The March Sisters at Christmas

Margaret announces she plans to sell the family house in Concord so the daughters can move on with their lives. The sisters, attached to the Orchard House, feel uneasy about leaving. She explains she wants to spend time with their father Robert, who was injured serving in Afghanistan, and she does not expect to be back for Christmas.

The sisters throw a costume party at Orchard House, inviting friends and neighbors. A power outage plunges the rooms into darkness, forcing them to snuggle under a blanket. Jo's friend Teddy attends, hoping for more than friendship, while Meg's ex John is among the guests.

The four sisters decide to tackle renovations themselves to save money, despite lacking the expertise and funds. They realize they can't simply pay for professional work, and progress will be slow. To stretch the budget further, they agree not to buy Christmas presents.

Teddy arrives with the tools and supplies the sisters need to begin the renovations, offering help rather than charity. The sisters reluctantly accept the loan, relieved to have what they need without absorbing more debt. The moment marks a turning point in their plan to take control of the renovation.

Beth performs on the piano at Uncle Jim's house, showcasing her talent and drawing attention to the family’s musical threads. Uncle Jim muses about giving them the piano, though he says he will miss having Beth play for him. The piano becomes a symbol of connection to the past and a possible gift to the sisters.

Amy, drawing on her theater experience, tries to upgrade the fusebox herself but accidentally starts a basement fire. The damage is contained to the basement, avoiding a bigger catastrophe. The family agrees that electrical work will require a licensed professional.

Meg juggle school and a relationship with Dan who will soon move to San Francisco, while John helps with the renovations and continues pursuing Meg. Meg creates a vision board with goals for Beth, hoping she could audition for Juilliard. Beth struggles with confidence but remains supported by her sisters.

Jo visits Greenfield Publishing and meets editor Marcus. Natalia, a 19-year-old celebrity, wants Jo to write her autobiography. Jo discovers she accidentally sent Marcus a manuscript from her own novel, and Marcus sees potential despite the publishing company's focus on profitable fare.

Jo's work is complicated by Natalia's project, and Amy tweets as Natalia, posting nude photos that harm a girl's reputation. Jo ends up losing her job as a result, highlighting the price of chasing fame and quick money. The sisters confront the negative fallout from social media and publicity stunts.

Thanksgiving brings a mix of warmth and conflict as the sisters attempt to move a new water heater into the basement. Uncle Jim arrives with the piano, delighting Beth who has finally gotten her own instrument. The family argues but also finds reasons to come together during the holiday.

The day after Thanksgiving, Marcus visits Jo and expresses interest beyond her writing, creating an awkward dynamic given their professional relationship. Jo is unsure how to navigate his attention while staying focused on her work. Meanwhile, Amy continues to recover from her earlier injury with the concussion limping but improving.

Amy tries to handle renovation tasks and falls, awakening a concussion that lands her in the hospital briefly. She returns home needing careful watch as she recovers. The sisters also celebrate Amy's 21st birthday, a rare moment of lightness amid the chaos.

Meg has broken up with Dan, and a few weeks later John proposes to Meg, who happily accepts. The engagement shifts the social terrain of the household and reinforces a sense of forward motion despite the financial strain. The event adds a hopeful note as winter approaches.

On Christmas Eve there are no traditional gifts because the sisters cannot afford them, but Beth finds meaningful items to wrap anyway. Their parents arrive home, with Robert on crutches but in good spirits, and the family debates whether to sell the house. They decide to stay together and to keep the family intact.

Marcus tells Jo that her novel will be published, recognizing the value of her writing beyond the Natalia project. He comes home to meet the family, and Teddy accepts that he and Jo can only be friends. The family ends the year with a sense of warmth and renewed commitment to each other.