Under the Christmas Tree

Under the Christmas Tree

Year: 2018

Runtime: 3 mins

Language: English

Director: Jenn Wexler

Comedy

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.

Hopeful
Happy ending
Emotionally light
Low intensity
Steady pacing
Simple story

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Under the Christmas Tree (2018)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Under the Christmas Tree (2018). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

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

Main Characters – Under the Christmas Tree (2018)

Meet the key characters of Under the Christmas Tree (2018), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

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

Major Themes – Under the Christmas Tree (2018)

Explore the central themes of Under the Christmas Tree (2018), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying 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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Under the Christmas Tree Summary

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Under the Christmas Tree Summary

Under the Christmas Tree Timeline

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Under the Christmas Tree Timeline

Under the Christmas Tree Spoiler-Free Summary

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Under the Christmas Tree Spoiler-Free Summary

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