Finding Mr. Christmas Season 2, Episode 3: “You Got Rustin’d”
Warning: This post contains spoilers for Finding Mr. Christmas Season 2, Episode 3, including who was eliminated.
Previously on Finding Mr. Christmas: Davey snagged the win, Drake’s holiday dream came to an end, and the remaining men of Hallmark’s most wholesome thirst trap are realizing this sleigh ride isn’t for the faint of heart.
Girls Gone Hallmark Reacts to Finding Mr. Christmas Episode 3
We open in the Balsam Hill House™ living room where the guys are lounging with those famous empty mugs – because on Hallmark, no one ever actually drinks, they just vibe with warm beverages. Marcus is leading a little fireside check-in like it’s group therapy with twinkle lights. Craig admits he’s spiraling, dramatically recounting how he’s gone from winning “pretty much everything” to almost getting cut. Which, Craig, sweetie, I checked my notes – one solo win, one team win. But that level of confidence? That’s leading-man energy.
Rustin talks about how close he’s grown to the guys, Angel praises the brotherhood, and Robbie’s glowing like a man who is absolutely killing the competition.
Festive Face Off: Sugar, Spice, and a Side of “Did He Just Say That?”
We cut to the workshop where Jonathan Bennett greets the guys in the coziest white cable-knit sweater this side of Stars Hollow. He starts hyping the next Festive Face-Off, a gingerbread house decorating competition that’ll help the judges “learn something new” about the guys.
Then, in a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, Jonathan tosses out a self-deprecating “fruitcake” joke. I get that it’s meant to be funny, and it is. But, if we’re being honest (and we always are, with love), we don’t really need that joke anymore. JB doesn’t have to undercut himself for a laugh. Representation is evolving, and Jonathan’s visibility is a big part of that. Heart hand emoji.
Now, back to the sugar rush. The guys have 35 minutes to decorate pre-assembled houses – thank goodness, because if they had to actually build them, they’d still be scraping icing off the floor in 2026. The hot glue guns are out and suddenly the air smells like equal parts gumdrops and mild panic.
As the frosting flies, we start hearing the stories behind each gingerbread house – and honestly, this is where the show shines. These guys are decorating, yes, but they’re also revealing little pieces of themselves in the process.
Breanne Heldman from People Magazine arrives in a festive flannel and absolutely nails a Frank Lloyd Mr. Right Now joke. The guys laugh – though I’m 50/50 on whether they understood the architecture pun or just appreciated the flirt.
When it comes time to present, Marcus explains that his house represents him and his girlfriend – and that’s when the now-iconic girlfriend counter pops up on-screen. It’s like the editors remembered the wails heard across Hallmark Nation last week when Marcus casually mentioned having a girlfriend and thought, ‘Yeah, let’s twist that knife – lovingly.’ By the fifth mention, we were giggling through the grief.
Davey’s house is heartfelt – inspired by his childhood tradition of hanging Christmas lights with his brothers, something he can’t wait to do now with his son. Angel’s reflects his hardworking mom; he talks about how she did everything to provide. Robbie’s schoolhouse is a tribute to a teacher who encouraged him to pursue acting and was an LGBTQ role model – it’s touching and deeply personal.
Rustin builds a stage because, of course, he grew up in a musical family – the man probably came out of the womb humming “O Holy Night.” Logan shares that his house centers around the fireplace, a nod to cherished family memories and the warmth of holidays spent together. Gabriel’s house, covered in seashells, represents time with family at the beach and his excitement about creating new holiday memories with his baby daughter. And then there’s Craig, who proudly unveils his “90s house” and takes a bold swing by rapping a little ditty to go with it. He was born in 1991, which means I was already a teenager – and my retinol can’t fix how old that makes me feel.
When the sugar dust settles, Robbie wins again. Two in a row! Robbie the Lobby is officially the one to beat, and we’re not mad about it.
Star Quality Challenge: Saddles, Swoons, and Serious Chemistry
Next up, the guys trade sugar for saddles in a cowboy-themed acting challenge with Hallmark queen Alison Sweeney – and a horse named Belle, who (and I swear I’m not making this up) gets an on-screen title card as the ‘Mane Actor.’
Robbie’s prize for his Festive Face-Off victory? An extra five minutes of rehearsal time with Ali and Belle. He spends it exactly how you’d expect from Robbie: calm, collected, and ready to deliver Hallmark-level charm without even trying. When the cameras roll, he looks confident, easygoing, and downright charming. His delivery is smooth and his chemistry effortless.
Marcus follows, clearly nervous about his first time on a horse. When the animal starts walking backward, he handles it like a cowboy who’s seen some things. The judges swoon, and Melissa Peterman absolutely cannot help herself – she yells, ‘Put a saddle on me!’ then immediately apologizes to her mom. Comedy. Gold. We still can’t believe that made the final cut!
Davey brings his A-game too, giving us leading man energy with his big smile and soft-spoken confidence. Gabriel nails his scene and I’m at home in full Kris Jenner mode, whispering, ‘You’re doing amazing, sweetie,’ at my TV like a proud momager. Craig stumbles a little, but he looks good doing it. Logan takes a big swing with a sweet accent but misses most of his lines, while Angel ad-libs his way through the scene like a pro, dropping an ‘easy peasy’ that cracks everyone up. When he calls himself the ‘Latino Cowboy,’ it’s not bragging – it’s branding. Honestly, put it on a T-shirt – I’d buy it.
And then there’s Rustin. The man steps into the scene radiating hunk – easy charm, sparkling eyes, and that hair catching the light like it’s been personally lit by the Hallmark gods. Melissa Peterman and Jonathan Bennett are visibly swooning. His final line lands with so much heat that Melissa stares straight into the camera like Jim from The Office, fully aware we’re all feeling it. JB seals the moment with, ‘You just got Rustin’d,’ and honestly? We did. Completely.
The judges deliberate. They love Marcus, who kept his cool even while his horse moonwalked mid-scene. Angel wins points for his charm and creativity. Rustin brings undeniable heat and charisma, though Ali notes (lovingly) that he may have “stepped on her” a bit.
Robbie impresses with his calm, professional delivery. Davey brings that trademark sincerity, steady and genuine. Gabriel shows flashes of something special. Craig rallied after a shaky start, while Logan gives it everything he’s got, even when his lines take a snow day.
Tears, Tinsel, and Tough Goodbyes
Warning: This post contains spoilers for Finding Mr. Christmas Season 2, Episode 3, including who was eliminated.
The guys gather for elimination in what looks like a sparkly winter wonderland – twinkle lights, garland, and that familiar sense of dread that only comes when bad news is wrapped in good lighting.
Ali Sweeney starts things off with a little pep talk that doubles as an acting masterclass. She reminds the guys that audiences connect with confidence. It’s warm, encouraging, and just serious enough to make everyone stand a little taller.
Then it’s time for the results. JB announces the winner, and it’s Marcus! Confidence restored, redemption arc complete. He looks relieved, proud, and maybe a little like a man who finally found his leading-man stride.
When Logan’s name is called, it stings – for him and for us. His voice cracks during his goodbye, and by the time we cut to his confessional, he’s clearly been crying. You can feel how much this experience meant – the growth, the brotherhood, the dream of being part of something bigger. It’s sweet and unexpectedly emotional – the kind of ending that reminds you this show may be covered in tinsel, but it’s got real heart underneath.
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