User Reviews

Yes, it's a fantasy Italy, but isn't Christmas also a fantasy? We all yearn for something foreign to ourselves. It may have been modelled on a Scandinavian setting, but it still managed to convey the Italian charm in a very warm and friendly way, especially with the lead actress. I want to see more of her, a great actress with emotional depth! I love these little entanglements, which also don't correspond to reality at this speed. It is a light and entertaining series, perfect for the depressing and gloomy times we are currently living in. The series is naive, but positive and entertaining and lets you forget about everyday life for a few moments. Sometimes you need plump things to solve more important things. And the clumsiness itself is art!

No pun intended - and I reckon not a surprise that this is a mixture right here. Most often than not if you have strong feelings towards something, it means you care for it. Or about it - so there is also a lot of love here (really didn't mean to do another pun, if you choose to believe me).

Talking about believing: the show or rather each episode starts with the main character telling us something ... which she herself does not really believe. So it is a back and forth and really sets the tone for the rest of the show ... very well. If of course you are not annoyed by how the show handles things.

There are cliches here, even if it does try to avoid them. Tis the season to be ... well to watch a lot of seasonal greetings ... I mean movies. Maybe same difference one might say ... mostly action or horror related until this one ... one might say this has some of those elements here too.

I loved the original Norwegian series by Per-Olav Sorensen 'Hjem Til Jul' (Home for Christmas 2019-2020), it took me a bit by surprise as it didn't end up being a complete cliche, but that didn't prevent me from enjoy this Italian version of the series.

There were elements that were identical to the Norwegian original, but there were plenty that were not. Let's start with one of the main reasons to watch this two season Christmas series...and that is the gorgeous backdrop of Chioggia, Italy. The boats, canals, bridges, Christmas markets, lights, bell tower and local nativity scenes...not to mention the lovely Italian language itself.

I really enjoyed the Norwegian actress Ida Elise Broch, who played Johanne the nurse and still single 30 year old in the original. I think Pilar Fogliati, who plays Gianna, is lovely...in fact maybe too lovely to be believable as a single 30 something, but she is a fantastic actress who manages too pull off some of the quirkier aspects of her character.

If you enjoy romantic holiday comedy series, I think you will enjoy this one. The backdrop in Italy really added a lot for me and I loved seeing the individual nativities...I also liked seeing the icons of Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus in their canal boat (it added a whole level of comedy to have the Baby Jesus lost and ongoing scenes with divers etc. Trying to recover him). There was more comedy than the original Norwegian series...plenty of colorful knitted sweaters, and a different message in the end. My review is based on watching tge series in its original Italian with English subtitles. (I was a little confused with the English translation about seeing the Santa sleigh? I am guess it was the equivalent of seeing fireworks when you "fall in love"?). Overall a pleasant way to pass the time, not quite as good as the Norwegian original, but enjoyable all the same.

Review based on watching in it's original Italian with English subtitles.

This is a light-hearted show, perfect to pass some time during the Christmas season. Nothing much happens, no surprises or big life lessons, but it doesn't offend your intelligence either. It's pretty fun to watch and it's ideal for binge-watching. I don't understand the hate. What did you expect from this type of show?! It's a romantic comedy, so of course it will be shallow and a bit silly at times (I would have preferred the main character to be a bit more stable for sure! With the things she did, she becomes unlikeable even)). It's unfair to compare it to the Norwegian version and hate it because if it, even though I agree that the Norwegian is much better. It doesn't pretend to be anything it's not, the performances are decent, and I had a good time watching it!

I Loved this series. I haven't seen Home for Christmas, so I don't have the comparison. But I thoroughly enjoyed this on its own. Yes, there are plenty of cliches, but it's a Christmas series. What do you expect, Ingmar Bergman? The Italian actress reminded me of a young, glamorous Lucille Ball with touch of the comic about her. She was thorougly believable. And I thought the surrounding cast, particularly the women. Were outstanding. The Italian cinematic backdrop was icing on the cake. Having some familiarity with Italian culture and families, I can imagine the special pressure the daughter would feel. I look forward to watching Home for Christmas, but I will resist comparing it to this excellent series.

