Christmas in Crumbs (2021) - full transcript
♪ ...A Happy New Year ♪
♪ We wish you a Merry
Christmas ♪
♪ We wish you a Merry
Christmas ♪
♪ We wish you a Merry
Christmas ♪
♪ ...and a Happy New Year ♪
♪ Good tidings we bring ♪
♪ To you and your kin ♪
♪ Good tidings for Christmas
and a Happy New Year ♪
♪ Now bring us... ♪
Righty tightey,
lefty Loosey.
Not your right,
my right.
What? No?
No.
That's what I'm doing.
We have the same right.
This is impossible.
You have to start at the plugin,
silly.
You do know that we can
buy trees with lights
already on them, right?
Where's the fun in that?
Mum, where are
Nani's ornaments?
Well, I thought it would be
interesting to try
a new theme for
the tree this year.
Everything candy
cane striped.
-Okay, but...
-Calm down.
We've had them
since we were kids.
Calm down, Mira.
They are here.
Woah, Woah, Mom.
You have to let Mira know about
changes six months in advance.
Don't tease your sister,
beta.
Mira...
I learned a long time ago
never argue with your mother
when she's feeling inspired.
Why do we have to decorate
on Thanksgiving anyway?
I mean we could be doing
literally anything else.
Like watching football.
You don't watch football.
Nani always decorated
at Thanksgiving every year
because everything gets busy
after that.
Come on Manisha.
You know that Christmas is
fruitcake's time to shine.
Not that shiny these days.
Don't say such things.
You must honor the sanctity
of fruitcake.
You know, if they
don't go virtual
we could start selling them
as eco-friendly bricks.
Biodegradable yet impossible
to destroy.
Our fruitcakes are deliciously
tender and light.
There she goes.
And the very reason you have
that sweater upon your back.
You know, I actually got this
from the mall.
Mom and Dad started
Varma Fruitcakes
with nothing but a dream and our
Nani's Kerala Christmas Cake.
Actually, there's something
we want to tell you. Mira?
It's true.
Business has been slower
the last couple of years.
But your mother and I
have a plan.
Mm-hmm.
What plan?
We've hired a top tier
consulting company
to handle this year's holiday
advertising campaign.
What?
Who?
We always do our
own ad campaigns.
Phillips Woolsey Consulting.
Hmm.
Change it to a blue dress.
Blue elicits emotional
trust from shoppers.
Good morning, Dad.
Morning Brady.
Can I interest you
in a peppermint latte?
My assistant swears it'll put
you right into a holiday mood,
but I'm not so sure.
I think I'll pass.
It tastes like somebody
accidentally put toothpaste
in my coffee.
I don't know, I think they're
sort of festive.
Okay.
The Christmas madness
has begun.
And amen to that.
All those people down there,
scurrying about to buy presents.
It's the season
we love the most,
because what do we say,
my son?
Christmas is the ultimate
ad campaign.
Your grandfather coined
that phrase
and it has made us
the number one
consulting firm in the world.
And speaking of Christmas,
pass me that folder.
That one.
I have... thank you.
A project for you.
Varma Fruitcakes.
Mm-hmm.
Never heard of them.
You will.
Mom.
I have looked up
Phillips Woolsey,
and I just don't know.
How can we afford this?
Don't worry.
Trevor Phillips is an old friend
of your father's from college.
I have never heard Dad
say anything about him.
Well you don't know everything
about us.
We could be criminals
living a double life.
Mom, I'm being serious.
We have money in
the emergency fund.
Is this an emergency?
Sweetheart, people
don't appreciate fruitcake
the way they used to.
Things will pick up
by Christmas.
Think. What did Nani always
used to say?
Beti, we think it's time
to try something new.
I have new ideas.
We could do in-store tastings
in all the local markets.
We can dress Manisha up
like a reindeer.
Daddy and I would never want
to leave you kids
with a sinking ship.
Mom, it is not a sinking ship.
That's why we've hired
Daddy's friend.
And if this doesn't work,
then you need to understand
that we might have to make
some hard decisions
about the future of
Varma Fruitcakes.
You would consider
shutting down?
Try not to worry, beti.
Trevor Phillips is the best
of the best.
Okay.
I love you Mom.
Fruitcake?
They're a small regional
family-run company.
In the era of 3D printed
gingerbread houses,
fruity doorstops isn't exactly
a hot holiday commodity.
I admit they're not
our usual client.
But Avi Varma is an old friend
and I'd like to help him.
It's a little late to launch a
holiday campaign for this year.
Although we could plant seeds
for next season.
They are struggling, Brady.
I don't know if they're going
to have another holiday season
if they don't see some growth.
Is that cold business heart
of yours
turning into a marshmallow?
They're paying customers.
And it might be a feather
in our cap
if we can sell the unsellable.
Okay.
Not marshmallow.
Maybe nougat, the sticky kind
that ruins your dental work.
I've had Finn book your hotel.
You'll both leave first thing
in the morning.
All right.
Varma Fruitcakes.
It's time you become the most
coveted of holiday treats.
I told Manisha to have them
ship everything
to the back entrance.
Hey, can I have somebody please
move all these boxes?
Woah!
Gotcha.
-Thanks.
-Yeah.
Um, all of the shipping and
receiving should be processed
at the back entrance.
Safety reasons.
I'm not the delivery man.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
Are you a customer?
Let me help you.
Sorry about all the boxes.
What are you doing here?
Working.
Uh, you're never here
this early
and I didn't even hear you
leave the house.
