As the 10th anniversary of “Countdown to Christmas” on Hallmark approaches, Parade asked Hallmark Channel actors why they think the Christmas movies resonate so well with viewers.

Here are two of my favorites (for obvious reasons!):

• Jen Lilley (“Winter Love Story” and on again, off again “Days of our Lives” actress): “I absolutely love Hallmark movies with all my heart. I don’t like really super sappy romances but I love Hallmark’s message. To me, it’s sort of the Meg Ryan-Tom Hanks charming and funny (Nora Ephron) romantic comedies like Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail. It goes perfectly with hot cocoa and popcorn.”
• Alison Sweeney (“Christmas at Holly Lodge” and longtime “Days of our Lives actress): “Hallmark is a happy place for so many of us. It’s a place where you can go, and you feel safe knowing that the story you’re in for is going to be rewarding, and you’re going to feel good about it. I think it’s true of all of the programs that Hallmark works so hard to create.”