All language subtitles for Holiday Mismatch (2024) 1080p.WEBRip.x264.AAC5.1-[YTS.MX]-English

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♪ Jingle bells jingle bells
jingle all the way ♪

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YTS.MX

♪ Oh what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Jingle bells jingle bells
jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh what fun it is to ride ♪

♪ One horse open sleigh ♪

- Wow, you've been busy.
- Yes.

And you look great.

- Thank you.
- [laughs]

Oh, that's where that's been.

Yeah.

That part of my life is over.

Well, we can still
eat the treats.

I mean, these are the
literal fruits of your labor.

Oh, great.

My entire career summed up
in apricot preserves.

Are you gonna be okay
at the house?

I mean, I know
you cleaned the place

from top to bottom last week,

and, you know,
if you're bored--

No. I signed up to volunteer

with the Christmas committee
at the Chamber of Commerce.

Our first meeting
is this morning.

Sounds like a good time.

I'll see you after.

Love you.

Love you too.

♪ In a one horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Over the fields we go ♪

♪ Laughing all the way ♪

♪ Bells on bob-tails ring ♪

♪ Making spirits bright ♪

♪ What fun it is
to ride and sing ♪

♪ A sleighing song tonight ♪

Huh!

The meeting started at 9:00.

Hm.

[quirky music]

Oh! Barb?

Hi, I'm Kath.

- It's Barbara, actually.
- Oh.

You know, per your e-mail,
it said

that the meeting
started at 9:00.

Oh, well, it's a loose 9:00.

Oh. Okay.

Okay.

[instrumental music]

Welcome to my happy place.

- Ho, ho, ho, everybody.
- Hi, Doug.

Start of another season.

Oh, I didn't get the memo about
the ugly Christmas sweaters.

[Kath] Ugly?

Ugly. W-what do you mean?

Just that, you know,

people sometimes call them
that when, you know,

because they're so festive.

Oh, well, we like to
get into the spirit.

And I made mine.

And it's-it's-it's adorable.

Morning, Kath.

Hi, Jim.

- Hey, Doug.
- Hey, buddy.

What's he doing?

Oh, Jim likes to
get his steps in.

You'll get used to it.

Oh, you guys, this is Barb-ara.

She's a retired accountant.

Barbara Harrison.
Hi.

Yolanda recruited her.

Although I don't know why
because I think we're doing

a great job.
But what do I know? [chuckling]

Oh, Barb-ara, this is
our scrappy little family.

This is Doug and Jim.

And our motto is
"We deploy Christmas joy."

And how do we do that,
you might be asking.

Through Brooklyn's
ABC's of Christmas.

Attract people downtown,

boost local business,
support our charities.

[Doug] Now I spearhead
general events.

That's Santa's village
and the holiday market,

both going up this weekend.

A-and the holiday market,
of course,

[taps] boosts businesses,

which as a former marketing guy,
is my area of expertise.

And I head up
charities which include

trolley caroling
and our grand finale,

Brooklyn's Christmas Ball.

Anyway, I like to
start off the season

with a team building activity

where we all
volunteer as a group.

So, this year we're going to
make turkey supper sandwiches

at a local nursing home.

I love turkey
supper sandwiches, yum.

Me too,
nothing kicks off the season

than a little bit of teamwork.

Okay, well, great.

I will be there.

So really, between
the three of us,

there's nothing that
we don't know about

Christmas in Brooklyn,
and we really are...

Yolanda?

How is my favorite
Christmas committee?

You must be Barbara Harrison.

- Guilty as charged.
- Yolanda Sharp.

President of the
Chamber of Commerce.

We are so lucky to have you

on the Christmas committee.

Oh, well, I am so happy
to be here.

Barbara was head of accounting
for Genesis, for how many years?

- Well, I'd prefer not to say.
- [chuckles]

Oh, Kath, do you have
the next year budget outline?

I was expecting it on my desk
this morning.

Oh, I'm sorry, I thought
you said that you...

- I will get it to you ASAP.
- Thank you.

Maybe we could teach
Kath a thing or two

about the business world.

[chuckles]
Nice meeting you.

Kath, her e-mail said

that budgets weren't
due until next week.

Yes, I know that,
but I couldn't tell her that.

Why not?

Because she's the boss.

And now, I have to make a budget
ASAP.

Well, I'd be happy
to spearhead it,

it is my area of expertise.

All right, then.

- That'd be a big help.
- What is this?

Those are my receipts
from last year.

I've never met anyone

who keeps
their business receipts

in an actual shoe box.

Well, they're in
chronological order,

so try not to shake them.

Oh, no, I'll be very gentle.

Wouldn't want to disrupt
the system.

[chuckles]

Really appreciate your help.

Really, you seem to need it.

- Hmm. [chuckles]
- See you tomorrow.

[instrumental music]

[Barbara] Hey.

Hey, hon.
How was your meeting?

[Barbara] You know, I was used
to things running

in a pretty
orderly fashion at the office.

And it turns out the world
doesn't really work that way.

Some people operate
in pure chaos.

Well, they're lucky they have
you to set them straight.

Uh, new open house?

Yeah. Last one of the year.

And I'm adding a little extra...

[grunts]

Christmas magic to this one.

- Oh, that's so nice. Oh!
- [clattering]

Uh, Shane is here.

Shane, honey,
everything all right?

I'm okay. Yeah. Ugh...

I got some repairs
to do at the theater,

so I figured I could look at
some of granddad's old tools.

Do you know how to use
any of those?

That's what YouTube
is there for, mom.

You know, that's my fault.
I mean, I sell houses.

I don't fix them. I never taught
you and your brother.

It's okay. So, you guys
have got it all figured out.

I mean, slow season
in real estate,

can enjoy time with family.

But you know what?

I've got a staple gun
and a dream.

[chuckles] But you could always
get your real estate license.

- Mom, I'm not a businessy guy.
- I know.

So, you think I need help
moving more houses?

Couldn't hurt. You know that
our son Shane is very charming.

Yeah, dad, The Sunday Times did
say my charisma is infectious.

We'll never forget that review.

Well, you know, infectious
can be a bad thing.

I mean, diseases are infectious.

- Ohh!
- He's teasing you.

- Stop. You were wonderful.
- Thank you.

Go staple
whatever it is you staple.

I will see you both Friday
for dinner.

Okay. Love you.

Looking forward to it.

[chuckles]

I think he's lonely.

Oh, no, not this again.

What, did you hear
all that stuff about

family and Christmas?

I know you're retired

and you're itching
for a project,

but Shane is not your project.

Who said anything about
a project?

[man 1] Do you know someone
who is unlucky in love?

Merry Matchmaker allows friends
and families

to play matchmaker.

Here are today's matches.

Mom, hi, I'm so sorry I'm late.
Works been crazy.

That's okay, honey.

- Thanks for coming to get me.
- Hi.

I should get the van
out of the shop next week

and then maybe we can go wrangle
ourselves at Christmas tree.

Yeah, yeah, I just have
to check my schedule,

but I'm sure I can
make that work.

Oh, I have had such a day.

There's a new woman on the

Christmas committee,
an accountant.

And she is such a piece of work.
And you know me.

- I get along with everybody.
- Mm-hmm.

But there's just
something about her that

really busted my biscuits.

But you would have been
very proud of me.

I stayed non-reactive and I
killed her with kindness.

- I am proud of you.
- [phone chimes]

Oh, you got a match?

A what? A match?

Honey, remember

I signed you up for
that matchmaker app?

Well, I said I wasn't
interested.

Sweetheart, wouldn't you like
some holiday romance?

I don't want you to be lonely
at Christmas.

I'm not lonely. I have friends.
I have you.

Plus, it's okay to be
by yourself sometimes.

- Okay. Mm-mm.
- Okay, great. This yours?

You will not hear another word
out of me.

- What about this guy?
- No.

[instrumental music]

This committee has too many
matching outfits.

[chuckles]
Well, give them a chance.