Uh, I'm the special
projects manager,
and well, this is
a special project.
Where'd you get
these ribbons?
Oh, this is a joke, right?
I gave them to her,
and it's not a joke.
Okay.
Who are you and
what is going on?
Brady Phillips.
Phillips Woolsey Consulting.
And this is my associate,
Finn Webber.
I thought your name
was Trevor.
That's my father.
You can think of me as a special
projects manager too.
Well, I know that you're new
around here,
but Varma Cakes are wrapped
in red and green ribbon.
It's tradition.
Well these particular cakes
are part of a small batch
limited edition run.
We're marketing them
in conjunction with this year's
annual color tone holiday hues.
It's super on trend.
Okay. Well, if you want to hold
onto that idea
for just a few minutes,
you know,
I'm going to run it
past my father.
He's the boss.
Well, feel free to speak
to Avinash.
But your parents have given
Finn and I carte Blanche
over the new campaign.
We have to rush to get them
to market on time.
Oh. Well, all the same
I do think he should know
what you're planning
before we make any
final decisions, right?
Standard procedure.
I trust Brady.
He doesn't like to brag
or anything
but he's singlehandedly
responsible
for scrunchies
coming back in style.
Oh.
Not sure they should have.
Thank you, I will look
this over.
Excuse me.
Okay for real, scrunchies?
We need to keep going.
Dad, morning.
Have you seen what that man
is doing with our bows?
Tying the knot?
Hot pink? Really?
Manisha said these are
the cool new colors
according to social media.
Oh, so now this is some kind
of fashion show?
I don't think this Brady guy
knows anything about fruitcake.
Yeah, but what is there
to know, beti?
Flour, sugar, eggs.
Well, these are his ideas.
This guy isn't even wearing
a shirt.
It's shameless.
Do you have his number?
Dad.
Lookit, I mean, if I had abs
like that,
which I obviously don't,
I wouldn't wear
a shirt either.
Dad.
I don't think he knows anything
about us, or Nani,
or the company.
I think you guys should've
talked to me about this first.
The reason we didn't tell
you sooner
is we didn't want you to worry.
It's our job to worry.
It's your job to teach him
everything there is to know
about fruitcake.
Fine. I'm taking it
to senior management.
Oh no!
Go right ahead and tell her
that I love her
more than I did the day
I married her.
Mom.
So, you've already met Brady.
Mm-hmm.
Isn't he handsome?
No.
Mom, focus.
Did you tell Brady that he could
use those ugly Easter ribbons
on our beautiful
Christmas cakes?
Glad you're taking it so well.
Your father was afraid
you might overreact.
I'm not overreacting.
Ah! There you are.
Brady, our Mira knows
everything there is to know
about Varma Fruitcakes.
Oh.
Beti, why don't you give Brady
the full tour?
I'm looking forward
to learning more.
Okay. Well, um, after you.
Oh no, no. I insist.
Did you see the way he looked
at her?
Okay, there is hope.
Our store front.
You're familiar.
Okay, so Mira...
Um, do you prefer
Beti or Mira?
Mira.
Beti means daughter.
Oh.
It's like a term
of endearment.
Well, it's very rural.
Mm-hmm.
Is this your only location?
Yes. This is our
only storefront.
My parents bought this farm back
when they started the company.
But it works out just fine
for us.
Most of our foot traffic
is only seasonal.
But we do bake, pack, and ship
from here as well.
And online sales?
Jay handles our website.
And my father believes in
talking to our customers,
so a lot of our sales are done
over the phone.
Good morning,
I'll be right there.
This is where the real
magic happens.
Good morning.
Delia, your niece made me the
most beautiful thank you card.
It's so cute.
She drew us holding hands
and eating fruitcake.
Well she said she got the best
report in the whole first grade.
Aww.
But that might be because
she handed out cake.
Oh, this is Mr. Phillips.
He'll be around for the next
few weeks.
He's working on a new Christmas
marketing campaign.
Nice to meet you.
You too.
Varma Fruitcakes are handmade
using my Nani's
100-year-old recipe.
Hmm, a treasured family secret.
And although it's considered
fruitcake in the United States,
it's actually a traditional plum
cake from Kerala in India.
That's good to know.
You know it lends the brand
unique character.
Every batch contains a special
blend of spices.
What's in this spice blend?
Only three people have ever
had that information.
My Nani, my mother,
and now me.
And it's going
to stay that way.
Until I have my own son
or daughter.
Shall we continue?
Mm-hmm.
You see, what makes Varma
Fruitcakes so special
is that it's steeped
in tradition.
A good ad campaign can
make a customer think
that something new
is already an old tradition
it won't be Christmas without.
You can't fake tradition.
Hmm...
Would you like a coffee?
Oh, always.
Nothing can be a tradition
until it's shared
with someone special.
And you can't get that
from a billboard.
I beg to differ.
Okay.
Um, why don't you
tell me about
one of your family's
Christmas traditions?
When I was a little boy,
my mother would come sit
on my bed-
Mmmhmm.
-and read The Night Before
Christmas to me
every Christmas Eve.
Okay, that's what
I'm talking about.
And then we would drink a cup of
hot cocoa and watch for Santa.
I always fell asleep
before I finished mine.
So sweet.
And then on Christmas morning,
my empty cup of cocoa
would be there beside the tree
with a note from Santa
thanking me for saving
some cocoa for him.
You wouldn't have
that tradition
if your mother hadn't shared it
with you,
and that is what makes it
so special.
