Noelle

Kris Kringle, also known as Santa Claus, enters a house to deliver gifts and is spotted by his daughter Noelle. He teasingly asks her not to tell, but it's revealed he is playing along because she is his daughter. The family exchanges gifts, and Kris hints that Nick, her brother, is his successor, while Noelle is told she will spread Christmas cheer when she grows up.

Kris gives Nick a Santa hat and privately reveals that Nick is his chosen successor to carry on the Christmas legacy. He mentions that Noelle's role will be to help Nick spread cheer, which initially disappoints her but she accepts her future responsibilities.

In the present day, Nick has become the new Santa, working with Noelle and their cousin Gabe. Nick struggles with the responsibilities, often making mistakes like crashing the sleigh, while Noelle supports him and teaches him the ropes of being Santa.

After feeling overwhelmed with his Santa duties, Nick considers taking time off. Noelle suggests he take a weekend to unwind anywhere in the world, encouraging him to relax, which he agrees to do, leaving his duties temporarily behind.

The North Pole notices Nick's absence and panics over the possibility of Christmas going ahead without him. When it’s discovered that Noelle suggested the vacation idea, she is shunned by the elves, and Gabe is appointed as the new Santa according to regulations.

Noelle, with Polly’s help, suspects Nick went to Phoenix. She visits a private investigator, Jake Hapman, to find him, and eventually learns that Nick is teaching yoga at a studio. Noelle communicates with Nick and tries to persuade him to return.

Noelle bonds with Jake and his son Alex while trying to locate Nick. They check shelters and other places Nick might be. Noelle connects emotionally with Michelle, a deaf girl, using sign language, which helps her understand Nick’s location better.

Nick is discovered teaching yoga, still hesitant about returning to his Santa duties. Noelle arrives shocked to see him, and they discuss the seriousness of the North Pole’s situation, with Nick feeling unworthy and disconnected from the joy of being Santa.

Noelle helps Nick return to the North Pole using Snowcone, his pet reindeer. They arrive to find the situation worsening, with Gabe’s app wrongly categorizing many children as naughty, causing a crisis among the elves and the community.

Nick and Noelle disguise themselves as a mall Santa and elf to lift spirits. Nick struggles with the negativity from children misclassified as naughty by Gabe’s app, highlighting his doubts about fitting into the Santa role.

While fighting a mall Santa and security, Noelle is arrested, and the news about children being denied presents spreads widely, leading to her being placed in a psych ward due to mistaken beliefs about her mental state.

Jake bails Noelle out of the psych ward, and she confesses her true feelings about family, her purpose, and her connection to the North Pole. She then helps deliver Santa’s sleigh to return everyone to the North Pole.

Nick decides to step down as Santa and officially pass the role to Noelle, to her surprise. The elder elves agree that Noelle embodies the spirit of Santa, and she delivers a heartfelt speech about what Christmas means to her.

As the new Santa, Noelle struggles initially but quickly finds confidence through the support of the community and her own determination. She helps Michelle and others at the shelter, restoring the holiday magic and joy.

Noelle finishes her first successful Christmas as Santa, delivering gifts and bringing happiness to children. She expresses her fulfillment in spreading cheer and creating a meaningful life through giving, embracing her role and responsibilities.