They might surprise you.

Oh, what have you here?

This is a jolly julep.

- Hmm...
- Uh, wait.

Forgot the garnish.

Oh, you cannot forget that.

[both chuckle]

- Mhm...
- What do you think?

Delicious.

[chimes in laptop]

Oh, boy.

An e-mail from Kath.

"Hey committee fam,

this is an extra
special reminder

for everyone to show up
on time tomorrow

for turkey supper,
sandwiches..."

Whatever those are.

"Wouldn't want anyone to
stress out about punctuality."

So what exactly is a turkey
supper sandwich?

Turkey supper in a sandwich.

It's a big hit
with our local seniors.

Ahh...

Oh.

Just remembered.

I brought festive headbands

for you and for you and you.

Ah, no, I'm not wearing that.

Oh, don't be so uptight.

I am not uptight.

Oooh. Suit yourself.

Hm.

Oh, wow-wow-wow what are you
doing? That's a family recipe.

- I made that.
- It's just a bit of salt.

Are you trying to give
everybody high blood pressure?

Or maybe make the food
taste good.

Oh, it tastes good.
Give me that.

- No. No.
- Yes. Yes.

- No.
- Yes.

[clinking]

That's a bad omen.

Do we really have to serve
all these in less than an hour?

- That's not much time.
- Oh, we'll get it done.

Oh, I have an idea.

What about a little friendly
competition?

Me and Doug
versus you and Jim?

Sure. Okay.

Whoever makes the most
sandwiches before 5:00, wins.

You're on.

And go!

[instrumental music]

♪ Good King Wenceslas
looked out ♪

♪ On the Feast of Stephen ♪

♪ Our sandwich are
almost done ♪

♪ Then I will be even ♪

Okay, well, obviously
those aren't the words.

That's not even
how the song goes.

Oh, who cares?

Well, maybe the Good King.

The Good King Wencelas?

- Wenceslas.
- Wenceslas.

[Barbara]
We're going to win, Jim.

Benefit of an organized system.

That's the spirit.

[music continues]

- Time's up.
- Oh.

We won.

Well, most importantly, we got
all the sandwiches made.

Oh, people are probably
getting seated by now.

- Everybody grab a tray.
- Well, it's only 4:55.

Well, you, of all
people I thought

would appreciate being early.

No, no way.
Doug, you take it.

I got you some bubbly to
celebrate your first big design.

Well, it's not done yet.

Oh, come on, honey,
you gotta celebrate

the little wins along the way.

I don't want to get
too ahead of myself.

Okay, well then I am
celebrating you.

I am so proud of you
for running your own firm.

Co-running.

Okay, can you just take
a compliment?

And I'm, I'm sorry

that I tried to
fix you up earlier.

Thanks.

I'm really overwhelmed with
this project right now.

Though it would break my heart

if you missed out on
meeting the right guy

because it wasn't
the right time.

But I know that you are very
busy with your work right now.

And even if I did find the most
perfect handsome guy

who is exactly right for you,

then I know that you wouldn't be
interested in meeting him.

You're still on the app?

He is so cute.

He's so handsome
and he's funny

and he owns his own
business and he's a Scorpio.

Checks all your boxes.

You think he's perfect for me
and I have to meet him.

Yes. I think you're
going to love him.

And if I do meet him and
he's not perfect for me,

then we can agree that
maybe you're not going to find

Mr. Right on this app

and we can stop
talking about it forever?

Forever is a long time.

- Mom?
- Okay. Yes.

If you meet him and
he's not the right guy,

you will not hear
a peep out of me.

Promise?

Ish. Prom-ish.

Mom, what are you doing?

Oh, just fluffing the tree.

We already fluffed it.

Well, not the way I like it.

Oh, I forgot, nothing is right
until you do it yourself.

- That is not always true.
- Mm-hmm.

You should have seen
the dreadful receipt system

for the Christmas committee.

It was in an actual shoe box.

Thank goodness I've made them
a clear, concise spreadsheet.

Thank goodness. However,
do they survive without it?

You know, I could
take over your payroll.

- It's, it's fine.
- But I know you hate doing it.

Well, I don't think I would love
you being all up in my finances.

- Why? Is everything okay?
- Yes.

I'm glad you're keeping busy.

Speaking of...

I found your dream girl today.

Oh. Is she a retiree on the
Christmas committee?

No, silly. She's your age,
and she's very pretty.

- Okay, mom...
- Just because you think...

we don't have the same taste.

I know we don't have the
same taste.

Well, this one is different.

I don't...
I just have a feeling.

Okay.

Where'd you meet her?

- I found her online.
- Oh, we are done here.

Uh, uh, uh, uh,
I'm just asking you to meet her.

But if you don't
want to honor your

mother's wishes, I understand.

Okay, we don't have to
go straight for the

guilt trip. Mom, please.

Look, I know I wasn't
around as much

when you were a little kid.
I was working all the time.

I, I just want to
make it up to you.

Be more involved in your life.

Okay, mom.

No hard feelings, okay?

Meet her please...

for me.

[sighs]

- You know you want to.
- I don't.

Hey, Danielle,
I just emailed you

a couple mock ups of the design.
Let me know what you think.

I have to go to a drinks thing

with some guy my mom
set me up with.

Knowing her, he won't be my type

at all,
but I'll suffer through it.

I don't think it'll last more
than an hour.

Wish me luck.

You must be Lauren.

- You're Shane.
- Yeah.

Only an hour, huh? I guess
I better make it count.

I'm sorry. I didn't...

Don't worry about it.

[instrumental music]

Thank you.

Okay, so it was
a sold out crowd

and we had tested this yellow
brick road like,

I don't know, a dozen times.

But of course,
on opening night,

it decides not to rotate.

So what did you do?

Pretend that was part
of the plan.

Well, hiring an improv troupe
comes in handy.

[laughs]

So, what show do you have next?

Uh, we're actually launching
a holiday improv show.

But after that, I'm...

planning on
selling the theater.

What? But it seems like
you love performing.

Performing, yes. Payroll,
building maintenance, sales...

- Hard no.
- Yeah.

You own your own business, right?

I co-own it with
my best friend,

but I'm definitely more
of the details person.

She's the dreamer.

What brought you to
architecture?

I love the permanence of it.

Some buildings have stood for
thousands of years,

way outlasted the people
who built them.

You want to leave your mark on
the world?

Yeah. And a building
sticks around,

which is more than I could say
for some people in my life.

Oh.

Yeah, um...
my dad left when I was little,

but I'm gonna need something
stronger for that story.

[laughs]

You know, if you need any work
done on the theater,

I could recommend some
really good contractors.

Are you gonna try to
solve all my problems

in the first hour we've met?

- I'm a people pleaser.
- Hmm.

And let me guess, you also have
a hard time saying

no to your mom.

Ugh! Yeah, this app thing.

I don't know why she thinks

she's going to find my dream guy
on an app for parents.

No offense to present company.

- You seem cool.
- I get it.

If you knew my mom, she thinks
she always knows best.

Sounds like our moms
have a lot in common.

And you know we're never gonna
hear the end of it, right?

Ugh, you think so?

I have an insane couple of weeks
before Christmas.

I cannot keep
fending off suitors.

I have a crazy idea.

We both need our moms off our
case until Christmas, right?

Yeah, if that's even possible.

Though my mom did promise

if this one didn't work out,
she'd lay off.

[chuckles]
You think that's gonna stick?

[laughs]
Absolutely not.

Okay, hear me out.

What if we pretend to date?

At least until December 25th.

Look, it's up to you, okay?

I know we're almost at
the end of our hour here,

but think about it, okay?
We don't have to see each other.

We just tell people
we're dating.

Though if you do have a holiday
event you need to attend,

you have a built in date
who's not terrible at dancing.

Not terrible at dancing.

Wow, your resume
is really impressive.

[chuckles]

Then after Christmas,

we just tell everyone
it didn't work out.