So you like that story?
Yes. That's exactly
the kind of thing
that I want you
to think about
when you're creating
our ad campaign.
Real traditions.
Huh.
What?
Well that "real tradition"
is an ad I wrote for
Huey Cocoa last year.
They went from being sold
in discount chains
to being the top selling cocoa
in the US in one holiday season.
You know, not everything can be
measured in dollars and cents.
Oh, there's nothing wrong
with pulling heartstrings
to bump ad sales.
As my grandfather always said,
"Christmas is the ultimate
ad campaign."
Wow. Should embroider that
on a stocking.
No, no, I'm not a Grinch.
But it's my job to look at
Christmas as a business.
Right.
Well, that's the tour.
Um, do you have any
other questions?
I think I've got what I need
for today.
Great, I will walk you out.
This is very generous of you.
You have to eat the fruitcake
to sell the fruitcake, right?
Woah, hey, oh!
Sorry.
No, it's all good.
Wow, Jay.
Are you going to have
any left to sell?
Well you can never be
too generous with fruitcake.
I was just explaining some of
Brady's idea for the campaign.
Mm.
And they sound great.
I mean, who knew there were
so many amazing ways
to sell fruitcake?
Yeah. Brady is full of it.
Ideas.
He is really just full of ideas.
Well, Finn and I will
be back tomorrow
to go over the rest
of the pitches.
Hmm.
Great, and I'll be here.
Well, no rush.
Um, little brother.
You and I have
our own work to do.
You know, I really like Finn.
But for the money Mom and Dad
are spending,
you'd think they'd have sent
a fuller fully seasoned team.
Oh, he seems smart
and Brady does too.
You just don't like change.
I can change.
I'm like a liquid.
A flowing, morphing,
chemical reaction of change.
Uh-huh.
You know, I bought
a new kind of pen
for the office
the other day,
and you sent a
company-wide memo
regarding the importance of
office supply continuity.
Can I help it if I'm passionate
about ink quality?
Come on, Mira.
Just give him a chance.
Look, you might be surprised.
All right.
Brady, I've been meaning to talk
to you about something.
Shoot.
I've been your junior associate
for two years.
Hm.
And I... I think I'm ready
to take on
some more responsibilities.
Okay.
And I'd like to do that with
the Varma Fruitcakes account.
Yeah, I don't think...
I need to get some of my own
ideas to the table
if I'm ever going
to be considered
for full Account Associate.
We just don't have
a lot of time.
And my Dad has this sort of
special connection
with this client.
But I totally understand,
and I promise we'll come back
to this in the new year.
All right?
Sure.
Yeah, I understand.
Great.
Let's go.
This is Christmas.
Okay. This is coffee.
Am I playing
the game right, or?
I'm not playing a game.
It's Brady.
He is super-hot by the way.
Manisha, focus.
This is research.
We need to convince Brady
that his ad campaign
is totally wrong.
Yeah, who is the other person in
this "we" we're talking about?
Because I like his ideas.
You like this atrocity?
Yes!
I talked about these shades
in my latest fashion vlog.
Did you not watch it?
Not yet.
I've just been really busy.
Well, it's not my fault
that you're going to shame
the Varma name by ending up
on the worst dressed list.
That is not the point.
The point is we need
to do something
to make Brady understand
what a real Varma Christmas
is all about.
The way that Nani did it.
Otherwise, how is he going
to know how to sell our cakes?
And you're going to do that
with our old Christmas crafts?
No. I have written a list.
Yep. Brady has no idea
what he's in for.
It's a really good list.
Mm-hmm.
So I have a proposal for you.
Oh, this sounds serious.
It is.
Varma Fruitcakes
is a family company
that believes in the heart of
the holiday season.
So you've told me.
And while you may know market
trends and demographics,
I know Christmas.
Is this about that story
I told you?
I wasn't trying
to trick you.
I just wanted
to prove a point.
Well, you know what I think?
Have a seat.
I think my dad reached out
to your father,
because as a fellow
family businessman
he would understand the
importance of tradition.
Hmm.
But instead we got you.
I'm the top partner
at our firm.
I'm trying to say that I think
you're just not the right person
to market Varma Fruitcakes.
Oh, hang on a second.
Yet.
You're not the right
person yet.
I think you just need
a crash course
in my Nani's
holiday spirit.
Why am I slightly afraid?
My parents have agreed to make
me your point of contact.
And before I give final approval
on anything to do
with the ad campaign,
I need to know that you fully
understand a Varma Christmas.
Do you know how much research
my company has done
into the psyche of
the holiday consumer?
You don't need to be a Varma
to sell someone a fruitcake.
You know, we're paying you
your ridiculous hourly rate.
Wow.
So what difference
does it make
if you just do my kind
of research?
I think you're wasting
your money.
But it's yours to waste,
so fine.
What do I have to do?
Be at my parents' house today
at 3:00 PM.
Are there any other clues?
Wear something you can climb in.
What have I gotten
myself into?
Seriously, all those ideas
you told me about are great.
You should talk to Brady.
Brady is a good boss,
but he's really serious
about what he does
and that doesn't leave a lot of
room for collaboration.
Can't hurt to try, right?
I'm saving up my best ideas
for when I run my own campaign.
I just need Brady to see
that I'm ready.
Well, I get it.
Nobody around here
takes me seriously.
That doesn't seem fair.
You know, it's not like
I spent my childhood
dreaming about creating
a website for fruitcakes.
My family just expected me
to work here
so, uh, so I did.
