This Queso Dip Is Basically a Fireworks Show in Your Mouth

Anna Monette Roberts
Dec 17, 2018

Before you subject your tastebuds to the weird and wonderful new foods and drinks going viral on Instagram, check out Brit + Co’s reviews on First Bite, our new series where we tell you if they are truly snack-tastic or totally terrible.

While we'll always have a place in our heart for processed cheese, if you're looking to adult when it comes to your queso dip (AKA spicy, melted cheese dip), we have discovered just the product for you: Stonewall Kitchen Ghost Pepper Queso ($8).

As you might have guessed, this queso is hot hot hot. Green chile peppers, jalapeño peppers, and dehydrated ghost pepper (one of the world's spiciest peppers) set the queso ablaze on your tastebuds. As if your mouth has been blow-torched, the dip then blooms with intense firey heat. Though you may be tempted to abandon chip after one or two bites, if you keep snacking, your palate will adjust to the flames.

You won't feel bad about going back for more scoops of this USA-made dip as it's made with a list of pronounceable ingredients. The base is essentially pureed tomatoes and dehydrated cheese. Plus, it's gluten-free — score! Unlike other queso dips that congeal when cold, this recipe is actually recommended to serve at room temp. Though skeptical at first, we fell in love with the cool, creaminess (the texture resembles thick Greek yogurt) and slight textural contrast of the tomatoes, red bell peppers, and onions.

However, you can always go the traditional route and serve the queso dip warm via a low simmer on the stovetop or Crock-Pot style. Just to forewarn you, we noticed that the spice factor becomes even more intense when the temperature is elevated, so take that into consideration when serving it. Whatever you do, don't attempt to reheat it via the microwave or else the dip will explode... we speak from experience.

In terms of best pairings, dunk tortilla chips (duh!) into this spice-tastic queso or dollop it onto tacos, enchiladas, tamales, nachos, fajitas, beans, and other Tex-Mex fare. Prepare to experience fireworks on your palate.

Would you try this spicy dip? Let Brit + Co know on Twitter.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.



You Need These Under-$10 Trader Joe's Finds For The Best Christmas Meal Ever

Trader Joe's holiday suite is in full swing, and thank goodness. Christmas is already the best holiday around, and it only gets better with all of Trader Joe’s Christmas items! These 16 finds are perfect for topping off your Christmas charcuterie or completing the table for Christmas dinner. The best part is they’re all shoppable for under $10! All your guests will be raving.

Scroll on for this year’s best Trader Joe’s Christmas items to add to your cart!

Sweet Trader Joe's Christmas Items

Trader Joe's

British Shortbread Cookie Collection

This assortment of shortbread cookies would make an excellent Christmas Eve nightcap alongside some hot chocolate. Make it boozy if you're feeling brave!

Trader Joe's

Peppermint Crunch Popcorn

With this find, you get a bit of saltiness among the sweetness, plus the crunch is irresistible.

Trader Joe's

Dark Chocolate Ganache Mini Sheet Cake

If you're celebrating Christmas with a small group, this mini sheet cake is the way to go. It delivers on the perfect portion size, and, of course, all things chocolate.

Trader Joe's

English Fudge Collection

This fun range of English fudge makes the ideal daytime (or post-dinner!) snack for Christmastime indulgence.

Trader Joe's

Dark Chocolate Dipped Candy Cane Marshmallows

Level up this season's hot chocolates with a dash of peppermint from these candy cane-flavored marshmallows. Yummm.

Trader Joe's

Candy Cane Baton Wafer Cookies

Wafer cookies are downright addicting. Make sure to grab a few tins of these on your next TJ's run, because your guests will be totally hooked on 'em.

Trader Joe's

Boozy Bottles

Dark chocolate loaded with cognac liqueur? Sign us up immediately!

Trader Joe's

Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries

As if it couldn't get even more chocolatey, these sophisticated chocolate-covered cherries come to the TJ's forefront. They're super decadent, making them the ultimate addition to your charcuterie spread.

