1
[Tchaikovsky's "Trepak" plays]
[cheerful music]
- Rosa, I need you
to make the cutouts thicker.
Justin, okay, you really
have to add sprinkles
to the frosted ones.
There you go.
- The timer didn't go off.
- It did.
It's just the music is so loud,
you couldn't hear it,
so let's keep
the volume at a five
so we can hear the timers.
[phone rings]
And the phone.
Dancing Flours Bakery, how
can I make your day sweeter?
Oh, hi, General.
What can I do for you?
You want to double
your cookie order?
Anything for the soldiers.
Operation Cookie Drop
is ready to go into action
on Christmas Eve, sir.
Yes, General, I understand.
Yes, I will not call
it Operation Cookie Drop.
General McDavid just
upped our cookie order.
- Uh, boss, we can't
keep working overtime.
- Of course you do.
I mean, we have to make 15,000
cookies before Christmas.
- You know I quit my job
at the law firm
so I'd have more time
for my painting.
- You are an artist.
I mean,
look at these sprinkles.
You're like the Jackson Pollock
of cookie decorating.
- I am.
- You know, when we said
we were best friends
and we wanted
to do everything together,
I didn't think
you meant everything.
- Come on, you guys.
We can do this.
We just have
to step it up, okay?
Six days until Christmas.
It'll all be over soon,
and then we can go back
to being happy.
[laughter]
- You've got a--
You've got something
on your face.
- Mm, where?
- Like, your whole face.
- Mm, too much almond flour.
Cut it back by 1/4 cup.
[coughs]
[bell rings]
[upbeat music]
[all chattering]
- Kate?
- Oh, no.
The kids are out of school.
They're gonna wreck the place.
- Oh, come on,
customer's always right.
- Yeah, and messy.
- You know, I will just go
calm them down with some sugar.
- Oh, yeah, sugar, that's like
pouring gasoline on a fire.
- Look what I've got.
[all cheering, chattering]
Brady, you look like you're
in a peanut butter mood today.
Molly, how about some
marshmallow for you.
all: Santa!
- Tucker, how about
a marshmallow one for you?
- Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas!
- Here, Mikey.
- Is everyone
getting their cookies?
- Yeah.
- Hi, Mark.
- Kate, it's Santa.
Ho, ho, ho.
- You're a really good Santa.
- No, I'm really good
at inhabiting the role
with a verisimilitude
that makes kids love me.
Ho, ho, ho!
all: Santa!
- Kate, do you have a moment?
- Hairnet.
- What?
- You either have to take off
the Santa beard and hair
or put on a hairnet.
- I can't disrobe
in front of the kids.
I have to stay in character.
- Hairnet or talk later.
I'm really busy right now.
- Man.
- Hey, you know,
you haven't liked
any of my cookie posts yet.
- Well, I'm just busy
running my lines.
- Like, "Ho, ho, ho?"
- "The Night Before Christmas."
[clears throat]
Not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse.
- Don't ever say
"mouse" in a bakery.
- I told you, I'm reading it
to the kids on Christmas Eve.
- Oh, that's right.
I was supposed to come
to your place last night.
I'm so sorry.
- Oh, that's okay.
Tiffany stopped by.
- The photographer
from the Santa booth?
- Mm-hmm.
She's gonna help me out
tonight too.
- And?
- Mm, Santa Claus
is one of the most
sought-after roles
for an actor.
- And?
- And one thing
led to another, and--
- Mark, we have
a great relationship.
- You have a great
relationship with your cookies.
You are always working.
You are always at this store.
- Is it my fault that
the bakery's so popular?
I mean, actually, yes, it is,
because I make great cookies.
- I'm sorry, Kate.
I'm breaking up with you.
- Mark, I--
[electronic beeping]
I have to get the cookies
out of the oven.
- I'm sorry, Kate.
But that's the way
the relationship...
crumbles.
[somber music]
- Santa Claus
just broke up with me.
- Well, I'm glad
they broke up
before they sent out
wedding invitations.
- Some people
miss all the signs.
- Yeah, especially
when it's so obvious.
Ohh.
Well, good to see you
day drinking.
- I'm just drowning
my sorrow in some calories.
- You guys weren't
good together.
You need someone
that makes you happy,
someone that helps you
enjoy Christmas.
- No, there's no Christmas
for me this year, okay?
I'm juon muddle
through the holidays myself.
- Okay, well, we can't
muddle ourselves anymore.
We need help around here,
so in honor
of the holiday season,
I am going to hang this
decoration on the front window.
- That's not a decoration.
That is a help wanted sign.
- Okay, well, here.
Now it's a decoration.
- I can do the extra work.
- Oh, of course you can, honey,
but the rest of us need help.
- Okay, you know what?
You're right.
I don't have time
to think about Mark.
- No.
- We have 15,000 cookies
to make, soldiers to feed.
You know, we got to get
out there and get baking.
- All right, atta girl!
What?
- It just--
It was all so good when
we met in July, you know?
- I know.
- Summerstock was over.
It wasn't crazy
Christmas cookie time.
- Yeah, but you guys
were so different.
You had nothing in common.
- I know, right?
- Yeah.
- I mean, he works at night.
I work during the day.
He likes cats. I like dogs.
He's in the arts.
I like to make a living.
- I-I don't know where
you're going with this.
- Opposites attract.
- Oh.
- You know what,
everyone says that
that is the recipe
for a good relationship.
I'm sorry. I'm just--
I'm not in the holiday spirit.
- Okay, all right, okay,
no, just give me this.
- No.
- You're done.
Let's--look--
[upbeat music]
- Is that you, Kate?
I heard that
you're actually going
to the Christmas Ball
this year.
Some great dresses came in.
You should come by.
- Oh, well, uh, Mark
might be busy that night.
