Michaels and Hallmark Celebrate Holiday Unplugged With Festive Crafting

Hallmark is giving holiday movie fans a reason to reach for something other than the remote. Through a new partnership with Michaels, its upcoming original film Holiday Unplugged will extend beyond the screen and into stores, craft rooms and family gatherings. The collaboration combines a movie premiere, hands-on holiday workshops, on-demand projects and an exclusive seasonal product assortment.

And the premise could hardly be more timely: put down the devices, make something together and rediscover the traditions that turn an ordinary holiday into a lasting memory. Here’s everything to know before the festivities begin.

A Hallmark Movie Partnership With a Hands-On Twist

At the center of the collaboration is Holiday Unplugged, an original holiday movie about a family rediscovering the joy of stepping away from screens, crafting together and making memories. It also marks Michaels’ first partnership with Hallmark on an original holiday film, giving the arts-and-crafts retailer a new place in Hallmark’s seasonal storytelling.

The movie premieres November 7 on Hallmark Channel and arrives on Hallmark+ the following day. But the partnership gets moving before the premiere, with Hallmark-inspired activities at Michaels beginning November 1.

Why the Screen-Free Theme Matters

Holiday entertainment usually asks audiences to settle in and watch. This collaboration adds a second invitation: take that feeling of connection off the screen and turn it into something tangible, whether that’s a handmade card, a personalized ornament or an afternoon spent crafting together.

There’s research behind that approach. According to findings from Michaels and Morning Consult, 80% of parents are seeking screen-free, hands-on holiday activities. So the movie’s central idea is more than a seasonal sentiment; it connects with something many families are actively looking for.

The November 7 Workshop Has an Extra Hallmark Connection

The standout event for devoted Hallmark fans may be the Michaels x Hallmark Holiday Workshop on November 7. Scheduled for the day of the movie premiere, it features two projects designed by Hallmark.

The morning session draws inspiration from the company’s archives, while the afternoon puts a creative spin on holiday cards. Fans near two participating locations will also have the chance to meet Hallmark artists making special appearances.

Two Projects, Plus Artist Appearances in Two Cities

• 10 a.m.–noon: Create dimensional paper ornaments inspired by Hallmark’s archives.
• 1–3 p.m.: Make custom holiday cards using paint-scraping techniques.
• Lenexa, Kansas: Hallmark artists will appear at 9644 Quivira Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215.
• New York City: Hallmark artists will appear at 675 Ave. of the Americas, New York, NY 10010.

The archive-inspired ornaments give the event a particularly appealing connection to Hallmark’s creative history. Instead of simply shopping for a seasonal decoration, participants can make one based on designs from the brand’s past.

The Holiday Craft Calendar Goes Well Beyond Premiere Night

This isn’t a one-weekend promotion. Michaels has outlined activities throughout November and December, covering holiday greetings, decorations, handmade gifts and seasonal keepsakes.

There’s plenty of variety. Some sessions center on paper or yarn, while others introduce clay. The Kids Club lineup includes both ornament painting and cookie decorating.

November Activities to Put on Your Calendar

• November 1, 1–3 p.m. — Hand-Stitched Card: Use yarn and foam to make a textured holiday greeting card with an embroidered look.
• November 8, 1–3 p.m. — Holiday Ornament: Create an ornament using foam and pom-poms or design a personalized holiday decoration.
• November 14, 10 a.m.–noon — Kids Club: Air-Dry Clay Figurines: Sculpt a custom holiday figurine from air-dry clay.
• November 15, 1–3 p.m. — Cookie Cutter Clay Ornaments: Turn cookie cutters, paint and foliage into tools for creating textured clay ornaments.

Along with the November 7 workshop, these sessions offer several ways to start the season with something handmade. Each project leaves room for personal touches, which is especially nice when the finished piece is headed into a greeting card envelope or onto someone’s Christmas tree.

December Brings Gift Ideas and Keepsake Projects

• December 6, 1–3 p.m. — Hand-Knit Yarn Muff: Learn a hand-knitting project and find inspiration for handmade gifts.
• December 12, 10 a.m.–noon — Kids Club: Painted Wood Ornaments: Personalize wooden ornaments with paint.
• December 13, 1–3 p.m. — Holiday Junk Journal: Create a keepsake for documenting and personalizing seasonal memories.
• December 19, 10 a.m.–noon — Kids Club: Cookie Decorating: Decorate cookies with festive designs using provided supplies.

The holiday junk journal is a fitting match for the film’s message. A project devoted to recording seasonal memories turns the idea of being present into something families can revisit after the decorations come down.

You Can Bring the Creativity Home, Too

Not everyone can build a holiday schedule around an in-store workshop. The partnership also includes on-demand Hallmark content at Michaels.com/classes, offering another way to try the creative activities.

The announced options include a calligraphy class and additional holiday projects. That gives anyone who’d rather choose their own crafting time some flexibility.

An Exclusive Collection Adds Another Layer

Michaels will also carry a curated assortment of Hallmark holiday products exclusively in its stores and online. The selection includes festive baking and entertaining pieces, seasonal décor, plush and more.

For fans, the appeal is simple: the partnership offers both things to make and things to bring home. The assortment brings the collaboration into holiday gatherings, gifting and decorating, without requiring every seasonal touch to start at the craft table.

The Real Hook Is What Happens After the Movie

Hallmark and Michaels are building this partnership around creativity and connection. Michaels President and Chief Customer Officer Heather Bennett highlighted handmade gifts, decorating and new traditions. Hallmark Media Senior Vice President of Ad Sales Chris Ward, meanwhile, emphasized slowing down and being present with loved ones.

That’s what makes this collaboration worth watching beyond its premiere date. Holiday Unplugged supplies the story, while the workshops and projects give audiences practical ways to bring its theme into their own celebrations. For the complete partnership details, including products and creative experiences, visit Michaels.com/lp/hallmark. The most memorable takeaway might not be a scene from the movie, but something you make afterward.