Jonathan Bennett Reveals What Time of Year Is Best to Shoot a Christmas Film — and His Answer Is Surprising! (Exclusive)

The actor tells PEOPLE when it’s “much more efficient” to work on a holiday project

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Jonathan Bennett is used to getting in the holiday spirit year-round.

The actor, 43, who has starred in numerous Christmas-themed projects — including the recently released Season’s Greetings from Cherry Lane — tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview that there is a certain time of year when it is better to shoot a festive film.

“Normally, we shoot our Christmas movies during the summer,” he says. “So you’re wearing all these heavy clothes, but you’re, like, sweating buckets underneath them. You’re just drenched in sweat under all your fur coats.”

“But this year, I got to do something for the first time ever in my life, which is shoot a Christmas movie at Christmas,” Bennett continues. “So for the first time ever, I was actually in warm clothes, because I needed to be in warm clothes. So that was really fun.”

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According to Bennett, shooting a holiday-themed film during one part of the year, as opposed to the other, does stand out, however.

“I’m not going to lie. I kind of like shooting in the summer better,” the star — who will soon be documenting the New Year’s Eve ball drop with Snapchat, and previously shared BTS looks at his latest holiday project on the social media platform — says.

“I’ve complained about it for so long … [but] actually, it’s much more efficient in the summer. Because in the winter, you’re cold, and the crew moves a little slower, and you move a little slower,” Bennett continues.

“Where in the summer, it’s hot, and I think there’s more vibrancy to everyone on set,” adds the Mean Girls alum.

Bennett documented himself filming his untitled Christmas film in an Instagram post on Monday, Dec. 16.

“This the season for making movies,” he wrote in his caption.

In a video, which was soundtracked by Brenda Lee‘s iconic holiday tune “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” Bennett could be seen standing outside a church at nighttime.

“For the first time in my life I’m shooting a Christmas movie at actual Christmas time,” he added in text over the seconds-long clip.