Go our separate ways.

What do you think?

- Okay.
- Yeah?

- Yeah, let's fake date.
- Okay.

[clinks]

Look at all the fun we have
when we work as a team.

Hey!

Watch where you
point that thing.

Oh, sorry, sorry.

Really great work everybody.

I will be back later to
check on your progress.

The line for Santa goes
in this direction.

Okay, well you never gave me the
layout that I asked you for

because you keep saying
it's all in your head.

But what if you get hit
by a bus?

Are you manifesting?

It makes more sense for it
to go in that direction.

Well, it's going to go

in this direction.

Fourteen years,

never been a problem.

That doesn't mean it's right.

Okay, Miss Bossy Pants.

- I am not.
- Are too.

- I am not. I am not.
- Are too. Are too.

Just because I had a real job
in the real world.

Excuse me?

Being an administrator
at the Chamber of Commerce

is a real job.
You know what?

If this committee is not for
you, why don't you just quit?

I will not quit this committee
until after the Christmas season

because I am not a quitter.
Only quitters quit.

But after that, if I never see
you again, it'll be too soon.

Not if I don't see you first.

That doesn't make any sense.

- Does too.
- Does not.

- Does too.
- Ugh!

Quitter.

[Danielle] So you're not
really dating this guy,

but you're telling your mom
that you are?

Yes.

But you said he was cute.

That's not the point.

I think that's relevant
information.

You know what's
relevant information

that we have three weeks
left to submit this project

to the architectural
review board.

Yes. Uh, speaking of,

I spoke with the team at Apres
and they want to remove

the coffee shop
and put in a restaurant.

How are we supposed to fit
that in the square footage?

I did a mock up.

It could fit if we removed
the gift shop.

- See.
- Yeah.

And we'd have to
adjust the check in desk.

We could build the kitchen
out through here.

We can still submit it to the
review board in the new year.

Yeah, except new zoning goes
into effect January 1st,

and that would mean
a massive square one redesign.

I'm sure it'll all work out.

Well, things don't
just work out.

They're the result
of careful planning.

And this is our
first major client.

If we don't get this right--

I'll happily set expectations.

No, I can get this done before
we close for the holidays.

- You sure?
- Mm-hmm.

[soft chuckle] All right.

- Just have to start now.
- Okay.

- Good luck.
- Thank you.

[instrumental music]

I think I got
enough mini trinkets

to decorate the model hotel.

Honey, you got enough to
decorate several hotel models.

I want it to look festive.

With all the changes
to the design,

I haven't had time to make any

of the little
figures I normally would.

Are you gonna be able to see
Shane again or are you too busy?

Ha?

Oh, yeah, definitely.

Honey, if he's not your type,

I will just go
back on that app

and rustle you up a new guy.

Not necessary. Shane's great.

We're gonna see each other
again, and we don't

need to keep talking about it.

All right, I'll back off.

But if you're really into Shane,
I need to meet him.

[instrumental music]

You don't have to do
all this volunteering.

- Well, what else would I do?
- I don't know.

I, I just want
to make sure you're okay,

that this committee
is something you want to do

and not just
filling some void.

It is what I want to do.

Okay. I will take your word
for it.

- Hmm.
- Hm.

And I want to get some old wine.

- Okay. Love you.
- I love you.

[exhales]

Thank you.

I'm here for my shift.

Well, that means
it's time for me to go

check out the
candy cane selection.

- Okay, bye.
- See ya.

Just so you know, I'm not
quitting the committee.

Somebody needs to be here to
hold some people accountable.

Since when was Christmas about
accountability?

We create all of these events

so people can experience
spontaneous moments of joy.

When was the last time you had
a spontaneous moment of joy?

If you're going to be rude,
we don't have to talk.

Oh, we don't even
need to sit here together.

One of us can man the table,

and the other one
can take photos.

Oh, this camera is extremely
technical.

- So I should probably--
- Yeah, yes.

I'm very familiar with it.

I worked in a dark room
in college.

- It's digital.
- Smile.

Mm-hmm.

See ya.

Thanks for doing this.

Of course.

What's the use of having
a fake boyfriend

if you can't use them to
fake out your mom.

Yeah, I don't think
she'd buy it otherwise.

Here, try this.

Okay.

Hmm...

It's delicious.
What is it?

Hokifli.

My grandma used to make them
every Christmas.

Now my mom and I have taken over
the tradition.

Well, mostly my mom.

I'm a terrible baker.

Bad at baking. Deal breaker.

Guess we should call off
our fake dating.

[both laugh]

Ready to sell this?

Let's do it.

- Lauren.
- Mom.

Oh, hi.
This must be Shane.

- Hello.
- Hi.

Shane.

You know Shane?

Um, Kath,

Lauren, this is my mother,
Barbara.

Oh, Lauren is your...

Oh, no.

"Goodtimegal." I should have
known. Such a silly handle.

Oh, really? "BNumbers99."

Oh, Barbara is the new member
of the Chamber of Commerce.

And you didn't realize...

- Oh...
- Could you excuse us?

We have some official
Chamber of Commerce business.

- Yes.
- Hot chocolate?

- Oh, I'd love one.
- I'd love one.

- Great.
- Right.

[chuckles]

You must be very proud of
yourself.

What are you talking about?

Oh, that your son landed
my daughter.

You're the one that swiped
on him.

Now, that was before
I knew this...

Knew what? That he comes
from a good, solid family?

As opposed to what?

It doesn't really matter now.

[sighs] The damage is done.

- Uh!
- Argh!

[banging]

Hey, honey.

I brought you some lunch.

Thanks.

You were just in the area?

Yeah, I just thought I'd

stop by, see how you're doing.

[chuckles]
Thanks.

So, uh, how's Lauren?

- Good.
- Good, good.

There's not like
a, you know, like

any kind of a serious
commitment thing

or anything. Is it? Right?

Why do you ask?

Oh, no reason, you know,

commitment's never really been
your thing.

But if you like this Lauren,

then I am... truly
overjoyed for you.

Hmm.

Having your support means a lot.

Hmm.

Love you.

Love you too.

- Hey, hey, Barbara.
- Oh, hi.

We always do a Secret
Santa gift exchange

at the last Chamber of
Commerce meeting.

We have a little potluck
and do a little gift swap.

Oh, well, that sounds like fun.

- Thanks, Doug.
- No problem.

Ugh!

Well, you have to see this.

Shane posted a photo
with Lauren.

[Kath] This is bad. Very bad.

Well, I guess we have to let
this relationship run its course

unless we want to go, you know,

full sabotage and
try to break them up.

[instrumental music]

What if we did try
to break them up?

I mean, they barely
know each other.

Huh!

I mean, if Shane knew I wanted

him to break up
with Lauren, he'd

probably double down
and marry her.

But let's think this through.

I mean, there is no way that

my son is compatible
with your daughter.

[chuckles] Well, there's no way
that my daughter

is actually compatible
with your son.

I mean, this relationship is
going to end

in a heartbreak. It's just a
matter of when.

So if we do break them up,
it's like

we're doing them a favor.

A huge favor.

They will thank us.

They'll be so happy.

Okay.

Good morning.
You want to see?

That's actually, hm,
not terrible.

I'm full of surprises.

Oh, you know, I used to
buy my boys a new ornament

every year at Christmas.

Well, then the tree got too full
and I had to stop.

Not that they ever noticed.

I used to get Lauren a
new Santa doll every year.

And of course she didn't like
them anymore, so they're all

at my house and it looks like a
Christmas convention.

[laughs] I'll bet.

Have you talked
to her about Shane?

She didn't have one bad thing
to say about him.

Uh, well, it's the beginning
of a relationship.

You know, when
everything is magical,

the other person can do
no wrong.

True, but then they will

really get to
know each other,

and they're gonna see
how different they are.

- And then it'll be over.
- Yeah.

You and I could not be
more different.

Oh, agreed.

All right,
well, tell me about Shane.

