently taking care of her dad, and life is just passing her by. That’s why she did this thing — this thing that ended up giving her the most amazing Christmas ever. She fell in love. But we’ll get there.
Cut back to three weeks earlier. She goes to check on her dad, Mac, who—despite being supposed to move around more—is doing the opposite, which has her worried.
She stops by a coffee shop and her friend Laura tells her she got her a Christmas gift: a Christmas-themed dating service. Kate is NOT into it.
So Laura, Calum, and Mac stage a full-on intervention. Her dad tells her she’s too young to spend every evening with him. She reluctantly agrees to the 12 Dates thing… which starts in 90 minutes!
She goes, and it’s very elaborate. A horse and carriage takes her to a magical igloo in the woods. The problem is… her date never shows.
Meanwhile, Mac finally gets back out there. He goes to the coffee shop and bumps into Evalyn — and he’s not upset about it.
Kate decides to give the service another shot and ends up on a skating date with a guy named Oliver. Despite the fact that he talks about his ex the entire time, they find themselves standing under mistletoe. They decide to go for it and kiss — which immediately leads to him breaking down in tears.
Mac is walking around town getting a little exercise when Evalyn pops out and drags him into a dance workout class. He doesn’t stay long and walks out.
It’s time for Date #3. She shows up for a baking competition date and meets her GIANT date, Anthony. The date doesn’t go terribly… until he suddenly wants to talk about marriage and kids. She doesn’t even know what she wants, and he’s like, “Well then why are you even doing this?!”
Evalyn helps Mac home and basically tells him to stop feeling sorry for himself. He ends up back at her dance class and crushes it.
Kate gets flowers and a card from Richard — the first-date no-show. He apologizes for goofing and says he’s down at the coffee shop waiting for her. But by the time she builds up the courage to go, he’s gone. He leaves his number, so she texts him that he missed out again. He replies that next time he’ll wait all night.
This turns into a flirty texting conversation. She finds out he’s a journalist working on a story about the 12 Dates. He’s also a love skeptic. And he loves Die Hard. Maybe this is the perfect match.
At the next date event, she talks with a woman who fell for her first date — but sees him dancing with someone else. So Kate becomes fully committed to getting those two back together… and she does.
Mac is putting up Christmas lights, feeling himself, until he falls off the ladder and re-injures himself. Instead of calling Kate, he calls Evalyn. She comes over to help — but Kate is NOT thrilled when she finds out.
It’s time for the next event: Mates & Dates. A lot happens here.
Richard finally shows up… and he might be the hottest guy in the world.
Crying-in-her-mouth Oliver is there — and it turns out his ex-girlfriend is Calum’s current girlfriend, Sarah. Calum shows up to support Kate. It’s A LOT.
Richard gets frustrated that Kate is running around helping everyone else all night, so he goes to leave. Kate runs after him and ends up kissing him. He kisses her right back — REAL BIG ONES — while Calum and Sarah watch through the window… Sarah pumped, Calum not so much.
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