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The theme of this movie seemed to be that the characters just needed to believe (in magic?) The events were certainly not explainable in normal terms.

To me the movie was just a little underwhelming. The story was OK, but not great. The heartwarming moments were nice but just OK. Even the ending was not really that big a deal.

I did not like Lindsey. I don't think you can blame Bridget Regan. Maybe they just played on the heartbroken widow theme too long and too hard. I think that most guys in Scott's shoes would have said that she was just too much trouble, although it is much to Scott's credit that he felt compassion for her situation. Iris Quinn was good as a slightly overbearing, but in reality a good grandmother. Imogen Tear was pretty good as Hannah. They really had some cute puppies.

As has been said quite a few times, Hallmark's Christmas output is very hit and miss. Some though are above average level, and there are some surprisingly enjoyable ones amongst the average and less films that there is in a good deal of in their output. Have been on a roll for the past couple of years watching and reviewing as many Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas films every now and again and it has been interesting despite the quality being uneven.

'Magic Stocking' for me is in the middle/in between category when it comes to Hallmark's Christmas films overall and one of the middle/in between Christmas efforts of theirs from 2015. Really appreciated that it tried to do something different with the female lead and its more serious subject matter, but other Hallmark Christmas films with serious and deep subjects have done this a lot better where characters and situations were easier to root for.

There is a lot that is done really well in 'Magic Stocking'. It is very professionally filmed and the locations are simply beautiful. While a bit mixed on the music (a common flaw for Hallmark), it didn't feel as overused or over-scored as other Hallmark films. The acting is well done on the whole, with a brave and poignant performance from Bridget Regan and Imogen Tear is very charming and likeable (one of the better younger performers of all the recently seen Hallmark films, this is an aspect they have always varied in).

Iris Quinn steals every scene she's in and gives the film a lot of energy, liked her chemistry with Fred Henderson. The script is well intentioned and honest, not sounding awkward or corny at all. The story is not perfect (neither is the script) but the conflict does have tension, it was touching and it did warm the heart when it let itself go. Regan and Victor Webster do have an appealing chemistry when the relationship starts to develop which it does at a realistic rate. Did like that everything with the magic was not over-emphasised or take over too much of the story, while not being neglected.

However, can see where people are coming from regarding Regan's character and the story's tone. Despite it being a very serious and relatable situation, 'Magic Stocking' did in my view go overboard with the grief suffering. It actually is realistic for people to get worked up when grieving over small things or struggling to come to terms with a trauma, especially if one has mental health problems or is autistic. It does though here get a little too disproportionate and made the film get too morose and over-serious at times, and with her being like that for a lot of the film's length it was not hard to feel depressed. A far cry from the light-hearted fare typically associated tonally with Hallmark.

While not intrusive, there are times where the music did spell out the emotions a little too much. The script could have benefitted from a lighter touch and the story is at times on the slow and sentimental side. Webster has sympathetic moments, especially later on, and his chemistry with Regan later is lovely, but his character doesn't have the biggest of personalities to begin with which made him come over as bland.

All in all, not great but above average. 6/10.

Well, I've had b*$$er all in my stocking since I bought it. It just sits there hanging with nothing inside it, every year, so I can only hope that one day it becomes magic and sorts things out in my life like the one in this story.

The magic is done in a very gentle way actually, not at all over the top and not really explained. It just happens without taking over the plot.

It's a cute story, but the lead female really gets on my nerves. It's like she's determined to be miserable. I know that death in a family can be hard, but hanging on like she does and getting angry at the slightest thing that goes against her plans to wallow in grief just isn't healthy. Choose a favourite shirt and hang it in the wardrobe so you can always see it. Do the things that made him happy, don't stop doing Christmas because it was something he liked. Where is the actual sense in that? So yeah, she frustrated me a bit. He also annoyed me somewhat with his desperate need for everything to be perfect and his refusal to bend even slightly. I'm sure his grandfather would have preferred him to leave his own legacy rather than repeating his. There was also something in his eyes that I didn't like.

The grandmother was great and for once the child didn't make me feel sick from all the saccharin they usually contain and the cute little puppies were adorable.

The Christmas element gets lost a tad amongst all the romance and other issues, but its not bad at all.

Supposed to be cold and all snow yet all the license plates were from Florida.