What makes him tick?

Well, he's very passionate.

A bit of a free spirit.

He loves his art.
The business side, not so much.

And his theater is in need
of a lot of repairs,

which, between you and me,
it's not his strong suit.

I haven't been able to
get a Christmas tree yet

because my van is in the shop.

Well, I'm sorry to hear that,

but concentrate, we have
a relationship to break up.

No, no, go with me.
I'm working on a plan.

Does Shane have a big car?

Yes, an SUV. Why?

I am going to ask him
and Lauren

to help me come
and get a tree.

That's your plan?

Because my son is fully capable

of tying a dead plant to a car.

Just trust me. Okay?

Okay.

Thank you guys so much for
inviting me today.

I've never been Christmas tree
shopping.

We always had a fake tree
growing up.

Of course, Barbara
had a fake tree.

- Mom!
- What?

I-I meant it seemed
very put together of her.

Oh, this is it.
This is the one.

It's a bit big, isn't it?

No, it's perfect.
It's a real beaut.

Okay, well, I'll go get
someone to help us--

No, no, no, no.
Shane can do that.

He can trim it for us,
can't you, Shane?

We got this "big, strong guy."

You don't need another person
to help me carry that, do you?

No, no, I guess...

I guess not.

Okay, here you go.

Oh, um...

These are...

- What's gotten into you?
- What?

This big, strong guy thing.

We don't need a man to help us
do anything. We never have.

I mean, you always say, it's us
against the world.

I was just trying to
make him feel included.

By the way, a man will love it

when you talk to them
like this. Okay.

No, no, no, no, no.
You're doing it wrong.

- I am?
- Yes.

- Yeah, I guess I'm--
- Okay.

That's enough trimming.
I think it looks great.

- It looks great like that.
- No, you're right.

Whoa. Is there anything else in
there I should know about?

Well, I'm sorry I came prepared.

- [Kath] Here you go, champ.
- Um...

- Wrap it up.
- Thank you. Um...

Great. Um...

Yeah.

[quirky music]

- Haven't got all day.
- Okay.

Um, there.

[grunts]

Try that again.

Okay. Shane, just move it away.

- Bring it forward.
- Oww! Oww!

Why is it so sticky in here?

[Lauren] Okay, stop.
Um...

How about we
just bring it forward

and then work together
to wrap it?

That would make
a lot more sense.

I'm so sorry.
This is my first time.

I have no idea what I'm doing.

It's okay.

[laughs]

[Shane] Um...
[Lauren] All right.

Okay. All right.

Oh, um...

Sorry, I just, um...

Well, no, that doesn't work.

I'm so sorry.

[both laugh]

- Ah! Sorry.
- Oh! No, yeah, nope.

- Good.
- [both laugh]

[Lauren] Are we done?

- Uh, sure.
- All right.

- Yeah.
- Wow.

We're terrible at this,
aren't we?

Yeah, we should probably
call somebody to come help.

[both laugh]

Good thing I'm an architect.

[Shane] It's not too tall, right?

It's perfect.

All right.
Perfect's a bit much.

We'll trim it a little.

- What was that?
- I don't know.

The tree was just settling, right?

- Trees do that.
- Uh, I don't--

- [gasps]
- No, no, no! No, no, no.

- Oh...
- Oh. Oh.

Look, it's a little
Christmas rat.

- What do you mean Christmas rat?
- Go, get it.

Me?

Yeah. Go and get it.

- Macho thing. Go.
- Okay.

No, don't...

Oh my...
Okay.

- He's kind of cute.
- Just stop it.

He's not that cute.
He's kind of the size of...

- You got this.
- Okay, it's not a bull.

I know it's not a bull.

[yells]

I can do this.

Come here, you oversized

oversized domino.

Oh, God! Oh. Oh.
Oh, yep, yep, yep.

Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, he's
crawling on my arm. Oh, no.

Go, go, go, go, go. Go, door.

Bye-bye forever.
Bye forever.

- Ugh! Yeah.
- You okay?

You're a regular Snow White.

Yeah, well, just wait 'til you
hear me sing and clean.

[laughs]
Oh.

[Shane] I would like to
shower now.

Well, I guess your plan
flopped spectacularly.

Well, have you got
a better idea?

I do.

The overbearing mother.

I've invited Lauren to come see
Shane's play.

And what did Shane
say about that?

He doesn't know.

He's gonna hate it if he thinks

I'm forcing them together.

- Not bad, not bad.
- Mm-hmm.

So what should I know about
Lauren?

- She's shy.
- Ahh...

Then I could get Shane to
invite her up on stage.

Oh. And she's also stubborn.
She won't go.

Then he'll think that she
doesn't go with the flow.

And he hates it
when people...

Namely me.

- Don't go with the flow.
- Hm.

Sounds like you have an A+
relationship with your son.

My son and I are fine.

We can't all be mother-daughter
chummy besties.

Well, I wouldn't say besties.

She's been work, work, work
lately.

Hmm. Except she did carve out a
night to attend the theater.

Hey, thank you for coming.

Of course, honey.

- You look very festive.
- Thank you.

I've only got a few minutes,
so...

Oh, Lauren.
Hi, you came.

I want you to meet
my husband Mark

and my adorable son Aiden,

his precious husband Jeff.

Hi. Lovely to meet you all.

This is Lauren, everyone.

She's Shane's friend.
Are we saying friend?

We-we don't have
to label anything.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Oh.

I didn't realize you were
coming.

Oh, well, I invited her.

I might be a little bit
of a meddling mom.

I love my son so much.
I'm just sort of...

What do they say? I'm just
always up in their grills.

Mom, nobody says that.

I have to go backstage.

Jeff, do me a favor. Make sure
they don't scare her off.

It's a tall order,
but I'll do my best.

- Hey!
- We'll be nice.

Break a leg.

Oh, hey, honey.

I had an idea.

You know how you
sometimes bring...

- people up from the audience?
- Uh-huh.

What if you ask Lauren
to join you?

[instrumental music]

[applause]

Good evening, everyone.

Welcome to Brooklyn
City Troupe presents,

A Christmas Carol.

To start, I need a couple of
suggestions from the audience.

Number one, a job that is
not an accountant.

- Santa Claus.
- Okay, Santa Claus.

And now I need a method
for delivering information.

- A carrier pigeon.
- I heard carrier pigeon.

[laughs]

[clears throat]

'Twas the night
before Christmas

and all through the room,

Scrooge was counting his money,

cashing checks with his plume.

He grouched everybody
on his naughty list

because, surprise,

Scrooge is Santa

and he ain't giving gifts.

These confounded elves keep
adding people to the nice list.

Don't they know it's impossible
for anyone to be completely nice

Now that nights after Scrooge
was tucked safe in his bed,

visions of sugar plums...

[tongue clicks]

Knocked out of his head

and who should appear
right in front of his eyes...

but his old friend Jay Marley

in ghostly surprise.

Oh, no. No, no, no,
no, no.

Oh, no, honey, maybe
she'd just rather not.

Hey.

It'll be fun, I promise.

Ladies and gentlemen,
we have our Marley.

Now, Santa Scrooge was knocked
from his miserly dreams

with a scare from Ole Marley
that made the bloke scream.

- Scream.
- Oh.

- Boo!
- [screams]

[audience laughs]

Now, Scrooge,

Marley has a message
for you via carrier pigeon.

[squeaks]

[audience laughs]

Ah, a ghost who only
communicates via pigeon.

Classic.

Well, ghosts of Marley,

you don't scare me.

- [rumbling]
- [screams]

Give it up for Marley.

[audience applauds]

[mouthing] Thank you.

- [sighs]
- You did great.

[indistinct chatter]

What's going on?
Where is Santa?

Doug said, he couldn't
take it anymore

and ran into the break room
and locked the door behind him.

Yolanda is going to flip out

if she finds out
Santa has gone AWOL.

I don't get it. This Yolanda...