Oh jeez, prepping papers.
What would you do if you could
be anything you wanted to be?
I think I'd be a coach.
Like PE?
With the shorts and the whistle?
No, definitely not shorts.
Um, I was on the youth
Olympic snowboarding team.
Wow, did you get a medal?
I didn't get to compete.
I had a pretty major wipe out
on a trial run.
I broke more bones in my body
than I ever knew a person had.
Anyway, that was the end
of my professional
snowboarding career.
I'm sorry.
That's okay.
My parents never considered
it a real career anyway.
I bet you're incredible.
Thanks.
All right.
Back to fruitcakes.
Uh... this way,
candy canes, right?
Woah.
Have we been drafted
into a garage sale?
Haven't you hung
Christmas lights before?
I think my mom usually
hired somebody to do it.
And I live in a high rise now.
I mean, I guess
if I wanted to
I could put some out
on the balcony.
That's not exactly
the same thing.
Oh, hang on.
Hi Dad.
You'll never guess who I'm
having dinner with tonight.
Did you finally lock
in a meeting with
the real Santa Claus?
Almost as good.
I am wining and dining
Mr. Hardy Everett,
CEO of Origin Electric.
But they've been with Ginsberg
Advertising for 50 years.
And I intend to convince them
to make a change.
Now that would make for
a very merry Christmas.
Guys? Seriously?
Are you at a demolition site?
Actually I'm doing some
important market research.
Well then, by all
means carry on.
And tell Avi I say hello
next time you see him.
Will do.
Thanks Dad. Bye.
-Hey.
-Hey.
Sorry, I didn't want
to interrupt you.
I was just checking to see
if your home insurance
includes a provision
for draining the entire pacific
seaboard of electricity.
-Where is it?
-It's behind the chair.
There is no plug
behind the chair.
It is behind the chair,
that's where we plugged it in
last year.
Brady, I'm so glad you came.
We can always use an extra
pair of hands.
Oh yes.
Hey, just happy to help.
Oh, and Dad says hi.
I'm going to tell him that
I'm going to put you to work.
Hard manual labor.
Mira, why don't the two of you
go help Tim
with the decorating on the
side. Okay?
Yes, yes. Go, go, go.
Okay?
Okay, now enough
procrastinating.
Here, take this.
Put it over there,
put it over there.
Okay.
We have to go get that box
inside. Come on.
Okay, then don't procrastinate
and go get the box inside.
So who's Tim?
His family runs the farm where
we get all our dried fruits.
We've known them forever.
So more like a cousin
or a brother, really?
Sort of?
♪ Oh, what fun
it is to ride. ♪
Around the corner!
We can hear you.
♪ In a one-horse
open sleigh. ♪
-Hey.
-Hey.
Brady, this is Tim Bradshaw.
Tim, Brady Phillips.
-It's good to meet you.
-Good to meet you.
Mira told me you're going
to revolutionize
the way people think
about fruitcake.
I appreciate her confidence
in me.
Well, we do have to make him
an honorary Varma first.
Well then.
Brady, grab these berries.
There you go.
Watch out.
And uh, they go up there.
Oh.
Yeah, I think I have
this bum knee,
you know, lacrosse injury.
High school.
You know how it is.
Yeah.
Are you afraid of heights?
No, no, no.
Don't you work in a skyscraper?
Yeah well, those have elevators
and walls.
They got walls.
They do.
I'm going to go
up the ladder.
-Okay.
-Okay.
Careful.
So uh, you've known Mira
a long time?
Yeah, we've been close
for years now.
She's a pretty amazing woman.
A force to be reckoned with.
Well, she's a Varma.
They don't do
anything halfway.
I can hear you,
you know.
Tim, can you grab me
a set of lights?
Lights around the corner.
Sorry, Brady.
Hey, hey, hey.
There's lights right here.
-Oh yeah?
-Yeah.
You know, my family decorates.
Hmm?
We usually stick
to the white lights.
Just white lights?
Isn't that kind of boring?
Oh, hey, hey, hey.
That's my family tradition
you're talking about there.
Oh.
This is high.
Oh!
-Woah.
-Woah!
Gotcha.
You okay?
Well, you'll never get
anything done
with your arms full of Mira.
Uh...
Come on you two.
As per Nani's tradition,
you will be paid for
your decorating services
in fruitcake.
Dig in.
I have a confession to make.
What?
I don't actually like fruitcake.
I mean I know Jay gave us all
those samples and everything,
but I haven't actually
tried any yet.
Okay.
Set aside any preconceived
notions you have,
and open your mind
and your mouth.
Come on, open wide.
Ah.
Mmhmm.
Mmm.
This is delicious.
I know.
So light and airy.
I told you.
Nani's fruitcake
is the best.
Fruitcake's just boring
to most people.
It's what your great aunt would
serve with afternoon tea.
It sounds cozy.
Sounds like a snooze-fest.
We need to make Varma Fruitcake
seem sexy.
Desirable.
Aspirational.
Exactly.
I love fruitcake more than
just about anyone,
but even I know no one's
going to aspire to it.
Well that's what they said
about kale,
and look at it now.
Woah, Woah,
Woah, wait, wait.
Are you telling us that you
are personally responsible
for the fame and fortune
of kale?
Well I don't want to brag,
but yes.
Okay, but nobody's
putting fruitcake
in a smoothie anytime soon,
are they?
It's actually a good idea.
We could come at it
from the health angle.
Talk about the fiber
and the fact that your fruit
is all organic.
