It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?

Liam, good morning!

We were getting a little Christmas cheer.

Oh!

I know it's only three weeks until Christmas,

but it just doesn't feel like the holidays

until we get some of Carly's reindeer Christmas cookies.

I was just going to get some myself.

Like father, like son.

Actually, they're not for me.

Strafford Candle is having their opening ceremony

for the Christmas Spirit Competition,

and I hear the owner has a notorious sweet tooth.

Ooh.

Are we still meeting tomorrow

to decorate the Mayor's Residence?

Mom, again...

West Riverton is not big enough to have a "residence."

It's just my house.

Isn't that what they say you're supposed to decorate

in the first round of the competition?

You can call it what you want, but yes,

the volunteers are supposed to show up

bright and early tomorrow.

Will there be more cookies?

Oh. Ignore him.

West Riverton is gonna win this year!

That's right.

I've been telling everyone

the Strafford Candle will be named after our time.

"West Riverton Pine."

No... "Candy Cane."

Ask for a candy cane candle.

Oh, I love going every year

to see the town that wins.

And that's gonna be us, this year.

In the bag.

I mean, if East Riverton

could make it into the final round last year--

Please, don't remind me.

Ah. Still stings, huh?

No. Their mayor reminds me every chance she gets.

Sarah's gotta be

the most competitive person I have ever known.

She's been that way since we were kids.

I'm guessing she'd probably say the same thing about you.

I'm not competitive. I'm...

enthusiastic.

Yeah?

I mean, I love this town,

I love the people, I love the competition,

because, well, that's how we celebrate every year.

That's the Christmas spirit.

And I am gonna love it

when we beat East Riverton this year.

- Yes! - Cookies!

Later, son.

All right.

Thanks, Sarah.

Tricia, thank you.

Your snowman-shaped cookies are perfect,

and so much cuter

than the reindeer ones that they have in West Riverton.

Well, good, because we have to go all out

to beat them and win this year.

We are starting first thing tomorrow,

decorating the "Mayor's Residence."

You mean our house?

Yes. But this is gonna make it spectacular.

Well, with you as Mayor, how could it be anything else?

Oh, thank you.

- Bye, Justin. - Bye!

- See ya. - Bye.

So, Mom, have you thought

of what you want for Christmas yet?

Honey, I'm gonna love anything that you get me.

That doesn't help.

Okay. Well, you could, um, make me something.

Like the finger painting of the snowmen

that you did that one year.

I was 5 then. I'm 14 now, Mom.

Okay, okay. Um...

Well, I could use a new car. How about a new car?

You'd have to seriously raise my allowance.

Dad, Mom wants me...

to buy her a car for Christmas.

Really? Well, she should put that in her letter to Santa.

Ah.

- Good morning. - Hey.

So we're going to Enzo's place tonight.

Do you want to come with us?

You know what? I-I can't tonight, bud.

Linda and I have a date night planned.

But you and me are gonna spend the whole afternoon together

tomorrow after school.

What are you guys gonna do?

We're gonna help decorate the Mayor's house

over in West Riverton.

Frank, you're helping Liam?

Okay, Sarah, come on.

You've really got to let this rivalry go.

Yeah, come on, I mean,

Christmas is about coming together.

You know, "goodwill toward men."

Yes, of course it is,

and we will absolutely do that, after we win.

Okay! Well, on that merry note,

come on, let's get you to school.

- Come on. Hugs. - Bye

That's my boy.

Oh...

you little stealer!

Hurray!

Thank you all so much for coming out.

That was amazing!

We need more lights.

On the tree?

No, for my house. For the competition.

When we turn those lights on,

the entire Eastern Seaboard should experience a brownout.

We only have enough left in the budget

to maybe blow a few fuses

in New Hampshire and parts of Maine.

But we can go to the big Christmas store

on Highway 40.

They have discounts when you buy in bulk.

No, Kendall,

you're the President of the Town Council.

You have to learn to delegate.

You picked that tree and set it up yourself.

Yes, well, I saw

what Sarah got for East Riverton's City Hall,

and ours is so much better.

I should get going

if I'm gonna make it to the opening ceremony on time.

You said you wanted to stop and pick up some fruitcake

at the coffee shop, too.

Right. Thank you.

Mm.

You know, I really think that, uh...

Sarah's probably getting a ton of lights to decorate her house.

I'll look at the budget.

Who needs snowplows, right?

Yale... I love this.

We can put them over the fireplace in your house

and have a concert for the judges

as they walk in.

It's perfect.

I think that takes care of what we're doing

for round one of the competition.

If we make it to round two...

"When" we make it to round two.

We have everything ordered

for the Christmas carnival in town hall--

which was a great idea, by the way.

Round two is all about showing off

the fun side of Christmas in East Riverton.

What's more fun than games and food?

We are gonna win this year.

I can feel it.

Do you think that the winner will get

the new distribution center that Strafford Candle is planning?

Well, it's not part of the prize,

but I think it's a possibility.

I mean, the owner of the company loves Christmas.

Whichever town wins could be a frontrunner.

And we've got all that land out by the old mill

that would be perfect for it.

Ohh. Fingers crossed.

Thanks.

Oh, uh...

Uh, didn't you say you wanted

to stop to get a coffee before you went to the ceremony?

Yes. Thank you.

- Sarah. - Liam.

You have everything you need

for the ceremony at Stafford Candles?

Oh, yes. All set. Thank you.

And you're all good?

Couldn't be better. We'll see you later.

After you.

Oh, no, no, after you. Please, I insist.

No, no. You go ahead.

Please--

Okay! Will one of you please go first?

You're letting all the heat out!

Do you think this will work?

Well, the more we get them together,

the more they have to be nice to each other.

Maybe it'll finally stick.

This would make my job so much easier.

Ohh, it would make my life a lot easier.