My Grown-Up Christmas List

This program is rated G

and is suitable for general audiences.

Ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas!

Ho-ho-ho!

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas.

Candy cane? There you go.

Merry Christmas, hi!

Merry Christmas! Hi.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

The lights... the music...

It's my favourite time of the year.

I'm pretty sure you're contractually obligated

to say that, wearing that suit.

Suit?

What suit? This is just me on a Tuesday.

Aren't you kinda young for Santa?

I mean, I usually picture him

with a little more seniority.

Maybe a bit more of a gut.

I'll let you in on a little secret.

It's the Christmas spirit that keeps me young.

That and a strict jogging routine.

Okay.

Good night.

Hey, um...

Mind if I get your name?

It's not on your list?

I thought you checked that thing twice.

Well, the elves have been slacking a bit this year.

They're a bit behind on their paperwork.

Got it. You blame the elves. Okay.

It's Taylor. Taylor Nichols.

Taylor Nichols. Oh, yes, I remember now.

Yes, I did spot that name on my list.

And was it on the "nice" column, or the "naughty" column?

You know, I've come here just about as far back

as I can remember, but I don't remember ever seeing you here.

Well, Santa,

that's 'cause it's my first Christmas back since...

Since I left a few years ago.

Well, let Santa be the first one to welcome you back.

So, Taylor Nichols, what do you want Santa

to bring you this year?

I'm sorry, I have to get going.

My grandfather's expecting me at his store, so...

Come on, everyone has a Christmas wish.

Something they want more than anything else in the world.

What is it?

Some Christmas wishes just can't be granted.

No matter how bright the lights,

or how beautiful the tree.

Christmas isn't about bright lights and ribbons.

It's about a feeling you get inside.

The feeling that even the most unlikely Christmas wish

could come true.

Taylor Nichols,

whatever that Christmas wish is,

I hope it comes true.

Candy cane?

Ho-ho-ho.

Oh, Merry Christmas!

Ho-ho-ho!

Wait, I didn't get your...

Ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas!

Name.

Santa.

Frank: Merry Christmas.

Grandpa Frank! Excuse me one moment.

There she is! Welcome home, kiddo!

Oh, it's so good to see you! You too!

How you doing, you doing okay? You're not too tired?

Those bus trips can take everything out of you.

No, I'm good, I'm good.

I'm just happy to be back here.

I'm sorry it was so last-minute. Work has been crazy.

That editor of yours still cracking the whip?

Like Santa with his reindeer. You know it.

It's busy in here. Last minute Christmas rush.

And it's just you?

Had trouble finding help.

Why don't I stay and help

and you and I close up together?

No, no, you're on vacation. Come on.

Grandpa, there's nowhere else I'd rather be

than right here with you.

I was hoping you'd say that.

Got one just your size!

I love it.

Woman: That's for you...

Man: Okay, thank you.

And... and... Go, go, go, go, go!

Yes!

Ho-ho-ho-ho!

Merry Christmas! Charlie: Hey, Luke!

Home just in time. Why don't you take a seat

and grab one of those glue guns and help us out.

Your mom and I are on a roll.

Yes, we just broke our old record by 15 seconds.

Wow. So if you could handle

the pasting, wreath-laying, and tissue paper,

and Charlie takes care of tinsel and chocolate,

I think we can get there in under a minute.

Charlie: Remember what I taught you.

The secret to the perfect Christmas gift basket

is structure.

It's all about a solid foundation of chicken-wire.

Lets the wicker hold the weight ten times.

Yes, Dad, I remember. You taught me well.

And how was your night?

Did you make any Christmas wishes come true?

It was pretty good. Yeah?

Yeah, I made a lot of kids laugh.

And a few adults, too. Ah!

Well, it's a very nice thing you did tonight.

The world could always use a little more holiday cheer,

and more men in uniform. And...

Charlie, are you sure you washed this thing out

after last Christmas?

I am putting this in the laundry.

Speaking of uniforms, son...

I just heard from my old friend, Clay Murphy.

Colonel Clay Murphy? That's right.

Seems you're impressing all the right people out there.

I heard promotion chatter.

Promotion?

I thought that would have taken years to achieve.

Honey, Luke just got home.

Do we really need to talk about him leaving?

No, you're certainly right.

Hey, Peggy, would you please pass me the packing tape?

And Luke?

Do you mind getting me another one of these eggnogs?

You know that that's my Christmas wish.

Do you guys have any more of those baskets?

Preferably one that's candy cane-themed?

Uh.. oh, yes!

Will this one do?

That's perfect.

Frank: What a day. Thanks for closing up with me.

Nothing like a bowl of hot and sour soup on Christmas Eve.

Reminds me of your mother.

Yeah.

She knew how to appreciate the good things in life,

your mother.

I've got something to show you.

You framed my first published article?

My first online published article,

which means you had it printed out?

Of course I framed it. That's what you do with a work of art.

I can't tell you how much I love reading your stories.

Like a special Christmas morning edition, every time.

That last one, with that quote from Charles Dickens?

"Remembrance, like a candle,

"burns brightest at Christmastime."

Makes me think of when we first bring the tree inside.

You know, suddenly the whole house smells like Christmas.

The smile on your mother's face,

just grinning with anticipation...

Or how the whole kitchen would come alive

when she'd bake a batch of her gingerbread cookies.

Right.

You know, mom used to tell me

the most important part of Christmas

is to take the time to truly savour it.

Because time is our most precious gift of all.

Speaking of time, Taylor,

how much longer do I have you here with me?

Three days, a week at best.

They need me back at the paper.

I'm actually supposed to be working while I'm here.

I have a few leads on a few human interest stories, so...

Just like your mom. Always on the clock.

I see so much of her in you.

I could say the same about you, Grandpa.

Your smile, your laugh.

The way you'd rather risk a stomach ache

than leave a single crumb on your plate.

You remind me of her, too.

Here's to running in the family!

I wonder who that is. Can't be carolers.

I think I scared them off last Christmas

bringing out my bagpipes.

Who was that? I don't know.

There's a note here.

It says, "From Santa."

I miss you, Mom.

Merry Christmas.

Taylor?

Taylor Nichols, right?

We met earlier tonight. I was all dressed in red,

fluffy white lapels.

"Ho-ho-ho"?

Well, if it isn't Santa Claus!

I'm surprised you can even recognize me without my beard.

How could I forget?

Meeting the real Santa.

I still have your gift.

It's a whole lot of candy cane, to be honest.