Yeah, play it up
with the yoga set.
Exactly.
What does any of this have
to do with Christmas?
Christmas will be the window
dressing for everything.
Remember, Christmas
is the ultimate...
Ad campaign.
I think somebody needs
another project
to get him back on
the Varma track.
Ooh. Watch out, Brady.
She is relentless when
she's trying to prove a point.
Yeah, right.
You don't have to walk me
to the car.
Oh, come on.
It's my pleasure.
Hey, you going to be at
the factory tomorrow?
Bright and early.
All right.
Well, can I take you to lunch?
I'd really like that.
Thanks for tonight.
I had a really good time.
You're welcome.
Um, drive safe.
It's a little icy out there.
Will do.
I got you some fruitcake.
Thank you.
Somebody's got a Christmas
crush.
I'm... I'm just being friendly.
You know it's okay
to like him, right?
I don't like him.
He's a coworker.
Mira's got a boyfriend,
she's a smoochy
smoocher.
Stop it!
I'm going to go help mom
in the kitchen.
Mira's getting married,
it's a Christmas love story.
Wow, well I will let you in
on a little secret.
He makes great
French toast.
Thank you.
Bye bye.
-Good morning.
-Good morning.
So, did you get any inspiration
from last night?
Some.
But I don't think I've landed
on the exact right thing yet.
Hmm. Well maybe project
number two
of Operation Varma Christmas
will be the thing.
Hey, does this one
involve ladders?
I promise I will keep your feet
firmly planted on the ground
this time.
Deal. When and where?
My place tonight after work,
and bring a hot glue gun
if you have one.
Well I'm certain I do not
have one.
That's fine.
We can share.
Excuse me.
Okay. I've got work too.
Varma Fruitcakes.
Stop being nervous.
It makes you look weird.
Why would I be nervous?
I don't know, maybe because
you have a crush on Brady.
Wait, what are you doing?
Uh, putting on my scarf.
It's winter outside and I don't
want to get frostbite.
But you can't leave.
Why not?
Because then I'll be alone
with Brady.
Okay, I don't think he's a thief
or a murderer,
so you will be just fine.
That is not what I mean.
Hey, you know, if he does get
fresh with you,
you could use the fruitcake
as a weapon.
No, but seriously,
I have been using them as
dumbbells for my workouts.
It's amazing.
Do you ever stop?
You know I love you, and you
know I love fruitcake.
Now go have fun
and don't be a weirdo.
Did you forget
your keys again?
I told you to always...
put them in your purse.
You are not Manisha.
Sorry to disappoint.
She was just here.
She's always forgetting her keys
and she was
just here, so...
Should I go look for her?
Hey, I thought you didn't
have a glue gun.
Oh. Well now I can't say
that anymore, can I?
Can I come in?
Oh, yes. Sorry.
Entrée.
So this is our project.
Looks complicated.
Don't worry. It's really fun.
When we got to a certain age
in our family,
everybody got to make
their own stocking.
Hey, I was seven
when I made this okay?
I can see that.
Don't judge.
It was made with love,
just like Nani's-.
Fruitcake.
Oh.
You've been listening.
Mm.
I like that.
I'm not that much
of a crafty person.
All you need is an idea,
okay?
Maybe you start
with a character.
Like who would you want
to meet the most?
-Santa Claus?
-Hm?
-Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?
-Hm?
Uh... Frosty the Snowman?
I did always like
that Frosty song.
Okay. That is perfect.
All right.
Okay.
I would get so excited to hang
my stocking up every year.
Did your family do
Christmas stockings?
We had stockings.
But they were mostly only for...
for show.
Santa didn't bring you
any stocking stuffers?
Oh no.
Santa brought plenty of candy
to the Phillips' house.
But they were mostly in my
mother's antique crystal dishes.
Hmm.
It wasn't tragic or anything.
No, I had lots of great
Christmas memories.
Yeah?
My parents would hold these
amazing holiday parties
for all of their
business clients.
And I used to love going
to the studio with my dad
when he was overseeing
Christmas ads.
Okay. But that sounds
like business.
Where was the magic?
I promise I am not scarred
by my kind of Christmas.
Oh, oh, okay.
I'm not.
Okay.
-All right.
-Yeah.
See, you'll have this forever.
And every year you can
hang it up,
you'll remember this moment.
And think of you.
Oh, no.
That's... that's
not what I meant.
I meant you'll think of
Christmas and traditions
and snow... persons.
Not me.
I think I'll have a hard time
forgetting you.
It's Tim.
I should...
You should get that.
-get that.
-Yeah.
I should be going home anyways,
and, you know, put this
inspiration to good use.
Hey, can you hang on a sec?
See you soon?
Yeah.
See ya.
Are you checking on me?
Hey there.
You got the files open?
Yes.
Um, what am I looking at here?
We have to pick a couple
to play a husband and wife
getting ready
for a cocktail party
where they'll be serving
Varma Fruitcake.
Anybody giving you a spark?
This isn't really what I had
in my head.
I know, we couldn't get any
redheads on such short notice,
but I could reach out
to another agency.
No, that's not what I meant.
Where's the warmth
and the friendliness?
These don't look like
people I want to have
fruitcake with.
Okay. That's sort of
the point.
It's a... a rebrand, remember?
I, I should go
write that email.
I was going to write
to that person.
Okay Mira.
Why don't you tell me exactly
what you do have in your head?
When we were little,
I would wake up to the smell
of fruitcake
every Christmas morning.
