- 9 minutes ago
- #gaf
- #christmasmovie
- #hallmarkmovie
#GAF #ChristmasMovie #HallmarkMovie
Category
🎈
FunTranscript
00:00:13Can you feel it in the air?
00:00:16Good times are gonna last forever
00:00:19Baby, it's a time to share
00:00:21Tonight we're gonna be together
00:00:24Waiting on the mess of Joe
00:00:27Changing my dream up to the sky
00:00:30So long it feels forever
00:00:33Oh baby, let's get together
00:00:36It's Christmas
00:00:40Oh, it's Christmas
00:00:48Julie Wilson, 4455 Pine Tree Place
00:00:52That's me and that's my new address
00:00:54Oh, you just moved in
00:00:55Oh, a couple weeks ago, but it still hasn't gotten old
00:00:57Oh, well, in a place like this, I doubt it will
00:01:00Well, I got a delivery for you
00:01:01It is very big and very heavy
00:01:03It's here
00:01:05And I'm sorry that it's behind schedule
00:01:07It's my first Christmas on the job
00:01:08I wanted to make a good first impression
00:01:10But I was not expecting this many deliveries
00:01:12It is that time of year
00:01:13So it is
00:01:15And just sign right there
00:01:17And just so you know, delivering in mission is our mission
00:01:21Oh, love that
00:01:21Thank you, Dennis
00:01:22I've been waiting for this moment forever
00:01:31There we go
00:01:33All right
00:01:34I got the chairs, legs, and leaves in the van
00:01:36I'll be right back
00:01:37Thank you, Dennis
00:02:12All right.
00:02:14Got the legs.
00:02:16Wow, that is one beautiful table.
00:02:19Isn't it?
00:02:20My Nana hosted all of us around it every Christmas Eve just across town in Mission.
00:02:24Well, that's a good tradition to have.
00:02:25It was.
00:02:27And now it's fine.
00:02:28Well, this table is very heavy.
00:02:30You want any help putting on the legs?
00:02:31Oh, it's okay.
00:02:33I know you're busy.
00:02:34I am more than happy to help.
00:02:36Tis the season.
00:03:03No key.
00:03:29I love this.
00:03:32Great idea.
00:03:32Yeah, when I was a kid, I used to build these cozy corners and disappear into books for hours.
00:03:38Well, hopefully it gets the kids back in the library again.
00:03:40Well, if Christmas books and candy canes can't, I don't know what will.
00:03:45This town really lucked out hiring you to run things here.
00:03:48You're making our library feel so special.
00:03:50It already was.
00:03:52Okay, fine.
00:03:53More special.
00:03:55I still can't believe you packed up and moved from Redhaven all by yourself.
00:03:59Yeah, I needed a fresh start.
00:04:00Well, it's the best time of year for that, isn't it?
00:04:02I hope so.
00:04:06I am determined to pack this place full of kids reading books.
00:04:25Travel plans?
00:04:26Yeah, because I've heard international travel is always so smooth during the holidays.
00:04:32Still undecided.
00:04:33But a little research never hurts.
00:04:35Yeah.
00:04:35Christmas in London does look amazing.
00:04:37It is tempting.
00:04:38It just depends on...
00:04:41Depends on what?
00:04:42Oh, sorry, if you don't mind me asking.
00:04:45Oh, I'd just rather spend it with my niece and nephew, but my sister and I aren't speaking right now.
00:04:50I'm sorry.
00:04:51Sisters.
00:04:52Do you have any siblings?
00:04:54No, no, I'm an only child.
00:04:56Well, I'm sure my sister and I will find our way back to each other eventually, just maybe not in
00:05:01time for Christmas.
00:05:02If you're looking at the UK, I would actually recommend this author.
00:05:06She has great local tips.
00:05:09I'm Allie.
00:05:10Julie.
00:05:11Julie!
00:05:11Ah.
00:05:12You're good.
00:05:13My book club has already been raving about you.
00:05:17Oh.
00:05:19I'm just getting started.
00:05:21Enjoy.
00:05:34And Merry Christmas.
00:05:38Vanessa, are you sure you need all of these books?
00:05:41Yeah, a few of them are yours.
00:05:43You.
00:05:44Emphasis on a few.
00:05:46Oh.
00:05:47Oh.
00:05:48You okay?
00:05:49Yeah.
00:05:52Um.
00:05:53I think this might be over your checkout limit.
00:05:55It is.
00:05:56That's why I'm using my dad's library card.
00:05:58Oh, you are?
00:05:59Mm-hmm.
00:06:00Hi.
00:06:01Hi.
00:06:06Library card, Dad?
00:06:08Uh, yeah.
00:06:09Of course.
00:06:10Mm-hmm.
00:06:12Got it.
00:06:14You know, I love seeing readers your age.
00:06:17It's when I realized that books can take you anywhere.
00:06:21Wow.
00:06:21She's a reader and a writer.
00:06:23Poetry.
00:06:24Oh, even better.
00:06:26Oh.
00:06:2811-11.
00:06:29Make a wish.
00:06:30Meh.
00:06:30No, it's actually your overdue charge.
00:06:34Well, that's impossible.
00:06:34I barely even...
00:06:37Right.
00:06:42All gone.
00:06:45You did make a wish, right?
00:06:47That's exactly what I wish for.
00:06:48And they say they come true at Christmas.
00:06:52You must be the new head librarian.
00:06:54Yeah, yeah.
00:06:54I'm Julie Wilson.
00:06:56Mark Evans.
00:06:57And my daughter, Vanessa.
00:06:59Hi.
00:06:59Hi.
00:07:00You should check out our Christmas corner.
00:07:02It's full of all the best Christmas books.
00:07:04Dad, can we stay a little longer?
00:07:05Sure, kiddo.
00:07:06Maybe your writing will be in there someday.
00:07:08Oh.
00:07:09Dad, my notebooks are just full of scribbles.
00:07:11If you're filling notebooks, you are ahead of most writers.
00:07:17It's nice to see a new face around here.
00:07:19I only moved to Mission a couple years ago myself, so...
00:07:23And the library has proven to be, uh, resourceful.
00:07:27That's what we're here for.
00:07:29Mm-hmm.
00:07:29Vanessa's mom is traveling with her new husband for the holidays.
00:07:32This is the first Christmas we're having together, just us two, so...
00:07:36Trying to make it special.
00:07:38Looks like you're both booked up for the holidays.
00:07:40Booked up.
00:07:41See what you did there.
00:07:42Library joke.
00:07:43And a good one.
00:07:44Well, um, I hope you two have a Merry Christmas.
00:07:47It's really sweet.
00:07:49It's nice to meet you.
00:07:51You too, Julie.
00:07:57We got one!
00:08:20You got it?
00:08:21I got it.
00:08:22Oh!
00:08:23No, sorry.
00:08:25How about that?
00:08:26My Christmas party trick.
00:08:28It's a good one.
00:08:30I'm Julie.
00:08:31I just moved in.
00:08:32Figure this much.
00:08:33I'm Jim.
00:08:34Just live across the street.
00:08:36Welcome to Pine Tree Place.
00:08:37I'm happy to be here.
00:08:38Well, happy to have you.
00:08:41See you around, neighbor.
00:08:44See you, Jim.
00:08:48Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
00:08:49You threw a puddle there.
00:08:52Come on, buddy.
00:08:53You can't melt on me now.
00:08:55I've got to get through the whole holidays together.
00:08:58Mark?
00:09:01Julie.
00:09:03Hi.
00:09:03Hi.
00:09:06You live on Pine Tree Place?
00:09:08I do.
00:09:09What?
00:09:09Me and these fine individuals.
00:09:13I'm crazy.
00:09:14Me too.
00:09:154455.
00:09:16That's me.
00:09:17So we're neighbors.
00:09:18Yeah.
00:09:19What are the odds?
00:09:20Huh.
00:09:21Well, I see the gang's all here.
00:09:25Santa, gingerbread man.
00:09:27Yes.
00:09:28Oh, some penguins.
00:09:29Yeah.
00:09:29I was hoping Vanessa would love all of these,
00:09:33but they were falling a little flat.
00:09:35Yeah.
00:09:36They certainly are.
00:09:38Actually, this guy must have a hole in him somewhere,
00:09:41but it's going to be impossible to find.
00:09:43Here, let me see.
00:09:44Oh, you don't have to...
00:09:45It's okay.
00:09:47Ah, yeah.
00:09:49That's what I thought.
00:09:51Ah, scarf in the fan.
00:09:54A classic.
00:09:56While I admire his fashion choices,
00:10:00I think that might have been the problem.
00:10:02See?
00:10:05That makes a lot of sense.
00:10:07It's embarrassing, but thank you.
00:10:10It's okay.