Savory Trader Joe's Christmas Items

Trader Joe's

Elevated Cracker Assortment

Crackers are a must for any dinner party. This trio is a total treat around Christmas.

Trader Joe's

Uncured Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Oh, yeah. These tender scallops wrapped in bacon are not only delicious AF, but easy AF to prepare from frozen. Your next best Christmas appetizer awaits!

Trader Joe's

Double Cream Brie

Baked brie is a non-negotiable on our Christmas dinner menu. Heat this baby up with some honey or jam, then delightfully dip in with your fave TJ's crackers.

Trader Joe's

Dinner Rolls

It goes without saying that dinner rolls are a classic item to include for Christmas dinner. These $3 pull-apart rolls boast the perfect soft interior and impeccable flavor.

Trader Joe's

Savory Squash Pastry Bites

Got some hungry (erm, hangry) guests at your place? Tide their cravings over with these air fryer-friendly savory squash bites.

Trader Joe's

Caramelized Onion Goat's Milk Cheese

The sweetness of goat cheese is instantly complemented with caramelized onion in this $3 find.

Trader Joe's

Crispy Battered Calamari

This appetizer will make it look like you spent way more time on your Christmas appetizer spread than you actually did.

Trader Joe's

Prosciutto-Wrapped Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

It doesn't get better than some cured meat and cheese. These snackable sticks would look adorable on a charcuterie set-up.

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more amazing Trader Joe's products!

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Paris Geller Is Actually The Best Gilmore Girl Of Them All

Ahhh…Paris Geller. Where does one even begin with the best Gilmore Girl whose name isn't actually Gilmore? The woman we all came to know and love. The purveyor of backhanded compliments, deadpan humor, the quickest wit one can imagine and an absolutely ungodly work ethic. The sole character of the series who I would 100% watch a spin-off of, and love every minute. Sure — she once said that everyone around her needed to be sterilized immediately. And that Rory’s boyfriend offers “nothing to women or the world in general.” And that she can “scare the stupid out of you. But the lazy runs deep.”

She may, in fact, be the only character whose absurdity warrants such unhinged comments, and I am so here for it. You may be reading this because you too believe that Paris Geller deserves way more praise than she receives. Or you hate her. Or perhaps you don’t even know who she is. Regardless, allow me to delight you with the many — shall I say — unique musings of my favorite Gilmore Girls character, and explain exactly why Paris was not only what the cult-classic show needed, but the feminist icon TV needed, too.

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So let’s start from the beginning. Paris Geller (played by Liza Weil) joined the GG crew in Season 1, right as Rory Gilmore (the show’s sort-of protagonist) walked into Chilton Academy, a private school where Paris was attending, for her first day. A far cry from Rory’s relatively timid and soft-spoken personality, Paris tore up the screen with her high-strung personality and immediate rivalry with Rory (Rory did not feel the same), who Paris viewed as the only candidate who could possibly challenge her spot at the top of the class standing. As the year progresses, the two become friends, which of course Paris still highly questioned.

The rest of their high school experience is plagued with repeated ups and downs, from Paris’s parents’ highly publicized divorce to their joint student government campaign and, most notably, Paris’s C-SPAN meltdown, courtesy of a Harvard rejection fueled by what she can only assume to be wide-spread knowledge that she lost her virginity. Despite losing the Valedictorian slot to Rory (which Paris comes to terms with after finding out Salutatorians tend to be more successful), Paris walks across the graduation stage and accepts her diploma from the school’s headmaster, to which she iconically quips, “no hard feelings.”

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Fast forward to Paris’s first year at Yale, a school she knew Rory was attending but had no intention of ever seeing again. Not to the surprise of Paris’s life coach, the two frenemies were placed together as suitemates, a pairing that ultimately served as a catalyst for lifelong friendship. Throughout college, Paris pursues pre-med and pre-law degrees, joins the Yale Daily News alongside Rory, dates an elderly professor (he passes away, leaving Paris to grieve), moves on with the editor of the Yale Daily News, Doyle McMaster, and potentially saves Rory from abandoning Yale forever by admitting to Lorelai that Rory is the only person who ever listened to her, challenged her and motivated her.

