Season’s greetings! 

The hunt for new holiday movies & shows to watch is endless: writers reusing the tedious, cliché tropes from previous years. However, the festive series, Dash & Lily, was released four years ago in 2020 and may be the exception. The show is reminiscent of classic holiday storylines — yet seemingly one of a kind — with twists and turns to help the story progress. Despite winning three Daytime Emmy awards, the show did not receive many viewers because it came out during the pandemic and most people were more drawn to the familiarity of their comfort shows. Although the series lacks popularity, it has become beloved by fans who watch the series every December.

Adapted from a young adult novel written by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, the show captures the fun, holiday cheer from the book trilogy. The series is a cute love story set in New York City where the two main characters—if you hadn’t guessed—-are Dash and Lily.  Dash is a bit of a loner and prefers to be by himself even though he is surrounded by his friends. Lily, on the other hand, is an old-soul and finds it hard to connect with other kids her age. There is one thing that ties them together—their love for the Strand—a bookstore located in Manhattan. 

Dash & Lily dives right into the plot in the first episode, so without giving too many spoilers away, the series is a heartwarming story about overcoming fears and embracing one’s uniqueness. The show invites their audience on an adventure throughout New York City and its famous landmarks which is essential to the story; they send each other to their favorite spots in the city.

Each episode is about 20 minutes as opposed to an hour long movie. This keeps the audience engaged throughout because they can binge-watch the whole show in less than a day. In fact, they can go on a rollercoaster of emotions with the characters who experience ambivalent feelings during the holidays.

Although Christmas is a religious holiday, it has become a secular and universal holiday about showing appreciation for loved ones. Something about this time of year is magical, especially in New York City. Dash & Lily captures this feeling perfectly. 

So, snuggle up with some hot chocolate and watch this light-hearted holiday series!

Be prepared to laugh, cry, and possibly both at the same time. 

“Do you dare…?”