00:10:10Happy to help.
00:10:13And if you ever need any help,
00:10:17don't be afraid to know.
00:10:18I will.
00:10:21See you around.
00:10:22Bye.
00:10:24Bye.
00:10:27Bye.
00:10:27Bye.
00:10:30Bye.
00:10:32Bye.
00:10:42Bye.
00:10:44Bye.
00:10:44Bye.
00:10:58Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad.
00:11:00Jules, hi. How's our homeowner?
00:11:03Owning it?
00:11:04I'm happy to hear that.
00:11:05You will never guess what happened.
00:11:08What?
00:11:09You know that Christmas cruise contest they hold down at the mall?
00:11:13Yeah, the one you enter every summer.
00:11:15Yeah, and lose.
00:11:16Except this year.
00:11:18You won?
00:11:19Well, okay, the winners backed out, so your father and I...
00:11:24Are next on the list.
00:11:25That's amazing. Congratulations. I can't believe it.
00:11:28Yeah, but we couldn't believe it either, and then we looked at the dates.
00:11:32Yeah, the cruise leaves on December 22nd.
00:11:36We'd be missing Christmas Eve dinner at your new home.
00:11:40Oh.
00:11:44You're still going, right? You've wanted this for so long.
00:11:48We wanted to talk to you first.
00:11:50Guys, it's a free cruise at Christmas. You have to go.
00:11:53Are you sure?
00:11:54Of course. Yes, go. Send me a postcard.
00:11:59We love you, Julie.
00:12:01Oh, I love you, baby.
00:12:02I love you. Bye.
00:12:08Okay. What's next?
00:12:28Well, hey, neighbor.
00:12:29Hi. I was thinking about what you said earlier about if I needed any help ever.
00:12:36Help?
00:12:37I brought you a gift.
00:12:40Aren't neighbors supposed to come asking to borrow a cup of sugar?
00:12:44Yeah, yeah. I thought you might say that.
00:12:46But consider that an I.O.U., as in I.O.U., the batch of cookies that that sugar will
00:12:52become.
00:12:53Sounds like a sweet deal.
00:12:55I need to hang a light fixture, and it's a two-person job.
00:12:59Okay, so it's just you over there?
00:13:02Just me.
00:13:02Well, great. Uh, I mean, yes. Of course. I'll help. Uh, Ness? We're going across the street.
00:13:12Dad, I'm reading.
00:13:13You can bring your book.
00:13:14Okay.
00:13:15Huh?
00:13:16Well played.
00:13:22Kids want to sleep under the tree.
00:13:25There's someone they're hoping to see.
00:13:28It's good to be together again this time.
00:13:35You know, this reminds me.
00:13:38I've got a couple home projects of my own before Christmas.
00:13:41Oh, what are you and Vanessa getting up to?
00:13:43My whole family's coming into town on Christmas Eve, and I am hosting.
00:13:48Ooh.
00:13:48Yeah, they haven't actually had a Christmas with Vanessa for five years.
00:13:52Not all together, at least.
00:13:54So, it'll be a full house and probably total chaos.
00:13:58Of the best kind, I bet.
00:13:59I don't know.
00:14:00Vanessa's mom is so good at Christmas, so I usually just take Thanksgiving.
00:14:06That's why I want to make this the most memorable Christmas possible.
00:14:09I'm sure you already are.
00:14:11She's just always got her head buried in a book, which I love.
00:14:16It's just, Mission's still a new-ish chapter for both of us.
00:14:20And then I wish she'd just pick up her head and see she belongs here, too.
00:14:28We're done.
00:14:31Nice.
00:14:32I had a feeling you could help with that.
00:14:34They don't always let architects near the electrical, but if there's a connection, we'll make it work.
00:14:42You're an architect.
00:14:44You're an architect.
00:14:44I am.
00:14:45It's not that different from what you do, actually.
00:14:48Books and buildings both have stories.
00:14:52Oh!
00:14:52That's clever.
00:14:53I see what you did there.
00:14:54Heh.
00:14:56It's a gorgeous table, by the way.
00:14:58Oh, yeah.
00:14:59Speaking of stories, it was my Nana's.
00:15:02Really?
00:15:03Yeah, I had it in storage for years.
00:15:05I didn't want to unpack it until I owned my own home.
00:15:08And now you do.
00:15:08Yeah.
00:15:09It's my dream to host a Christmas Eve dinner where I fill the table just like my Nana used
00:15:14to.
00:15:15This Christmas Eve?
00:15:16Mm-hmm.
00:15:17Maybe next year.
00:15:18Okay.
00:15:21Those look like they have some stories, too.
00:15:23Oh, yes.
00:15:24This one here is a mystery.
00:15:28And this one here is a legacy.
00:15:34Prepare for what you want and have faith that it will find you.
00:15:38My Nana's words.
00:15:40Of wisdom.
00:15:41Hmm.
00:15:42She was an optimist.
00:15:43Yeah, a trait of hers I am trying to inherit.
00:15:46New town, new job, new neighbors.
00:15:49All with a smile on your face.
00:15:51Looks like optimism to me.
00:15:53Yeah, I suppose so.
00:15:55I guess I just thought that...
00:15:58What?
00:16:00It's nothing.
00:16:03No.
00:16:03Tell me.
00:16:07I thought that in life I'd have a full table by now.
00:16:10Ah.
00:16:12Well.
00:16:14Your Nana might tell you to just keep preparing.
00:16:18It is good advice.
00:16:20It is, isn't it?
00:16:22It is, isn't it?
00:16:27What if I set the table?
00:16:30Plan the dinner and just...
00:16:33See what happens.
00:16:34Test our theories.
00:16:35Yeah.
00:16:36What if I got to lose?
00:16:38If I want to host a Christmas Eve dinner, I should plan to host a Christmas Eve dinner.
00:16:44And then, hopefully, the right people will find their way to my table.
00:16:48You could be onto something.
00:16:50You know, I do have a slight problem.
00:16:52I don't know many people in Mission, and Christmas is in two weeks.
00:16:56It's definitely ambitious, but I'd be happy to introduce you to some of the folks in Mission.
00:17:01I want to fill eight seats.
00:17:02And what's the current count?
00:17:04One.
00:17:06Just you.
00:17:07Just me.
00:17:07Bold.
00:17:09But I love it.
00:17:10And I'm happy to help any way I can.
00:17:13Okay.
00:17:15But let's make it a two-way street.
00:17:17Okay.
00:17:18You help me plan my dinner, and I help you make this the most memorable Christmas season for Vanessa.
00:17:28Sounds like a plan.
00:17:30Deal.
00:17:32Deal.
00:17:36And you know what they say.
00:17:39If you cook it, they will come.
00:17:51You know, I think your Nana would've loved your plan.
00:18:04Oh, check it out.
00:18:10Hot off the press.
00:18:12Christmas voices, what is this?
00:18:14I had a thought last night.
00:18:15The Christmas Corner is a great place to read.
00:18:18But what if we made it a place to share,
00:18:20to help the next generation build their own community right here?
00:18:23At the library, they can write poems and stories
00:18:26and then share them on Christmas Eve morning
00:18:27before we close at noon.
00:18:29That is a great way to start the winter break.
00:18:31Right?
00:18:31We'll have blankets and hot chocolate
00:18:33and a circle of tiny voices.
00:18:34Oh, I think my heart's gonna burst.
00:18:37There's probably kids all over Mission with Christmas stories.
00:18:41Exactly.
00:18:41Let's give them a place to share them.
00:18:49You okay?
00:18:50Yeah, just seeing if my husband Trevor
00:18:52will be home for Christmas.
00:18:53Wow.
00:18:55He's overseas with World Medical Response.
00:18:57It's our first Christmas married,
00:18:58but his assignment was extended,
00:19:00so we don't know if he'll be back.
00:19:02I really hope he makes it home.
00:19:06Yeah.
00:19:07But if he doesn't,
00:19:09you don't have to be alone on Christmas Eve.
00:19:13I'm hosting a dinner,
00:19:14and I would love for you to be there.
00:19:15That sounds really nice.
00:19:18Yeah, of course.
00:19:19Mark me down is to be determined.
00:19:20Amazing.
00:19:21Oh, um, do you mind finishing up here?
00:19:24I'm gonna meet a friend and put up some flyers.
00:19:25Yeah, I got this.
00:19:26Okay.
00:19:32All right.
00:19:33Ready to commence day one
00:19:34of Operation Christmas Rite.
00:19:37Is that what we're calling it?
00:19:38I'm still workshopping the name.
00:19:40This, however,
00:19:41needs no workshopping.
00:19:42It's an annual Christmas tradition,
00:19:44the Mission Window Walk.
00:19:47Oh!
00:19:47Yeah, there's only one rule.