Paris then proceeds to become the editor of the Yale Daily News, a position in which her power-hungry tendencies took full-force, resulting in a forcible resignation, kick Rory out of their shared apartment, let Rory move back into their shared apartment (now with Doyle), be accepted to a slew of prestigious medical and law schools. She ultimately chose to attend med school and break up with Doyle, to which he refused, and tells Rory that they’re on their own but she can still do great things (Of course this doesn’t last, the two are meant to be best friends.)

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Somehow this doesn't even scratch the surface of the character of Paris. As you can tell, Paris is a fiercely loyal, protective woman who fights for herself to no end. She (literally) doesn’t care what other people think (so long as they’re not within her immediate circle) and never stops pursuing her dreams, no matter how many times she probably should have. She is the epitome of feminism in modern television — perhaps taken to an extreme — and serves as a necessary counterweight to Rory’s floundering sense of self.

So long as she keeps her need for perfectionism in check, Paris has one of those few personality types whose wild ambition and outspokenness is directly beneficial to her success, a success that she, and only she, can define. Sure, she has an exaggerated sense of self-importance, but when balanced by Rory’s soft-but-straightforward approach, Paris can quickly reset, reevaluate and move forward.

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That's the thing with Paris — she’s always moving forward. She doesn't get into Harvard? Tough. She takes a few days to wallow before considering her other options: Yale, Columbia and Princeton. She doesn’t know whether to choose med school or law school, so she takes stock of her bearings, reflects on her past dreams, and makes a clear, concise decision that she moves forward with.

Her brutally honest nature (both internally and externally) is exactly why Paris works. She’s generous when needed, comfortable with giving tough (and oftentimes tougher) love, is able to express vulnerability with the people she loves, doesn’t allow outside influences to affect her path and never let’s someone (especially a man) tell her she’s less than (*cough, cough*—Rory). For an early 2000s show, she showed women that there is power in education. There’s power in stepping away from a caretaker role. There’s power in expressing your opinion, no matter your age.

Image via WB

There’s no doubt in my mind that she’s inspired countless women over the years — after all, she’s inspired me! Even though she’s had her controversial moments, she’s always been a cheering voice for women, even if it’s behind her resting grimace. For these reasons, and so many more, I am hereby deeming Paris Geller the best of Gilmore Girls — the heroine, perhaps, and a feminist icon to all.

What's your take on Paris Geller? Let us know in the comments, and sign up for our email newsletter for more pop culture musings!

Header image via Netflix, Warner Bros

This post has been updated.

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Trader Joe’s Shoppers Are Obsessed With This Fancy $5 Dip: "I Buy One Every Week"

Brown butter pasta. Wedge salads. Espresso martinis. Actual martinis. What do these foods and bevs all have in common? They make me fancy as ever when I’m chowing down on them.

But there’s one flavor in particular that goes above and beyond in the way of fancy foods, and it just so happens to be featured in one of Trader Joe’s tasty new dips.

Trader Joe's

I’m talkin’ truffle, baby! Not one, but two types of the earthy, richly-umami fungus stars in Trader Joe’s Truffle Dip, and TJ’s fans can’t get enough.

Trader Joe’s Truffle Dip boasts an “exceptionally creamy” base made up of ricotta, parmesan, and cream cheese. Most importantly, it earns its super sophisticated flavor from a blend of black truffle paste and white truffle-infused olive oil. Yeah, I’m obsessed.

@traderjoesobsessed

Trader Joe’s fan account @traderjoesobsessed recently shared all the truffle goodness on their page, with truffle-infused favorites like Truffle Burrata, Truffle Brie, andTruffle Oil joining the ranks. Their followers truly blew up the comment section with lots of love for the famed Truffle Dip

“Come through truffle!!!!🔥❤️,” one person wrote.

“I use this as a pasta 🍝 sauce,” another commenter said. “It's amazing!!”