You have no trouble
pushing back on me

or pushing your daughter around,
but you're terrified of her.

She's the boss.

Do you have a problem with
authority figures?

Oh, my God. What are you,
my therapist now?

I'm sorry, just asking you
a question.

Here. Let me.

[knocking]

Doug, open this door
right now.

[Doug] Go away.

[knocking]

Doug, we just wanna talk to you.

We're not gonna go away.

Remember, we deploy
Christmas joy.

[Doug] Well, I don't want to
talk to you.

Hey, there are a lot
of children out here

and you are making
some of them cry.

So I want you to come out
of there right now.

[Doug] No, I'm not coming out.
And that's final.

Should we call security?

No. Oh, I have an idea. Yep.

- Help me.
- Where are we going with this?

Just tip this.
Just put it down on the ground.

- Got it.
- All right. Here we go.

Oh. Okay.

[screams]

- Oh.
- [Kath screams]

Merry Christmas.

All right, stop. Okay.

I just remembered.
I'm not crazy.

- You do it.
- Okay. This one.

- Okay.
- That one.

- All right, here we go.
- Okay, here we go.

Oh.

Oh, Oh.

Oh. Ohh!

What the...

Oooh!

Okay.

Who are you? Catwoman?

Pilates.

I said, go away.

When someone acts like you are,

sometimes they're in need
of a big hug.

- I'm not in the mood, Kath.
- Look, I get it.

When you're
having a hard time,

it's not a good idea to
push everyone away.

I-I-I-I can't-I can't do this.

I-it's too much pressure.

What if they asked
for something,

Christmas morning comes
and they don't get it?

One year when I was a kid,

I asked Santa for a
Commander Storm action figure

because all of my friends
had one.

And then Christmas morning came

and I got light logs.

I-I-I-I was, I was so
devastated.

I-I-I-I-I just, I-I can't,

I can't handle this kind
of responsibility, Kath.

- I can't. I can't--
- Okay, okay.

You can, you can, you can.
Deep breath.

[sharply inhales]

Yes, you can.
Oh, I hear you, buddy.

When I was six years old,

I wrote Santa a letter
every week.

All I wanted was
a little baker's oven.

And that Christmas morning,

I scoured under the tree

for the exact size box.

It wasn't there.
Oh, I was heartbroken.

But you know what I eventually
realized?

Christmas joy comes from giving,
not receiving.

She's right.

And life throws us all
curveballs.

What matters is how you react.

Now, if you can't see
these kids, I understand.

But if that's the case,

I'm gonna need to
get inside that suit.

And what a terrible idea
that would be.

- I can do it. I can do it.
- You can do it.

- Thank you, both of you.
- Okay, deep breath.

- [Doug breathes deeply]
- Go deploy Christmas joy.

Go get 'em, Santa.

[soft music]

Jim is gonna be Santa next year.

- For sure.
- Good idea.

[holiday music]

What is that expression?
"Teamwork makes the dream work."

You know, maybe we've been
going about this all wrong.

What are you talking about?
We just solved the problem.

No, not this problem.
The Lauren and Shane problem.

I mean, you tried, I tried.
Maybe we need to work together.

They're a united front,
so we need to be a united front.

Uh-huh. Could work.

[phone ringing]

[clanks]

- [Danielle] Hello.
- Hey, Danielle.

[Danielle] Hey, What's going on?

So I adjusted
the clearance of the

walkways in the restaurant,

but I wanted to go through
the numbers with you.

[Danielle] Um, sure I just
need to cancel my date.

What time is it?

- Oh, gosh, it's getting late.
- [Danielle] Let me cancel.

- Um. No, no, no, no, no.
- [Danielle] Are you sure?

Yeah. You enjoy your date night.

[Danielle] Okay.
Don't stay too late.

Okay. Bye.

[Danielle] Bye.

[soft music]

[chuckles]

[softly]
Okay.

[phone ringtone chiming]

[Shane] Hey, Aiden.

Their offer on the building
is garbage.

- Do you wanna counter again?
- What are we countering?

Nothing. Small side thing.

Okay. Uh, I have the company
Christmas cards for you to sign.

[clears throat]

[Shane] Does dad know
I'm selling?

Because if he knows
then mom knows, and if mom knows

[inhales] she's either gonna
throw me a party

or I'm getting a lecture
for no follow through.

Nobody knows anything. What
number do you feel good with?

[sighs]

[chuckles]

No, you know what,

if they're givin' a lowball
offer, then sale's off.

Maybe this is the universe
trying to tell me

I'm not supposed to sell yet.

Great.

Except for the part where you

hate repairing the building.

I'll figure it out.

[soft music]

I gotta go.

[scoffs]

- Hey.
- Hey.

I was hoping to use my charm
to score a ticket.

Hmm.
Oh, sorry me lady.

Tonight's show is all sold out.

[Shane laughs]

But I'm not in
tonight's show anyway,

so maybe we could take a walk
if you're game.

I am.

As long as hot coco's involved.

I think that could be arranged.

[Shane] So has your
coco fixation been filled?

So filled. This is exactly
what I was craving.

- Thank you.
- [both laugh]

You know anything about
the Chamber of Commerce grants?

Yeah, sure. What about 'em?

I think I might apply for one.

Use the money to fix up
the theater.

That's great.
I'd be happy to help.

Oh, I know you got a lot in
your plate.

It's Okay. I don't mind.
You're fun to hang out with.

You are not too shabby yourself.

[chuckles]

Is this weird?
Us hanging out just because?

It's not weird for me,
is it weird for you?

Well, it's just that we
have this arrangement,

so I don't know.

We can... we can hang.

[Lauren] Yeah.

Just friends hanging out.
[chuckles]

Just friends.

- Mmm.
- [glassware clinking]

Did you know that Shane is
thinking of selling his theater?

Really?!

And Aiden is helping him.

Yeah, they thought
they were being sneaky,

but I saw some paperwork
at the office.

Well, when is it
going to go through?

Hmm. Well, he changed his mind.

Maybe he wants to stick around
for Lauren.

Oh, this Lauren.

Do you think they're good
together?

I do, yeah.

She's nice. He's happy.

[inhales]
What more can we ask for?

Hmm, I just worry

they're from such
different backgrounds

and he doesn't always
know what's best for him.

Like, why is he holding on to
this dysfunctional theatre?

[sighs] Well, you got to trust
he knows what he wants, hmm?

Does he, though?

Barbara, what is this about?

I just want him to be happy.

[quirky music]

[phone ringing]

- Hello.
- Oh. Are you home?

Yes.

Time for Operation Besties.

Roger that.

[Barbara] Oh, is this the
Christmas Committee scrapbook?

Yes. I make one every year
to commemorate what we did.

Oh, it's just great.

You really are the perfect
person to run that committee.

Oh, start.

[chuckles]

Oh. Poor little Shane.

Oh, yeah,

that was the first time that I
took him to see Santa Claus.

Might have been the beginning
of our trust issues.

[gasps]
Oh, the first time I took Lauren

to see Santa, she had
just eaten a chocolate bar

and I thought that I
had cleaned her up,

but she smeared it
all over Santa's suit.

Oh, it was a very expensive
dry cleaning bill.

Plus, I had to send it all the
way back to the North Pole.

[quirky music]

I'm kidding.

- Oh.
- [Kath laughs]

Wait a minute. I have an app.
It's a babyface generator.

It shows what it would look like
if the two of them had a child.

Oh, good golly.

What kind of nightmare
is that gonna dream up?

Oh, look.

[Kath] Oh, actually,
they're so cute.

So cute.

- Shane's gonna hate it, though.
- Oh, Lauren too.

This could work.

I'm just worried that
they're gonna smell

something fishy a mile away.

We've got this.

Shane is terrified
of commitment, and if he thinks

that we're trying to push
the two of them together,

he will run in the opposite
direction.

Yeah, Lauren's gonna
hate the surprise of it

and not being in
control of the situation.

- Plus, embarrassing photos.
- Mmm.

