Arnold’s Christmas

Arnold’s Christmas

Year: 1996

Runtime: 25 mins

Language: English

Directors: Stark Howell, Steve Socki

DramaAnimation

After Arnold is assigned Mr. Hyunh’s name in the boarding house’s Secret Santa lottery, he vows to give the solitary resident the most memorable Christmas and sets out to locate Mr. Hyunh’s missing daughter. At the same time, Helga wrestles with how to find the ideal gift for Arnold.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Arnold’s Christmas yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Arnold’s Christmas (1996)

Trace every key event in Arnold’s Christmas (1996) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Arnold Draws Mr. Hyunh’s Name in Secret Santa

At the Sunset Arms boarding house, Arnold draws the name of Mr. Hyunh for the Secret Santa gift exchange. He notices that Mr. Hyunh seems particularly sad during the Christmas season and wants to get him a meaningful gift. This sets Arnold on a path to learn more about Mr. Hyunh's story and find a special gift for him.

2

Mr. Hyunh Recounts His Past in Vietnam

Arnold visits Mr. Hyunh, who shares his emotional story of fleeing Vietnam during the Fall of Saigon. He explains how he had to give up his infant daughter Mai to American soldiers to keep her safe. The story reveals his long-standing hope to find and reunite with her in the United States.

Sunset Arms boarding house
3

Mr. Hyunh’s Search for His Daughter

Having arrived in the United States as a refugee, Mr. Hyunh searches for his missing daughter Mai in Hillwood, but has been unsuccessful for twenty years. He remains overcome with despair, still holding onto hope that they will one day reunite. Arnold becomes determined to help him find Mai as a heartfelt Christmas mission.

Hillwood
4

Arnold Enlists Gerald’s Help

Arnold asks his best friend Gerald to help find Mai before Christmas Eve. They devise a plan to gather information from a busy public records employee who might have her details. Their goal is to locate Mai and reunite her with Mr. Hyunh in time for Christmas.

5

The Deal for Christmas Shopping

Arnold and Gerald agree to do the city employee's unfinished Christmas shopping in exchange for help accessing records. They focus on finding the last item on the list, a pair of brand-name snow boots, essential for completing their task and moving closer to finding Mai.

6

Helga Receives the Snow Boots

Helga, who has been secretly stalking Arnold, receives a pair of the coveted snow boots from her parents as a Christmas gift. She hesitates about giving them up, as they symbolize love from her neglectful parents and are a rare treasure, creating internal conflict over her next move.

7

Helga Decides to Help Arnold

Realizing Arnold’s mission, Helga decides to give her snow boots to the city employee to help find Mai. She approaches him just as he is leaving work, convinces him to track down Mai, and forfeits her precious gift for the sake of her heartwarming desire to help Arnold.

8

Reunion of Mr. Hyunh and Mai

Thanks to Helga’s help, Mr. Hyunh and Mai are reunited just in time for Christmas. Their touching reunion fills the scene with joy, symbolizing hope, love, and the healing power of the holiday season. Arnold watches on, overwhelmed by the emotional moment.

Christmas Eve City office
9

Arnold’s Shock and Gerald’s Explanation

Arnold is surprised that the reunion occurred in time, but Gerald explains to him that it was a Christmas miracle, perhaps a sign of a Christmas angel watching over them. This moment emphasizes the theme of miracles and the magic of Christmas giving.

10

Helga Watches from Outside

Helga, standing outside the building in her socks after leading Mai there, listens to the heartfelt reunion. She quietly whispers 'Merry Christmas, Arnold,' feeling a deep sense of fulfillment and hope. Her quiet gesture underscores her caring nature and unspoken feelings.

Christmas Eve Outside city office

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:14

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Arnold’s Christmas Summary

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Arnold’s Christmas Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Arnold’s Christmas

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Arnold’s Christmas

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Arnold’s Christmas Spoiler-Free Summary

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