Um, yeah, I don't know
if we're gonna make it.
We'll see.
- Okay.
Well, I hope to see you.
- Okay. Yeah.
- Kate, Trevor and I
asked to be seated
with you and Mark
at the Christmas Ball.
So happy you're
really going this year.
- Yeah, um, you know what?
We're not gonna make it 'cause,
um, Mark has to go back
to the North Pole.
- The North Pole?
- Yeah, he's a method actor.
- Hey, Kate.
- I'm not going to the ball!
Mark dumped me!
- Next!
Oh.
I heard you broke up
with Mark.
- I didn't want to go
to that stupid ball.
I mean,
who wants to buy a dress
you can only wear one time?
- I thought you were going
to California with these boxes.
Your sister's having a baby.
The whole family's there.
- I had to cancel,
and the bakery is
keeping me really busy.
- I'm almost done for the day.
What do you say we walk home,
get you some Christmas spirit?
If you don't have any,
we'll buy you some.
[instrumental
"12 Day of Christmas" plays]
I just got word that
I may not be spending
the holidays with my nephew.
He didn't get
his furlough through.
- Well, that's kind of the way
this Christmas is shaping up.
You know, the sooner it ends,
the better.
- Well, we could spend
Christmas together
at your place.
- Mm, you know that new oven
really set me back,
so tomorrow
I'm gonna be renting out
my second bedroom to a guy
from Houseshare.com.
- I wish you'd have just
asked me for the money
rather than renting out
a room in your house
to a total stranger.
- He's not a stranger.
Houseshare.com knows him.
You know, he's here for
"The Nutcracker" ballet,
another thing
I won't be going to.
- Oh.
- Look at this one.
- Oh, hello, ladies.
I'm Randolf Drosselmeyer,
and I have some wonderful
Christmas antiques.
- We're just looking.
- I have ornaments
and Christmas wreaths,
an advent calendar,
whatever you like.
Why don't you
tell me what you want?
- Oh, I just want
Christmas to be over.
- Oh, why would you want
Christmas to ever be over?
- Well, it's not
that I hate the holidays.
It's because I love
the holidays, you know?
I just don't have
any time to enjoy it,
and I have no one
to enjoy it with.
- And that's why
we have mistletoe.
- Oh, you got a man
to go with that?
- [laughs]
- My true love
gave to me...
ristChm gonna go.
You want to go?
- Ask me in July.
- On the third day
of Christmas
- Oh, miss, please wait.
I have something special
for you,
something I just
recently acquired.
- Oh, I love "The Nutcracker."
I had one of these
when I was a girl.
- So you know the story?
The soldier was defeated
by the Mouse King.
He was cursed and became
this wooden nutcracker
waiting to rise again
to fight his foe,
and this, my dear,
is the original Nutcracker.
Christmas is such
a magical time.
- Well, it used to be.
- And it can be again
if you want it to be.
- I don't really
believe in magic.
- Well, take these,
a Christmas gift to you.
- I don't think
giving away merchandise
is a very sound
business plan.
- The Nutcracker comes
but once a year to remind us
of the magic of Christmas,
of Christmas possibilities.
He's yours if you
want him to be.
Maybe he'll help you
find joy in the holidays.
Maybe you can learn
to love Christmas again
like you did
when you were young.
- Well, I'm not that old.
- [chuckles] Oh.
Froehliche Weihnachten.
- Thank you.
Merry Christmas.
- I got you a tree.
Isn't it cute?
[laughs]
- Hello, Nutcracker.
It's nice to see you again.
You know, when I was a kid,
you were my favorite
Christmas decoration.
I'll tell you the truth.
I had a little crush on you
when I was a girl.
So you're gonna help me
get through the holidays, huh?
Well, I wish you could.
Oh.
Good as new.
Good night.
[mystical music]
[grandfather clock striking]
["Dance of the Sugar
Plum Fairy" plays]
[cell phone chimes]
- I'm up! I'm coming!
[cell phone chimes]
I'm coming, Rosa!
[cell phone chimes]
What the heck?
Hello?
Hello!
- Guten Morgen.
- Oh, you must be
my Houseshare guy.
[cell phone chimes]
- Hi, I'm Kate.
Welcome.
Um, wow, that's some
handshake you got there.
Um, I wasn't expecting you
until tomorrow,
but I guess you found
the key under the mat?
Why were you sleeping
on the floor?
- I was tired.
- Oh, well,
your room is upstairs,
second door on the right.
Where's your luggage?
Oh, did they lose your luggage?
I hate that.
Well, listen, welcome.
Um, I've got to go to work,
but we can catch up later.
Like your uniform.
What's with the sword?
- I'm here to protect you.
When the Mouse King comes,
I will keep you safe.
- Oh, that's right.
You're here for
"The Nutcracker" ballet.
- I am the Nutcracker,
and on Christmas Eve
I will rise up
and fight the Mouse King.
- Oh, great, another actor.
- At your service.
[quirky music]
- Okay, I can't even imagine
what it is you're doing.
- Looking for the enemy.
- There is no enemy.
Put the sword down.
Oh, you must be
a very proud German.
Oh, snow, my car.
Oh, please be no mice.
I hate mice.
Wow. That's amazing.
I don't know how you did that,
but I'm impressed.
Okay, um, if you have
to go out today,
just, uh, lock up, okay?
See, the way it works
is I have to get
in the car to drive it.
- At your service.
- Thank you.
Towels are in your room,
and we'll catch up later.
- Catch up later.
[engine starts]
[bell jingles]
- You're late.
- So sorry.
- I got Justin
making the dough.
Where were you?
- Oh, I was checking
out my Houseshare guy.
- Oh, excuse you?
- I mean, checking in.
- Oh. Is he that hot?
- Well, if you put a tray
of cookies next to him,
they would bake
on their own.