00:19:49No choosing your favorite
00:19:50until you've seen them all.
00:19:52That's fair.
00:19:53You want to make it a double duty?
00:19:55Sure.
00:19:55I want to get the word out
00:19:56about the Christmas Voices event
00:19:58I'm hosting at the library.
00:19:59Oh.
00:20:00It was actually inspired by your daughter.
00:20:03Really?
00:20:04Mm-hmm.
00:20:05She'll love to hear that.
00:20:06Yeah, let's put them up and hand them out.
00:20:08How is Christmas with Vanessa coming along?
00:20:11So far, so good.
00:20:13I've been planning the ultimate 12 days of Christmas.
00:20:16Oh, sounds official.
00:20:17Yeah, it's a holiday escape room,
00:20:19Christmas drone show,
00:20:20polar bear swim club,
00:20:2112 distinct and different ways
00:20:23to make memorable Christmas traditions.
00:20:25A lot of pressure to put on one holiday.
00:20:27Is it?
00:20:28Yeah.
00:20:29Okay.
00:20:31Oh, what a cute display.
00:20:34Look at those elf shoes.
00:20:35Yeah.
00:20:36Who runs this store?
00:20:38Anne-Marie and John.
00:20:40They can break in, resole,
00:20:42and shine up even the most worn-out shoes.
00:20:44And they love meeting new people.
00:20:46Oh, what do you know?
00:20:50Oh, um.
00:20:51Hi.
00:20:52Hi.
00:20:53Um, my name's Julie.
00:20:54I'm the new librarian.
00:20:55And, um, we're holding a special event at the library,
00:20:58and I would love to see you there.
00:21:01Christmas voices.
00:21:02It's a great idea.
00:21:03Please come.
00:21:04Please bring your friends.
00:21:05Thanks.
00:21:13And this is the Mission Gift Shop.
00:21:16Oh.
00:21:17That's Courtney.
00:21:18She took the place over from her father, Greg.
00:21:20She's been here for 30 years.
00:21:22Seems like she's doing a great job.
00:21:24Yeah.
00:21:25Actually, there used to be a vintage train
00:21:27that would run through this little Christmas city.
00:21:30Jess and I used to make a special trip here
00:21:31just to see it every year.
00:21:33What happened to her?
00:21:34Yeah, I...
00:21:35I don't know.
00:21:37Hmm.
00:21:39Hey.
00:21:39Oh, hi.
00:21:41Cute.
00:21:41Oh, you seem to know a lot of people in this town.
00:21:44Ah, architect's eye.
00:21:45And you notice the buildings.
00:21:46You can't help but notice the people inside of them.
00:21:49Hmm.
00:21:50Yes.
00:21:52Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
00:21:53No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
00:21:55You can't...
00:21:57You can't choose the bookstore.
00:21:59Once I've seen all the windows, I can.
00:22:01A librarian choosing a bookstore is just...
00:22:03Yeah, no, no, no, no, no, no.
00:22:04It's too obvious.
00:22:10Sorry to interrupt.
00:22:11If you boys like to read,
00:22:13I bet you've also got some stories of your own.
00:22:17Please come share them at Christmas Voices.
00:22:19See you there.
00:22:23No one can say you're not a go-getter.
00:22:25I can't.
00:22:30Perfect.
00:22:31I think so, too.
00:22:32Do you mind if I bring one of these home to Vanessa?
00:22:34Yeah, of course.
00:22:35Ah!
00:22:36Ah!
00:22:36Oh, no!
00:22:37Oh, no!
00:22:38Oh, no, my flyers!
00:22:40Oh!
00:22:43Oh!
00:22:44Ah!
00:22:45Oh!
00:22:46You got it.
00:22:54You want to check out the turkey?
00:22:57Sure.
00:23:05Oh!
00:23:06Look at that!
00:23:08You should enter.
00:23:09It's a little ambitious at this point.
00:23:11Only me and one maybe.
00:23:14A maybe is not a no.
00:23:15Hi, Mark.
00:23:16Sal!
00:23:17Hi!
00:23:17Hi!
00:23:18You got to meet Julie.
00:23:20Julie, this is Sal.
00:23:21Hi!
00:23:22Welcome.
00:23:23Enter the raffle.
00:23:25Oh.
00:23:25You never know your luck.
00:23:26It is Christmas, after all.
00:23:29Got to have faith, right?
00:23:32Oh, I got to get a holly wreath.
00:23:35It's beautiful.
00:23:46It's beautiful.
00:23:47How many is that?
00:23:51Eight.
00:23:54One raffle ticket, please.
00:23:56You got it.
00:24:07You got it.
00:24:08You got a gap?
00:24:09Left side by foot down.
00:24:11Here?
00:24:12A little more to the left.
00:24:14What do you mean, my left?
00:24:15You haven't gone far enough.
00:24:16Oh!
00:24:17You got it.
00:24:18There.
00:24:19You are good at this.
00:24:20Well, I haven't been able to put lights up in a couple of years, but I still know a thing
00:24:24or two.
00:24:25I have more than I need.
00:24:26You want me to put some up for you?
00:24:27Well, that's really nice, Julie, but you'll need to go out of your way.
00:24:31Jim, it's hardly out of my way.
00:24:33Don't think it'd be a hassle.
00:24:35I'll take you up on it.
00:24:36Thank you, Julie.
00:24:37Oh, my pleasure.
00:24:45Um, I was wondering what you have planned for Christmas Eve.
00:24:49Oh, nothing much.
00:24:51Matt King Cole on the record player, red and green dinner, seafood arrabbiata with enough
00:24:58fresh basil to qualify as a vegetable.
00:25:00Oh.
00:25:05Do you want to come over for Christmas Eve dinner?
00:25:09I appreciate the offer.
00:25:11It means a lot.
00:25:14But I've really come to enjoy my quiet tradition.
00:25:18Yeah, yeah.
00:25:19That sounds very nice.
00:25:21It will be.
00:25:26Another gap.
00:25:27What?
00:25:28Right side.
00:25:30Where?
00:25:31Yeah, in that hole right now.
00:25:34Jim?
00:25:35Jim?
00:26:12Good morning.
00:26:13Morning.
00:26:14No luck with that, huh?
00:26:15Oh.
00:26:16Without the key, the mystery continues.
00:26:20Go ahead.
00:26:22Um, my dad said you did this because of me.
00:26:25Is that true?
00:26:28It is, yeah.
00:26:30And kids can really bring in their own writing and write it in front of people?
00:26:33They can, and I really hope that you do.
00:26:35See, I told you, she had to hear it from you.
00:26:39Oh.
00:26:39Anyway, we're off to our second ultimate day of Christmas.
00:26:42Oh, what is on the agenda?
00:26:43Splitting and gathering firewood.
00:26:46Like lumberjacks.
00:26:47And making Christmas wreaths.
00:26:48Well, maybe it will spark some ideas for some poetry.
00:26:52Hmm.
00:26:54You should come, too.
00:26:55Oh.
00:26:56Uh, I think it's probably just something special for you and your dad.
00:27:00He already said we have to make a holly wreath for you.
00:27:03He did.
00:27:04Uh, do you pay attention?
00:27:06Well, in that case, let me get my jacket.
00:27:11You are a blabbermouth.
00:27:20And that's how you do it.
00:27:22Cool, Dad.
00:27:23Can I go make my wreath now?
00:27:25Go ahead, honey.
00:27:30Nothing impresses that one.
00:27:34You don't look very warm.
00:27:35I've been warmer.
00:27:37Oh, thank you.
00:27:38There you are.
00:27:39That's better.
00:27:40Much better.
00:27:42Oh, tell you what.
00:27:45It is beautiful.
00:27:46Is that what made you know you wanted to move to Michigan?
00:27:49No.
00:27:49No, it's, um, it's where my Nana lived, actually.
00:27:53When I'd visit every Christmas, I would get this feeling that this was exactly where I was supposed to be.
00:27:59And then I grew up and spent a long time going in the wrong direction.
00:28:04Been there.
00:28:04Yeah.
00:28:05My ex and I, um, we kind of had the whole thing.
00:28:09You know, the plus ones, the weekends away.
00:28:14I was ready for the next step, and he wasn't.
00:28:17So I decided to stop constructing a life around someone else and build what I want.
00:28:24Well, that's brave.
00:28:26It is?
00:28:27Yeah.
00:28:28Not a lot of people even ask themselves if they want more, much less go out there and get it.
00:28:33I spent way too long trying to make something work just because I thought it was what I was supposed
00:28:38to do.
00:28:39Ah.
00:28:39Oh, you're okay?
00:28:41Ah, I pricked my finger.
00:28:43Oh.
00:28:44Yeah.
00:28:46Yeah, you're gonna be okay.
