Candace Cameron Bure, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry for four decades, has seamlessly transitioned from a charming Full House child star to the reigning "Queen of Christmas Movies." Currently, she is starring in two highly anticipated Great American Family Christmas movies - A Christmas Less Traveled (premiered on November 16) and Home Sweet Christmas (premiering December 1). Not only is she a lead actress in these films, but she also holds the position of Chief Creative Officer at the network and will play a crucial role in their Christmas Festival taking place at the Northwell Park at UBS Arena in New York from November 22 to December 29.

Great American Family's Christmas Festival: A Unique Experience

Bure is undeniably busy during this holiday season. She took the time to share all about her latest holiday movies, her creative roles behind the scenes, and her enduring love for Full House. The Christmas Festival is an evolution of the traditional Christmas movie experience. It's a five-week outdoor event where families can come together. There are activities like ice skating, crafting, taking pictures with Santa Claus, and "carol-oke" with Christmas songs and nightly tree-lighting ceremonies. Different actors will be present depending on the weekend, and attendees have the option to meet the stars and participate in Q&As. It offers a one-of-a-kind experience that brings the charm of Christmas movies to life.

Acting and Chief Creative Officer: A Harmonious Role

As the Chief Creative Officer, Bure is responsible for overseeing the network's overall content and developing films for both the channel and the streaming platform. She listens to the audience's feedback and creates content that aligns with their vision. With over 40 years in the business and more than 10 years of producing television, she brings a wealth of experience to the role. It was a natural evolution for her to take on this entrepreneurial aspect, as she still loves acting but finds new challenges and fulfillment in shaping the network's creative direction.

The Process of Bringing Christmas Movies to the Screen

When it comes to producing her Christmas movies, Bure is involved at every step. She found the script for A Christmas Less Traveled written by Masey McLain and Taylor Kalupa. The network is always on the lookout for heartfelt family stories with moments of faith. Since she is both part of the network and a producer, the process is streamlined. In A Christmas Less Traveled, they filmed in the winter with real snow, ensuring an authentic experience. For Home Sweet Christmas, she and Cameron Mathison have long wanted to work together on a Christmas movie. Their chemistry shines through as they play childhood friends with a sweet story. It's more of a traditional rom-com Christmas movie compared to A Christmas Less Traveled, which has a faith thread.

Escapism and the Appeal of Christmas Movies

People love Christmas movies for their escapism. As someone who has worked on many of them, Bure understands this well. These movies offer a happy ending and a journey of love that takes viewers out of their daily lives. Research shows that people are happier during Christmastime, and decorations and Christmas trees contribute to this. Watching these movies allows people to relax and enjoy without overthinking. It's a simple pleasure that brings joy and warmth.

Full House and Its Enduring Legacy

Playing D.J. Tanner on Full House was a significant part of Bure's career. As a teenager and then reprising the role decades later in Fuller House, it was a gift. Full House has been a constant presence for almost 40 years and has created lasting relationships. Working on Fuller House as an adult and seeing where the characters are now was a beautiful experience. The love on and off screen is genuine, and it holds a special place in her heart.

Favorite Christmas Movies and Keeping the Genre Fresh

Bure has been in over 50 television movies, with around 15 to 17 being Christmas movies. Each one is like a child to her, and she loves them all in different ways. One of her favorites is A Shoe Addict's Christmas with Jean Smart. Working with an icon like Jean Smart was a special moment. To keep the holiday movie genre fresh, Bure is always looking for new stories and character experiences. As she gets older, she wants to explore roles that reflect different stages of life, such as being a mom or married. This allows her to find the romance in different seasons and add depth to her characters.