- What?
Feel the heat.
Tell me more.
- Oh, you know,
I was running late.
I came down the stairs.
I tripped over him.
He was sleeping on the floor.
Yeah, and you know what?
He wasn't scheduled
to arrive until tomorrow.
- Oh, well, never return
an early Christmas present.
- Oh, Justin, thank you
for covering for me.
- Not gonna thank me when
you see the mess in there.
Where were you?
- Mm, she's got a hot
guy sleeping in her house.
- You know, something
about him, though,
he was acting strange.
I mean, not,
like, scary-strange.
Just, like, strange-strange.
- Uh, this guy staying at your
house, what'd he look like?
- She already
told you he was hot.
- Was he dressed
like the Nutcracker?
- Why would he be dressed
like the Nutcracker?
- He's here from the ballet.
- What?
- [gasps]
[car horns blare]
- He's hot.
- And he's about
to be road kill.
- He's not that hot.
- Hey. Hey.
[car horns blare]
Okay, he's from out of town.
- Look, look,
Christmas lights.
- No, no, no, no, no,
that is a traffic light, okay?
And you're about to get knocked
over like a bowling pin.
Where are you going?
Hey, hey.
Wh--where are you going?
- Sir, are you aware your tree
stands are not large enough?
- For what?
- For when the trees
grow tall on Christmas Eve.
- I don't know what
you're talking about.
- On Christmas Eve,
as the children sleep,
the trees will
grow and grow!
And the Mouse King will come,
and there's a big battle,
but the soldiers win, and they
travel to the Sugarplum Forest.
- Get out of here, nutjob.
- It's Nutcracker.
- Oh, Christmas tree,
oh, Christmas tree
Thy leaves
are so unchanging
- Kate, Kate,
they're singing!
- Not only green
when summer's here
- Whoa, it's so slippery!
Whoo-hoo!
- But also when
it's cold and drear
Oh, Christmas tree
- Oh, Tannenbaum,
oh, Tannenbaum
- Thy leaves
are so unchanging
- Who is this guy?
Is he with you?
- Oh, he's just
my Houseshare guest.
- Such joy and glee
Oh Christmas tree,
oh Christmas tree
Such pleasure
do you bring me
- Oh! Oh-oh!
[upbeat quirky music]
- What is this devilish turbine
that causes
the seasons to change?
- It's called soap snow.
Oh, what you doing?
- Oh, I hate soap snow.
- Hey, your boyfriend grabbed
the star and started climbing.
- He's not my boyfriend.
He's just a guy who pays me
to sleep in my bedroom.
No, that sounded wrong.
- Kate!
Isn't it gorgeous!
- Get down from there!
- At your service.
Oh.
Oh, Kate, I believe
my sword is stuck.
- Why did I think putting
a room on Houseshare
during Christmas
would be a good idea?
- Not anymore.
- No!
- Can we do that again?
- Hey, hey, hey, listen.
I don't know if you're
jet-lagged or what,
but you can't act
like that, okay?
So I think we should just
go back to the bakery,
get some coffee
and some cookies.
You just need
to calm down a little.
- Look.
It's Weihnachtsmann.
- Is that German
for cheating ex?
Actually...
maybe we will
go visit Santa.
Come on.
[classical music]
- I don't know what
that guy is thinking,
but this is my town.
I don't need an elf or
a Grinch, and I definitely
don't need a Nutcracker
hanging around.
Hi, Kate.
- Hi, Mark.
- [whispers] Weihnachtsmann.
- We were hoping we could get
a Christmas photo.
- Oh. Do you want
to sit on my lap?
- No. I want to sit on his.
Get your bowl full
of jelly out of the way.
Here.
[camera shutter clicks]
- More sugar, sugar?
eljingles]
- Hey.
Don't you have someplace
else to be, like rehearsal?
- I'm the Nutcracker.
I know my part.
[phone rings]
- Dancing Flours Bakery, how
can I make your day sweeter?
- Uh, hey, Rosa,
do you mind helping me
unload the delivery van?
- Oh, I'm exhausted.
We made 2,000
cookies yesterday,
and we still have
13,000 to go.
- 2,000, okay.
Yes, we can deliver.
- I'd love to help.
- Oh.
- Bye.
Whoo.
- Kate?
Oh, what just happened?
- Turns out the Army and
the Navy are very competitive.
The Navy just ordered
2,000 cookies.
- So effortlessly.
- Is it just me or does he
smell like candy canes?
- We could really use your
Houseshare guy around here,
you know, helping us out
with those big muscles.
You know,
he could help us load
up all those boxes of
cookies for the U.S. Army,
and maybe he needs a date
for the Christmas Ball.
- I want to go
to the Christmas Ball.
- Okay, nobody's going
to the Christmas Ball
unless we get
these orders done.
- Well, we can't get these
orders done without his help.
- He doesn't want to work here.
- Uh, we got a problem.
It's jammed again,
and the motor's fried.
- Well, where are we
with the nut flour?
- Uh, it's pretty low.
We need to get it fixed.
- All right, I'll call the guy
who repaired it last time.
Hey, whoa.
- What is the obstacle?
- The obstacle
is the nut machine.
It's not working.
We need the nuts shelled
so we can process them
to make the homemade
nut flour.
- [sighs]
[nut cracks]
- Hey, do that again.
[nut cracks]
[lively music]
- [laughs]
- [sighs]
[nut cracks]
- Done.
- I had that one.
- Okay, the repairman
will be here in an hour.
- We did it.
We cracked all the nuts.
- At your service.
- Do you want a job here?
- I want to help you, Kate.
- I can give you $100 a day.
- I can only stay
till Christmas.
- I only need you
until Christmas.
What's your name, anyway?
- Chip.
- Okay, Chip.