[chuckles] It's totally gonna
throw off her game.

[cups clink]

[Lauren] This is us.

[Shane] Thanks for the walk.

Thanks for taking me
to get my car.

My mom borrowed it for some
kind of Santa emergency.

It's not Christmas without
a Santa emergency.

[laughs]
Yep.

So is your mom's van ever gonna
get out of the shop?

Who knows? [chuckles]

That's my mom's car.

What's she doing here?

Uh.

[car doors shut]

♪ Up on the housetop,
the reindeer pause ♪

♪ Out jumps good old
Santa Clause ♪

♪ Down through the chimney
with lots of toys ♪

♪ All for the little ones,
Christmas joys ♪

♪ Ho-ho-ho,
who wouldn't go? ♪

♪ Ho-ho-ho, who-- ♪

[both gasp]
Oh!

You two are hanging out?

Yeah, well, Kath was telling me
about how she and Lauren have

this tradition
of Christmas karaoke.

She's never done
Christmas karaoke.

[Barbara] And since you two
are getting so close,

I thought we'd better exchange
Christmas traditions since

someday we're gonna be
one big happy family.

- I love Christmas traditions.
- [chuckles]

[Kath] You know what else
you're gonna love?

Baby photos.

Barb and I made
you a scrapbook

because you look
so cute together.

That was really not necessary.

Oh, you're gonna have some
darn cute kids.

[Lauren] Okay, mom!

[awkward laughter]

[Shane] I think
I'm gonna leave now.

Wait, I meant to give you
my business card.

- Yes.
- Uh...

You can include it in your
grant application.

Direct them to me if
they have any questions

about your renovations.

Grant applications? Renovations?

Oh, well, Lauren inspired me.

If I really loved the theatre,

I had to put my
whole heart into it.

Go all in to make it work.

That's wonderful, honey.
It really is.

[soft music]

You know what I brought?

For us to watch

your junior high performance
of "The Nutcracker."

Actually, we maybe
should partake

in some of the
Christmas karaoke action.

Oh, Lauren doesn't like singing
in front of other people.

I could maybe try a duet.

- Yeah, great, great.
- Oh.

[Shane] That's good.
[Lauren] Um.

Oh, uh, wait, microphones.

Okay, what do we got?

[exhales]

♪ Jingle Bells jingle bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Hey! ♪

[both laughing]

[Lauren] You're a natural.

[Aiden] Thank you
for coming to help.

No problem.

Dad always wants to help with
the toy drive,

but his gifts look like
they were wrapped

by a crazy raccoon.

Deranged woodland creatures
aren't the wrapping vibe

you were going for?

- I'll see myself out.
- Ha-ha.

So I hear you
had fun last night.

- With Lauren.
- Wow!

The gossip train never ends
in this family.

So is it serious?

I...I-I don't know.

No, no, don't do this.

Do not sabotage a good thing
because you are

commitment-phobic, okay?

Hey, it's not that. It's just...

[gift wrap rustling]

Can I tell you a secret?

Of course.

It's not real.

Lauren and I have
been pretending to date

over the holidays to keep
our moms off our backs.

What?!

So you're saying you don't
really like her?

I-I mean, that's the problem.

I think I kinda do.

I just don't know if she feels
the same way.

Well, um, call me crazy,

but there's a way
that you could find out.

You could ask her.

Oh. [groans]

Look, for somebody who makes
himself vulnerable on stage

every night, it wouldn't kill
you to channel a little bit

of that into your personal life.

What if I come on too strong?

Just start small.

Something to let her know that
you're thinking about her.

[gift wrap rustling]

[soft music]

[knocking]

- Hey. Um.
- Hey.

I know you're busy, but I
brought you some of those

cookies you like from
the holiday market.

The ones my grandma used to
make?

Yeah.

Thank you. Wow. I needed this.

- I'll let you get back to it.
- No. Stay for a minute.

- Have one with me.
- Sure.

Here.

How's the building coming along?

Uh, I don't know.

Honestly, I'm... trying to
give them what they want,

but they keep changing
their minds.

Sounds like they don't know
what they want.

Yeah, sounds like it.

Well, then you decide.

Show them something they didn't
even know they needed.

- You did all this?
- Yeah.

This is amazing. [chuckles]

Thank you.

How's your grant coming along?

Uh... You know, it's a lot of
paperwork. [chuckles]

Yeah, but it'll be worth it.

It's kinda like when you go on
a really tough hike,

but then you reach the view
at the top.

The effort is part
of the experience.

You have a knack for making
the mundane and boring

sound almost magical.

- Almost.
- [both chuckle]

Well, it's the life
of an architect.

It's kinda how all that
turns into that

and then turns into this.

[soft music]

To your business.

To your theater.

- Oh, wow. [laughs]
- The sugars.

Why, it's delicious.

Mmm. Mm. So good.

All right. [chuckles]

[Kath sighs]
Really? Ugh!

What's going on?

They don't have a record of us
reserving the hall

for the dance, but I know
we paid for it.

- Give me a minute.
- Um, could you hold, please?

Got it.

Hello. To whom am I speaking?

Hi, Gerald. Yes, we paid for the
reservation in June.

June 13th to be exact.

Yes, the reference number
is 1-8-3-5-0.

Uh-huh. Might wanna
straighten out those books.

Well, no worries.
We'll see you then. Thank you.

That was all in your
spreadsheet?

Mm-hmm.

I digitized and uploaded
all of the receipts

and then I hyperlinked them
to the budget line items.

- It's like magic. Thank you.
- You're welcome.

- [Aiden] Hey, mom.
- Oh, hi, honey.

Oh, you are my savior.
Thank you for bringing this.

- I can't believe I forgot it.
- Well, you have a lot going on.

Have you talked to your brother?

Yes.

About Lauren?

Mother, you have to stop

with all of this meddling.
He is a grown man.

I know that.
I just want my sons to be happy.

Listen, I know that retirement

may not be the easiest thing
for you.

Why does everybody keep
saying that? I am just fine.

Okay, great, but you're
making Shane do crazy things

like this thing with Lauren.

What are you talking about?

Forget I said anything.

No, you said something, so I
can't forget you said anything.

What about him and Lauren?
Come on, spill the beans.

Okay, well, um, Shane told me

that he is just pretending
to date Lauren

to get you off of his back.

It's not real, mom.

But you didn't hear that
from me.

- I'll see you tonight.
- Okay.

[tense music]

♪ Jolly old St. Nicholas
lean your ear this way ♪

♪ Don't you tell a single soul
what I'm going to say ♪

♪ Christmas Eve is... ♪

Love trolley caroling.

I think this is the best event
you guys do.

- We'll save you some seats.
- Okay.

See you guys.

Kath, it is time to go.

Our events can't all
start as late

as your
Christmas Committee meetings.

- Oh, sorry about that.
- It's okay. Chop-chop.

Lauren isn't here yet.

Well, we just have to tell
Yolanda to wait.

I can't do that.

One of these days, you're gonna
have to stand up

to her, or she'll never
take you seriously.

Oh, gosh.

[instrumental music]

[Lauren] Wait!

[bright music]

- Hey.
- Hey.

[revving]

♪ O Christmas tree,
o Christmas tree ♪

♪ How lovely are
your branches! ♪

Tell me. Truly.

Why can't you stand up
to Yolanda?

After I got divorced,
I really needed

a job, and she gave me one.

I guess I'm just afraid that I'm
gonna say something that will

upset her and then
she can fire me.

It's not good to live in fear.

And you're such a tremendous
asset to the chamber.

I think she might surprise you,
and you might surprise yourself.

Okay, right now we have to focus
on Lauren and Shane.

Okay, I put off telling you this

because I don't
know how to say it,

but... my son Aiden told me

that Shane is just
pretending to date Lauren

to get me off his back.

What?!

Oh, she's gonna be devastated.

- I'm gonna kill him.
- No, no, no.

