The Year Without a Santa Claus

Santa Claus awakens with a cold in early December, dreading his usual Christmas Eve journey. A sarcastic elf doctor quips that nobody cares about Christmas like they used to. He resolves to forego his annual task for the year.

Mrs. Claus assigns two elves, Jingle and Jangle, to seek proof of Christmas spirit. They prepare for a journey with Santa's youngest reindeer, Vixen, to a distant town. Their mission is to show that Christmas still exists.

Jingle and Jangle depart with Vixen and land in Southtown, a small town in the Southern United States. Their efforts to find Christmas spirit are fruitless so far. The mission stalls as they search for clues.

Vixen the reindeer is captured by a local dog catcher and taken to the town pound. The elves realize their search for Christmas spirit has stalled without their reindeer. They begin planning a rescue.

Hearing about Vixen's disappearance, Santa travels to Southtown disguised as a civilian named Klaus. He reconnects with a boy named Ignatius 'Iggy' Thistlewhite and learns about the town's troubles. Iggy decides to help after recognizing Santa's true identity.

Jingle, Jangle, and Iggy visit the town's mayor, who agrees to release Vixen if they can make it snow in Southtown. The plan hinges on proving that Christmas magic still exists in the town. The meeting highlights the town's dependence on a miracle to restore hope.

Mrs. Claus gathers the trio to request Snow Miser's help, but Snow Miser explains he cannot provide snow while Southtown lies in Heat Miser's domain. The stalemate underscores the challenge of delivering Christmas cheer. The team searches for a workaround.

The team confronts Heat Miser, who offers cooperation only if Snow Miser hands over the North Pole. His demand threatens Santa's home and the broader Christmas operation. No immediate agreement is reached.

As talks stall, Mrs. Claus declares she will go 'over their heads' to Mother Nature. She departs to seek intervention from the ancient force. Snow Miser and Heat Miser blame each other as they await news.

Mother Nature summons Snow Miser and Heat Miser and persuades them to compromise. The agreement allows Snow Miser to snow Southtown while Heat Miser grants one warm day at the North Pole. The balance preserves Christmas magic without surrendering either realm.

As Christmas approaches, children around the world send presents to Santa, generating international headlines. The outpouring of generosity rekindles Santa's spirit and reinforces his duty to deliver gifts. Hope spreads across nations as the pace of celebration builds.

Moved by global goodwill, Santa decides to embark on his Christmas Eve journey after all. He readies the sleigh and prepares to deliver gifts to children worldwide. Mrs. Claus affirms that 'yearly, newly, faithfully and truly, somehow Santa Claus always comes.'