Why don't I show you
how things work around here?
Nice hat.
Are you always in costume?
Whoa, these can't
be real rubies.
- It's part of my uniform.
- Well, our uniform
is an apron.
Oh, sorry, I got
a little flour on you.
I'll just get that off.
I should stop doing that.
Well, now I just
got to tie the apron.
- With this sword,
I have fought the Mouse King.
- Don't say mouse.
Never say mouse
in a food establishment.
- He will return,
and when he does,
I will be ready.
Until then--
- Until then I am
paying you to work,
so try to keep up.
We make about
3,000 cookies a day,
so after today we'll have
12,000 cookies still to bake,
box, and ship for our huge
order at Fort Drum.
- Soldiers love cookies.
- And every cookie
I make tells a story.
- I should know
all your stories.
- Well, I name each cookie
after a family member.
It makes me feel
closer to them.
This is the Sabrina
Snickerdoodle,
named after my sister.
She loves cinnamon.
- Mmm.
- So you cream
the butter and the sugar,
and then you add the eggs, but
you have to whip them first,
and then you add the cinnamon,
but not too much.
This is the Joe Chip,
loaded with coffee bean bits.
This one's for my grandpa.
He loves coffee.
We make the dough with coffee,
but not hot coffee.
It has to be cold pressed,
and not white flour,
almond flour, and then nibs of
chocolate-covered coffee beans.
This is the Aviana Almond Bar
for my niece.
She's celiac.
- Mmm, mmm, almond flour,
with two parts caramel
with a touch of honey.
I believe there's
mixed nuts in here.
- Oh, those two
look good together.
Did you see the way she
brushed the flour off of him?
What are you doing?
Clean that up.
- Dancing Flours,
I love the name of your bakery.
Has it always
been in your family?
- Oh, it's a long story.
- I love stories.
- The Bella Brownie.
- Ah, yes, more stories.
- Well, when I was
an investment banker,
I didn't have time to shop
for Christmas gifts.
The Clover Cookie.
So I made all my business
contacts homemade cookies.
The Dizzy Izzie.
Yeah, and they loved them,
and so did their friends.
Oh, the Oliver Ornament.
And so I started shipping
to their friends
and their friends' friends.
Oh, this is
the Peppermint Paula.
And one year I gave some
to my boss, and my boss said,
"Hey, you know, your cookies
are better than
your stock tips,"
so the next day I quit.
Sorry, I can't seem
to stop talking.
I don't think I've ever told
anybody all of this before.
- I love to listen to you.
- Hey, boss!
- Sorry, they only call me
"boss" when something's wrong.
- The Tates just
cancelled their order.
- No, that was
a thousand cookies.
We already made them.
They were ready
to be shipped tomorrow.
- We can use them
for the Army order.
- No, we can't.
They'll be dried out.
- It's just
a total waste of a day.
- No, it'll be okay.
Look, we'll figure
something out, okay?
- If you break that in two,
it's easier to eat.
- "May every day
have music in your life."
- Well, Ava can do that.
- Who's Ava?
- Ava, play some
Christmas carols.
- Playing Christmas carols.
["Deck the Halls" plays]
- How do the singers
get into this little device?
'Tis the season
to be jolly
- Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la
- Kate, come sing with us.
- Ava, stop.
[music stops]
I'm not in the mood
for Christmas carols.
- Don't you like
Christmas carols?
- Well,
the credit card company's
singing me one right now.
- Your expected
wait time is 35 minutes.
- Kate's not really
into the magic of Christmas.
- That's terrible.
How sad.
- Look, Christmas isn't
easy for everyone, okay?
Some of us elves
have to work.
You know, there's always
a long buildup to Christmas,
and then it just disappears
within a few hours.
You know,
you're stuck with bills.
Relationships end.
People are stressed out.
It's not all magic.
- Kate, I'm so sorry
you feel that way.
Christmas is magical.
It's a time where
anything can happen.
- Yeah, like losing
a huge cookie order.
- Chip, let's, uh, give Kate
a minute to herself,
and since you lost
all your luggage,
I have some clothes that I
think will fit you really well.
Come with me.
- Et tu, fortune cookie?
- I knew those
clothes would fit.
- The pants feel
a little tight.
- No, those pants
aren't tight.
They're just right.
You have a dancer's body.
[door closes]
- She's asleep.
- She's exhausted,
but she is a tough cookie,
so don't you worry about her.
- I'm not.
I'm here to help her.
It's gonna be
a merry Christmas, Kate.
- What?
[cheerful music]
Wow.
- Guten Morgen.
Hot chocolate?
- This is amazing.
- I was hoping for magical.
- Well, it is.
You know, my mom used
to decorate the tree at night
while we were asleep so
when we woke up in the morning,
it looked beautiful,
just like this.
I mean, exactly like this.
My sister used to make
the paper chains,
and I used to string
the popcorn,
but my favorite part
was eating it.
- There's still some left.
- Caramel popcorn?
- Homemade.
- Are you kidding?
Now, this is magical.
- At your service.
- And you, young lady, what
would you like for Christmas?
- It's me.
[kids cheering]
- Oh, Rosa posted the video
of you cracking nuts.
It's gone viral.
- That sounds bad.
- No, that's great.
Look, got 50,000 likes
in eight hours.
You're trending.
Well, we're trending.
- Whoa, what?
- It's the Nutcracker!
- Oh, you know what?
Okay, we'll be open
in a second.
Okay, hold on.
Let the Nutcracker go.
He's got to crack some nuts.
- Ho, ho, ho!
[bell rings]
- Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't
ask before I posted it.
- Rosa, are you kidding me?
This is great.
- Orders have been
coming in all night.
- Should we
start baking cookies?
- Nope.
We're not baking today.
We are selling.
You know what?