"Magic Stocking" is a good Christmas movie that offers more than a saccharine or formulaic romance. This one incorporates some very good whimsy and comedy, along with drama and healing from the loss of a husband. The romance isn't just with the main couple, Lindsey and Scott, but with her mother as well. Iris Quinn plays Lindsey's mom, Donna, and grandmother to Hannah. Lindsey lost her husband two years earlier in a car accident. The circumstances of that tragedy play in this story as well as she begins to recover with the prodding and plotting help of Donna.

Bridget Regan is very good as Lindsey and Victor Webster is okay as Scott. Imogen Tear plays Hannah, who has recovered much more than her mom from the loss of her dad. One other major character in this sometimes tearful, but mostly joyful, funny and/or cute film is Mayor Fred. Fred Henderson plays the role of the advanced middle-aged widower who openly and persistently pursues Donna. This is a film when even the older women learns something about getting on with life.

Fantasy enters the lives of all of these people when Imogen is given an antique stocking from a kind old lady who sells her a bag of Christmas decorations at the Christmas rummage sell at St. George's Church. The stocking will fall from its nail once for each member of the family to find something inside that will be a key for their future, and delightful event in the movie.

This is very good holiday season movie that's sure to entertain most people.

This had a lot of things I liked. Maybe I'll like it better with a second watching. The mom was annoying: angry and grieving throughout the entire movie. Negative about everything. Determined to be miserable. Refused advice or help from everyone.

The story itself was actually cute. Adorable puppies, good acting by the girl, and a magic stocking. The male lead could have been more upbeat, but it was okay. For the most part, it was enjoyable.

This was a different Hallmark Christmas movie, and I found that so refreshing. It has a pretty typical plot - a widowed mom struggling with Christmas, a pushy grandmother trying to get her to move on, and a little girl wishing for a puppy. But instead of just an unrealistic transformation of the actress to an oh everything's suddenly ok, you see a mom with real angst and emotion who is challenged by her mother to work through her grief and who wasn't afraid of the conflict that ensued. I loved the lead actress, Bridget Regan, who usually plays supporting actresses in Hallmark movies. She portrayed a much more realistic struggle with believing magic, with not wanting to move on, and she shows true emotion. I'm not sure why the reviews for this movie aren't higher. It was tense at times between the characters as they worked through conflict- and no people aren't always likable every stage of grief, but you still loved her as a character and felt empathy towards her which is so important. Perhaps everyone just wants the feel good super bubbly always cloyingly sweet can do no wrong lead characters. Bridget was such a welcome change for me. I hope they use her more! Both the daughter and the grandmother were also excellent actors. The leading man fell a little short for me.

It's very common in Hallmark Christmas movies to feature a widow or widower who is still too sad to fully embrace the Christmas spirit. In Magic Stocking, Bridget Regan hasn't celebrated Christmas since her husband died three years ago. Now that she's finally decided to celebrate the holiday, it's not exactly the Christmas of her daughter's (Imogen Tear) dreams. She wants a puppy, Bridget says no. She finds a magical Christmas stocking, Bridget repeatedly downplays it.

In addition to the mother-daughter relationship that's fraught with tension rather than cheesy Hallmark smiles, Bridget gets courted by a local handyman (who's actually a professional contractor) hired by the Mayor Fred Henderson. While I didn't like the main plot of the story, since I didn't think Bridget was a good mother, I really didn't like the romance. Victor Webster's character was far more depressing than the usual Hollywood fellows, and he seemed to bring her down far more often than lifting her up. Wouldn't you think a widow celebrating Christmas for the first time in years would need a very warm, outgoing, infectiously friendly man to bring her out of her shell and find love again - rather than someone quiet, argumentative, and full of his own emotional hurdles? Magic Stocking isn't my favorite, but if you want to see Victor Webster in something lighter, check out the cute Five Star Christmas.

Just when you thought with Covid that Christmas couldn't be any more miserable...... then along comes this !!!!

I agree with another reviewer that the lead actress 'gets on my nerves' and has a face like a slapped arm ! and when her own mother said 'I had no idea' as to why her own son in law was travelling resulting in the fatal car accident, well, it beggars belief ! Not one to sit through again.

Our family loves Christmas movies and we liked this one. It passed the doze test (no one fell asleep). It was a simple story with a little fantasy mixed in. Yes it was well done and we would watch it again.