Jay and I would run downstairs
in our pajamas,
and Nani would be waiting
for us by the tree.
Wait, where were your parents?
They were around,
but I'm a first
generation American.
They came to this country
because they wanted to build
a successful life.
Something that they could give
to us one day.
So they worked hard building
a business.
And then Manisha came along,
and you know,
they just didn't have time
for the fun stuff back then.
I get it.
I mean, my dad missed a lot
of little league games.
And honestly, they
didn't really care
that much about Christmas
back then.
They didn't grow up with it.
Well they've definitely
caught up since then.
I mean, they knew
about Christmas.
They were starting a holiday
fruitcake company.
But at home Nani did it all,
and mostly for me.
Being the only Indian girl
at Robert Louis Stevenson
Elementary was not so fun.
And Nani didn't want me to feel
weird or left out at school,
so she did everything she could
to learn about Christmas
so we could celebrate
like pros.
That's really sweet.
Yeah. Nani was the best.
It wasn't her culture,
but she wanted to make
me happy.
And she did.
I can see why her fruitcake
means so much to you.
Yeah. Nani was pure love.
And she baked it
right into her cakes.
And these people,
they're not showing me
the love.
That's a beautiful memory,
Mira.
But I'm trying to create a
future for Varma Fruitcakes.
And you just keep getting stuck
in the past.
You know, I think I have to go
write an email
to someone as well.
-Mira?
-Hmm?
Pass me the firetrucks
from the second shelf.
There's two.
Who put a lump of coal
in your Christmas stocking?
I thought I was getting
through to Brady,
but he just doesn't get it.
Mira, Brady is a professional.
Just let him do what he knows.
What he knows is not
Nani's kind of Christmas.
And it's not what this company
is about.
Varma Fruitcakes will be
about nothing at all
if nobody eats them.
Mom, I love coming to work every
day and being with you guys.
I love that it still smells like
Nani is here with us.
And I don't want any of that
to change.
Beti, your Nani will always
be with us.
Look at your hands.
They're just like hers.
You even have that small freckle
on your thumb.
The same one.
She's in your heart.
She's in every cell of you.
Remember what Nani used
to say?
Keep a light touch...
...Or the cake will fall.
So maybe keep a little lighter
touch with Brady?
Mmm.
Hmm.
It's going to work out.
I'll try.
Ah!
That's my girl.
Now, we have a toy drive
to complete
and I need you to deliver
the rest of the donations.
Okay. Um, maybe I will get Tim
to go with me.
Why don't you invite
Brady instead.
It might help with some
of that holiday inspiration
you've been trying
to give him.
Maybe you're right.
Mother's always right.
That's all the toys
for the toy drive.
Hey, I used to have one of these
when I was a little buckaroo.
But did you have the hat
and spurs to match?
Well, yippee ki yay
little filly.
I surely did.
Aw, now these,
these were my thing.
Before I was going to rule
the fruitcake world,
I was going to be
a race car driver.
There was a time when you
weren't obsessed
with fruitcakes?
It was brief but real.
Oh.
So where do you donate
all these toys?
Oh, we take them to the
hospitals all around the area
and they give them
to the kids
who are going to be stuck
there for Christmas.
Ah.
Hey, you know we did
all the ad work
for the Turbo Slime Lab.
I bet they'd be willing
to donate some product
to the cause.
People are hitting each other
with rolls of wrapping paper
over those things.
Well, I could get maybe
100 units.
Would that be enough?
Are you kidding?
That would be amazing!
Thank you.
Yeah.
Um...
Are you sure this isn't
some kind of publicity stunt
for your client?
You don't think I could ever
do anything
just out of the kindness
of my heart?
Christmas is the ultimate
ad campaign, right?
Touché.
But I promise I just want
to make a donation.
No strings attached.
Hey. I can be a pretty nice guy,
you know.
We'll see.
All right. Back to work,
nice guy.
All right, boss lady.
So he makes one phone call,
and they don't just give him 100
Slime Labs, they give him 300.
What?
Yeah.
And he gets them all sent
directly to each hospital,
and he spent the whole evening
helping me pick up donations.
And he's not charging us
for his time.
He sounds like
a great guy.
Yeah.
Maybe you should ask him
to the world famous Varma
holiday party.
I thought you were going to be
my plus one.
Actually, I asked someone else
to come with me.
What?
Tim, you're finally getting
back out there?
Who is she and why didn't you
tell me you're seeing someone?
It's all still really new.
Okay.
But I met her at the support
group for people
who have lost their spouse.
Oh, so she's a widow.
Yeah.
Okay.
Well, we both said we're going
to take it slow.
Mm-hmm.
But I like her.
A lot.
This is great!
Ahhhh!!!
So great.
Why don't you ask Brady?
Oh. I mean, he's nice, but
I don't like him that way.
-Really?
-Yeah.
Because he's exactly
your type.
Okay, I will admit that
he's pretty dreamy.
But like, in a Manhattan
business mogul kind of way.
I don't have time for useless
entanglements right now.
Is that what you're calling
first dates these days?
You know, I don't need a man
to be happy.
One can have a complete life
on one's own.
I know you don't need a man
to be happy.
But there are plenty of things
that I want that I don't need.
Like this cookie.
I don't need it.
But I want it.
Woah.
It's late and it's Friday.
You should probably go do
something fun.
Yeah, what about you?
I want to finish
what I'm working on,
but you go ahead.
Are you sure?
Okay.
Wait, how do you get back
to the hotel?
Call a car.