Chip, you've just
been promoted.
You are now
in customer relations.
- What do I do?
- Well, you just stand here
and be yourself.
You know, greet the guests
when they come in
and crack nuts, just keep
cracking those nuts.
[upbeat music]
[crowd oohs]
[bell jingles]
- Nut?
- Hello.
- Hello.
- Here's a poster for
the Chamber Christmas Ball.
It would be great if you
could put it in the window.
- When is this ball?
- Tonight.
- What do you got there, Chip?
- Rosa, can we hang up this
poster for the Christmas Ball?
- It's not a good idea.
Kate never goes.
- Why not?
- I don't know.
Ask her.
- I think I will.
- Oh, hey, Kate, do you
think these are baked enough?
- Yeah, of course.
You know what you're doing.
- Kate, do I have
enough gumdrops on these?
- Perfect.
Hey, you don't have to ask me.
All right, you two,
you need to relax, okay?
It's all gonna work out.
It's Christmastime.
We need to enjoy this.
- Who is this person?
- I don't know,
but I like it.
- Seven, six, five.
all: Four, three, two, one.
Done!
[electronic beeping]
- Chip, what's going on?
You want to go to
the Christmas Ball with me?
- Yes.
- Yes.
I'd love to go
to the Christmas Ball with you.
- [screams]
- You're going to
the Christmas Ball, finally!
Who are you going with?
- Chip.
- The Nutcracker guy?
That's great.
- Oh, that's a nice one.
- Oh, Kate, not so fast.
You don't find the dress.
The dress finds you.
[upbeat music]
- I think this dress might
declare me a missing person.
- I have more in the back.
What are you
doing on the floor?
- I think the dress
just found me.
Oh, Chip would
love this scarf.
It would look so
good on his uniform.
- My Christmas gift to you.
- Thank you.
- See you at the ball.
- See you there.
- Turn on the lights,
turn on the lights
Hang them above
'Cause it's the season
for togetherness and love
And now
the radio's playing
Our favorite song
It's holiday time
everyone
Here comes the fun
[gentle music]
- I'm going to the ball
in a carriage.
- Now, this is not Cinderella.
Nobody says you have to be home
before midnight,
and I strongly advise
that you aren't.
- Clara.
- Hey.
- I'll see you there.
- Have a wonderful time.
Hold that dress up.
- Yep, I got it.
This is amazing.
- At your service.
- This is for you.
- Thank you.
Oh.
- They're beautiful.
- I remember you liked
the rubies from my hat,
so the rubies in my hat
are yours tonight.
- Thank you.
- Goodbye.
- Why didn't we take your car?
I didn't want to drive.
- I'm Santa. This time of
the year I only drive a sleigh.
- You look like a princess.
- Well, then that
must make you my prince.
- [speaking German]
- I hope that translates
into something nice.
- I said you look as
beautiful as the stars.
[indistinct chatter]
- Oh, a silent auction.
Oh, Christmas, charity,
and competition.
Game on.
Oh, this is perfect.
I still have so much
Christmas shopping to do.
You know that just because
it's called a silent auction
doesn't mean you have
to be silent?
- So--so when you
sign your name,
you declare ownership
of each Christmas basket?
- Yeah, I mean, you write
your name at the bottom,
and then you add the price that
you would pay for it,
and then at the end
of the auction,
the highest bidder wins.
Oh, my dad would love this.
- It's a basket of cheese.
- Yeah, I know.
Isn't it great?
- Hey.
- Everyone deserves
a vacation to Hawaii.
- Yeah, I could use
a trip to Hawaii.
I'll take one.
Thank you.
- Me too.
A little more.
Some more.
Um, yeah,
that's good.
- Oh, this one looks
a little like you.
Yeah, I see
the resemblance.
- This nutcracker's
from China.
I am from Germany.
- Oh, where in Germany?
- In the small town of Seiffen.
My family owns a bakery there.
- Well, that makes sense.
I mean, that's why
you're so good in my bakery.
- Actually, I was a soldier.
I was in the war
in the Ore Mountains.
- I really have to start
keeping up with the news.
- Kate, you look so amazing.
- Oh, well, thanks to you,
the dress found me.
- And now you need
a trip to Hawaii.
- I don't know.
I never win these things,
but sure, why not?
- [laughs]
- Just look at you.
- Hello.
- Hello.
- Such a gentleman.
- I'm so glad
you came this year.
- I'm really glad I came too.
- I know it's your busy season.
- Oh, it's not that busy.
You know, I like to take time
to enjoy things.
Christmas doesn't always
have to be stressful.
- You have such
a great attitude.
- Thank you.
- Your secret's safe with me.
- It better be.
- So Chip, we saw
the video of you cracking nuts.
What's your exercise routine?
- I don't have one.
- Yeah, I don't
have one either.
- [whispered] I know.
- Your hands must hurt.
- Not really.
- I'm a masseuse.
I'll massage it.
- What is a massage-it?
- Hello.
- Hello.
- I know you're mad at me.
- Why would I be mad at you?
- Well, I did kind of
break up with Kate.
- Oh, I know.
Just look at her.
She's a wreck.
I don't know how she gets out
of bed in the morning.
[laughs]
- You think I messed up?
- I think you did her a favor.
- My nephew's stationed
in Germany right now.
You're a little bit like him.
- I am honored.
- I was hoping that he would
come home for the holidays.
- Maybe he'll surprise you.
- Hello, everyone.
If I could have your attention,
please? Thank you.
The silent auction is
closing in one minute,
and then the dancing
will begin.
- Excuse me.
I'll be right back.
[classical music]
- Oh, let's go.
- Oh.
- Would you like to dance?
- You know what?
I would like to dance.
- Would you like--
- Oh, sure.
- Teach me.
- I'd be honored
if you'd dance with me.
