Easter Egg. After the auction, the camera focuses on a Merry & Bright Candy Cane sign. Merry & Bright (2019) is another Hallmark movie produced in 2019 starring Jodie Sweetin and Andrew W. Walker centered on candy cane manufacturing company, Merry & Bright.
The second Christmas movie starring Rachel Leigh Cook where the main couple is named Merry/Mary and Adam. The other is Frozen in Love (2018).
Paul Essiembre (Joe) played Travis Van Winkle (Adam's) father in Project Christmas Wish.
Amy Groening (Darlene) also co-starred in Project Christmas Wish, along with Travis Van Winkle and Paul Essiembre.
Clemson University plays a part in this movie. Joe who owns the diner was an English Professor at Clemson and his love interest, Sonia Hendricks, went to school there. They bid on a Christmas tree that was trimmed in Clemson colors or orange and purple. The winning bid went for the highest bid of the day at $1000.