Begone with you.
Okay.
Yeah.
Do you want me to turn
the light on?
You know, it's nice in here.
Just leave it.
Mm-hmm.
How'd you know I was getting
off work now?
I didn't.
But I don't mind waiting
for what I want.
Where's my umbrella?
Hmm, I thought this would be
more romantic.
You know, waiting out
in the rain.
Would you like to take me
to dinner, Jay Varma?
I know just the place.
Hmm.
This just isn't Christmas.
Good morning.
Hey there.
Just doing some inventory.
You almost need sunglasses
for those things, don't you?
They're bright.
Well good thing we have Brady.
He brings a whole
new perspective.
Yeah.
Do you and Mom think I can't
manage the company?
Is that the real reason that you
are putting off retirement?
Why would you think that?
You do everything around here.
There'd be no Varma Fruitcakes
without you.
Are you upset that
we hired Brady?
I'm not mad.
I just thought that
since you and mom
are thinking about passing
the torch,
that if there was some big
decision to be made,
that you would've talked
to me about it.
Your mother and I,
we were just sitting in bed
talking over ideas,
and I remembered Trevor.
And then she said I should
ask him to do an ad,
I said that's a good idea,
so I sent him an email
on my phone.
It all happened
very quickly.
Okay.
But is there anything else
you're not telling me?
Like, are we in more trouble
than I thought?
I don't want you and Mom
to be putting yourselves
in a bad position.
Things are not great.
But they aren't
totally desperate.
And your mother and I would
do anything for you kids.
That's the whole reason
we started Varma Fruitcake.
And I would do anything
for you guys.
Even if that means
working with Brady and...
not against him?
Hmm. Busted.
Mm-hmm.
He is pretty great,
isn't he?
Mm.
And very attractive.
Dad!
What, it's my duty to see
my daughter settled.
And he's from a very
good family.
I have eyes, beti.
I can see the little sparks fly
when the two of you look
at each other.
You should give him
a real chance.
He might surprise you.
-Hello?
-Hi.
What's up?
Um, I was wondering if you could
meet me at the bakery.
All right.
Okay great.
So what are we working on?
You are going to make
a Varma Fruitcake
in the very place where
my Nani taught me.
I'm not much of a cook.
I'm not much of a teacher
but we'll have to figure
it out together.
Okay. What's first?
Well first you dry the fruit
and then you soak the dried
fruit in brandy for a month.
I might have to take
a few appointments
between now and then.
Lucky for you, that part's
already done.
So, you need to toss the fruit
in the flour
so that it doesn't sink
to the bottom of the batter.
So here, just dump it in.
-Mm-hmm.
-Yeah.
And then gently toss.
Okay.
What's that?
This is ghee.
It's clarified butter.
It's used in a lot
of Indian cooking.
It's one of the secrets
to making
a very tender Kerala Cake.
I thought you were keeping
all of your Nani's secrets.
You can have this one.
Because I'm nice.
Ahh.
Um, I'll grab that.
Ooh.
So is this what goes into
the secret spice blend?
Yes.
I will let you watch me
mix them,
but I will not tell you
what they are.
Can I smell them?
Sure.
Mm.
Smells nutty.
But also a little bit
like licorice.
Is it anise?
No. It's cardamom.
Oh...
Gotcha.
Oh, you!
Crafty.
Okay. You got two of Nani's
secrets now.
Mm-hmm.
Okay, here we go.
Thank you.
Okay.
Ah, ah, ah!
Don't you dare.
You have to let it cool.
Just a taste?
No. It'll be worth the wait.
You can't expect me to just
sit here and stare
at this cake if you don't
want me to eat it.
Wow.
Let's go outside.
No, it's so cold out.
Come on.
We won't be out too long.
Okay, fine.
Look at those stars.
Yeah.
You know when we were little,
during the Christmas season
when things got extra busy,
my parents would come home
for dinner.
And then they'd let us
come out here
and run around
in our pajamas.
That sounds cute.
It was more noisy than cute.
But my poor Nani, she probably
needed a break.
Mm.
And we would look up
at those stars,
and pretend this whole yard
was a planet
and we were on
a space quest.
Cool.
And we would each pick a star
that was our home
that we were trying
to get back to.
See, that's the kind of thing
I missed out on being
an only child.
I bet you were really
cute though.
A little bit.
You know, we did
everything together.
We liked all the same stuff,
we even had matching pajamas.
Wow.
Yeah.
Everything's different now.
Of course everything's
different now.
You probably don't even fit
in those pajamas anymore.
I know it's different for Jay
and Manisha.
To them it's just a job,
but to me it's my family.
It's Nani's Kerala Cake,
is what holds us together.
I don't think that's true.
-No?
-No.
I've seen how close
you all are.
But I am scared.
Of what?
That if we...
lose this company,
that if we lose Nani's
kind of Christmas,
we're going to lose
each other too.
I promise
that won't happen.
You know, that cake is probably
cooled by now.
It's cold.
I'm just going to pack
this up for you.
I thought we were going
to try it together.
I just didn't realize
how late it was.
Oh.
Right yeah, I guess
it is kind of late.
But hey, time flies
when you're having fun.
I know I'm not
your only account.
I shouldn't keep monopolizing
your time.
Otherwise, what's going
to happen
when you go back
to the city?
Hey, we still have time.
I should... get home.
Hey I um, I... I still have
some stuff to do at the office.
Do you mind if I head back
for a bit?
No, that's fine.
All right, I'll lock up
when I'm done.
