Glenn Hills is the most festive town in all of California. The annual Christmas Cup decorating competition involves just about everyone in town, young and old, to create the immaculate Christmas light displays that can be found on just about any street in the entire city. Grumpy old Tom VanHansen himself even used to participate with his wife--until the accident. Tom hasn't celebrated a Christmas since his wife died, and his estranged daughter, Noel, has never forgiven him for what she views as his role in her mother's death. But with three kids, no job, no money, and nowhere left to go after a fast and messy divorce, Noel has no choice but to reach out to Tom for help. Tom reluctantly agrees to take them in--as long as they're gone by Christmas. With tensions high and carefully guarded secrets starting to unravel as Christmas Day approaches, it will take more than a little holiday spirit to bring this family back together.