Almost Christmas (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Evan is struggling because he's the youngest child and having the hardest time coping with the loss of their mother, Grace, who died ten months earlier. His emotional turmoil manifests as grief-fueled behavior, and he turns to prescription pills, which leads to his hospitalization after an accident on Christmas Day.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Evan visibly upset during family gatherings and having difficulty being around the holiday celebrations without his mother.

• evan meyers
• grief
• prescription pills
• emotional struggle
• grace death

Cheryl discovers Lonnie's affair when Jasmine accidentally reveals she's Lonnie's lover during Christmas celebrations. The confrontation erupts instantly - Cheryl grabs a rifle and demands answers, causing chaos in the house. This moment explodes months of tension about Lonnie's selfish and distant behavior.

Foreshadowing: Lonnie's self-centered nature and emotional distance from Cheryl have been established throughout the film leading up to this reveal.

• cheryl
• lonnie affair
• jasmine
• rifle confrontation
• christmas chaos

Christian's campaign faces an ethical dilemma when proposed community re-zoning would affect the local homeless shelter where his father Walter volunteers. Walter confronts him about prioritizing political gain over the family's legacy of helping others, forcing Christian to choose between his career and his values.

Foreshadowing: The re-zoning issue is introduced earlier as Christian prepares for his political run, creating tension between his ambitions and family principles.

• christian campaign
• homeless shelter
• re-zoning
• ethical dilemma
• congressman

Rachel and Malachi share a passionate kiss because they have unresolved romantic feelings from their past. Their encounter during the holiday reunion rekindles their old connection, suggesting a relationship that ended before Rachel became a single mother pursuing her law degree.

Foreshadowing: Their interactions throughout the film show tension and familiarity, hinting at a shared history.

• rachel
• malachi
• kiss
• romance
• unresolved feelings

Walter volunteers at the homeless shelter to honor Grace's memory and continue the legacy of community service that she established during their marriage. This act helps him process his grief while staying connected to the values he and Grace shared as a family.

Foreshadowing: The opening montage establishes Grace as someone dedicated to helping others, which Walter is now replicating.

• walter
• grace
• homeless shelter
• volunteering
• legacy

The family's simultaneous crises - Evan's hospitalization, Lonnie's affair reveal, and Christian's ethical struggle - force them to confront their self-centered behaviors and broken connections. They realize their differences don't matter as much as their love for each other, leading to genuine apologies and a renewed commitment to unity.

Foreshadowing: Earlier moments of bonding - dancing, singing, and cooking together - show the family briefly connecting before tensions resurface, hinting at their underlying love for each other.

• family reconciliation
• crisis
• unity
• forgiveness
• christmas

The sweet potato pie represents Walter's connection to Grace and his attempt to preserve her memory through her signature recipe. Throughout the film, he struggles to replicate her version, but finally succeeds at the end - symbolizing his ability to find joy in grief and honor her memory while moving forward.

Foreshadowing: Grace's pie is mentioned early as one of her beloved traditions that Walter is determined to recreate.

• sweet potato pie
• walter
• grace
• recipe
• memory

May is Walter's sister-in-law and Grace's sister. She arrives to support Walter during his first Christmas without Grace and to help bring the divided family together. Her presence provides emotional support and helps facilitate the reunion of the scattered siblings.

Foreshadowing: May's relationship to Grace is established early, explaining her motivation to help Walter honor Grace's memory.

• may
• sister-in-law
• family reunion
• support
• grace sister

Rachel is a determined single mother balancing her responsibilities to her daughter Niya while pursuing her law degree. Her ambition represents her drive to create a better life for her family and achieve personal independence, a goal that becomes clearer when her sisters financially support her dreams at the end.

Foreshadowing: Rachel's determination is shown throughout as she manages her responsibilities while studying.

• rachel
• law degree
• single mother
• niya
• ambition

After his ethical struggle with the re-zoning issue and witnessing the family's crisis on Christmas Day, Christian realizes his pursuit of political power conflicts with his family's values. He and Walter renew their commitment to helping others at the homeless shelter, choosing service over political ambition.

Foreshadowing: Walter's confrontation with Christian about the re-zoning directly challenges Christian's priorities.

• christian
• community service
• homeless shelter
• values
• political ambition