Christmas - Jars (2019)
: Unlike many holiday films where the romance is the primary driver, reviewers note that the focus remains firmly on the importance of selflessness and looking beyond one’s own struggles [11, 23].
The story follows (played by Jeni Ross), a resilient aspiring journalist working as a fact-checker at an online magazine in Ottawa [18, 22]. After a series of personal tragedies—including the loss of her adoptive mother and a holiday apartment break-in—Hope finds an anonymous glass jar filled with cash on her doorstep [5, 21]. Christmas Jars (2019)
: Reviewers from Common Sense Media and IMDb highlight the film's "heartfelt and sweet" tone, noting its ability to evoke "big tears" through themes of abandonment and recovery [5, 9, 10]. : Unlike many holiday films where the romance
Author Jason F. Wright views the film as a vehicle to further this "army of givers" [12, 16]. He emphasizes that the act is less about the monetary value—noting even $15 can be life-changing —and more about the message that the recipient is "not alone in the world" [24, 25]. Jonathan Wright Lead Cast Jeni Ross, Markian Tarasiuk Source Material Novel by Jason F. Wright Key Award Best TV Movie (2021 Canadian Screen Awards) Streaming Available on platforms like BYUtv : Reviewers from Common Sense Media and IMDb
Perhaps the most "solid" aspect of is its connection to a genuine social phenomenon. The original novel wasn't just a story; it launched a global movement where thousands of families now keep their own jars to give away anonymously each year [1, 9].
: Despite a modest budget, the film is described by LDS Living as "handsomely shot" and "smartly written," earning it the Canadian Screen Award for Best TV Movie in 2021 [18, 21]. A Movie That Sparked a Movement