Agree with other reviews, why did Netflix create an Italian series of what was a fun and sympathetic Norwegian series. The original is a much more complex and nuanced series with greater character development and sympathy for the lead. In this new version it feels like everyone is just going through the motions and it has no real connection with Italy and why the main character behaves the way she behaves and her friends and family have no depth either. It's cringy and embarrassing to watch. Whereas the Norwegian series had more of a soul and real humanity to it along with a wonderful snow filled setting. Filming in Venice felt bizarre and jarring, the changes made felt stilted. It's an interesting idea to tell a similar story set in another country but better to do it so you keep the sense of place and real characters and things that could happen as one reflects the culture rather than repeating a story point by point as if we the viewers are stupid.

I love her because she was what we need to see -- she was open to love and yet, she loved people more. She was not someone's doormat but she know what she needed... And I am so glad they found baby Jesus in the end--True love, love personified makes Christmas great! For Italian family, the overbearing mom was a bit too much, but all moms are overbearing. The dad as a great counterbalance but the roommate's character as being a tinder babe was too much. If your love life is determined with an app and a overcharged libido, then what about the constant feeling of emptiness afterwards. I hope that they can continue the story because the cast is worth it!

I haven't seen the Norwegian version I keep reading about but this one was great... Having had the opportunity to visit Venice a few months ago, adds to the charm and liking of this series.... The characters might not be tremendously developed but the show really entertains... I like the Father of the lead, centered and comfortable figure, the roommate was funny and interesting... Kinda see myself in her.... But specially love the addition of Pierpaolo Spollon to the story, he's cute and charming and love the series ending... I highly recommend this to everyone... Go watch, you'll love it I'm sure.

The series is okay, but it is a remake, and Netflix's original series Home for Christmas (2019 and season two in 2021) is way better. Home for Christmas just captures the Christmas spirit in a different way, and the main actress has this amazingly warm charisma about her.

All in all, I hate Christmas is an okay series, and the Italian setting certainly is charming in it's own way. But it just can't compare to the original series set in Norway. The snowy surroundings and winter wonderland-feeling in HoC is just divine.

I really hope Netflix will want to invest in a third season of the original story, rather than making a season two of this version.

The Netflix descriptor begins ' Every Christmas is the same story' - well of course it when you copy from the original (The Norwegian Home for Christmas) which was released last Xmas on Netflix!! Do they acknowledge this anywhere? Hugely disappointing from a company that supposedly prides itself on its creativity here shamelessly copy and pasting Oslo into Venice and expecting audiences not to notice as it sinks

This Italian has a sexier lead than the Norwegian but her beauty and charm make it hard to accept the premise of her being unable to attract or keep a boyfriend.

But otherwise I'd strongly recommend Home for Christmas which feels like the real deal unlike soggy imitation that is more panned than panettone.

This starts off well but starts to lose its way midway through the series. It is based on the Norwegian series 'Home for the Holidays", and in some respects is a funnier. However, it really is just a repeat of the script, but with a beautiful Venetian backdrop. Sometimes, there is a loss of continuity as maybe they are not planning on a second season, but overall it's fairly entertaining even if a bit silly. The story really doesn't go anywhere, and the final episode is just a bit too sickly sweet. It remains to be seen is there will be a second season , and if they will stick slavishly to the script or maybe change the story line around.

Commercialization of new streaming media is a though challenge! Another weak experimentation sample!. Flawless cast, robust production and nice cinematography but almost no creativity! An AI driven superposition of Italian culture and American Christmas story telling... Just to pamper the curiosity why this mass production hysteria while it may be challenged the industry! A tip to toe complete set of cliche parade! I patiently viewed the full series! Let me thank to Italian fashion, furniture and food industry! Whilst my eyes were scanning some hints of 'real Italian cinematheque' aspects... Why I kindda felt that Netflix had perfect executives, marketing gurus and sales metrics but no cinema connoisseur! Confused, disappointed and shaken!