“I think it’s soooo good with the brioche toasts,” someone else said.

“I buy one every week,” another person commented. “I'm obsessed!”

The Trader Joe’s Truffle Dip is shoppable in stores for just $5.49 for 7.5 ounces of the creamy, dreamy product. It’s the perfect addition to slather on lunch wraps and sandwiches and will definitely make your holiday charcuterie spread shine this year.

No matter how you enjoy it, you’re sure to become absolutely obsessed, too.

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more beloved Trader Joe's finds!

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6 Reasons 'Nobody Wants This' Wasn't Actually That Good

Okay let's just address the elephant in the room: no, I didn't love Nobody Wants This, despite the fact I'm a massive rom-com fan. (Don't worry, I absolutely still jumped on the Adam Brody Hot Rabbi train). After its premiere on September 26, 2024, the show racked up 10.3 million views in its first week, and quickly got renewed for season 2. But despite the insane popularity, I really didn't like it as much as I thought I would.

That's not to say I hated the show. There were definitely moments that gave me butterflies (hello INSANE first kiss!), and I enjoyed moments with Joanne and Morgan almost more than the rest of the series because they reminded me how much chaos my sister and I get into. Plus, as a victim of the abysmal online dating scene, I did appreciate the way the show emphasized how much dating can suck right now.

And that's the best thing about art — it's supposed to make you think and analyze and feel. And I definitely came away from Nobody Wants This with some interesting feelings.

Here's my very-subjective take on Nobody Wants This...and why I don't really get the hype.

1. ​I don't really see myself in Joanne.

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As someone who took solace in books and TV shows from an early age (a silver lining to the isolation of homeschooling), I've always felt drawn to characters that simultaneously make me feel seen and inspire me to be a better version of myself. But Kristin Bell's Joanne in Nobody Wants This left me feeling alienated rather than included.

I'm naturally quieter and more timid in large social situations so Joanne's brash, sharper edges caught me a little off guard — and honestly reminded me of past party environments I really didn't enjoy. "In my opinion Joanne is a generic, predictable character of a baddie who hides her insecurities behind the attitude," @niemownikomu says on Reddit.

But even though Joanne and I are so different, I was very touched by the contrast between her larger-than-life personality and her fear that romantic partners would be turned off by her independence. I definitely get that.

2. ​Teasing a romance between Morgan & Sasha is totally inappropriate.

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One detail that honestly pissed me off about Nobody Wants This was the will-they-won't-they between Morgan and Noah's married (!!!) brother Sasha. Romanticizing cheating on your spouse is never hot or spicy to me, and I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief when creator Erin Foster announced season 2 was ditching that would-be relationship.

3. ​It's way too early for Noah to be in a new relationship.

Stefania Rosini/Netflix

@the_yv_edit on TikTok made an entire video about Noah's red flags, revolving around the idea that a back & forth and up & down romance might be entertaining, but it'll drain you in the long run. And one opinion that kept coming up in the comments was that Noah shouldn't even be thinking about starting something with Joanne. "Him jumping into the relationship was the first and biggest red flag," one user says.

​4. Noah either doesn't do that much in 'Nobody Wants This'...

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One more thing that @the_yv_editpointed out was that Noah doesn't actually do anything that extraordinary for her. He walks her to her car after the dinner party in the pilot, and they have great communication (thank goodness, I'm all for romanticizing great communication), but that should be the bare minimum people!! Plus did we just gloss over the fact he literally hid her when she came to camp?!

5. Or he goes WAY overboard.

Netflix

And when Noah does ditch her at camp, and Joanne leaves for her work dinner, he winds up at the restaurant (sweet)"but then HE SHOULD HAVE LEFT. Not pulled out candles, commandeered a table, and done the Shabbat ritual in front of her CLIENTS," lizzardmuzic says on Reddit. "I was cringing the whole time and thought it would be an issue, but I guess it was supposed to be a huge romantic gesture? I'm pissed. Everyone in this sub thinks Noah is too perfect, but I don't like him much. If anything, I think they wrote Joanne too perfect."

