Father Christmas Is Back

Caroline and her husband Peter welcome their three sisters, Joanna, Paulina, and Vicky, to their Yorkshire mansion for the Christmas Holiday. This gathering signifies an attempt to bring the family together despite underlying tensions.

On December 22, a mishap occurs when the Christmas tree crashes to the floor. Peter and his children, Daisey and Henry, take it upon themselves to redecorate the tree with homemade ornaments, trying to salvage the festive spirit.

Vicky is the first to arrive at the mansion, bringing a carefree spirit with her. Joanna follows next with her boyfriend Felix, while Paulina shows up on foot, all under the watchful eye of their uncle John.

Gathered by the tree, Joanna expresses disdain towards her niece and nephew, exerting her authority over them. In contrast, Vicky engages with the children, sharing items from her recent travels, highlighting the differences between the sisters.

The adults gather in the library, where Caroline presents an intricately planned holiday itinerary. However, tensions rise as Joanna loses her temper with Vicky after comments about age, leading Joanna and Felix to plan a retreat to the town.

In the kitchen, Vicky drops a bombshell about staying with their estranged father James and his girlfriend Jackie in Florida. The revelation shocks Joanna, Paulina, and Caroline, setting the stage for deeper family conflicts.

On Christmas Eve, tensions escalate when Vicky, without informing anyone, invites their father James and Jackie to join their Christmas celebration. The family dynamics shift as the sisters react to this unexpected reunion.

As the family engages with James and Jackie over tea, the sisters find themselves slipping away to criticize Jackie for her youth and American accent. This confrontation reveals their unresolved feelings about their father's past decisions.

Frustrated by her sisters’ criticisms, Vicky leaves the mansion in Felix's Rolls-Royce, causing further division within the family. This moment signifies her rebellion against their judgment and the strained relationship dynamics.

At the village pub, Vicky indulges in a night of reckless fun with the bartender, illustrating her escape from family tensions. In parallel, their mother also seeks solace, choosing to spend the night out with Uncle John.

On December 24, the family attends a church fundraising event where Vicky is selling Joanna's clothes at bargain prices. The humorous twist unfolds as Felix must participate in the event to win back his car, adding to the holiday chaos.

During lunch, tensions flare when John prevents James from speaking, leading to an outdoor confrontation. Unexpectedly, James proposes to Jackie, which only adds to the complexity of the family’s fraught history.

James apologizes to his daughters for abandoning them 27 years ago, offering explanations about his past. The unexpected invitation to join the family pub outing hints at possible reconciliation but is heavy with unresolved emotions.

Returning from their pub outing, the family is greeted by a surprise New York-style light display from Jackie. The excitement turns to chaos when the electrical circuits in the mansion blow out, plunging them into darkness.

On Christmas Day, the family faces ruined holiday preparations and chooses instead to spend the day serving meals at a nursing home. This act of kindness underscores the themes of family and forgiveness during a chaotic holiday.