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Under the Christmas Tree (2018) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Under the Christmas Tree (2018) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 3 mins · English
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Directed by
Jenn Wexler
Starring
Anastasia Veronica Lee

Produced as part of Glass Eye Pix's 2018 Creepy Christmas Film Festival, this short film is the sixteenth installment in the series. Each film draws inspiration from a holiday-themed word, and this one is based on the concept of “jingle bells.” It’s a darkly imaginative piece, designed to offer a chilling twist on traditional Christmas imagery.

Comedy Cast, crew & box office
On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (7)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (4)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Every angle
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7 main characters · contains spoilers

Under the Christmas Tree Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Under the Christmas Tree (2018), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Charlie Freemont

    A seasoned 'tree whisperer' sent to locate a ceremonial Christmas tree for the state capital. She is practical, determined, and capable of bending rules to achieve her goal, even as her feelings for Alma complicate the mission.

    • 🎯 Determined
    • 💖 Romantic
    • 🧭 Resourceful

  • Alma Beltran

    Owner of a century-old Christmas goods business who fiercely protects tradition. She resists modernization and initially refuses to let the family tree be cut, showing loyalty to her parents and the community even as she opens up to Charlie.

    • 🎯 Headstrong
    • 🏬 Family-Owned
    • 🎄 Tradition

  • Rohan

    Charlie's assistant who supports the mission and helps navigate personal and professional obstacles. She keeps the team on track and carries messages that complicate Charlie's relationship with Alma.

    • 🧭 Loyal
    • 🤝 Supportive
    • 💡 Proactive

  • Sonal

    Rohan's mother and Charlie's boss, pressuring for results while juggling the bigger picture of the tree project and the office politics that come with it. She pushes for decisive action, sometimes clashing with personal sentiment.

    • 👩‍💼 Boss
    • 🎯 Demanding
    • 🌟 Motivational

  • Mrs. Beltran

    Alma's mother, a custodian of the family business, who shares knowledge about the gingerbread competition and the town's traditions. She anchors the Beltran family's ties to Camden's community.

    • 👩‍👧 Family-Oriented
    • 🕰 Traditionalist

  • Mr. Beltran

    Alma's father and retiring proprietor of the century-old Christmas goods business, whose decisions shape the family’s approach to the new era.

    • 🕰 Traditionalist
    • 👨‍👩‍👧 Family Man

  • Marie

    Owner of the pâtisserie where Charlie and Alma meet; her friend circle and shop bring warmth to the story and provide a setting for romantic moments.

    • 🍰 Hostess
    • 🥐 Local Patron

Last updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:29

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Setting

Where and When Does Under the Christmas Tree Take Place?

The setting of Under the Christmas Tree (2018): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Location

Camden, Maine, Augusta, Maine

Camden is a coastal Maine town where a century-old Christmas goods business anchors the community. The Beltrans' shop and the annual gingerbread decorating competition shape local life, especially during the holiday season. The town's festivities culminate in the Camden tree lighting ceremony held in the state capital, Augusta, and nearby reforestation projects echo the movie's themes of nature and renewal.

  • ❄️ Coastal
  • 🧭 Small-town
  • 🎄 Christmas Tradition
  • 🏬 Family Business

Last updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:29

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4 major themes

Under the Christmas Tree Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Under the Christmas Tree (2018) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Holiday Romance

    The relationship between Charlie and Alma evolves from professional tension to budding romance as they share moments around the tree and the gingerbread contest. Their chemistry complicates the decision about cutting or securing the tree, reflecting how personal feelings influence community responsibilities. The romance provides warmth amid a story rooted in tradition and choice.

  • Heritage

    The Beltrans' century-old Christmas goods business embodies a deep sense of family heritage and local craft. Alma resists modernizing plans that would move their warehouse, highlighting the tension between preserving tradition and pursuing growth. The conflict centers on keeping the family legacy intact while confronting changing market forces.

  • Reforestation

    When the initial tree plan falls through, Charlie and Alma discover a new tree in a nearby reforestation area, guided by the owl Charlie saved in a previous year. The storyline links environmental stewardship with community renewal, framing a path toward a more sustainable future for Camden. Charlie's later ambition to join the reforestation project reinforces this theme of renewal through nature.

  • Gingerbread

    The annual gingerbread decorating competition becomes a catalyst for connection between Charlie and Alma, pairing them as rivals turned partners. Their shared victory fuels trust and softens tensions over the tree issue. The contest demonstrates how small-town traditions can bridge personal and professional divides.

Last updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:29

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Character & theme questions

Under the Christmas Tree Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Under the Christmas Tree (2018): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

What Maine town is this Christmas movie set in?

The movie is set in Camden, a coastal town in Maine, with key scenes also taking place in Augusta, the state capital. Camden is described as a community centered around a century-old Christmas goods business owned by the Beltran family, and the annual gingerbread decorating competition is a central tradition in this small town.

  • camden maine
  • augusta maine
  • setting
  • christmas town
  • small town
Q2

Who is Charlie Freemont in the story?