00:28:47Oh.
00:28:48Oh, that's your official prognosis?
00:28:50You gotta trust me, I'm an architect.
00:28:54Beautiful.
00:28:58The, uh, wreaths are beautiful.
00:29:04Beautiful.
00:29:13Can I make a suggestion?
00:29:16You should go make a Christmas memory with her.
00:29:21Great idea.
00:29:23Go on.
00:29:28How's it going?
00:29:52Little Women?
00:29:53Yeah.
00:29:54Yeah, underrated is a Christmas classic.
00:29:56I just hope some kids agree.
00:29:58It was one of my favorites.
00:29:59Which sister did you want to be when you were younger?
00:30:02Jo!
00:30:05I wanted her confidence.
00:30:07Oh, I wanted her sisters.
00:30:09I would read and imagine they were mine so that I wasn't missing out.
00:30:13Sometimes you weren't.
00:30:14Trust me.
00:30:15Any progress?
00:30:16With my sister?
00:30:18No.
00:30:18Why don't you call and invite her to coffee?
00:30:20What's the worst that could happen?
00:30:22That she won't pick up my call?
00:30:23Okay, what's the best?
00:30:25It's Christmas.
00:30:27I think it's worth finding out.
00:30:43Julie!
00:30:45Records?
00:30:46I found them in my Nana's collection.
00:30:47I thought you might like to add them to yours.
00:30:49You're a special one, Julie.
00:30:52I'm glad to see you got something special in your life.
00:30:54I do?
00:30:56Young fellow from down the street.
00:30:58Oh, you're talking about Mark.
00:31:00No, no.
00:31:02Mark is a neighbor.
00:31:02He's helping me get settled.
00:31:06Okay, he's a friend.
00:31:08Good friend?
00:31:09Stop.
00:31:10You know, when something good comes along, we don't always recognize it right away.
00:31:16Enjoy the music, Jim.
00:31:17Yeah, I will.
00:31:18Julie, I'd like to have you over sometime.
00:31:21What?
00:31:22We can break open your Nana's albums together.
00:31:25I would love that.
00:31:25I can't wait.
00:31:26Give me the night.
00:31:39Hey, Julie, look.
00:31:40Someone signed up.
00:31:42Yeah.
00:31:42Progress.
00:31:43Yesterday, we had none.
00:31:44Any update on Trevor's arrival?
00:31:47Pending.
00:31:48Could be December 24th or not at all.
00:31:51What would you be doing if you knew for sure he'd be home on Christmas Eve?
00:31:55Um, I'd be baking.
00:31:57Okay.
00:31:57Well, practicing baking, at least.
00:31:59I'm hopeless around an oven.
00:32:01You have to prepare for what you want to happen, even if it feels like it won't.
00:32:07Okay.
00:32:08Okay, yeah.
00:32:10Well, wish me luck.
00:32:11Wish me luck.
00:32:38Hey, cookie sheets and a turkey roaster.
00:32:41Right on time.
00:32:42Barely.
00:32:43Hey, these are some of the deliveries that you're trying to roast me.
00:32:46There you go.
00:32:47Good sign right there.
00:32:50Decorations look great, by the way.
00:32:52You really got this place coming together.
00:32:55You do have a Christmas tree, right?
00:32:58No.
00:32:59I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
00:33:01You know you do need a Christmas tree in order to invite Christmas into your house.
00:33:05Yes, yes.
00:33:06I do recommend going to Henderson's.
00:33:08They just got a brand new shipment.
00:33:10Great.
00:33:11I just need to figure out how to get it home.
00:33:14You do know somebody with the whole delivery thing.
00:33:16Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:33:16You make a good point, then.
00:33:18I'll let you know by need help.
00:33:21Dennis?
00:33:22Uh, yeah?
00:33:23Uh, do you want to come over for dinner on Christmas Eve?
00:33:26Really?
00:33:28I mean, yeah, I would absolutely love to.
00:33:30Oh.
00:33:31But I do work that day and probably all the way through to midnight.
00:33:36Then Santa takes over.
00:33:37You work on Christmas Eve?
00:33:38Yeah, I know.
00:33:40But at least I do have plans with my friends on Christmas Day.
00:33:43Good.
00:33:44But thank you so much for the advice.
00:33:46Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:33:47Bye.
00:33:48Bye.
00:33:49Bye.
00:33:52Bye.
00:33:54Bye.
00:33:55Bye.
00:33:55Oh, looks like you got a good one.
00:33:58Looks like any other tree.
00:34:00All right.
00:34:01What about this one?
00:34:02Symmetrical, balanced, a strong trunk foundation.
00:34:09Sounds like you're describing a building, Dad.
00:34:11Okay.
00:34:12Here, I like this one.
00:34:13It's got personality.
00:34:16What's kind of a problem, Vanessa?
00:34:17It's got more personality than it does pine needles.
00:34:24Julie.
00:34:26Hey.
00:34:27Hi, guys.
00:34:29Catching us on one of our ultimate 12 days.
00:34:32Nice.
00:34:33Actually, just in time for a split decision,
00:34:36maybe you want to be the tie-breaking opinion.
00:34:38Okay.
00:34:39This tree, luscious green as ever.
00:34:42Oh, gee.
00:34:43Or this one.
00:34:45Oh.
00:34:48Well, this one is beautiful.
00:34:50I agree.
00:34:51But this one looks like it has a story to tell.
00:34:55Hmm.
00:34:58Why don't you get both?
00:35:01Both?
00:35:02Oh, yeah.
00:35:02I mean, you need one.
00:35:04I need one.
00:35:04I was told that once it's up,
00:35:05Christmas will officially arrive.
00:35:09I am gonna take this tree.
00:35:13Yay, I win.
00:35:15I'll go get the tree, guy.
00:35:16I know.
00:35:19Why did I have to lose?
00:35:21Well, because picking her tree is gonna be more memorable.
00:35:25But I don't want picking the rent of the Christmas tree litter to be our new tradition.
00:35:29You can't plan traditions.
00:35:31They grow out of little moments that you want to relive over and over again until one day.
00:35:37It's like they've always been there.
00:35:39Exactly.
00:35:43I'll put both of these on top of my car.
00:35:45Perfect.
00:35:47Eggnog and tree trimming at mine later?
00:35:48Eggnog sounds like just the right amount of ultimate.
00:35:51We'll beat it.
00:35:53Oh, wow.
00:35:56Yeah.
00:36:17Dad, this one looks like the train that used to be in the gift shop window.
00:36:21It sure does.
00:36:23Wow.
00:36:28You have a lot of decorations for someone who just moved in.
00:36:31Well, I've been collecting them for years.
00:36:33Oh, I brought over a special one for you.
00:36:35Oh, no.
00:36:36You didn't.
00:36:37I did meet the glitter elf.
00:36:40Oh.
00:36:41Ah.
00:36:43That's, ah.
00:36:45Terrifying.
00:36:46Magnificent.
00:36:46Both.
00:36:48Our accidental Christmas tradition.
00:36:50Every year someone gets stuck with the glitter elf.
00:36:53Last year Uncle Stephen gave it to Dad.
00:36:55And I tried to keep it hidden in its box.
00:36:57But you can't stop the glitter elf from shining.
00:36:59I love this tradition.
00:37:01I have the perfect spot for him.
00:37:07You have so many great books.
00:37:09Oh, yeah.
00:37:10These are some of my favorites.
00:37:12How do I know if people will like what I write?
00:37:16You don't.
00:37:18That is the scary part.
00:37:20But you do it anyway.
00:37:21But what if I don't know what to write?
00:37:24Come with me.
00:37:28All right, Vanessa.
00:37:30Check this out.
00:37:34These were my Nana's words.
00:37:37Prepare for what you want and have faith that it will find you.
00:37:40It's basically hope and action make you unstoppable.
00:37:44So, just like, go for it?
00:37:46Yeah, I mean, pretty much.
00:37:48Find a place that invites inspiration.
00:37:50The library?
00:37:51The library's great.
00:37:52Ah.
00:37:53I used to get my best ideas under my Nana's dining room table.
00:37:57This table?
00:37:57Yeah.
00:37:59The only thing is, um, you won't know if your writing is getting better unless you share
00:38:05it.
00:38:06Like at Christmas Voices?
00:38:09Exactly.
00:38:12Okay, if I go write for a bit?
00:38:14Of course.
00:38:15I'll grab my notebook.
00:38:20I have snacks for us in the kitchen.
00:38:23I'm starving.
00:38:27Christmas is the time for grazing.
00:38:30A hundred percent.
00:38:33Did your family ever get those giant Christmas tins of popcorn?
00:38:36Oh, yeah, the ones with the three flavors.
00:38:38The caramel never lasted long in our house.