[applause]
- Hi.
The guy came in costume.
I could have come
in costume too.
- I love a man in uniform.
- You want to dance?
- Do you really want
to follow those two?
- Oh, I hope Clara's nephew
makes it back to see her.
I know she was really
looking forward to it.
- Even when
someone's not there,
it doesn't mean
they're not with you.
- Do you really have
to leave on Christmas Eve?
- I can't change that.
- I know.
[gentle classical music]
Thank you.
[chuckles]
- [clears throat]
Ho, ho, hello.
It's time to announce the
winners of the silent auction.
[applause]
- We have some
great items this year,
and, uh, full disclosure,
Santa has asked me to bid
on a few of them for him,
so I might win a few baskets.
Okay, and the winner
of the cheese basket is...
Kate Holiday.
[applause]
- Kate.
- Thank you.
Wow, there's some Parmigiano.
- Ah, the next item
is a basket
of Christmas games,
DVDs, and popcorn,
and the winner is...
Kate.
[cheers and applause]
- Thank you. Wow.
- The winner is--
it's Kate.
[applause]
Kate.
[applause]
And the winner is Kate.
[applause]
It's Kate.
- I didn't know
I would win so much.
- I did.
- And now
Ginger will announce
the one winning raffle ticket
for a week's vacation
to Hawaii,
includes airfare
and hotel for two.
[mutters]
I hope it's not Kate.
- [chuckles nervously]
And the winner is...
Looks like someone is having
a very nutty Christmas,
aloha, Kate Holiday.
[cheers and applause]
- Wow.
No way.
Thank you.
Look at that.
[gentle music]
- I just wanted
to say good night,
and I had a wonderful time
escorting you this evening.
- Well, I had a wonderful
time being escorted.
- Catch up later.
- Good night.
Chip?
Chip?
Good morning, Justin.
Is Chip here?
- Uh, he got started early.
Not sure what
he's doing back there,
but he makes good coffee.
- Sleep well?
- Like a log.
- I heard you were in early.
- The cookies
don't bake themselves.
I have a surprise for you.
- Oh, these look different.
- Try one.
- Wow, that is a great cookie.
- I took three parts nut flour,
white chocolate, caramel,
and superfine sugar.
- So what's the story
of this cookie?
- The story is about a man
who came to this country
not knowing anyone
and the kindness of a woman
who brought him into her home.
I call it the Nut Chip.
- Well, I love the Nut Chip.
[chuckles]
- [laughs]
- Okay, you two.
These are billable hours.
- Ah.
- Oh, that was some
party last night.
I thought it would never end.
Oh, maybe it hasn't.
- Rosa. All right,
let's shake and bake.
Our goal today
is 3,000 cookies,
so let's turn the ovens on
and the music up.
[Tchaikovsky's
"Polichinelles" plays]
[electronic beeping]
- Hey, what's going on?
Your timers are going off.
Um, well, you need to get
your head back in the game.
[bell jingles,
children chattering]
- Oh, no,
it's middle schoolers.
- Oh, I got this.
[overlapping chatter]
- Give me it!
- Attention!
Who would like
a cookie soldier?
- Me, me, me.
- I want a cookie.
- We made 6,000 cookies today.
- Well, that's incredible.
We've never
made that many before.
- I believe
by your battle plan,
we are actually a day ahead.
- That's never happened.
- Since we are a day ahead,
why don't we give
the troops a day to relax?
- Oh, yeah, I agree with Chip.
Please?
- Uh, well, I mean,
tomorrow is Sunday.
[poppy version of
"Deck the Halls" plays]
All right, take the day.
Enjoy the holiday.
- Ooh, thanks!
- Fa-la-la-la-la
Fa-la-la-la-la
Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la
Deck the halls
with boughs of holly
Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la, hey
'Tis the season
to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la, hey
Don we now
our gay apparel
Fa-la-la,
la-la-la, la-la-la
Troll the ancient
Yule-tide carol
- Kate, Kate.
They're all me.
- Hey, hey
Fa-la-la-la-la, hey
Fa-la-la-la-la, hey
See the blazing
Yule before us
Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la
Strike the harp
and join the chorus
Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la, hey
Follow me
in merry measure
Fa-la-la,
la-la-la, la-la-la, hey
- Ohh.
- While I tell
of Yule-tide treasure
- I haven't done this
since I was a kid.
- Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la
- You're doing great!
- Hey, hey
Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la
- I'm not very good at this.
- That's because you're
skating by yourself.
[Tchaikovsky's
"Waltz of the Flowers" plays]
- Why didn't she enjoy
Christmas with me?
Maybe it's because that
Nutcracker is a better actor.
- He's not a better actor.
- Oh, thank you.
- He's a better man.
[applause]
- I think I'm falling
in love again
with everything.
- And I've loved Christmas
for a very long, long time,
but never as much
as this year.
Can we do that again?
- Oh, hey, settle down there,
little people.
- All right, well,
you have a lot of people
that want to talk to you.
I'm gonna run home and change.
I'll meet you at the ballet?
- Great.
Okay. Who would like
to see me crack some nuts?
all: Me!
[cell phone chimes]
[Tchaikovsky's
"Coffee" plays]
- Where's Drosselmeyer?
- That crazy old man?
He went back home to Germany.
[indistinct chatter]
- Kate, the show's
about to start.
- Aren't you supposed
to be onstage?
Ha, your name's
not even in here,
whatever your name is.
- Kate, I can see
you're upset.
- Oh, you bet I'm upset.
- We need to talk.
- Oh, what do you want
to talk about?
How you lured
your way into my house?
And then I even
hired you at my bakery,
and you could have
been employee of the month,
but you know what,
not now, not ever,
because you can't be trusted.
- Kate, what's going on?
- You want to know
what's going on?
