The Christmas Listing

Melody Parris, a skilled perfume expert in Seattle, endures another dreary day at the department store. The day reinforces her sense of being stuck in a flavorless life, with a pompous boyfriend named George and an overbearing mother nearby. The stage is set for something to change over the Christmas season.

On the bus, Melody's best friend Naomi urges her to make a Christmas list for selfish fun. Melody is amused and receptive but is interrupted by a call from George, who is traveling home from a business trip. The idea of a personal wish list begins to take root.

That evening, Melody asks her mother if they could try a Dickens-style Christmas, hoping for warmth and tradition. Her mother shows reluctance, foreshadowing family tensions. The moment reveals how far Melody feels from her mother's approval.

The next day at work, Melody is passed over for a promotion to the head of the perfume department. A younger, less skilled coworker named April May lands the position, emphasizing speed over service. The setback intensifies Melody's sense of being undervalued.

Motivated, Melody decides to finish her Christmas list. After a playful moment with Naomi, she places the completed list into Santa's Mailbox at the department store via Naomi. The act marks the turning point where wishes begin to shape reality.

Danny Skylar, a boy who wants a perfume reminiscent of his late mother, can't afford it. Melody lends him the remaining money and, in gratitude, he adds her name to the sweepstakes entry for a brand-new Ford Mustang with his own. The small act binds them through a hopeful shared dream.

Danny's father, Dr. David Skylar, attends the drawing with Danny and Melody. They unexpectedly win the Mustang, but Melody is told that store rules prevent employees from entering drawings. Danny explains the mishap and offers to share the car with Melody until he can drive it legally.

Melody finds herself drawn to Danny's father, Dr. David Skylar, while the Mustang becomes a tangible symbol of new possibilities. They arrange a schedule to share the car, and the evening’s events set the stage for evolving connections. A sense of intimacy begins to blossom amid the holiday bustle.

That same night, a Christmas tree mysteriously appears in Melody's apartment. Melody's mother begins acting more maternal, and the family agrees to celebrate Christmas Dickens-style, signaling a shift in their dynamics. The small miracle foreshadows the changes to come.

Danny invites Melody to lunch to discuss things, but George joins them, leading to a tense confrontation. In a bold gesture, Melody pours creme brulee on George’s lap, signaling a break from their strained engagement. The moment underlines Melody's growing independence.

Faith, who is dating Dr. Skylar, fakes an engagement to eliminate competition and flaunts a fake ring. Melody learns of the ruse and responds by giving the Mustang to the Skylars to keep, a move that redefines loyalties. The deception accelerates the path toward real commitment.

George proposes, but Melody declines, and their argument prompts her mother to recoil. The mother finally reveals that she planted the Christmas tree to show pride in Melody, explaining the desire to prove her love. The revelation reshapes Melody's view of her family.

David, after learning about Faith's deceit, ends his relationship with Faith and drives to Melody's building to propose. Melody accepts, feeling validated and supported by this deeper connection. Danny witnesses the moment with a mix of relief and approval.

With her personal life finding stability, Melody begins a new life beside David and Danny, expanding her heart and her future. The list gradually reflects what she truly needs rather than merely wants, including the possibility of a baby. The ending emphasizes growth, family, and the holiday's transformative power.