Jennifer Love Hewitt is paying tribute to her late mother, Patricia, with the release of her first Christmas movie.
Hewitt, 45, directed and stars in “Holiday Junkie,” a Lifetime Original Movie set to premiere on Dec. 14.
The film centers on a woman named Andie, portrayed by Hewitt, who operates a decorating company alongside her mother, Mimi. However, after her mother’s tragic passing, Andie must confront the sorrow of spending her first Christmas alone—ultimately finding love along the way.
Hewitt’s husband, 46-year-old actor Brian Hallisay, whom she married in 2013, plays her onscreen love interest in the holiday film, which also stars the couple’s three children: Autumn, 11, Atticus, 9, and Aidan, 3.
“So it was special having him there. I’m really proud to be one of very few grief Christmas movies out there for people who feel things other than just joy at Christmas.”
The film mirrors Hewitt’s own experience of learning to embrace the joyful spirit of the holiday season as a means of coping with the grief of losing her mother, who died in 2012 at the age of 67 after battling cancer.
“A holiday junkie is somebody who unapologetically believes in magic and celebrating life all year round, not just for like the big holidays but for every holiday,” she continued.
‘Inheriting Magic’
The release of “Holiday Junkie” coincides with the launch of Hewitt’s new memoir, “Inheriting Magic: My Journey Through Grief, Joy, Celebration, and Making Every Day Magical,” which debuted on Dec. 10.Earlier this year, the “9-1-1” star took to Instagram to give her fans a sneak peek of the cover of the book, which depicts Hewitt holding a wand while surrounded by her three children.
“This incredible cover was done by an angel @the_life_of_aivax I can’t believe how lucky I was to get her for this book! Moms who create magic are special! And she is a magic maker for sure. Can’t wait for you guys to read it!”
The memoir’s cover design marked the first time that Hewitt had ever shown her children’s faces to the public.
Similar to the storyline of her new holiday film, “Inheriting Magic” chronicles Hewitt’s journey of navigating the loss of her mother.
During a recent Instagram Live, Hewitt explained how true joy, or magic as she describes it, must originate from within.
“And my mom was that person … she really was this magical person.”
On March 8, Hewitt issued a touching tribute to her late mother on what would have been her 79th birthday.
“Thoughts of you laughing, us holding hands and your hugs keep me going. I wish I could lay in your lap today and you would rub my hair.
“But thank you for the visit as a hummingbird on my way to work this morning. Hope heaven is throwing you a party and I will be thinking of you all day. Love you the most always and forever.”