Before we commit any felonies,

what if you can
get Lauren to end it?

So if she walks away,
there's no heartbreak.

I'm going to talk to Lauren.

Good.

I'm really glad you came.

Me too. Sorry I was almost late.

I have a hard time
taking a break from work.

You know you can set boundaries.
Say no.

That terrifies me.

[chuckles]
Why?

I don't know, I guess
ever since I was a little kid,

I... always wanted to be
the best at everything,

so I got into this habit
of trying to be perfect

at the expense
of everything else.

- Call me a perfectionist.
- [Shane laughs]

I promise you all that stress
isn't worth it.

Otherwise one day you might
wake up and find

your whole life
has passed you by.

[soft music]

You're right.

And in the spirit of that...

what do you think about going
to the Christmas ball together?

- I will be honored, me lady.
- [chuckles]

I know it's not really
in line with our whole

fake date arrangement,
but I, uh...

I-I don't know, I just think...

I'm gonna level with you.

[music continues]

I've had more fun pretending to
date you than I ever have

actually dating anyone for real.

And I know that it's not
a part of our agreement,

but what if we just stop
the whole fake part

of this fake dating arrangement
and... actually did it for real?

I don't know.

I mean, my work is crazy

and I... I'm really
bad at boundaries

and prioritizing
my social life.

I-I, I mean, you'd go crazy
trying to date me.

- [Lauren]
I don't--
- Forget I said anything.

[lament music]

But... every part of me
wants to... try.

So that's a...

Yes.

[feel-good music]

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells
jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Hey! ♪

I don't think you should see
Shane anymore.

What are you talking about?

Well, Barbara told me some
things about him and--

Barbara. Who you hate?

I don't hate her,
but he's not a good guy.

Why?

Honey, can you please
just trust me?

I don't want you to get hurt.

You've been all about me dating,

and now that I am,
you don't want me to get hurt.

Well, well, I don't think he's
being upfront with you.

Mom, I love you, but I've been
trying to tell you

this whole time.
It's my life, I can handle it.

Well, excuse me for wanting to
be a part of it.

I mean, can't a mom want her
daughter to be happy?

Of course. But maybe
one way for me to be happy

is to not have you
on my case all the time.

Stop using me as an excuse
to ignore your own life.

I am not.

Then how about you live

your very fulfilled life
and I'll live mine.

And you can please
stay out of my business.

Wait... mom, I...

[door shuts]

[instrumental music playing]

[clanks]

Please, have a cinnamon roll.

I'm trying out new recipes
for Christmas morning.

Carbs are the last thing that I
need right now.

Carbs are exactly what I need
right now.

- Oh.
- I completely understand.

Lauren is so mad at me.

She says that I put
too much effort into her

and not enough to myself.

Well, she's not wrong.

Okay, well, it doesn't make it
easy to hear.

Well, you don't
have to listen to me.

I'm not exactly the queen
of parenting advice.

Maybe if you were, like,
tad more vulnerable.

Hmm, it's just not my style.

Okay, but that still doesn't
solve the problem.

Shane is gonna break
Lauren's heart.

I mean, I tried telling her,
but she wouldn't listen to me.

Well... it's time for me
to talk to her.

Coming from me,
she'll have to believe it.

[phone ringing]

- Hey.
- Hey. I just emailed you.

They came back
with a fair offer.

Yeah, I saw it.
That is a lot of... oh, money.

Yeah. You could buy a house,

travel the world twice over,
or you could stay and fix it up.

[scoffs] I don't know anything
about construction,

and I don't think this grant is
gonna cover hiring someone.

Okay, is this about
your handyman skills

or about staying for Lauren?

[soft music]

I have to sell it, right?

I can't change my plans
for a girl I just met.

But do you want to?

[indistinct office chatter]

- Hey.
- Hey.

So the client wants to
have the coffee shop

back in the lobby
with the restaurant.

- Seriously?
- Yes.

But tell me if it's too much
to do before the pitch,

I can push back. Tell them it's
not possible for the timeline.

Look, think about it
and let me know.

[soft music]

[holiday music]

Gang, we did it again.

We deployed Christmas Joy.

Another successful season.

We couldn't have done it
without you, Barbara.

Oh, oh, no, I'm sure
you could have.

Ah, you're part of us now.

- Group hug.
- Oh. Oh.

[indistinct chatter in the back]

[soft music]

How are you?

- How are you?
- I'm good.

[laughs]
Hey, cut loose.

Have some fun.
This is a great party.

Uh-huh.

[sighs sharply]
Is this about Shane?

Honey, you have gotta stop
worrying about him.

Without my job what am I?

A wife? A mom?

I just wanna make sure
that my children are okay.

- Is that so wrong?
- No, it's not wrong. I...

Your job does
not define you. Okay?

And neither does
being a wife or a mom.

You are all those things
and the person you are.

- Mmm.
- Hmm.

- Oh, excuse me.
- Mmm.

[music playing]

- Barbara. Hi.
- Hi.

- I need to talk to you.
- Okay.

I'm afraid that Shane might be
using you to get back at me.

- Using me?
- Pretending to date you.

Oh, yeah.

- About that--
- Wait.

- You knew?
- Yes.

We were both pretending
to date each other.

- Both of you?
- Well...

we knew you and my mom wanted
to set us up,

so we decided to pretend
to date until Christmas.

Just buy some time.

But... I don't know,
I guess then we...

we really fell for each other.

So, we're gonna try
to make it work.

I see. Do you really think
it can work?

I mean, you're both
so different.

And now that Shane's selling
his theater, it's--

Wait, he's selling his theater.

Hey, everything okay?

Hey. Yeah. Uh, um...

Your mom just told me you
decided to sell your theater.

[tense music]

I was gonna tell you.

- Oh, gosh. I assumed you knew.
- Mom, can you not?

I'm sorry. I was worried.
I was trying to help.

Well, just stop.
Just stop trying to help.

- [Shane] You are unbelievable.
- Sweetheart, you must be upset.

I mean, we were just trying to
end it before it went too far.

- What?!
- You tried to what?

Well, honey, we knew it was
never gonna work.

I mean, you're so driven.

And he's an actor.

- Excuse me?
- You set us up.

Well, that was before I knew
he was playing you.

- I'm not.
- He wasn't.

We...

[breathes heavily]
You know what?

I can't with this right now.

Um, Shane, it's been fun, really.

But this is just too much.

I... I can't date right now,

pretend or otherwise,
not with all this drama.

You and your mom clearly
can't communicate.

And it's pretty obvious
I can't trust mine.

Good luck with everything.
I have to get back to work.

- Lauren.
- No, seriously.

I have a lot to do, Shane.

Why did you get involved?

I thought it was
the right thing to do.

Contrary to popular belief,

you don't always know
the right thing to do.

Wait... he wasn't playing her?

Lauren was in on the ruse.

So they actually
like each other.

I guess so, it seems like it.

Oh, why did I ever
listen to you?

- You started it.
- What?

Lauren and I had a great
relationship before this.

Oh, really? 'Cause it seems to
me like she's got her own thing

going and you are clinging on
for dear life.

What, unlike you,
who forces yourself

into Shane's life because you
have got nothing else to do.

Nothing else to do except
rescue this Christmas Committee

from utter chaos
and disorganization.

We were doing just fine
before you.

You think so because
you have no idea

how anything in
the real world works.

[clears throat]
Kath, what's going on here?

Yolanda, you know that I
love the Christmas Committee.

Would do anything
for the Chamber of Commerce.

But I cannot continue working
with Barbara.

If she stays, I go.

Are you seriously gonna make her
choose between us?

Yeah, obviously
we can't lose you,

but I couldn't
possibly choose--

Oh, no, you, you don't have to.
I quit.

- You wanted to see me?
- Yes.

Yolanda, I wanna talk to you
about my role moving forward.

You're not trying to quit again,
are you?

- No. I love working here.
- Okay.

But I'm not your assistant
anymore,

and I have my own way
of doing things.

