Trama

Single mother Jen starts to rediscover the magic of Christmas after meeting a mall Santa, Chris, not knowing he is the son of the real Santa.

Single mom Jen Robbins, who is a writer of human interest stories for the newspaper in the small town where she has lived all her life, lost the Christmas spirit ever since her ex-husband Paul walked out on her six years ago on Christmas Eve, when their son Eric was only one year old. Jen, however, wants to make a happy life for Eric, who still believes in Santa Claus and in the magic and spirit of Christmas. Part of that happiness is finding a man to be that father figure that Eric never had. Jen thinks that Sam Franklin, the new investigative reporter at the newspaper, might be that man. But despite her disdain for Christmas, she seems also to be falling under the spell of Chris, the mysterious man who is the shopping center Santa Claus. What Jen is unaware of, but what Eric truly believes, is that Chris is really Kris Kringle Jr., the heir apparent to the magic of Christmas. Chris has for the last several years during the Christmas season stayed in one town looking for that special woman to become the next Mrs. Claus, so that he can continue the Christmas spirit into the next generation. He has so far been unsuccessful in his search. But whoever that woman has truly to believe in the spirit of Christmas for Chris to be able to take over the reigns from his father. Chris, who believes Jen is the one, has to try and get her to believe in Christmas again all before the stroke of midnight on Christmas morning. But a cynical Jen may not be easily persuaded, she who may believe that good guy and down to earth Sam is a better match.—Huggo

In California (based on a license plate) Jen Robbins is the single mom to 7-year-old Eric. She does not like Christmas that much because of what happened to her years ago. But Eric loves Christmas and he wants a Maxim Mike action figure. But that will be hard to get. Still, Eric believes Santa will bring it.

Jack and Chris arrive in town. Chris needs a woman to be his wife, and Jack wonders why Chris would choose to look in a small town in the middle of nowhere when he would have a better chance in a big city. Chris didn't like the women in the cities, and he has a feeling about this town. The men unload the props they need for one of them to be a mall Santa. Clearly, this would be Jack, who has the right body type and gray hair and just needs a beard. But no, Chris, who is little more than a teenager, will do the job.

If he can get the job. The mall manager says they can't afford a Santa this year. Jack and Chris promise he won't have to pay them, and in fact, they will pay him. Jack, dressed as an elf, will take pictures of the kids, and the mall will get part of what parents pay for the pictures. As if by magic, the manager quickly changes his attitude and is very happy to let Chris be Santa.

Jen does sappy stories for the local newspaper, but she aspires to cover important stories. She works next to Gertrude, who has done society news for 30 years. Gertrude is having meetings with editor Martin, and it is quite clear these meetings are dates. Martin wants Jen to do a big story about the meaning of Christmas but she is having a hard time with it.

Sam, who is quite good-looking, is the new crime reporter. He is disappointed to find out what is considered crime in this town, because he covered big stories for a paper which went out of business.

Jen comes home and Eric is quite happy to see her. Her best friend and neighbor Suzie stays with Eric until Jen gets home. Eric wants to decorate and has pulled out the decorations and a sad-looking artificial tree. He wants to get a real tree. Jen is reluctant to decorate or spend the money on a real tree.

Still, Jen takes Eric to the mall to see Santa, and Suzie comes along. There is a long line. Chris is Santa and knows every child's name, which is never explained. Jack takes the pictures. Finally it is Eric's turn and Chris knows his name and what Eric wants. That should be obvious, given that Eric's shirt says Maxim Mike. When Eric returns to Jen, he gives the impression Santa has promised Eric will get Maxim Mike. This makes Jen angry and she confronts Santa. Santa takes a break and goes elsewhere with Jen, but Eric can see him when Chris takes off his beard. But Eric is not upset by what he sees. He tells Suzie that Santa has a secret identity like Superman, who is Clark Kent most of the time. Even Maxim Mike also does this.

