A Very Brady Christmas

A Very Brady Christmas

Year: 1988

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Peter Baldwin

DramaTV MovieFamilyComedy

Nearly two decades after the original Brady Bunch began, the children are adults with families of their own. They reunite at the family home for a Christmas, but Mike discovers a structural flaw in a building he designed. While inspecting, the building collapses, trapping him under the rubble. The family watches, fearing the worst as they await news of Dad’s fate.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – A Very Brady Christmas (1988)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Very Brady Christmas (1988). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1988

Set during the Christmas season in 1988, the story centers on a family gathering that aims to repair fractured relationships. The era's familiar family dynamics and holiday traditions anchor the plot as the Bradys navigate love, work, and personal ambitions. A dramatic crisis near the end tests their unity, only to be resolved through forgiveness and shared song.

Location

Brady House (Los Angeles area), Aspen, Greece, Japan

The Brady family home in the Los Angeles area serves as the central hub for the holiday drama, a warm, lived-in space filled with memories. The film also mentions plans to travel to Greece, Japan, and Aspen, reflecting the couple's wish for a grand holiday experience. These destinations frame the tension between domestic comfort and personal dreams, driving the characters to confront their issues. The home becomes the stage for reconciliation and festive spirit.

🏠 Family home 🎄 Christmas setting ✈️ Travel plans

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:54

Main Characters – A Very Brady Christmas (1988)

Meet the key characters of A Very Brady Christmas (1988), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mike Brady - Robert Reed

Patriarch of the Brady clan, Mike orchestrates the reunion and keeps the family's interests in focus. He demonstrates steadiness under pressure and a deep commitment to his children's well-being. The plot places him at the center of a crisis when a building he designed collapses, testing his resilience and leadership as he helps others before, and after, the danger escalates.

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Family 🧭 Responsibility ❤️ Leadership

Carol Brady - Florence Henderson

Matriarch who dreams of reuniting the entire family for Christmas. She anchors the household with warmth and practical support, guiding the family through their various issues. Her Christmas spirit and vocal moments reinforce the festive mood and help bring everyone back together in the end.

👩‍👧‍👦 Family 🎶 Warmth ❤️ Care

Greg Brady - Barry Williams

One of the older Brady kids, Greg's storyline intersects with the family's holiday plans as Nora, his wife, spends Christmas with her own family, creating tension within the household. He represents the balancing act between personal life and family obligations during the holidays.

👨‍👩‍👦 Family 🧭 Responsibility 💑 Relationships

Nora Brady - Caryn Richman

Greg's wife, whose absence during Christmas highlights the strain of separate family dynamics. Her return and involvement in the broader Brady celebration contribute to the reconciliation arc and emphasize the importance of unity.

👩‍👧‍👦 Family 🕊️ Reconciliation 💞 Relationships

Peter Brady - Christopher Knight

Peter navigates professional insecurities, notably his romantic involvement with his boss Valerie and the impact of salary on his confidence. His storyline adds a subplot about ambition, loyalty, and personal growth within the family framework.

👨‍💼 Career 💖 Romance 🧭 Self-Esteem

Bobby Brady - Mike Lookinland

Youngest of the brothers, Bobby has secretly left graduate school to pursue NASCAR racing, a revelation that challenges parental expectations and tests family trust. His journey reflects the tension between chasing dreams and communicating openly with loved ones.

🏎️ Dreams 🗣️ Honesty 🏠 Family

Jan Brady Covington - Eve Plumb

Jan is dealing with separation from her husband Phillip and seeks greater independence, which strains her relationship with the family. Her struggles are woven into the holiday narrative as she contemplates personal freedom while seeking support.

💔 Relationship 🧭 Independence 🏠 Family

Cindy Brady - Jennifer Runyon

The youngest Brady, Cindy pretends to be overwhelmed by college issues to justify a skiing trip in Aspen, exposing issues of independence and deception within the family dynamic. Her actions trigger honest conversations that move the family toward resolution.

🎓 Independence 🧭 Deception ⛷️ Adventure

Alice Nelson - Ann B. Davis

The longtime housekeeper who faces personal upheaval as her husband Sam leaves her for another woman. She stays a steady, supportive presence for the family, modeling resilience and grace throughout the holiday turmoil.

👵 Caregiving 🫂 Support ❤️ Resilience

Sam / Santa - Lewis Arquette

Alice's estranged husband who reappears in disguise as Santa, offering a chance at forgiveness. His actions drive a subplot of reconciliation and demonstrate that mistakes can be addressed within the family unit.

🎅 Disguise 👫 Reconciliation 💬 Truth-telling

Phillip Covington III - Ron Kuhlman

Jan's estranged husband, whose separation from Jan is part of the couple's arc toward independence and later potential reconciliation. His presence adds complexity to the family dynamics during the holidays.

💔 Separation 🧭 Relationship 🏠 Family

Wally Logan - Jerry Houser

Marcia's husband, who faces professional challenges including a layoff from his toy company, adding strain to the Brady family holidays. His storyline contributes to the broader theme of balancing career and family life.

💼 Career 👨‍👩‍👧 Family 🛠️ Change

Jessica Logan - Jaclyn Bernstein

The daughter of Wally and Marcia, a younger member of the extended Brady clan who participates in the family holiday gatherings and contributes to the warm, multi-generational dynamic.

👧 Family 🎀 Youth

Valerie - Carol Huston

Peter's boss and romantic involvement, whose relationship introduces tension about ambition and self-worth within the family context. Her presence influences Peter's personal journey during the holidays.

💼 Romance 🧭 Self-worth

Kevin Brady - Zachary Bostrom

A member of the Brady family, contributing to the extended family dynamic and festive ensemble cast that fills the house with activity during Christmas.

👶 Family 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Ensemble

Mr Prescott - FJ O'Neil

Minor character within the Brady universe, contributing to the domestic and community setting of the Christmas period.

👔 Community 🗂️ Work

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:54

Major Themes – A Very Brady Christmas (1988)

Explore the central themes of A Very Brady Christmas (1988), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎄 Family Reunion

The film centers on bringing a fractured clan back together for Christmas. Each family member brings personal struggles to the table, and the holiday setting provides a backdrop for honesty, confrontation, and ultimately reconciliation.

❤️ Forgiveness

Forgiveness drives the narrative as couples and individuals admit mistakes and seek second chances. Alice and Sam, Jan and Phillip, and the broader Brady clan move toward reconciliation, highlighting the healing power of mercy during the holidays.

🏠 Home and Belonging

The Brady house stands as a symbol of continuity and support, a place where tensions are resolved and love endures. Despite personal upheavals, the family unit reaffirms its commitment to each other through shared rituals and a final communal celebration.

🎭 Hidden Truths

Several characters conceal issues (romantic entanglements, independence struggles, career worries), leading to moments of deception. The story resolves when truths surface and honesty reclaims the family dynamics, mirroring the forgiving spirit of Christmas.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:54

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A Very Brady Christmas Summary

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A Very Brady Christmas Summary

A Very Brady Christmas Timeline

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A Very Brady Christmas Timeline

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