6. The 'Nobody Wants This' ending left me more stressed than hopeful.

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This is probably my Type-A oldest daughter realism kicking in, but I can't stop thinking about the end of Nobody Wants This. Considering romantic chemistry only lasts a few years, giving up your life-long dreams to see if a relationship works out really stressed me out. "It was very enjoyable. I just think in reality when the heat cools down as it inevitably does in these kind of relationships somewhere in his life he would truly regret his choice!" Reddit user Artistic_Incident569 says.

But that's what Nobody Wants This is all about right? Taking huge risks and turning your life upside down for love. And I'll admit that that in and of itself is pretty romantic.

What did you think about Nobody Wants This? Let us know what you're excited to see in season 2 on Facebook and read up on 5 Shows That Are (Almost) As Good As Nobody Wants This for even more.

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I Just Watched 'Love Actually' For The First Time & I Have So Many Questions

When people hear I've never seen Love Actually, the reactions are all generally the same: genuine shock. It's not that I purposefully avoided the beloved Christmas movie — I just never really got around to watching it. I had to make room for my annual The Holiday rewatch! But this year? This year, I decided to change all that by finally popping on this pop culture phenomenon. And honestly, I was left with so many questions...

Here's every unhinged thought and question I had while watching this cult classic Christmas movie — Love Actually fanatics, please send answers ASAP!

Scroll down to see the 25 questions I had while watching Love Actually for the first time!

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1. Is it just me, or is it totally wild to mention 9/11 at the very beginning of a Christmas movie?!

I understand this came out in 2003, so it's not too far removed from 9/11, but there's something off about bringing that up at the start. The message is sweet — people reached out to those they loved on that terrible day — but it's also incredibly sad. I'm not saying every moment of a holiday movie needs to be happy, but goodness gracious this is a depressing way to set the tone.

2. Why is Jamie's girlfriend wearing a turtle neck in bed?

Oh...oh, that's why. I mean she had to think that would be a dead giveaway that she didn't plan on resting during her "cold." I've never once put on real clothes when I was sick — I'm in pajamas 24/7! Although, I guess she also didn't plan on wearing much of anything later on...regardless, weird choices all around.

3. Who would honestly think it's a good idea to call a total stranger their "future wife" out of nowhere?

Listen, I get that Colin Frissel is supposed to be the erratic, kooky character who just wants to find love here, but I really don't understand his tactics. Instead of actually trying to get to know any of these women, he fires off these wild comments without a second thought. And then he has the audacity to say that British women are too stuck up to like him? Sorry, dude, but maybe you're just too inconsiderate and unaware to pull any British women — and most women in general.

4. Could Keira Knightley be any more beautiful?!

Okay, I know this isn't a plot point or anything, but holy moly! She looks truly angelic when she walks in for the wedding. No wonder Mark is head over heels for her!

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5. Does it feel like people are dressed awfully casually for a wedding? (I'm looking at you, Sarah)

Maybe 2003 was a more casual time, maybe daytime British weddings are super chill. I'm not sure what the reason would be, but I couldn't get past how casually dressed the wedding guests were for Juliet and Peter's wedding. Sarah's hat alone was enough to throw me off, TBH.

6. Wait, was this one of the first flash mobs? I'm not even kidding.

I actually had to Google this, but apparently flash mobs did really get started in 2003. So while Mark's surprise for Juliet and Peter isn't the first, it's certainly on-theme for the time!

7. Did he actually just put that food he ate BACK on the tray?

This is genuinely a germaphobe's nightmare — it's me, i'm the germaphobe. Seriously, though, Colin has got to work on his manners if he really wants to find someone to date him. I'm very confused how he thinks this behavior would attract anyone.

8. Have Liam Neeson's eyes always been this blue?

Again, not a plot point, but very distracting. I mean those babies are bright!

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9. What is Professor Snape doing here?!

I kid, I kid. But seriously, his voice takes me back to Harry Potter immediately.