The story was simple and warm with 5 main characters. The Christmas movies I haven't liked have too many characters with convoluted story lines. The grandma character really added energy and a personal touch using pet names like sugar and bug for her daughter and grand daughter. Great job on how the coin guessing contest was won and fit in with the magic stocking. Movie shows the little girl doing the right thing. Great all around.

I thought this had the makings of a decent film, but the lead female character, who is the unquestioned love interest of the leading man, is a messed up jerk. It makes it hard to follow the movie when you see the male lead, who is described as having every single woman in town flocking to him, chasing this seriously messed up and mean basket case. For me a heroine has to actually BE lovable for a love story to be somewhat believable. I've seen this problem a lot in Hallmark movies and always wonder why?

This movie is refreshing! It has a lot of family values in it and can be enjoyed by children/parents/grandparents. Sad things happen in this world and losing a spouse/father is very difficult. You don't get over it in a few months---it's different for everyone and healing takes time. Holidays are especially emotional filled with memories of happier times with your loved one. The main characters, Scott & Lindsey are good actors, as well as being gorgeous, and there's a good rapport between them. I especially liked Donna and Fred, who are married in real life. The puppy added a lot to the story line. There's always something magical about Christmas and the fantasy of a magical Christmas stocking is charming. Perfect for family viewing at Christmas---and even in July👍🏻

The storyline was good but it was so full of mistakes !! One after another that it keep me watching to see them all. But it was hard to watch. Also the lead female character was such a whiny, selfish, poor me, I was the only one who suffered from what happened, cried all the time etc. it was really hard to feel anything for her. I love Hallmark Christmas movies & look forward to them. Yes, I know they're basically the same but this one surprised me. In my opinion the worst one they've ever made. Usually Hallmark is on the ball w/their movies. Guess someone slept through this one. Just entertain yourselves with watching all the goofs, mistakes, & the lead female. You will shake your head at it.

Love this movie brings some Christmas magic but the characters were annoying except the male lead.

Hallmark Christmas movies are always pretty close to the bullseye when it comes to plot and cast. This movie has all of the classic family, work, hopes and dreams that make traditional Christmas what it is. It stays just outside the lines of religion and politics far enough to keep from offending anyone. The storyline is simple enough for children to follow, and the adult themes are some that all of us with decades of Christmas ' past can identify with. It's a story about some of those losses and how there is Magic out there (at least this movie gives us hope that there is!) Casting the brilliant and beautiful Bridget Regan as Lindsey Monroe centered this talented cast. She's one of the hardest working actors out there and she always shows up on set ready to work. Scott, played by Victor Webster is the perfect co-worker match for Lindsey at this point in their lives. The child star, Hannah, played by Imogen Tear looks to be a can't miss future acting star. I liked this movie well enough that I rented it a couple of times, then purchased it. PS: It's a Christmas movie with a puppy named "Magic," in it, it should get 8 stars just for that!

This holiday story features a wide range of casting, acting, costuming, and design flaws. Iris Quinn as the visiting grandmother is distracting with Quinn's look just not blending in. The movie chugs along unevenly and leaves you plenty of time to notice the various small flaws that pile on nearly making the movie too annoying to watch to the end.

Could have been exceptional for the holiday TV movie genre but it keeps falling on its own sword standing up and repeating the whole self destructive pattern..

The lead actress was exceptional! Anyone who writes a bad review must think they are some professional critic. Great and fun family movie!

8.1 stars.

Bridget Regan is one of my favorites and I was so pleased to find out she acted in several Hallmark films some years back. I hope she continues, although it looks like she's done nothing for Hallmark since 2017, so I'm not holding my breath.

'Magic Stocking' is simply about a magic stocking that is given to a family of three sad females. Lindsey is played by Regan, she has a young daughter named Hannah and her mother Donna is staying with them over the holidays. Lindsey's husband died a few years back and she is greatly distressed even now. Hannah has wished for a puppy since she can remember and now wants one more than anything. Donna simply hopes for nothing more than happiness for her daughter and granddaughter.

Two men and a little doggy enter the scene and life improves. Three unhappy girls fall in love with two men and a pup, and it's all because of a magic stocking. The end.

Watch this movie if you like miracles, happiness, and females. In other words, you will watch this movie unless you don't like miracles, happiness, or females. And that would be tragic.