00:38:40We used to sit around the table playing games for hours until every last kernel was gone.
00:38:48You know, after seeing how much Vanessa loved your Christmas corner, I suggested we make
00:38:52one of her own.
00:38:53She was so excited.
00:38:55Oh, that makes me happy.
00:38:57It's a really special thing you're building here.
00:39:01You're an amazing person, Julie Wilson.
00:39:08After my breakup, I was doubting pretty much everything.
00:39:15Mostly my heart.
00:39:17It's been hard to trust it again.
00:39:19I know what you mean.
00:39:21Since my divorce, I've been very careful.
00:39:29I don't know if I'm ready yet.
00:39:31You know, I've got this new house, this new job.
00:39:37I really want to build something that I'm proud of.
00:39:41Well, maybe that groundwork is exactly what prepares you for...
00:39:47whatever's next.
00:39:50I hope so.
00:39:51I've got a really good feeling about it.
00:39:56Julie!
00:39:57I have a question!
00:40:13What's up?
00:40:14How do you make sure that the person reading knows where to pause in your poems?
00:40:18There's an excellent question.
00:40:21Let me see.
00:40:24Oh, good.
00:40:25Good.
00:40:25You can do this, or you can break the line with a slash.
00:40:28It's basically writer's choice.
00:40:30Right.
00:40:31Keep going.
00:40:31It's good.
00:40:38It has a look.
00:40:43What do you think it opens?
00:40:59Recipes?
00:41:01Nana's secret recipes.
00:41:06Sweet potatoes.
00:41:08Celery and sage stuffing.
00:41:13What is it?
00:41:15JoJo's cookies.
00:41:17These are like the best Christmas cookies I have ever had.
00:41:20Who is JoJo?
00:41:22Don't know.
00:41:22We loved their cookies.
00:41:24Oh, we thought Nana never wrote these down.
00:41:27Well, now you have a whole box with them to make.
00:41:29For your Christmas Eve, Nana?
00:41:32For my Christmas Eve, Nana.
00:41:51Listen to that.
00:41:54Everything sounds better on vinyl.
00:41:56I think you might be right.
00:41:57I've been living too long to be getting things wrong.
00:42:03You know, when I bought my house, this is kind of what I pictured.
00:42:07Sitting in an old man's living room?
00:42:08No.
00:42:11Sitting in a new friend's company.
00:42:14Well, you certainly found that.
00:42:16And I suspect there's some other people in Mission that have gotten pretty attached to you.
00:42:23One in particular.
00:42:33One in particular.
00:42:37The kids are loving it here.
00:42:39I know.
00:42:41Okay, so I did what you said.
00:42:43I prepared, had faith, and...
00:42:47These cookies came out.
00:42:49They're gingerbread.
00:42:52Allegedly.
00:42:52Although, I might have added too much ginger or forgotten the bread altogether.
00:42:57Hey, I'm sure that they are...
00:43:02Terrible.
00:43:02Not terrible, it's just them.
00:43:04Not edible.
00:43:05I just wanted to impress him.
00:43:07Hey, I know a recipe I think he'll love.
00:43:10They're Christmas fig cookies.
00:43:12My Nana called them JoJo's cookies.
00:43:13Is it an easy one to make?
00:43:14She made it look easy.
00:43:15You want to try together?
00:43:16I would love to.
00:43:17Of course.
00:43:18Glad we don't need these anymore.
00:43:21I called my sister.
00:43:23And?
00:43:24And she hasn't called back.
00:43:26But the olive branch is there if she wants it.
00:43:29I do feel good about that.
00:43:32Allie, if you knew for sure you were seeing your sister on Christmas, what would you be doing right now?
00:43:37Well, I'd probably be shopping for presents for the kids.
00:43:42Well, let's go shopping.
00:43:43Well, let's go shopping.
00:43:43Yes!
00:43:44Now?
00:43:44Yes!
00:43:45You have to prepare for the best case scenario.
00:43:48I'm done with work!
00:43:49Let's go!
00:43:50Keep reading!
00:43:58Oh, my book club wants to meet you.
00:44:01Oh!
00:44:02You'd be the guest of honor at our next meeting if you'd like to join.
00:44:05I would love that.
00:44:06I've actually been looking for a book club.
00:44:10Mark?
00:44:12Julie.
00:44:12Hi, this is my friend, Allie.
00:44:14Hi.
00:44:15Hi.
00:44:16I guess you all had the same idea.
00:44:17Great.
00:44:18Hey, you don't happen to know why the train in the window hasn't been running for the past few years,
00:44:23do you?
00:44:23I get asked about that a lot.
00:44:25We upgraded the electrical and realized the old train couldn't be hooked back up without rewiring it.
00:44:30Oh.
00:44:31So, a train without a conductor, literally.
00:44:35Exactly.
00:44:36It kept tripping breakers and overheating, so we shut it down for now.
00:44:40But one day, I hope to get it back up and running.
00:44:42I hope you do.
00:44:44My daughter, Vanessa's favorite Christmas tradition.
00:44:46Oh.
00:44:47I'm seeing my dad on Christmas Eve.
00:44:49It will really make him happy to know that people still remember it.
00:44:55I always wanted a tradition like that with my niece and nephew.
00:44:58There is still time.
00:45:00And listen, if you don't get invited to your sister's for Christmas Eve, you are invited to mine.
00:45:06I'm hosting a dinner, and I would love for you to be there.
00:45:09That sounds so wonderful.
00:45:13Yeah.
00:45:13But I can't.
00:45:14I went ahead and booked that trip to London as a plan B.
00:45:17Spending Christmas there sounds so much better than sitting around and waiting for the phone
00:45:21to ring.
00:45:21She'll call.
00:45:23I'll give it a few more days, and if she doesn't, I'll just pop those presents in the
00:45:27mail.
00:45:27Why not deliver them in person?
00:45:29Have you ever thought about that?
00:45:30I don't think I'm ready for that.
00:45:33Every time you take a leap, there is this moment where you wonder, is this going to work
00:45:36out?
00:45:38It sounds like you're speaking from experience.
00:45:43Everything works out eventually.
00:45:46I'm just there.
00:45:48Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches.
00:45:55You know what you're doing for Allie is really sweet.
00:45:58Oh, thank you.
00:45:59Did you end up going through your Nana's recipes?
00:46:01I did.
00:46:02And planning on making any?
00:46:03I'm starting with her sweet potato recipes.
00:46:06Plural.
00:46:07Three, actually.
00:46:07Okay, even if you'd get eight people, that seems like maybe too many sweet potatoes.
00:46:12I have to plan which one to serve, even though it's just me and maybe Daniela.
00:46:18All right, well, I still have faith.
00:46:20Yeah, faith is only faith when it's being tested, right?
00:46:23I suppose so.
00:46:25How is your ultimate 12 days of Christmas coming along?
00:46:28Truthfully, I think Vanessa lost interest after the polar bear swim race.
00:46:33You know, you don't need these big, elaborate plans for them to be memorable.
00:46:37I feel like it's the little moments she'll remember.
00:46:40I just want it to be the ultimate Christmas with Dad.
00:46:43Right.
00:46:45I saw her face when you sat with her in the Christmas corner.
00:46:49And when you helped her with her wreath, that is what she wants.
00:46:54And old traditions, like the glitter elf.
00:46:56Okay.
00:46:57Okay, what is something you used to do with her every Christmas?
00:47:00Santa pancakes on Christmas morning, strawberry hat, whipped cream beard, the whole thing.
00:47:05Okay.
00:47:05Now, when you made these pancakes, were you trying to start a new tradition?
00:47:09No, we were just making pancakes.
00:47:11Exactly.
00:47:12Vanessa doesn't need bigger, better, newer.
00:47:14She needs...
00:47:15Uh, something that never gets old.
00:47:16Something timeless.
00:47:17Come on, she needs you.
00:47:19Right.
00:47:22Right.
00:47:24Oh, I forgot to tell you.
00:47:27I'm picking her up later from, get this, her new friend's house.
00:47:31She made a friend.
00:47:32Yeah.
00:47:33Aw.
00:47:33Yeah.
00:47:34She, uh, met her at the Christmas corner, and now they're planning to get together at
00:47:37her next visit.
00:47:38She's finding her community.
00:47:40Yeah.
00:47:41You know, I mean, that's all I've ever wanted for her.
00:47:53Okay, we got the flour, eggs, figs, and most importantly, sprinkles.
00:47:57Mm-hmm.
00:47:58You said this recipe was your Nana's?
00:47:59Yeah, she kept it in that locked box.
00:48:01Oh, then you know they're good.
00:48:02Right?
00:48:03Okay, fig stems are off, butter is cold.
00:48:06Let's get baking.
00:48:07So I have the figs and these?