Charlie Freemont is a seasoned 'tree whisperer' who is sent to locate a ceremonial Christmas tree for the state capital. She is practical, determined, and capable of bending rules to achieve her goals. Throughout the story, her personal feelings for Alma complicate her professional mission, adding emotional depth to the narrative.

  • charlie freemont
  • tree whisperer
  • main character
  • protagonist
Q3

What is Alma Beltran's family business?

Alma Beltran owns a century-old Christmas goods business in Camden, Maine. This family enterprise has been a pillar of the community for generations, specializing in Christmas merchandise and traditions. Alma fiercely protects this heritage and resists modernization efforts that would move their warehouse, reflecting the story's theme of preserving family legacy.

  • alma beltran
  • christmas goods business
  • family business
  • heritage
  • tradition
Q4

What is the holiday romance theme about?

The holiday romance centers on the relationship between Charlie and Alma, which evolves from professional tension to a budding romance. As they share moments around the Christmas tree and the gingerbread contest, personal feelings increasingly influence their decisions about community responsibilities. This romance provides warmth and emotional core to the story.

  • holiday romance
  • charlie and alma
  • romantic storyline
  • love story
Q5

What does the heritage theme explore?

The heritage theme focuses on the Beltran family's century-old Christmas goods business and the tension between preserving tradition and pursuing growth. Alma resists modernization plans that would move their warehouse, defending her family's legacy. The conflict explores how communities balance honoring their roots while adapting to changing times.

  • heritage
  • family tradition
  • legacy
  • preservation
  • beltran family
Q6

What role does reforestation play in the movie?

Reforestation is a key theme that connects environmental stewardship with community renewal. When the initial tree plan falls through, Charlie and Alma discover a replacement tree in a nearby reforestation area, guided by an owl Charlie saved in a previous year. This storyline frames a path toward a more sustainable future, with Charlie later aspiring to join the reforestation project.

  • reforestation
  • environmentalism
  • nature
  • sustainability
  • christmas tree
Q7

What is the gingerbread decorating competition about?

The annual gingerbread decorating competition is a beloved tradition in Camden that brings the community together. The contest becomes a catalyst for connection between Charlie and Alma, pairing them as rivals who eventually become partners. Their shared victory builds trust and helps soften tensions over the tree decision, demonstrating how small-town traditions can bridge personal and professional divides.

  • gingerbread competition
  • tradition
  • camden
  • community
  • contest
Q8

What is the significance of the Christmas tree for the state capital?

Charlie Freemont is tasked with finding a ceremonial Christmas tree to be displayed in Augusta, the state capital. This mission brings her to Camden and drives the main conflict of the story. The tree represents both a professional responsibility and a connection to the town's natural resources and community values.

  • christmas tree
  • augusta
  • ceremonial tree
  • state capital
  • mission

Movie threads

More Movies Like Under the Christmas Tree, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Under the Christmas Tree tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Cozy Holiday Romance Movies like Under the Christmas Tree

Gentle stories where festive traditions help new love and personal growth blossom. If you enjoyed the warm, festive romance of Under the Christmas Tree, you'll love these movies. Discover similar gentle stories where holiday traditions bring people together, leading to new love and happy endings in a cozy, comforting atmosphere.

  • cozy
  • romantic
  • festive
  • hopeful
  • gentle
  • warm
  • Tone: hopeful, warm
  • Pacing: steady, gentle
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow one or more characters at a personal crossroads who find connection and purpose during the holidays. A low-stakes conflict, often related to family, business, or tradition, serves as a catalyst for romance and self-discovery, culminating in an unambiguously happy and hopeful resolution.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific combination of a festive, cozy setting, a lighthearted romantic plot, and a gentle, hopeful tone. They are united by their feel-good nature, low intensity, and focus on positive emotional outcomes, making them perfect for viewers seeking comfort and uplift.

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Christmas Wedding Planner movie poster

Christmas Wedding Planner

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My Santa movie poster

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Movies about Community and Belonging like Under the Christmas Tree

Character-driven tales where a small town or tight-knit group fosters belonging. Fans of Under the Christmas Tree who appreciated its themes of community and finding a new home will enjoy these selections. Explore similar movies with a steady pace and light emotional weight, where characters build connections and discover where they truly belong.

  • community
  • hopeful
  • gentle
  • comforting
  • character-driven
  • warm
  • Tone: hopeful, comforting
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves an outsider or someone at a transition point being welcomed into a group—be it a town, a family, or a workplace. The conflict is minimal and revolves around acceptance and collaboration, leading to a resolution that strengthens community ties and provides a sense of fulfillment for the protagonist.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared emphasis on community as a central force for positive change. They possess a similar steady rhythm, light emotional touch, and hopeful outlook, creating a consistently warm and satisfying viewing experience focused on human connection.

Come to the Stable movie poster

Come to the Stable

1949
What Happens Next movie poster

What Happens Next

2011
Results movie poster

Results

2015
Happy Days movie poster

Happy Days

2007
Faith Based movie poster

Faith Based

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Chance movie poster

Chance

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Book Club movie poster

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Every angle

Under the Christmas Tree (2018) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Under the Christmas Tree in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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