[sighs]
Of course you do.

Kath, you are extremely valuable
to the Chamber of Commerce,

and I'm sorry I keep treating
you like my assistant.

You were my
right hand for forever and...

I forget sometimes,
but of course,

you should run the committee
however you see fit.

I-I couldn't do this
without you.

- I know.
- [laughter]

Happy Secret Santa Day.

- Hi!
- Who's been nice?

Barbara wanted me to drop off
the Secret Santa gift.

It's for you.
Is she not joining us?

- Uh, no, she's not.
- Open it.

[rustling]

[soft music]

[sighs]
Oh.

Here, honey.

Have you talked to Shane?

No.

Go ahead and say it.
You were right.

I should never have
meddled in his life.

Well, I want everyone to be
happy, especially you.

And... it seems like

after the stress of you
being newly retired,

hanging out with Kath
made you happy.

Oh, please.

I was pretty happy before

I ever laid eyes on that woman.

[door closes]

Oh.

What are you doing here?

Mark said you wanted
to talk to me.

It was the only way
I was gonna get

the two of you in the same room.

Okay, well, I don't wanna
waste your time.

Kath, hang on.

[instrumental music]

Okay, so maybe I
don't know much,

but... it seemed to me that

Shane and Lauren
were good together.

A-and maybe, just maybe,

you two liked hanging out
with each other,

so you kept plotting even though

maybe there wasn't
so much to plot about.

We're their mothers, we know
them better than anyone else.

- She's right.
- Yeah.

Or maybe you just think you do.

Look, whatever happens
with the two of you...

you need to make things better
between Shane and Lauren.

I mean, I think you
owe them that.

I'm sorry. I was so upset.

But I never meant for it to be
a me or you situation.

Oh, I'm sorry too.

And you're not terrible
at your job.

Oh, well, if you're trying
to make me feel better--

No, I'm not. I mean it.

Everyone on that committee
loves you.

I wish our kids felt
the same way about us.

I don't think they're even
speaking to each other.

I think that we can fix this.

- One last meddle?
- Mm-hmm.

Uh, uh, this is not
what I meant.

Ladies, please, no more
meddling.

[door opens]

We pride ourselves
on giving the client

what they've asked for,
but having designed

this lobby multiple ways,
I believe adding

a coffee shop in addition
to a restaurant

will leave the space
feeling cluttered.

Now we're supposed
to submit to the city's

Architectural Review Board
later today.

We'd like to submit this design
as is, but if you feel strongly

about the coffee shop, we can
postpone until the New Year.

We agree.

We love the restaurant
and this design.

So, um, let's present it today.

We appreciate all the work
you've done to get here.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

Hopefully it hasn't ruined
your Christmas.

No, not at all. It's been great.

[chuckles]

[feel-good music]

- We did it.
- We did it.

[giggling]

[relief sighs] Oh.

I wanted to say thank you.

For what?
You gave the presentation.

I know, but you
really helped me

see that we are better when we
put our minds together.

[laughter]

- Good news?
- Mom, why are you here?

Well, honey, it's your big
presentation day

and I wanted to support you.

You haven't returned any
of my phone calls.

Yeah, I've been busy--

Uh, the e-mail to
the review board is

written and ready to go.

I'll go send that.
Nice seeing you.

Honey, I want to apologize.

I'm sorry.
I'm sorry that I meddled.

I'm sorry that I tried
to fix you up.

I'm sorry that I tried
to break you up.

I'm sorry because
at the end of the day,

the only thing I want
is for you to be happy.

[soft music]

Mom.

I know. You're my best friend.

I just need to figure out
the whole life thing for myself.

I know. You're right.

I love you.

I love you too.

Do you have time
to come with me right now?

There's somewhere
that we have to be.

Where are we going? Mom?
But I thought we said no more...

Okay. Hey, can you check the
wiring and the light up there?

It's been flipping for a while.
Oh, and can you walk the stage?

There's a few cracks that need
filling in with black paint.

Thank you so much.

[lament music]

- Hey.
- Hey.

Aiden told me you decided
not to sell.

Yeah.

After a lot of back
and forth, maybe...

too much back and forth...

I wanna see it through.

After all that...
you decided to stay.

I feel like I've been running
from things my whole life.

Mom, and yeah, this
place needs...

[chuckles] a lot of work.

But some friends offered to help
me with the construction.

Well, I think
it's the right choice.

[soft music]

- You do?
- Yes, I do.

Because you made it.

You've always taken risks,
made the adventurous choices.

I... I truly am impressed.

You know, you impressed me, too.

Me?

- I do?
- Yeah.

You're so sure of your job,
your goals...

and now watching you navigate
the unknowns of retirement...

it's inspiring.

I'm sorry I've been
so hard on you.

You tackle life in a way
that scares me.

But I am learning

that sometimes it is good
to be scared

because it's taking me out
of my comfort zone.

[chuckles]

[music continues]

Thank you.

Now I know you
didn't come all the way down

here just to tell me that.

Oh, you know me too well.

- I need you to do me a favor.
- Always.

Mom, what's...

[Kath] Just trust your mother.

And... here.

What's going on?

We know we got
way too involved.

- From setting you up...
- To breaking you up.

And we're very, very sorry.

Only you know what's right
for your lives.

Are you hearing
what I'm hearing?

I think I just heard my mom
apologize.

We're done meddling and,
uh, we're gonna go.

- I should have--
- I wanted to--

You go.

I'm not selling the theater.

I was tempted for a moment
because it's gonna be

a lot of work to fix it.

But some things
are worth fighting for.

Look, I-I've always gravitated
towards the fun things in work

in-in relationships, and
every time it gets hard, I-I...

I move on to something new.

But seeing how much dedication
you put into your work,

pushing through difficulties
because you love something,

it... it made me
realize that maybe

I'm missing out on some things
by cutting and running.

[soft music]

Some things like...?

Square dancing. Obviously.

[chuckling]

Obviously.

You know... there is such a
thing as working too hard.

Oh, is there?

Yeah.

This guy I fake dated made me
realize I might have been using

work as an excuse to ignore
other important things in life.

Well, he sounds really smart.

Oh, he's so smart.

I might keep him around
if he's interested.

I think he might be.

[music continues]

[chuckles]

I guess your spreadsheets
are out

of my hair till next Christmas.

Uh, except that I did volunteer
for the Valentine's Committee.

Are you trying to be the death
of me, Barbara Harrison?

I just can't stand the idea
of you filling yet another

shoe box with receipts.

I thought you liked a challenge.

Well, maybe I do.

You know, if you and Lauren
don't have plans for Christmas,

you should come over.

I'll check our
very busy schedule.

- Ah.
- Oh, I think we're free.

[Barbara laughs]
Excellent.

[jolly music]

This is fake?

It actually doesn't look
horrible.

Well, there's a whole
fluffing process

that makes it
look more natural.

Oh... a fluffing process?

Mm-hmm.

I told Yolanda that we will be

back the first week of January
starting up again.

- You told her?
- Yeah.

Absolutely no pushback.

Ah. Oh, I'm gonna miss
the first meeting.

I'm going to a silent retreat.

She's finally easing into
retirement.

I'm dipping a toe in, love.

Well, where's this place?
I hope it's somewhere sunny.

Oh, no, I don't do sun.

- What are you, a witch?
- Catwoman, remember.

[laughing]

Okay, who is ready to sing?

Heard a lot about this
Christmas Karaoke.

[soft music]

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you too.

♪ We wish you
a Merry Christmas ♪

♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year ♪

♪ Good tidings we bring
to you and your kin ♪

♪ Good tidings for Christmas
and a happy New Year ♪

♪ The snow is falling ♪

♪ Christmas shopping ♪

♪ There's hardly a mistletoe ♪

♪ The lights are shining ♪

♪ The perfect timing, but you
don't hold me from the cold ♪

♪ It's Christmas time again ♪

♪ You can stop... ♪