00:48:08And the dates.
00:48:09Yes, both of those in there.
00:48:11Okay.
00:48:12Here we go.
00:48:17We need those things.
00:48:19You make her.
00:48:24Perfect.
00:48:24Okay.
00:48:26So much better than you.
00:48:30Nana, never let me do this.
00:48:31Your house, your rules.
00:48:37Oh, I need to run out.
00:48:40Okay, careful, careful, careful.
00:48:42Okay, this is always my favorite bit when I was little.
00:48:45Realistic.
00:48:50Amazing, right?
00:48:52So delicious.
00:48:53I told you.
00:48:57Okay.
00:48:58So, how's it living here on your own?
00:49:00Uh, I'm trying to trust that everything is unfolding the way that it's supposed to.
00:49:05But it has been amazing.
00:49:07Yeah.
00:49:07I've met some really special people.
00:49:10You, Jim down the street.
00:49:11Ali invited me to her book club.
00:49:13Vanessa and Mark.
00:49:16They have been spending lots of time at the library.
00:49:20Vanessa likes to read.
00:49:22And I think he likes more than just the books.
00:49:25Uh, no.
00:49:26No.
00:49:26I...
00:49:27He's been a really good friend.
00:49:29And I like to spend time with him.
00:49:32You like like him.
00:49:34And the point is, a couple weeks ago I didn't know anyone here.
00:49:37And now...
00:49:39Mission feels like home.
00:49:41Yeah.
00:49:44Tastes like it too.
00:49:47That's so good.
00:49:48I know.
00:49:49That's so good.
00:49:56Hi.
00:50:03Hi, Julie.
00:50:04I'm in a real bind here.
00:50:06You wouldn't happen to have any packages that belong to somebody else on the street, would you?
00:50:09No.
00:50:09Did some go missing?
00:50:10Well, it seems like I've got a couple of rogue parcels to worry about.
00:50:13Oh, no.
00:50:14You mean like this one?
00:50:15Oh.
00:50:15Showed up at my house, but it's addressed to Julie Wilson.
00:50:18So sorry.
00:50:19We had a bunch of bad routing labels.
00:50:21The street addresses were right, but the barcodes didn't match.
00:50:24So the scanners kept sending us to the wrong houses.
00:50:26Sounds stressful.
00:50:27Yeah.
00:50:27Yeah, and nobody caught it until after the deliveries were made.
00:50:30And on top of today's deliveries, I'm essentially going door to door trying to reunite the right packages with the
00:50:34right people.
00:50:35Well, I'm free.
00:50:37And Vanessa's out of friends, so I'm free too.
00:50:40No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
00:50:41I'm sure you guys have better things to do.
00:50:43We would be happy to help.
00:50:48Tis the season.
00:50:51I could use all the help I can get.
00:50:53Of course.
00:50:54It's okay.
00:50:55It's all right, Dennis.
00:50:56It's all.
00:50:57Time for a little Christmas recon.
00:50:58I have always wanted to be Santa's elf.
00:51:01The shoe fits.
00:51:08All right, Maple Street.
00:51:11Maple Street.
00:51:123340-3358-3300.
00:51:16Here.
00:51:16Ah, thank you, Julie.
00:51:21All right.
00:51:23There we go.
00:51:26All right.
00:51:27Great.
00:51:32Back to the North Pole.
00:51:34After you.
00:51:42Oh, I think this one goes with the other two for Cleveland Avenue.
00:51:47I, I think so, too.
00:51:49I'll put them together where they belong.
00:51:52So many people celebrating the holidays.
00:51:55Just like you.
00:51:59What if preparing for a dinner without a guest list is a bad idea?
00:52:03You can't lose faith, Julie.
00:52:06These things never go exactly the way we plan, but sometimes they're better.
00:52:12You think?
00:52:13Well, my weekend activities with Vanessa were supposed to be a silent night disco, an ice fishing derby,
00:52:19and a Christmas-themed obstacle course.
00:52:23Oh, yeah.
00:52:23Instead, we ended up telling each other's stories by the tree and making popcorn garland.
00:52:30And how much popcorn made you into the garland?
00:52:35About half.
00:52:36Half.
00:52:36Maybe a little less than half.
00:52:40Christmas memories kind of make themselves, don't they?
00:52:47All right.
00:52:49Next stop, Cleveland Avenue.
00:52:53Cleveland Avenue.
00:52:55Yeah.
00:52:58Throw them up.
00:53:05Draw the ancient news, I can't rule.
00:53:09La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.
00:53:21You have one bad day this close to Christmas, and suddenly everybody knows your name.
00:53:25Oh, I think you're overselling us just a little there.
00:53:27Oh, we definitely saved some Christmases.
00:53:29Oh, kind of takes the magic out of the day when a kid opens a toaster instead of a toy.
00:53:35So, deliver you two back to Pine Tree Place?
00:53:39Wait, do we have time for one more delivery?
00:53:46Her car's gone.
00:53:47She might not even be home.
00:53:48Either way, we will be right here waiting.
00:53:51Showing up counts for a lot.
00:53:53Especially on Christmas.
00:53:55Right.
00:53:55And if we drive away without trying, I will regret it.
00:53:59Okay.
00:54:00Okay.
00:54:01Okay.
00:54:01I'm going in.
00:54:06You got this.
00:54:21I'm excited.
00:54:22It's like a stakeout.
00:54:24When I tell you I am invested.
00:54:28Someone's home.
00:54:29Hi.
00:54:30I think that's the brother-in-law.
00:54:34Sister isn't there.
00:54:36But the kids are.
00:54:39Hi, guys.
00:54:42Oh, they're hungry.
00:54:43They're hungry.
00:54:44Yeah, now that's what I call a successful delivery right there.
00:54:48Yeah.
00:54:49Yeah.
00:55:13Would you like to do the honors, young lady?
00:55:15Me?
00:55:16Yeah.
00:55:17Okay.
00:55:18All right.
00:55:19Just reach in there.
00:55:20No peeking.
00:55:21Okay.
00:55:28And the winner of the turkey raffle is Julie Wilson.
00:55:35That's you.
00:55:36It's me.
00:55:37I won.
00:55:39Oh, my goodness.
00:55:42I can't believe it.
00:55:43Wow.
00:55:44Hi.
00:55:45Congratulations.
00:55:47Oh, my goodness.
00:55:49I'm going to cook this more.
00:55:53Thank you so much.
00:56:00Oh, thank you.
00:56:01Ah, thank you.
00:56:08Trevor's coming home.
00:56:10What?
00:56:11Yes.
00:56:11His blanket's in on the 24th.
00:56:13Oh, Daniela, I'm so happy for you.
00:56:17That just means I won't be able to make it to your Christmas Eve dinner.
00:56:20Daniela, please.
00:56:21I know how much this means to you.
00:56:23He's coming home.
00:56:24He's coming home.
00:56:25Oh.
00:56:27Hey, look who's here.
00:56:29Is she signing up?
00:56:31I'm going to hide.
00:56:34Is she doing it?
00:56:35I think so.
00:56:36It's taking a really long time.
00:56:37I know.
00:56:38Did she just look at my head?
00:56:39I think maybe.
00:56:43She's over.
00:56:46Hey, Vanessa.
00:56:47Hey.
00:56:48Hi.
00:56:49Good to see you.
00:56:52Go.
00:56:52Okay.
00:56:53Go, go, go.
00:56:54Go, go.
00:57:00There it is.
00:57:02Oh, look at all these little book lovers.
00:57:05You did it.
00:57:07Julie.
00:57:09Mark, hi.
00:57:11She signed up.
00:57:13You believed in her?
00:57:15Oh.
00:57:18You doing a little light reading?
00:57:20Uh, a little side project, actually.
00:57:25So, hey, I actually wanted to...
00:57:27Talk to you.
00:57:30I want to talk to you, too.
00:57:35Maybe outside?
00:57:36Yeah, that's a good idea.
00:57:37Okay.
00:57:42Oh, it's cold.
00:57:45It is.
00:57:49So, you want to go first?
00:57:53Yeah, um...
00:57:54I was thinking about what you said,
00:57:55about how...
00:57:57building a life I'm proud of
00:57:58might actually be preparing me for more,
00:58:00and, um...
00:58:05I'm ready for more.
00:58:09So am I.
00:58:12Great.
00:58:13Um...
00:58:14Your turn?
00:58:15Right.
00:58:16Uh, right.
00:58:17I just...
00:58:18have been so focused
00:58:20on making this Christmas
00:58:21perfect
00:58:22that I
00:58:23kind of forgot
00:58:24that the most important part
00:58:25had a little memories
00:58:26in between.
00:58:28You showed me that.