10. How is it okay for Harry to ask Sarah about her love life — and royally interject in it like that — as her boss?

Don't get me wrong, I know people make friendships outside of work and talk frankly with their coworkers. But suggesting she tell Karl she wants "lots of sex and babies" with him? Yeah, that's definitely HR-report worthy in any workplace literally ever. Rein it in, Harry.

11. Are they allowed to say whatever they want on British radios?

Speaking of just saying inappropriate things at relatively inappropriate times, Billy — and the hosts for that matter — really are pretty crass! I'm not a prude by any means (ask my friends), but I was shocked at what they said on live air. I guess it keeps things interesting?

12. WHO flirts with their boss so blatantly like that?

Mia, most simply put, is BOLD AF. She openly flirts with Harry in the office, literally spreads her legs in front of him at her desk, and asks to dance during a slow song at their company holiday party while his wife is literally right there. I wanna know her backstory because these are wild choices. She doesn't even try to be secretive!

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13. Why don't Karen and Daniel end up together? They seem to share the most real, authentic love.

Honestly, I love platonic love, so I don't wanna take that away from them. However, there is a part of me that things Karen and Daniel could be the best couple. They seem to truly get each other in a way most of the other actual couples don't. But I guess that's on the purity of friendship?

14. At what point are we supposed to care about Billy?

This singer just really seems like a jerk, and he truly isn't compelling in the least. (And this is coming from someone who loves Bill Nighy!)

15. Oh my god, did they actually just say what I think they did about those dolls?

Needless to say, we would never get a line like this today. I'll leave it at that.

16. Would Jamie's book actually be salvageable at all after flying into the lake?

I need someone who used typewriters a lot to tell me how durable those typed pages would actually be. Would the water totally ruin the ink? Wouldn't the pages stick together irreparably after you took them out of the water? Literally what is he gonna do to finish this thriller? As a fellow writer, I'm stressed on his behalf.

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17. Why didn't Mark just tell Juliet he was filming these shots as a gift for his best friend?

Boom, problem solved. Instead, he acted like such a weirdo and made it so clear he was in love with her.

18. Did Mark actually tell Juliet just to show herself out of his apartment?

As if he couldn't make it weirder...

19. I'm not trying to be rude, but how is Harry hot enough for Mia to be throwing herself at him like this?!

Who you find attractive is so subjective, but to risk your job and someone's marriage for Professor Snape? Maybe it's his power, maybe it's his elusive (very clearly Scorpio) nature. Whatever it is, I'm just not seeing it. Sorry girly!

20. How many times will Laura Linney play a woman with a brother named Ben in the midst of a mental health crisis?

Ozark, anyone?

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21. What happens AFTER Juliet kisses Mark?!

I seriously don't know how they move forward normally after this confession and subsequent kiss. First of all, the confession was totally unfair to Peter. How is Mark gonna hold this in all this time, only to blow it all up after they're already married? And then for Juliet to kiss him? Is she giving him a false hope? Does she really like him? Do they keep this a secret? Is this all they need? Honestly, this left me with more questions than answers.

22. Is Billy trying to come out? Or is he saying he platonically loves his manager?

I'm honestly so confused. He called Frank the love of his life, and I just can't tell. (Especially after that awkward hug?)

23. Isn't it a little wild for Jamie to ask Aurelia to marry him? Couldn't they just date first?

I am definitely not blaming him for his girlfriend cheating on him, but I'm sure that level of quick intensity landed him here to begin with. Like come on dude, maybe get to know a girl first! (Still, these two are very sweet — one of the actually compelling couples in this story!)

24. Is that Denise Richards?!

At least her jacket's on correctly here... 😂

25. Why is this movie so SAD?

While I loved seeing Sam and Joanna, John and Just Judy, and the Prime Minister and Natalie find their happy ending, for a Christmas movie, there's ultimately not a lot of happy holiday spirit here... Maybe it's just me, but it feels like a total bummer for most of the movie! BRB while I pop on The Holidayinstead.

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