Michele StuevenJonathan Bennett, the heartthrob who co-starred in Mean Girls more than 20 years ago as Aaron Samuels, the love interest of Lindsay Lohan’s character, is all grown up.
Lindsay Lohan as Cady Heron and Jonathan Bennett as Aaron Samuelson in Mean Girls (CBS via Getty Images)
He went on to realize his lifelong dream of starring on Broadway in Monty Python’s Spamalot musical comedy, and the trajectory has just gone straight up since then.
When not hosting Food Network’s top-rated Halloween Wars, he continues to add to his Hallmark credits, including his trio of GLAAD Media Award-winning The Groomsmen film trilogy and the channel’s first-ever unscripted competition series, Finding Mr. Christmas, streaming now, which he hosts, produces, and created, as well as their upcoming Holiday Break telefilm.
Finding Mr. Christmas follows a group of men competing in various Christmas-themed challenges to win the title of Mr. Christmas, as well as a role in a Hallmark Christmas movie.
The contestants in the series are men from various backgrounds who are all aspiring actors. In each episode, they face two rounds of challenges. First, there’s the Festive Face Off, where contestants showcase their holiday spirit. The winner of the face-off earns an advantage in the Star Quality challenge, where contestants have to learn a script and act out a scene from a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Finding Mr. Christmas (Courtesy Hallmark Channel)
The self-proclaimed Gay King of Christmas took time out from hosting the Hallmark Christmas cruise from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico, alongside other Hallmark stars, to give us his tips on holiday decorating. He describes the new season’s house on Finding Mr. Christmas as an elevated cabin Christmas, sort of Hallmark mountain lodge meets Ralph Lauren winter retreat:
Choose a theme and color palette
“Our Finding Mr. Christmas Production Designer, Bill McMillan, really makes our rustic lodge-inspired theme pop by leaning into the warm wood tones that already exist in the house. Adding in a traditional holiday color palette with reds, greens, and golds, but nothing is overly bright or metallic. The tones are warm and muted, which keeps the house feeling inviting and cozy.”
Add textures
“We have cozy, layered theme textiles. Throws, pillows, and layered patterned rugs make the room very comfy. Fabrics are chunky knits, plaid, and wool blends, enhancing the warm lodge vibe.”
Finding Mr. Christmas (Hallmark Media/Photographer: Kim Nunneley)
Embrace greenery
“We have big statement Balsam Hill trees in each room, like our 15-foot Frosted Yukon Spruce in the living room, and then we also incorporate lush garlands with white lights, ribbon, decorations, and natural elements on the windows, stair rails, and throughout the house.”
Utilize all your senses
“One of the things we do on Finding Mr. Christmas is not only to make sure the house looks great, but also to make sure it sounds, smells, feels, and, of course, tastes like Christmas at the hot chocolate bar.”
Incorporate DIY
“It makes the space uniquely yours. In the Finding Mr. Christmas house, we utilize a lot of creativity. A great example of this is the entry arch to the house, where the garland is full of everything from vintage snow skis and sleds to deer antlers and oars.”
King of Christmas, Jonathan Bennett (Courtesy Wes & Alex)