Plot Synopsis

Divorced clothing designer Kristin Frank is forced to close her small Manhattan boutique and is now suddenly unemployed and strapped for cash. She decides to return to her sleepy Ohio home town and live in her parents' old home-- a move that her younger daughter, Emily, furiously resists. Once there, it's a difficult period of adjustment for Kristin, especially when she runs into her former high school rival Melissa, who is president of the PTA, and tries to make her feel as unwelcome as possible. She starts falling hard for a hunky school music teacher, Danny Collier, and reconnects with Sarah her BFF from high school, who now owns the local coffee shop. She now has a real incentive for staying in town, and soon establishes a cottage industry, designing clothes for the local ladies. However, a sweetheart deal to return to New York and become a highly compensated fashion executive just may prove too big a temptation. She now must decide on whether to stay in the small town that has so richly welcomed her or return to the fast lane of the big city. With a little holiday magic and music, Kristin and Emily find that home is where the heart is. This movie is legendary singer/songwriter Mariah Carey's directorial debut.

Immediately following the world premiere of A CHRISTMAS MELODY, Hallmark premieres MARIAH CAREY'S MERRIEST CHRISTMAS. This one-hour musical special features outstanding performances of holiday songs by the incomparable pop diva herself -- Mariah Carey -- including a duet with 11-time Grammy Award winner Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds. Emmy Award winner Kelsey Grammer gives an unforgettable reading of "The Night Before Christmas." Billy Gardell appears as Santa Claus. Additionally, cast members from A CHRISTMAS MELODY -- Lacey Chabert, Brennan Elliott and Fina Strazza -- join the festivities sharing holiday memories and experiences from working with Mariah on-set during production of the movie.