That Christmas (2024) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Bernadette McNutt is characterized as a free-spirited local rebel who wants to shake things up during the annual school Christmas play. She introduces a more liberal twist to the traditional performance, which doesn't sit well with many parents in the community. This decision reflects her personality and desire to bring modern values into the town's established traditions.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Bernadette is established as someone who doesn't conform to traditional expectations, foreshadowing her bold decision.

• bernadette
• christmas play
• school
• rebel
• tradition

Danny Williams is a shy new arrival struggling to cope with his parents' recent divorce. He's also deeply distracted by his secret admiration for Sam Beccles. These overwhelming emotions cause him to lose focus and nearly miss his moment on stage during the Christmas play.

Foreshadowing: The story establishes Danny's shyness and his feelings for Sam early on, explaining his distraction.

• danny williams
• school play
• divorce
• sam beccles
• crush

Mrs. Williams is unaware that the school has been closed due to bad weather conditions from the blizzard. Her lack of awareness about the school closure leads to the comical situation of Danny being sent to a closed school.

Foreshadowing: The chaotic nature of holiday preparations is established early, showing how miscommunications can easily occur.

• mrs williams
• school closed
• snow day
• weather
• blizzard

On Christmas Eve, the Beccles twins must retrieve turkeys from Farmer Yirrell, who has been unable to deliver them due to the blizzard. While Sam distracts the farmer, Charlie tries to free the turkeys, leading to a chaotic chase. Charlie's recklessness creates tension between the twins, showcasing the sibling rivalry and loyalty conflicts during the stressful holiday preparations.

Foreshadowing: Charlie is established as mischievous earlier when she plays pranks, setting up her reckless behavior during the turkey incident.

• turkey
• charlie
• beccles
• farmer yirrell
• christmas eve

When the adults are stranded away from home due to the blizzard after a wedding, Danny takes initiative and uses the lighthouse to signal rescuers. His maturity and quick thinking help ensure the safe return of the stranded parents. This act earns him recognition as a hero in the eyes of his peers and the entire community.

Foreshadowing: Danny's growth throughout the film, from a shy distracted boy to someone who takes action, builds toward this heroic moment.

• danny
• lighthouse
• hero
• rescue
• snowstorm

Evie, Bernadette's sister, goes missing during the chaos of the snowstorm when the adults are stranded. After a frantic search by the community, Bernadette finds Evie taking shelter near the beach huts with several turkeys. The urgent search brings the entire town together and reinforces family bonds.

Foreshadowing: The escalating crisis of the blizzard and stranded adults creates the circumstances for Evie's disappearance.

• evie
• missing
• bernadette
• turkeys
• beach huts

After experiencing the challenges and triumphs of Christmas Day, including becoming a community hero, Danny is inspired to overcome his shyness. The events of the holiday, including his own growth and the supportive community atmosphere, give him the courage to finally ask Sam Beccles out. Their date leads to joyful celebrations at the beach where the whole town gathers.

Foreshadowing: Danny's attraction to Sam is established from the beginning, and his character arc builds toward this moment of courage.

• danny
• sam beccles
• date
• beach
• courage

When Santa visits Wellington-on-Sea on Christmas night, he brings gifts tailored to each child's behavior and situation. However, in the chaos of delivering presents to all the children, Santa mixes up the presents intended for the identical twin sisters, Charlie and Sam. This mix-up leads to a realization on Christmas morning about generosity and sibling love when Charlie must give her sister her due gifts.

Foreshadowing: The setup establishes that Santa personalizes gifts, which creates both joy and confusion.

• santa
• gifts
• twins
• mix-up
• christmas morning

The adults from the McNutt, Forrest, and Mulji families attend a wedding, leaving Bernadette in charge of watching all the children. This arrangement reflects the close-knit nature of the community and their reliance on one another during festive times. The adults become stranded longer than expected due to the snowstorm, leaving the kids to navigate Christmas Eve together.

Foreshadowing: The wedding planning is introduced earlier, establishing why the adults will be away.

• wedding
• bernadette
• kids
• adults
• blizzard

When the blizzard traps the adults on their way home from the wedding, the community must work together to ensure everyone's safety. Parents enlist help from neighbors, Danny uses the lighthouse to signal rescuers, and the entire town searches for the missing Evie. This crisis demonstrates the strength of community bonds and how personal sacrifices during challenging times bring people closer.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes Wellington-on-Sea as a close-knit community from the beginning.

• community
• snowstorm
• blizzard
• rescue
• evie

Charlie Beccles, known for her mischievous nature, teases Nisha Mulji, who is revealed to be a bully. Using her playful nature, Charlie embarrasses Nisha as the twins bike home with their parents. This moment establishes Charlie's character as someone who stands up to bullies in her own playful, though sometimes reckless, way.

Foreshadowing: Charlie is established as mischievous from the start, setting up her confrontations with Nisha.

• charlie
• nisha
• bully
• teasing
• beccles