I'm an avid follower of When Calls the Heart, so if Erin Krakow is starring I will most likely tune in. That said both female lead characters were pretty unlikable sparring for the attention of the new single dad in town. Towards the end one of the characters has absolutely despicable morals for a teacher. Cute but lacking in wholesome Hallmark values..

Ok, we all know that Christmas specials are supposed to be a little cheesy and a little far fetched, that's part of the magic. But this entire movie, from the plotline to the acting is disappointing.The premise is that two girls who were best friends have a falling out over jealousy during a performance. Sure, girls can be caddy - but the idea that no parent, teacher or other source of reason stepped in during the 20 years since to put their ridiculous pre-teen feud into perspective? They're both single, teaching the same grade at the same school in a small town across the hall from each other and both miraculously live in gorgeous huge houses with manicured lawns. The one that can't cook at all has a full gourmet kitchen with top of the line appliances. In steps the new guy in town - a recently widowed hottie with a daughter in one of the classes. He's opening a homeless donation shelter in this tiny town that has enough money to put their teaching staff in mansions. Of course, both women pounce in attempts to get his attention - because that's all women are interested in, right? During the movie one woman learns to cook in a few goofy kitchen scene montages, she also babysits the new girl and tutors her a handful of times, and even though she barely has 3 conversations with the guy, love sparks - because she paid attention to his kid. Fast forward. Wacky mishaps. Ambitious deception resulting in a 2 minute tear filled miscommunication that is resolved with an I'm sorry and a hug in true Christmas movie fashion. The only good parts where the actress that played the little girl, the cameo that Alan Thicke had as a judge and the stunning homes that these elementary school teachers and the homeless shelter non-profit guy have. Zero Christmas magic, zero heart-touching honesty, zero personal revelations, zero character growth. I wish I could have rated it a zero.

Erin Krakow is an actress that I never herd of until this year. I saw her on another Christmas Hallmark Film and I thought she was very good. The film I first saw her in was "Finding Father Christmas" and that was a nice little film. So when I put on this film " A cookie Cutter Christmas" I pleasantly surprised to see her again. What I love about this actress is that she plays a nice "Girl Next Door" and you would want to be friends with her. In this film she plays a teacher that you wish you had growing up. In this film Erin plays Christie Reynolds. Christie has been competing with fellow school teacher Penny in just about everything and have since they were young kids. One thing leads to another for them and before they know it they end up competing against each other once again on a cookie making contest! At the same time, both teachers are showing interest in a student's single father. their competitive spirit rises to a higher and more desperate level.This film is pleasant to watch. It has a nice warmth to it. I will watch it again someday. I recommend this film to all people who love a little romance around the holidays!

One of the things I love about Hallmark Christmas films is that they are filled with people that you can root for.However, I just can't seem to like Penny. She just feel so annoying. Even at the end, she just don't seem to regret anything. I wanted someone to slap her in the face. If we are supposed to at least want Christie and Penny to be friends again, we are supposed to see that they actually like each other.James felt bland as the typical widow hot dad with the heart of gold. I didn't like the idea that he would be so quick to jump to conclusions and that Christie just accepted him back.It felt like that Penny and Christie stayed at the 8 year old level. I'm glad that they admitted that they were silly but I wish that the other characters call them out on it.I think the main problem is that there are too many plot lines. What about a simple story that involved two rivals who realize that their drama is hurting their class? That would be great.Anyway, this movie just made me feel glad that I don't remember elementary school.