00:58:32Actually,
00:58:34Vanessa
00:58:35had an idea
00:58:36and I
00:58:37we wanted to
00:58:39ask you a question.
00:58:41How would you feel
00:58:42about
00:58:43our family
00:58:44coming to yours
00:58:45on Christmas Eve?
00:58:46My parents,
00:58:47my brother,
00:58:48his two kids,
00:58:49Vanessa,
00:58:50me,
00:58:51and you,
00:58:52all together.
00:58:53It's exactly eight.
00:58:55A full table.
00:58:58You would really want to do that?
00:58:59You do,
00:59:00we do,
00:59:00yeah.
00:59:01Yeah.
00:59:03I can't believe
00:59:03that dinner
00:59:04is actually happening.
00:59:24I can't believe
00:59:31that dinner is actually happening.
00:59:31Silver for second place.
00:59:33Classic.
00:59:34And red for third.
00:59:35Right.
00:59:36The entire fate
00:59:36of my Christmas Eve dinner
00:59:37is in your hands,
00:59:38no pressure.
00:59:39No pressure.
00:59:46No pressure.
00:59:48That doesn't even taste
00:59:49like a vegetable.
00:59:50That would be the marshmallow.
00:59:52That would be cheating.
00:59:53No,
00:59:53it's the recipe.
01:00:01There can only be one winner.
01:00:03I don't know about two and three,
01:00:04but
01:00:06we have a winner.
01:00:07I had a feeling
01:00:08you were going to pick that one.
01:00:21Hey.
01:00:21Look,
01:00:22I wrote some poems.
01:00:23Oh.
01:00:23Oh, wow.
01:00:24I don't know if they're any good.
01:00:26Come on.
01:00:28May I read some?
01:00:32Yeah,
01:00:32sure.
01:00:46She's reading all of them.
01:00:48Well,
01:00:48at least you'll get
01:00:49an honest review.
01:01:06Vanessa,
01:01:10your writing is wonderful.
01:01:14It is?
01:01:15Yeah.
01:01:16Yeah,
01:01:16you have a way
01:01:17of seeing things
01:01:18that most people miss.
01:01:19Told you.
01:01:21Seriously,
01:01:21you weren't about the snowman.
01:01:23Oh,
01:01:23it's not that good.
01:01:25It is.
01:01:26It made me feel something,
01:01:28and I think that
01:01:29is the whole point.
01:01:32We'd be lucky
01:01:33to hear any one of these
01:01:34at Christmas Voices.
01:01:44thank you.
01:01:47I had a really lovely night.
01:01:49Yeah, me too.
01:01:51Spending time with you and Vanessa
01:01:52has become the highlight
01:01:53of my holiday.
01:01:55Ours, too.
01:01:56Oh.
01:01:57Maybe we create a Christmas memory
01:02:00of our own sometime?
01:02:02Yeah, I'd like that.
01:02:04You would.
01:02:04Of course.
01:02:06All right, well,
01:02:07Vanessa's headed to a Christmas movie night
01:02:09at her friend's.
01:02:10I've got to run downtown for a bit.
01:02:12Then, say I pick you up around seven?
01:02:15Sounds perfect.
01:02:18Perfect.
01:02:22Hey, kiddo.
01:02:23You got everything?
01:02:24Yep.
01:02:25Ready.
01:02:26Great.
01:02:28Good night.
01:02:29Good night, guys.
01:02:31Thanks, Julie.
01:02:45Oh, it is magnificent.
01:02:50A front row seat
01:02:51to Mission's Christmas wishing tree
01:02:52for our little picnic.
01:02:56Oh, yeah.
01:02:57This is very sweet, Mark.
01:03:00Well,
01:03:02you deserve it.
01:03:03Oh, stop.
01:03:06Oh.
01:03:07You know,
01:03:08I've got to say,
01:03:10Christmas for eight,
01:03:11pretty great.
01:03:12Mulled wine for two
01:03:13is pretty great also.
01:03:16I just wanted to make sure
01:03:18we had some alone time
01:03:19before the chaos
01:03:21of family Christmas ensues.
01:03:23I, for one,
01:03:24I'm looking forward to it.
01:03:26I've actually got something
01:03:27special planned for you
01:03:28and Vanessa tomorrow.
01:03:30I'm all yours.
01:03:50I don't think I have any wishes to me.
01:03:52Come on,
01:03:53there's got to be something.
01:03:57Maybe one?
01:04:00All I know is
01:04:04all of my wishes have come true
01:04:06since I met you at the library.
01:04:07Oh, yes,
01:04:08you're overdue charges.
01:04:10Yeah,
01:04:10that was a bit of Christmas magic,
01:04:12but, uh,
01:04:14what I actually wished for
01:04:16was more time with you.
01:04:20You changed Christmas for me, Julie.
01:04:23Yeah?
01:04:25Having you down the street from us,
01:04:27suddenly everything just...
01:04:31feels right.
01:04:36Like we're finally home.
01:04:38I don't know.
01:05:25Julie.
01:05:27Cookies?
01:05:28My Nana made these every Christmas.
01:05:30Well, thank you.
01:05:32Of course.
01:05:33Big day tomorrow.
01:05:34Yeah.
01:05:35Yeah, Mark and his family are coming over.
01:05:37Look at that.
01:05:39It's funny.
01:05:39I've wanted this for such a long time.
01:05:42A house with a table full of people on Christmas Eve, but...
01:05:47Now that it's real, I'm nervous.
01:05:49Nervous?
01:05:50Why?
01:05:50Well, I think I just wanted to live up to the image I've had in my head all these years.
01:05:54You want it to feel like Christmas Eve at Nana's.
01:05:58Tell me, what was it about that night at Nana's that made it so special?
01:06:03I don't know.
01:06:05It just felt magical.
01:06:06Exactly.
01:06:08It felt magical.
01:06:10It's not about how good the food is or how beautiful the house looks.
01:06:15Your guests will remember how they felt at your table.
01:06:18And you, Julie, you have a gift for making people feel at home in your presence.
01:06:26You and your guests are going to have a wonderful Christmas Eve.
01:06:30Thank you, Jim.
01:06:32You're welcome.
01:06:33You changed your mind.
01:06:34There's still a spot for you.
01:06:36Merry Christmas, Julie.
01:06:38Merry Christmas.
01:06:40Enjoy those cookies.
01:06:41You know I will.
01:06:51I love roasted chestnuts.
01:06:55Me too.
01:06:56So simple, yet so good.
01:06:58You know what I've always said?
01:06:59Christmas is best when you keep it simple.
01:07:02I'm sorry, is that what you've always said?
01:07:04I think so.
01:07:05Yeah.
01:07:07Hey, we should make chestnuts for Christmas Eve.
01:07:08I think that that is a great idea.
01:07:11Yeah.
01:07:11Hi.
01:07:13Bravo!
01:07:18What's going on down there?
01:07:19Something's happening at the gift store.
01:07:21Maybe we should check it out.
01:07:28Excuse me.
01:07:34Dad.
01:07:35It's back.
01:07:39How?
01:07:40Mark.
01:07:42What you did here, I can't thank you enough.
01:07:46I wish you could have seen my dad's reaction when I told him.
01:07:49Merry Christmas, Courtney.
01:07:50Merry Christmas.
01:07:53Wait.
01:07:53Dad, you did this?
01:07:56Sad.
01:08:00This is the best Christmas memory ever.
01:08:21Vanessa's face really said it all to me.
01:08:24You know, I think that's the look I've been waiting for this whole time.
01:08:27She has a great Christmas face.
01:08:29She has a great Christmas face.
01:08:30Christmas face?
01:08:30Yeah.
01:08:31Yeah, that childlike wonder.
01:08:33I think that is what Christmas is all about.
01:08:35Okay.
01:08:36If you say so, it is.
01:08:38It's going to be you tomorrow.
01:08:40Seeing all those people gathered around your Nana's table, I think you're going to have great Christmas face.
01:08:45I think tomorrow is going to be perfect.
01:08:49I think it is too.
01:08:51My wrapping, however, not so much.
01:08:55Mark, good thing.
01:08:56I am a wrapping expert.
01:08:59Let's work on that one later.
01:09:01The secret is you want to start with more paper than you think you need.
01:09:05And then when it comes to the scissors, don't cut, glide.
01:09:13Oh, yeah.
01:09:14That's the sound you're looking for.
01:09:17So satisfying.
01:09:21Hi, Dad.
01:09:21Hi, Julie.
01:09:22What are you doing here while we're wrapping presents?
01:09:25I made these place cards for everyone coming.
01:09:27Oh, your writing is beautiful.
01:09:30Names are easy.
01:09:31Poems are hard.
01:09:32Yay.
01:09:33Whatever you share tomorrow will be wonderful.
01:09:36Thanks, Julie.