Chris may have found his woman, as he feels an attraction to Jen. Jack is not convinced.

Jen spends time with Sam and they talk about their lives. Jen explains that Paul, Eric's father, left them at Christmas, so this is why she does not like the holiday. Sam is frustrated at what he is expected to do in a small town, but he seems to like Jen.

Jen finally gives in and decides to buy a real tree. It turns out Chris runs the lot. And he has a special tree just for Eric. It has his name on it. Chris doesn't even expect them to pay for the tree. He helps deliver it, and he, Jen and Eric have a fun time decorating. Jen bakes cookies but they burn quickly. Chris can bake cookies, and he saves the day.

When Chris returns to Jack, he says he is certain about Jen. Jack warns him Chris has until midnight Christmas Eve to bring a woman to the North Pole, and he can't take a chance on a woman who doesn't like Christmas. His father, who is the real Santa Claus, can't do the job much longer and needs a successor, and Chris has disappointed his father in the past. Jack doesn't want Chris to mess up again.

Jen tries an auction site, spending more than is reasonable to buy a Maxim Mike. But seconds before the deadline, she is outbid. Sam shows up for a date and Suzie says if Jen doesn't want him, she'll take him. Jen and Sam have a good time, but it's not yet clear they will end up together.

Jack is not convinced Chris has developed his powers, but Chris shows that he can tell which kids are nice and which are naughty. The kid he identified as naughty misbehaves right on cue.

Martin has assigned Jen a story on a family having a hard time at Christmas. Chris shows up and accompanies Jen in costume. The Johnsons are enjoying the holiday despite the fact the father is out of work. There will be no presents this year, but the family is still happy. A church food bank has helped them have a nice meal. However, the mother burns the turkey and thinks the meal is ruined. Chris does his magic and the turkey is perfect. He also mysteriously produces presents for the kids. Then he offers the father a job running the Christmas tree farm, which needs someone to run it year round.

Chris reports back to Jack and tells him about the dinner. Jack feels encouraged by what Chris has done with his powers but is not convinced Jen will be the right woman in time.

At the office Christmas party, Martin says the previous Christmas was hard for him because he had just lost his wife. He announces his relationship which he has been trying to keep a secret, and he proposes to Gertrude.

On the night before Christmas, Jen puts Eric to bed and Eric is hopeful about Santa. He really likes Chris, who says good night before he takes Jen out for a special night. Chris takes Jen to a skating rink, and they have a really good time. Jen feels the need to explain her feelings about Christmas, and in a flashback, Paul angrily announces he is leaving Jen even though it is Christmas and they have a baby. And in the process of going out the door, Paul knocks over and breaks the ornament which was Jen's last gift from her mother before she died. Chris claims to have the ability to tell what is going on in the lives of a couple who is skating.

Chris finally tells Jen the truth and she looks very shocked. She doesn't think he is kidding, because he appears so convinced of what is true. Since Chris claims to be the son of Santa Claus and says he wants to take her to the North Pole with him, he must be crazy. Jen leaves angrily and Chris watches the man propose to his girlfriend. Chris then goes back to Jack and they pack up to leave. Jack hopes for a miracle.

Jen calls Sam, upset. They go out to their favorite place. Jen asks Sam about his intentions and Sam says he is not ready for a commitment. which upsets Jen further. She goes back home to find Eric waiting up for Santa and reminds him Santa only comes when he can't be seen.

Then two boxes mysteriously appear under the tree. One has Maxim Mike and Eric is so happy. The other has the ornament Paul broke years ago. Immediately Jen realizes Chris really is who he said he was. As she is leaving, Suzie is dressed for bed and putting out the trash. Jen hands her Sam's phone number and Suzie is so happy. Jen goes to the mall, which for some strange reason is open so Jen can just walk in. But Chris and Jack have already left.

Actually, they haven't. Jen finds Chris and Jack before they drive away. Jen says yes and they kiss.