There was a Houseshare guest
that didn't show up,
but somehow you did.
- I never lied to you.
- Excuse me. Sorry.
Sorry. I'm sorry.
- Shh.
- Sorry.
- Shh.
- Are you just one of these
guys that preys on vulnerable
woman during the holidays
and then crushes their hearts?
- Shh.
- That's not me.
That's not who I am.
- No one knows who you are!
all: Shh!
- [mocking] Shh!
We'll talk about
this after the show.
[Tchaikovsky's
"Overture" plays]
[applause]
[Tchaikovsky's "March" plays]
[Tchaikovsky's "Dance of
the Sugar Plum Fairy"]
[Tchaikovsky
"Final Waltz" plays]
[cheers and applause]
- Were you ever gonna
tell me this is not real?
- You may not think
this is real,
but it's the most
real I've ever been.
- I don't understand
why you're here.
- Maybe I'm here
because we need each other.
I'll walk you home.
- I can walk myself.
[somber music]
- Hope you got
your wish this Christmas
Hope the lights
defeat the dark
Feel the snow begin
to soothe you
Hear the bells
beneath the arch
- I wish someone
would make a joke.
- Pfft, well,
it's not gonna be her.
- What? The truck's gonna
be here in a few hours.
Those cookie boxes are
not gonna wrap themselves.
[bell jingles]
- Watch the silent skies
this Christmas
- I thought I'd
finish my last day.
- No.
I can't have you here.
It just hurts too much.
- You want me to leave?
- Well, you're already gone,
so go.
- Kate.
- Goodbye.
[somber music]
[bell jingles]
- I will not leave you,
at least not yet.
Not until I keep you
safe from the Mouse King.
- [sighs]
Hey.
- He's been standing
there for over an hour.
- He doesn't want to leave her.
He's a romantic.
- Okay, come on, guys.
The cookies aren't
gonna bake themselves.
[bell jingles]
- Chip, you can't
keep standing out here.
- The Mouse King is coming.
I can sense him.
- The Mouse King
is probably not coming,
and you're not winning
any points standing here.
You just got
to give her time.
- How much time?
- I wish I knew.
[bell jingles]
- I can't believe you
just asked him to leave.
- He's not real.
- He seemed
pretty real to me.
- No, you don't understand.
He--he's a toy.
- Oh, and you're
done playing with him?
- Like a decoration.
- Yeah, he's incredibly
good-looking.
- [sighs]
No, you don't get it.
He's the wooden nutcracker
come to life.
[gentle music]
- So?
You had something magical,
and you just kicked him
out of the store?
We all thought you changed.
You were enjoying the holidays
and singing and dancing
and ice skating.
[scoffs] I'm sorry if none
of that felt real to you.
- It did.
- What you had
with Chip was more real
than what
most people ever get.
- [sighs]
Gonna be a long night, Zach.
You got an Irish coffee
hiding back there?
- Absolutely.
Just give me a sec.
- Chip.
What are you doing here?
- Kate asked me to leave.
[quirky upbeat music]
- Really?
She broke up with you?
- But I will not leave.
I'll wait until
the Mouse King comes.
- Show is over, Chip.
You won.
You don't have
to keep playing the part.
- The Mouse King is coming,
and when he does,
I'll be ready to fight him.
- Okay.
Hey, Zach.
Hey, do me a favor.
Talk to this guy.
He thinks he's
the real Nutcracker.
Just keep him talking.
I'm gonna go win Kate back.
- So, um, where you from?
- I am from Germany,
the Kingdom of Candy Canes
and Ice Cream.
[bell jingles]
- Chip?
Chip!
Will, have you seen Chip?
- Who, the goof-off?
Ha. No.
"I'm the Tree Whisperer."
- Chip!
Chip!
Chip!
- And then I was cursed.
I was lost
in the Enchanted Forest.
I was ready to fight!
But the Mouse King
was nowhere to be found.
- Chip!
Chip!
- Merry Christmas, Kate.
- Hey, have you seen Chip?
- No.
No, I haven't
seen him all day.
- I've been
looking everywhere.
I don't know what to do.
- Did he walk out on you?
I knew he was a phony.
- I kind of
asked him to leave.
It's complicated.
- I like complicated.
I miss you, Kate.
We should get back together.
I made a huge mistake.
I took you for granted.
I broke up with Tiffany.
[horn honks]
- They're here.
[beeping]
- Oh, good, you're here.
Uh, the cookies
are ready to be loaded.
We have no time to spare.
- We don't want the cookies.
That's not our job.
We just drive the truck.
- Okay, fine,
we'll load the cookies.
- Nah, nah, nah.
You can't load the cookies.
It's a union truck.
- You're kidding me.
- No, I'm not.
You should have thought
about this ahead of time.
- Well, what am I
supposed to do?
- I don't know.
Unless you're a member
of the union,
there's not much you can do.
- Let me guess. You
have a special on membership?
- Actually, we do.
It's a special
Christmas membership.
$5,000.
- You're kidding.
You're shaking me down
on Christmas Eve?
- And then on Christmas Eve
I looked out,
and there he was.
- There who was?
[dramatic music]
- The Mouse King.
- That's the price, lady.
Take it or leave it.
This truck's leaving
in a few minutes
with or without your cookies.
- Get away from her!
I will you fight you,
Mouse King!
- Chip.
Chip, where did you go?
- You told me to leave.
- Well, stop doing
everything I say.
- I will once I defeat
the Mouse King.
- No, no, no, no, this
is not your Mouse King, okay?
This is my Mouse King,
although he's just as evil.
So either you're gonna
put my cookies on your truck
and deliver them, or
I'm gonna let my Nutcracker
go to town on you.
Right, Chip?
- At your service.
[sweeping music]
[cheers and applause]
- Hey, where'd you go?
