My Secret Santa

My Secret Santa

Year: 2025

Runtime: 1 h 30 m

Language: english

Director: Mike Rohl

Echo Score: 60

A vivacious single mother (Alexandra Breckenridge), desperate for work, masquerades as a man to land the seasonal Santa job at an upscale ski‑resort. While playing the role, she finds herself drawn to the hotel’s manager (Ryan Eggold), and their budding romance threatens to expose her secret and jeopardize everything.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen My Secret Santa 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 – My Secret Santa (2025)

Trace every key event in My Secret Santa (2025) 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

Taylor is fired from Clotz's Cookies

Taylor loses her job at Clotz's Cookies just before Christmas, leaving her worried about rent and providing for her daughter Zoey. The setback pushes her to look for any opportunity that could help them survive the holidays. She begins hoping Sun Peak resort might offer a chance to turn things around.

Just before Christmas Clotz's Cookies
2

Taylor hunts for a Santa job at Sun Peak after overhearing a dire need

Desperate for work, Taylor overhears Natasha explain that Sun Peak desperately needs a Santa. With Zoey in mind, she decides to pursue the role by disguising herself. Her plan hinges on convincing the interviewers she can embody Santa for the resort’s holiday season.

Interview prep day Sun Peak resort
3

Disguise as Hugh: Taylor, Eric and Kenny pull off an elderly man disguise

Taylor enlists her brother Eric and their partner Kenny to disguise her as an elderly man named Hugh. They set up the disguise to apply for the Santa role at Sun Peak. The ruse is risky, but it could provide the family with a needed paycheck.

During the Santa recruitment Sun Peak resort – marketing/interview area
4

Interview scene: Matt, Natasha push to hire Hugh

Matthew Layne and the resort team arrive late to the interview, creating a tense moment. Natasha urges Matthew to approve Hugh despite the obvious disguise. The decision looms as scrutiny from others increases.

Interview day Sun Peak interview room
5

A past connection surfaces: the used record shop

Matthew senses a familiarity with Hugh and recalls meeting him earlier in a used record shop. Taylor had once performed with her teen band, The Screaming Kittens, in that same shop. The memory hints at a personal history that could complicate the ruse.

Earlier Used record shop
6

Doralee pursues Hugh to win him over

Doralee, the building superintendent and lonely neighbor, grows friendly with Hugh and attempts to seduce him to gain his favor. She believes getting on good terms with him could ease her own life and perhaps rekindle a spark she imagines. The flirtation adds tension to the ongoing deception.

Leading up to resort events Taylor's building
7

Hugh's interactions with kids draw scrutiny

At the resort, Matthew reprimands Hugh for spending time with the children, worried it might influence their Christmas wishes. Hugh argues his role is to help parents and connect with kids. Meanwhile, Matthew privately asks about Taylor, showing he can't get her out of his mind.

Early days at the resort Sun Peak resort – kids' area
8

Zoey's wish and The Screaming Kittens reveal

Zoey asks about her Christmas wish and, after a search, discovers hints that Taylor used to rock as part of The Screaming Kittens. The revelation deepens their bond and challenges Taylor to confront the truth about who she is. Zoey's curiosity helps her warm to Hugh's persona in the moment.

Before the party Zoey's world
9

Hugh goes viral with a heartwarming moment

As 'Hugh' interacts with the kids, a video of him helping a girl with a stutter goes viral. The public adores him, and he earns an invitation to the resort's Christmas party. The sudden fame complicates the disguises and the growing feelings between Taylor and Matthew.

Shortly after the video Sun Peak resort – social media
10

Taylor reveals her pregnancy to Matthew

In a private moment, Taylor confesses her pregnancy and the reasons she took on the Santa role for Zoey. Matthew shares his own family history, revealing his stubbornness since his mother died when he was fifteen. The exchange deepens their emotional connection.

Daytime before party Resort lounge
11

Ski lesson and a growing bond

Matthew teaches Taylor how to ski, and when she falls, he helps her to her feet. The moment helps them reconnect and cements their attraction. He then invites Taylor to the resort's Christmas party, setting up the next crucial turning point.

Daytime Sun Peak slopes
12

Party confrontation and Zoey's injury

At the Christmas party, Natasha confronts Hugh's identity after failing to find him online. Taylor toggles between the disguise and her red dress with help from Eric and Kenny, but a misstep leads to a tense reveal when Zoey is hurt on the slope. The crowd witnesses the unraveling facade.

Night Sun Peak resort – Christmas party
13

Unmasking, firing, and new beginnings

Taylor unguards her true self to the crowd, apologizing for the deception and explaining the motive of providing for Zoey. Robert fires Matthew, while Taylor receives support from Ava and others as the viral video spreads. The stage is set for a hopeful future built on honesty and kindness.

After party Resort main hall

Last Updated: January 06, 2026 at 10:49

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with festive disguises and holiday romance like My Secret Santa

Lighthearted stories where a seasonal disguise leads to unexpected romance.If you enjoyed the charming deception in My Secret Santa, you'll love these other movies where holiday disguises lead to laughter and love. This list features feel-good stories with mistaken identities, lighthearted secrets, and romantic reveals set against a festive backdrop.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a protagonist who assumes a false identity, typically for a job or personal gain, during a holiday season. This creates a central source of gentle tension and comedy as they navigate relationships while hiding their true self. The plot builds towards an inevitable but heartwarming reveal that strengthens bonds and leads to a happy resolution.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared premise of a lighthearted secret identity plot intertwined with holiday romance. They deliver a consistent vibe of festive cheer, gentle comedy, and the uplifting feeling of being truly seen and accepted for who you are.

Gentle uplifting comedies of self-discovery like My Secret Santa

Hopeful stories about finding your true self and a fresh start.Fans of the hopeful and gentle vibe of My Secret Santa will enjoy these other movies about second chances and finding yourself. These selections share a light tone, steady pacing, and a focus on uplifting character arcs, perfect for when you want a feel-good story.

upliftingfeel-goodhopefulgentlecomicheartwarmingoptimisticcomforting

Narrative Summary

The emotional journey focuses on a protagonist overcoming a personal or professional hurdle, often through a new opportunity or relationship. The conflict is straightforward and serves to highlight the character's inner strengths and capacity for change. The narrative unfolds at a steady pace, emphasizing character development and heartfelt moments that lead to a satisfying and optimistic conclusion.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups movies that share a specific blend of tone and emotional weight: they are consistently light, hopeful, and gently comic. They avoid heavy drama and disturbing themes, focusing instead on uplifting personal transformations and positive outcomes, making them perfect for a comforting watch.

Unlock the Full Story of My Secret Santa

Don't stop at just watching — explore My Secret Santa in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what My Secret Santa is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

My Secret Santa Summary

Read a complete plot summary of My Secret Santa, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

My Secret Santa Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in My Secret Santa

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape My Secret Santa. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in My Secret Santa

My Secret Santa Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of My Secret Santa? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

My Secret Santa Ending Explained

My Secret Santa Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of My Secret Santa that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

My Secret Santa Spoiler-Free Summary

More About My Secret Santa

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about My Secret Santa: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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