‘The Christmas Gift’: Is The Movie On Lifetime Inspired By This True Story? Stars Sterling Sulieman, Michelle Trachtenberg

The Christmas Gift is a heartwarming world premiere movie that will debut on the Lifetime Channel tonight. According to Lifetime Television’s website, the charming new movie, featuring an interracial romance, is inspired by a true story. Written by Hanz Wasserburger and Fred Olen Ray, The Christmas Gift stars Michelle Trachtenberg, Sterling Sulieman, Tracy Mulholland, Rick Fox, Daniel Booko, and Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs, according to TVTango.

Will Megan finally find her "Secret Santa?" #TheChristmasGift https://t.co/wVpLTim62E pic.twitter.com/AvfHEy2jBn

— TV Weekly Now (@TVWeeklyNow) November 22, 2015

The Christmas Gift Synopsis

Produced by Hybrid LLC with Jeffrey Schenck, Barry Barnholtz, and Zelma Kiwi as executive producers, according to Serial Scoop, The Christmas Gift’s story is built around Megan, a beautiful 10-year old girl who is impressed by a gift that she received through Secret Santa. Not only is she impressed by the gift, she treasures it, since it came at a time in her life when she really needed it. As time passes, she never forgets the gift, and she never forgets the face of the little boy whose photo was attached to the Christmas gift. After almost 10 years, Megan, who is now a journalist, makes it her mission to find out the location of the little boy who touched her so many years ago. When she decides to approach the editor with an idea for the perfect story to find her Secret Santa, Megan’s life changes in a way she never expects after finding him.

The premise for Lifetime’s The Christmas Gift is an emotionally uplifting story that makes the perfect holiday movie — one that is about giving, sharing, and finding love in the most odd places. A true story that is very similar to the plot of this Lifetime movie is the story of Joana Marchan and Tyrel Wolfe. People reported on their story in December, 2014.

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Could Lifetime’s The Christmas Gift Movie Be Inspired By This True Story?

In 2000, when Tyrel Wolfe was a little boy living in Idaho, he helped put Christmas shoe box packages together for needy children in the Philippines. The shoe box packages were sent off and organized by the international relief organization known as Project Operation Christmas through Samaritan’s Purse.

Joana Marchan, who was just a little girl, received a package with the photo of a little boy with a gift inside. The name of the little boy had been included in the Christmas gift. She never forgot the package, and she never forgot the name of the little boy. In 2009, when she was all grown up, she decided to try to find a Tyrel Wolfe on Facebook. When she found the name, she sent a friend request. But Tyrel didn’t respond. A couple of years later, she decided to try again, and this time—out of curiosity—Tyrel wanted to know who she was and why she was “friending” him.

That’s when Joana Marchan explained that many years ago, she received a Christmas gift from him. Tyrel Wolfe hadn’t remembered sending out the gift, and was surprised when his mother confirmed that he had indeed sent Christmas gifts when he was just a boy. The two forged a friendship, which turned into a long distance romantic relationship. Eventually, Tyrel Wolfe and Joana Marchan fell in love and married here in the United States.

About Project Operation Christmas Through Samaritan’s Purse

Fifteen years later, people all around the world still need help with school supplies, toys, and other Christmas gifts. Now, you can build a shoe box online at the Samaritan’s Purse website. According to their about page, they are a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization that has been helping hurting people globally since 1970.

About the Cast of Lifetime’s The Christmas Gift

Sterling Sulieman is known for his role in the movie Americana, as well as several TV series, such as The Game, Mind Games, Modern Family, Sex And Love Conspire To Destroy The World, and The Client List.

Michelle Trachtenberg has had roles in movies such as The Circuit and The Hill. She has also appeared in various television series, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gossip Girl, Criminal Minds, Sleepy Hollow, NCIS-Los Angeles, and Killing Kennedy.

Missing The Christmas Gift tonight would be a mistake. Tune in to Lifetime Television at 9/8 central. Before you go, check out Tyler Wolfe’s proposal below.

Tyrel Wolfe’s proposal to Joana Marchan

[Image via Lifetime/Facebook]