The setting could not have been more perfect, as The Grove – most recently seen on television in the Dancing with the Stars Season 25 finale -- was festively trimmed with so many lights and Christmas displays that guests felt as though they had wandered onto the set of an actual Hallmark movie (see photos throughout). Plus, in an “only in L.A.” touch, during December hidden machines atop many buildings throughout The Grove periodically shower "real" snow onto happy shoppers (and party guests) below.
Many network stalwarts were on hand to celebrate, including Sweeney, Lacey Chabert, Dylan Neal, Barbra Niven, Kellie Martin, Crystal Lowe, Andrew Walker, Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete, and of course Hallmark mascot Happy the Dog, to name just a few.
The party offered a wonderful opportunity for guests to dine on canapés and a delicious assortment of holiday treats – including the restaurant’s signature chocolate chip cookie "shots" (cup-shaped cookies filled with milk) -- while mingling with Hallmark executives and staffers, most notably Crown Media Family Networks President and CEO Bill Abbott and Executive Vice President of Programming and Network Publicity Michelle Vicary. (Abbott is pictured at top with Sweeney. Vicary, in black, is pictured below with Sweeney, Robinson Peete and Chabert.)
Also on hand were Sweeney's Days of Our Lives co-stars Drake Hogestyn, Kate Mansi, Kristian Alfonso and Lauren Koslow -- all of them ready to share in the holiday spirit and lend their support to a friend. They were only too happy to talk about the resurgence of their show in the ratings since new head writer Ron Carlivati took the reigns.
Despite the slew of attending talent, it was undoubtedly Happy the Dog who stole the night and had everyone clamoring for a picture. Happy has become something of a Hallmark star himself with several of the network's movies to his credit since being rescued from the streets of Los Angeles.