01:09:38Hey, you.
01:09:39No peeking.
01:09:40I'm not.
01:09:42Cheeky.
01:09:44All right.
01:09:45Okay.
01:09:46Big folds, straight creases.
01:09:48Uh, one second.
01:09:51Yeah.
01:09:52Mom.
01:09:53Hi.
01:09:55No.
01:09:57No, I, I didn't.
01:09:59Yeah, I, yeah, I understand.
01:10:05Yeah, I'll, uh, I'll tell her.
01:10:09Don't worry about it.
01:10:10Please.
01:10:11Okay, I, I love you too.
01:10:13Bye.
01:10:18Apparently a huge snowstorm just hit the East Coast.
01:10:20Oh, Mark.
01:10:21No, everybody's fine.
01:10:22Just my parents and my brother are not going to be able to make it out.
01:10:29No one's coming to Christmas.
01:10:30Looks like it's just going to be the three of us tomorrow.
01:10:33I'm really sorry, Julie.
01:10:35I know how badly you wanted to fill the table.
01:10:37No, no, no, no.
01:10:38Don't worry about me.
01:10:40What about you?
01:10:40You wanted this Christmas to be memorable for Vanessa.
01:10:43It already is.
01:10:45Maybe not exactly what we had planned, but wouldn't change it for anything.
01:10:53I should probably break the news there, though.
01:10:55Yeah.
01:10:56Yeah, I, I gotta go anyway.
01:10:57I have to get to the library early tomorrow to set off.
01:11:01Good night.
01:11:01Good night.
01:11:02Good night.
01:11:56No one yet?
01:11:57No.
01:11:58It was a little hard to get here this morning.
01:12:03I'm sure everyone's just running behind.
01:12:11Oh, I was worried you weren't going to make it.
01:12:14Come here.
01:12:15Oh, it's so good to see you.
01:12:17A plow was blocking the road, but a little snow wasn't going to stop us.
01:12:22Okay, well, wait.
01:12:23One voice or all 12, you deserve a chance to share.
01:12:35Welcome, welcome.
01:12:36Come in, please, please.
01:12:37It's nice and warm in here.
01:12:38Have a cookie.
01:12:39Have two.
01:12:40Have all the cookies.
01:12:41Please just come in.
01:12:43Welcome to Christmas Voices, everybody.
01:12:46Thank you for being here.
01:12:47Thank you, Mom, Dad.
01:12:48Make yourself at home.
01:12:50Pull up a bean bag.
01:12:59Welcome, welcome, welcome.
01:13:00Oh, thank you all so much for being here.
01:13:02Are you ready to share your Christmas voices?
01:13:06Yeah!
01:13:10Okay, who wants to go first?
01:13:14Okay, uh, anybody?
01:13:17I will.
01:13:37There's a train in a gift shop window I would visit years ago.
01:13:40I used to press my face up to the glass and watch it go.
01:13:43But one day when it stopped, I thought,
01:13:46some things are yours until they're not.
01:13:48But you should prepare for what you want in life.
01:13:52Have faith.
01:13:53Expect no less.
01:13:54You can set a table before anyone said yes.
01:13:58You should salt the stairs before it starts to snow.
01:14:01Believe in an ending before you know how the story goes.
01:14:04My favorite gift this Christmas was to see that train come back.
01:14:08Amazing things can happen.
01:14:09But you must first lay down the track.
01:14:11Because maybe all the special things you wish for on a star
01:14:14are on their way to you when you live as if they are.
01:14:46Go, 고
01:14:47eight yeah i couldn't bring myself to clear the rust well vanessa and i are going to be
01:14:53reintroducing our santa pancake tradition on christmas morning and we'd love if you'd join us
01:15:00yeah i'd love that thank you hi can we still use all the christmas crackers yes but you gotta wait
01:15:08to dessert here let me help you with those i hope you're hungry kiddo
01:15:29oh can you check that please um it's from ally oh it says my sister called as i was on
01:15:35my way
01:15:35to the airport we talked i'm invited for christmas day and i canceled london she did yeah that's what
01:15:42it says and also um i'm free tonight is there still a seat for me yes yes text back yes
01:15:47yes
01:15:48yes and then heart emoji happy face emoji thumbs up and sand emoji
01:16:03yeah that's a table half full yeah not bad
01:16:10oh daniela hi okay julie don't judge me the ham what about it it's bad very bad okay it's burned
01:16:19on the
01:16:19outside and somehow still raw in the middle oh i didn't even know that was possible what do i do
01:16:24you come to my house for dinner are you sure it's not too late no no of course not how
01:16:28soon can you be
01:16:29here soon great how many is that i can't believe it somehow i can
01:16:48oh that will be ally
01:16:58dennis hi uh sorry for just dropping by like this no don't be you're not working tonight my boss actually
01:17:04gave me the night off i said that we worked really hard and to enjoy my christmas eve you should
01:17:08hey look
01:17:09you and mark have helped me out a lot and that's probably the only reason why my boss even took
01:17:13notice and i just want to come by and say thank you you shouldn't have
01:17:22oh wow this looks absolutely delicious
01:17:27wait does this mean you're free to join us for dinner oh no no i don't want to impose you
01:17:33wouldn't
01:17:33be you're invited you're invited remember okay
01:17:36come on in here dennis come on it's cold
01:17:48We didn't have to wait.
01:17:49Oh, no, we wanted to.
01:17:52Who made this for Rosado?
01:17:53Oh, actually, that was a bean and wine ass recipe.
01:17:56I'm just going to taste this.
01:18:01And Vanessa made these gorgeous place cards.
01:18:03Oh, we made it.
01:18:05We made it.
01:18:06Oh, we made it.
01:18:44I promise I have no idea.
01:18:48Hi.
01:18:49There's something wrong with the cookies.
01:18:51There is?
01:18:52Yes, they're delicious, but when I gave your grandmother this recipe, I always told her they tasted best when they're
01:19:00shared.
01:19:02Jim, you're JoJo?
01:19:04James Joseph.
01:19:05JoJo's a nickname lovingly given to me by Jenny Wilson.
01:19:08Who I realize now is your Nana.
01:19:11My Nana, yeah.
01:19:13She had me and the bridge club at her table for dinner every Sunday.
01:19:19Jim, I have that very table set for dinner.
01:19:23And just like my Nana, I saved you a seat.
01:19:28Come on, Nana.
01:19:56Um, when I moved to Mission, I brought some of my Nana's things with me.
01:20:01Some big, like this table.
01:20:05Uh, some small, like a single piece of advice.
01:20:15Prepare for what you want and have faith that it will find you.
01:20:21I always knew I wanted a full table.
01:20:23What I didn't know was how filling these eight seats would make me feel.
01:20:28This was never just about hosting a dinner.
01:20:32It was about finding my people.
01:20:35My community.
01:20:38You all showed up exactly when I needed you.
01:20:43Not just to my table, but into my life.
01:20:47And you have taught me something I will never forget.
01:20:54Courage.
01:20:58Acts of service.
01:21:02Love.
01:21:08Friendship.
01:21:13And what it means to feel little.
01:21:25Merry Christmas.
01:21:27Merry Christmas.
01:21:30You did your Nana proud.
01:21:34To Julie.
01:21:36To Julie.
01:21:43Okay, that's enough of that.
01:21:45Let's eat.
01:21:46Let's eat.
01:21:48Let's eat.
01:21:49Let's eat.
01:21:50Let's eat.
01:21:50Let's eat.
01:21:50Let's eat.
01:21:51Let's eat.
01:21:52Let's eat.
01:21:53Let's eat.
01:21:53Let's eat.
01:21:54Let's eat.
01:21:55Let's eat.
01:21:56Let's eat.
01:21:57Let's eat.
01:21:58Let's eat.
01:21:59Let's eat.
01:22:00Let's eat.
01:22:00Let's eat.
01:22:01Let's eat.
01:22:01Let's eat.
01:22:02Let's eat.
01:22:02Let's eat.
01:22:03Let's eat.
01:22:03Let's eat.
01:22:04Let's eat.
01:22:05Let's eat.
01:22:05Let's eat.
01:22:06Let's eat.
01:22:06Let's eat.
01:22:46Hey, I brought syrup.
01:22:48Could you be any sleeper?
01:22:51You could find out.
01:22:59Merry Christmas, Julie.
01:23:01Oh, Merry Christmas, Amar.
01:23:05Santa pancakes are up.
01:23:06Get them while they're hot.
01:23:08Come on, Amy.
01:23:10And she probably had her table.
01:23:12Oh, fuck.
01:23:13Happy Christmas time.
01:23:27Christmas time to last.
01:23:29Christmas time to last.
01:23:31Christmas time to last.
01:23:58Transcription by CastingWords