- I was at the bar with Santa.
- Santa?
- Oh. Can we talk
about this later?
- You told me
you didn't see Chip.
- Well, I hadn't
seen him for a few minutes.
You have to be more specific.
- You lied to me.
[all jeering and booing]
- Boo, Santa, boo!
- When did Santa
become the bad guy?
- The minute you put on
that costume.
- You're the worst Santa ever.
[all shouting]
- No!
- Get him!
- Now who's gonna read
the Christmas story tonight?
- "'Twas the night
before Christmas,
"and all through the house
not a creature was stirring,
not even a--"
- "A mouse.
"The stockings were hung
by the chimney with care
"in hopes that the Nutcracker
soon would be there."
[all cheering]
- Thank you for all this.
[wind whistles]
You know what?
I have some
candles in the kitchen.
Of course you've
already taken care of it.
- At your service.
- I'm gonna miss
hearing you say that.
- And I'm gonna miss saying it.
- You know,
you taught me so much.
I mean, you showed me
how to enjoy Christmas again.
And you made me realize I need
to slow down and enjoy my life.
I wish you could
stay here...
with me.
[grandfather clock chimes]
[gentle music]
[upbeat music]
- Merry Christmas, Clara.
- Aww, merry Christmas.
- Christmas dinner
is at my house, 1:00.
- Are you sure?
- Of course.
It's Christmas.
You know, you were right.
I have to do more than just
get through the season.
- What shall I bring?
[upbeat music]
[doorbell chimes]
- Hi.
- Merry Christmas, Ginger.
- Merry Christmas.
- Just wanted to bring you
and the kids some presents.
- Oh, thank you.
That's so nice of you, Kate.
- Okay, Christmas dinner,
my house, 1:00.
- We'll be there.
- Okay. Buh-bye.
- [chuckles] Bye.
Merry Christmas.
- Hi.
- Hi. Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
- So I realized I forgot
to give you your present.
Oh.
I see you already
got a present.
- Hi, Kate.
[laughter]
You're not the only one
to find love this Christmas.
- Oh, my gosh. Well, then
you guys are gonna love Hawaii.
- What? What?
Hawaii! Oh, Kate!
- And I'm giving you
a week off paid vacation.
- What?
Oh, thank you, Kate.
Do you want to come inside?
I just put on some coffee.
- Oh, I can't.
I got to go get ready
for Christmas dinner,
1:00, my house.
I got to go find a turkey.
- Uh, okay.
[laughs]
- Hawaii.
[grandfather clock chimes]
[Tchaikovsky's
"Final Waltz" plays]
[knocking at door]
- You came back.
- Like I promised my aunt.
Have we met?
- I brought a guest.
This is my nephew, Eric.
He surprised me this morning.
- Merry Christmas.
I didn't have
a chance to change.
I flew out all night
from Germany.
Didn't want to disappoint
Aunt Clara.
- Germany?
- I'm so glad you made it.
It just wouldn't be
the same if you weren't here.
- Even when
someone's not there,
it doesn't mean
they're not with you.
- Welcome. Come on in.
Clara, your nephew.
- I'm so glad you
finally got to meet him.
- He reminds me
so much of Chip.
- Well, I told you that.
I told you so.
[uplifting music]
- Hi!
Merry Christmas.
Oh, I get so many hugs.
Hi. Merry Christmas.
Who wants to help me
make hot chocolate?
[excited chatter]
Yeah?
Let's go make hot chocolate.
- Here you go.
- Come here, baby chef.
- That a girl.
All right, kids,
let's make some hot chocolate.
- Hi. Hi, merry Christmas.
Who wants hot chocolate?
- Me, me, me.
[nut cracks]
- Oh.
- Uh-oh.
- Oh. Oops.
[jazzy music]
- Ring the bell,
blow the horn
Let the music play
School is out
and the children shout
You know it's a holiday
Decorating
the big pine tree
Now that's a deal
Celebrating with
family and friends
Christmas is here again
Listen to
the Christmas carols
Being sung
around the world
Santa Claus is down
at the mall
- Thank you.
- At your service.
- Your favorite holiday
So you better watch out,
gonna jump and shout
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
- Thank you for your service.
[gentle music]
- [chuckles]
You seem good.
- Yeah, I am.
- Yeah?
- This has been
a fun Christmas.
- I know.
I mean, we have good company.
Your house looks amazing,
and, um,
there seems to be
someone hot by the tree.
- Here you go.
- Yeah, I'm just glad I made
it back in time,
and I hope she likes this.
Uh, one second.
I know you've been a really
good friend to my aunt.
- She's been
a good friend to me.
- I brought you a little
thank-you present.
- Oh.
- I didn't have time
to wrap it.
Froehliche Weihnachten.
- Can you hear
all the angels
- I got it
in Seiffen, Germany.
It's the home
of the Nutcracker.
- Thank you.
- Magic is everywhere
- The vendor who sold it to me
insisted I give you this.
- "Always remember
Christmas is a magical time.
Your friend,
Randolf Drosselmeyer."
- Every Christmas with you
- Wow.
- Ava, play Christmas carols.
- Playing Christmas carols.
["Deck the Halls" plays]
- Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la, hey
'Tis the season
to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la
Don we now...
our gay apparel
- Come on, Kate, sing along.
- At your service.
- Troll the ancient
Yule-tide carol
Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la
Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la
[laughter and chatter]
[poppy version of
"Deck the Halls" plays]
- Fa-la-la-la-la
Fa-la-la-la-la
Fa-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la, hey
Won't be long till
gifts are open
Bags are packed,
all headed home and
Everybody's had a good time
Still there's one
thing on my mind
You're the gift
that keeps on giving
The brightest star
upon the tree yeah
Don't you worry
how I love you
You're the present
meant for me