The photo mailer below is currently on wires to more than 23,000 news, broadcast, print, online, and celebrity blog sites to promote the 2009 HALLMARK CHANNEL HOLIDAY COUNTDOWN, featuring four new Hallmark Channel Original Movies and the “Granddaddy” of all celebrations -- the 121st Tournament of Roses Parade -- beginning Saturday, November 28 @ 8p.m. ET, 7 C, only on Hallmark Channel, America’s premier television destination for family entertainment.

THE NATIONAL TREE Starring Andrew McCarthy, Kari Matchett and Evan Williams Premiering Saturday, November 28 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C) A majestic spruce which represents cherished memories of happier times for a father and son becomes a source of inspiration and pride for the entire nation in “The National Tree,” a Hallmark Channel Original Movie premiering Saturday, November 28 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C). Evan Williams, who stars in the popular and long-running “Degrassi: The Next Generation” on The N, Nickelodeon’s teen-oriented sister network, hits the road with veterans Andrew McCarthy (“Royal Pains”) and Kari Matchett (“Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”) in the family film, based on the novel by David Kranes. When the U.S. needs a new national Christmas tree, a toy company holds a contest. The winning tree belongs to 17-year-old video blogger Rock Burdock (Williams), whose father, Corey (McCarthy), planted the Sitka Spruce for him the day he was born. With a week to go before Thanksgiving, Corey and Rock, accompanied by marketing rep Faith Russell (Matchett), embark on a cross-country drive to bring the tree to Washington, D.C., where it will be planted across from the White House and lit up by the President himself. Rock isn’t looking forward to spending days on end with a dad who doesn’t understand him, but Corey hopes the trip will allow for some father-son bonding, however belated it may be. As the Burdocks make their way across the country, the tree garners more and more fans. However, with the increased media attention, the tree’s value begins to be more about its marketability

than its sentimental value as a national symbol and it’s up to Rock and Corey to decide – as a family – which is more important.

DEBBIE MACOMBER’S MRS. MIRACLE Based on the novel Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber, one of America’s most prolific writers Starring Doris Roberts and James Van Der Beek Premieres Saturday, December 5 (8p.m. PT/ET, 7C) Pipe down, Poppins! A new generation of hard-to-handle hooligans needs a new kind of housekeeper, and Doris Roberts (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) just so happens to be on speed dial. The five-time Emmy® winner stars alongside “Dawson’s Creek” alumnus James Van Der Beek in “Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle,” a Hallmark Channel Original Movie premiering Saturday, December 5 (8p.m. PT/ET, 7C). Losing a spouse is always hard, and for Seth Webster (Van Der Beek), playing single dad to two rambunctious six-year-olds doesn’t make it any easier. With the holidays approaching, finding a housekeeper has proved to be near-impossible, until Mrs. Emily Merkle (Roberts) shows up at the Websters’ door, ready to turn their lives around. No sooner has Mrs. Miracle - as Seth’s boys call her, due to her uncanny ability to be on to their every move - straightened up the house, than Seth meets Reba Maxwell (Erin Karpluk, “Godiva’s”). Seth and Reba soon find they have a lot in common: Since the death of his music-loving wife, Seth has been unable to play a single chord on the piano, and, in the name of her career, Reba, once an avid actress, has avoided the theater. With a Christmas pageant to prepare for and a fresh romance on the horizon, Mrs. Miracle has her work cut out for her and proves to be much more than just a nanny.

