WidowerTomBaer,aschoolcounselor,recentlymarriedschoolcoachCindyNoll,awidow.Theirrespectiveoffspringgetsalongfairlywell,despitedifferentparentingstyles,butastheirfirstChristmaswithallstep-siblingsapproaches,eachsetisdesperatetorespecttheirownseasonaltraditions,reminiscentoftheirlateparents.Tom'sfather,retiredpreacherJoeNoll,andCindy'smother-in-law(fromherdeceasedhusband,Dave),Evie,abusinesswoman,eachlikedbyboth,hopedtobridgethegap,butwhenthatfails,shereturnshomealone.Justthatgetsthekidsreconsideringtheirpoutingpact.