CHRISTMAS IN CANAAN Based on the novel by legendary country superstar Kenny Rogers and Donald Davenport Starring Billy Ray Cyrus Premieres Saturday, December 12 (8p.m. PT/ET, 7C) A wounded puppy bridges the racial divide between two young boys, leading to an unlikely, lifelong friendship in “Christmas in Canaan,” a Hallmark Channel Original Movie premiering Saturday, December 12 (8p.m. PT/ET 7C). From the producers of the Emmy® Award-winning TV movie “Door to Door,” - Grammy® winning country music superstar and actor Billy Ray Cyrus stars in the emotionally charged story, based on the book by Grammy® winner Kenny Rogers and Donald Davenport. Widower Daniel Burton (Cyrus) is doing his best to raise his three children on a limited income. But living in Canaan, TX during the Civil Rights Movement, he faces more than just financial difficulties. His 10-year-old son, DJ (Zak Ludwig, “Martian Child”), has made an enemy of his classmate Rodney (Jaishon Fisher, “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story”), simply because Rodney is black. To remedy the situation, Daniel and Rodney’s grandmother, Miss Eunice (Candus Churchill, “The Andromeda Strain”), decide to force the boys to spend time together. It’s slow going at first, but when the boys come upon a wounded puppy, their shared compassion pushes any racial tensions aside, and a lasting friendship is forged. The boys remain friends through their teenage years, and when Miss Eunice dies, Rodney (Matt Ward, “AVP: Aliens Vs Predator”), goes to live with DJ (Jacob Blair, “2012”) and his family. With money tight and the holidays approaching, Daniel can’t afford the presents he wishes he could give his family, and he tries to find a way to make Christmas special. What he does give them is a sense of hope, which Rodney in particular takes to heart. As racial tensions rise in Canaan, Rodney will come to understand the true meaning of family, and will soon have to decide where he belongs and what to do with the inspiration the Burtons have given him.

THE THREE GIFTS Starring Dean Cain, Jean Louisa Kelly, Mimi Kennedy and Reginald VelJohnson Premieres Saturday, December 19 (8p.m. PT/ET, 7C) A houseful of troublemakers isn’t something Santa gets many requests for, but it’s exactly what one couple is getting in “The Three Gifts,” a Hallmark Channel Original Movie premiering Saturday, December 19 (8p.m. PT/ET, 7C). Dean Cain (“The Gambler, The Girl, and The Gunslinger”), Jean Louisa Kelly (“Yes, Dear”), Mimi Kennedy (“Dharma & Greg”) and Reginald VelJohnson (“Family Matters”) may have been looking forward to a relaxing Christmas, but when

these three wise guys need a place to crash for the holidays, the last thing they’re bringing with them is a silent night. With her orphanage scheduled for renovations, Rita Green (Kennedy) must find a temporary home for some of the children. The three eldest boys, Mike (Dylan Sprayberry, “State of the Union”), Henry (Alex Zubarev, “Primitive Wisdom”) and Ray (Spencir Bridges, “Daddy Day Camp”), move in with Rita’s nephew, Jack (Cain), and his wife, Cherie (Kelly), who run a toy company. Jack is apprehensive about taking care of the boys, who are notorious for their troublemaking. Cherie, however, is excited, as she and Jack were unable to have children of their own. When Ray overhears Cherie mention to Jack the possibility of adopting one of them, the boys find themselves competing for the adoration of their temporary guardians. In just a week, the boys turn their acts around, learning the value of teamwork and respect. Jack even surprises himself with how much he enjoys having them around. But when they hear they’re all headed back to the orphanage after the holidays, the heartbroken boys run away. It’s only after they’ve gone that Jack realizes he’s ready to be a father – their father – and even the young at heart must grow up and adopt responsibility.

121ST ANNUAL ROSE PARADE Friday, January 1 Countdown to the Rose Parade (10a.m. ET/9C/7a.m. PT) Commercial-Free Parade Presentation (11a.m. ET/10C/8a.m. PT) Encores (1p.m. ET/12C/10a.m. PT) The New Year’s tradition older and more famous than the Times Square ball drop itself comes to Hallmark Channel! “The 121st Rose Parade,” hosted by Bob Eubanks and Stephanie Edwards, features spirited marching bands from throughout the nation, high-stepping equestrian units and, of course, the majestic floral floats that the parade has become famous for over the years. The commercial-free presentation airs Friday, January 1 (11a.m. ET/10C/8a.m. PT) and encores in its entirety at 1p.m. ET/12C/10a.m. In addition, Hallmark Channel will present the one-hour special, “Countdown to the Rose Parade,” Friday, January 1 (10a.m. ET/9C/7a.m. PT), hosted by the Emmy®-winning team from LA’s “The KTLA Morning News,” which captures the excitement of last-minute activity live from the Pasadena, CA parade site, where more than 900 volunteers will have labored for a combined 80,000 hours to bring the amazing, gorgeous New Year’s Day spectacle to life. (Note: Photo of last year’s Rose Court)