Okay.
See you tomorrow?
Aww.
So where are we at?
Well, Finn has some great ideas
to help Jay update the website
and increase our online sales.
Oh, that's exciting.
Yeah.
And after spending more time
with Brady...
Oh yes, we've noticed you two
seem to be joined at the hip.
Hmm. He's growing on you, eh?
I know I gave you guys a lot
of pushback about him.
It's your job in this family
to provide the pushback.
It always has been.
But you guys were right.
And it's time to let him
do his marketing magic.
Ha! Good for you, Mira.
We know change doesn't
come easy for you.
But change will be a big part of
the company when you take over.
Uh, was this some kind of test
or something?
Wait, are you guys going
to make an announcement?
Well it wasn't a test.
And it's not like we're packing
today or anything.
But we have been thinking
about buying an RV.
We'll be like snails with
a house on our back.
With a king sized bed,
a full kitchen,
and a retractable awning.
I want to see America with
my beautiful wife by my side.
Aww.
I hope my husband looks
at me that way
after 34 years of marriage.
You aren't even going to get
one year of marriage
if we can't even get you
out on a date.
Mom, stop!
I'm doing something
with Tim tonight.
Tim doesn't count
as a date.
No, but he's showing me
how to use a dating app
so it sort of counts.
Bless our Tim.
Have you taken a picture
for your profile?
I just bought this wonderful
pink lipstick
that I think will look perfect
on you.
Mom...
I have plenty of lipstick.
I gotta go count some fruitcake.
It's true, you look
lovely in pink.
Thank you Papa.
See, even Dad thinks so.
Dating app?
-Hey.
-Hey.
Little too cold to work
outside tonight?
Actually I was going
to finish up inside.
You know, I haven't
seen you today.
Hmm.
I thought maybe you fell
into a vat of fruitcake batter.
Sort of.
More like a vat of paperwork.
There's um, something I want
to talk to you about.
It's Tim.
We have dinner reservations.
Can it wait until tomorrow?
Yeah, sure.
Have a good night, Brady.
You too, Mira.
Hey...
Hey Dad.
I take it you got my email?
I did.
I'm surprised you've decided
to move in a new direction
with the Varma account.
Spending all this time with
the Varmas has got me thinking
about Granddad and his old
ad campaigns.
Now I'm making the connection.
I decided rather
than fighting it,
we should latch onto the idea
that fruitcake's a retro product
and let that be
the selling point.
I love it.
Avinash will too.
He's always been
the sentimental type.
All the Varmas are amazing.
I know I...
I came into this thinking of
it as a throwaway job,
but spending time getting
to know Mira
and the rest of the Varmas?
You know, I think I may be
having a renaissance.
Ah, I see.
Mira is Avi's oldest
daughter, right?
Yeah.
She's kind
of devoted herself
to steeping me in
Varma Cakes culture.
Uh-huh.
Yeah, we've been doing all
of these projects like...
well, making a Christmas
stocking, and decorating, and...
Brady, I didn't call to discuss
the Varmas.
Huh?
I wanted to tell you
we got Origin Electric.
That's incredible, Dad!
And we're going to need you
back here as soon as possible
to get things running
on the account.
We can't just leave the Varmas
with nothing.
They're depending on me.
Plus we aren't done
with the toy drive and...
and I promised I'd go caroling
with them tomorrow.
Finn can finish this off
for you, Brady.
He's ready and you've already
laid a strong groundwork.
But I'm not ready.
Brady, I need you for this.
We made big promises and
we won't get a second chance.
It's just that Mira...
Your grandpa would be
the first to tell you
that success involves a great
deal of personal sacrifices.
I've certainly made my share
of them.
But building this company
is bigger
than just you and me, Brady.
I understand.
I'll be back in Seattle
by tomorrow night.
The sooner the better.
I know, Dad.
I'll... I'll see you tomorrow.
It's a full-scale social
media blitz,
in conjunction with a ton
of online influencers.
Collabs are so hot right now,
and by crossing over audiences
we get maximum exposure.
Have you talked to Brady
about this?
This is... this is great stuff.
Brady is really supportive, but
if I roll it out as his junior
everyone will just assume
it was his idea.
Then use it as a launching
point to get your own campaign.
I told you, he doesn't think
I'm ready.
What?
Um...
Look, you've been encouraging
me to follow my dreams,
and that's what finally got me
to reach out
to a few of my old contacts...
about coaching.
-For snowboarding?
-Yeah.
You're doing it?
Yeah, it's not set in stone
and my family doesn't
quite know about it yet,
but one of my old coaches
is looking for someone to train
his more junior boarders.
I am so happy for you.
Come here!
That's so amazing.
Hey.
You should take your own advice,
all right?
I think it's time you
go for it too.
Why are you always right?
I don't know.
What did you say?
Huh? Oh, I'm practicing
my French.
She puts together another box.
Practicing for what?
Okay.
Do you remember Elise?
Sure.
Well she's been living
and working in Paris
at this magazine.
She saw my vlog
and she thinks that I can get
an apprenticeship there.
You are not moving to Paris.
What about the company?
What about it?
I mean, Jay, Mom and Dad
are here.
Plus you can run the company
with your eyes closed.
That is not the point.
Honestly, Mira.
Everyone's cool with it.
You should be too.
And besides I don't even
like fruitcake.
How can you not like fruitcake?
Oh...
Does Mom know about this?
Yeah, no, about that.
She may or may not have caught
me feeding it to the cat
a couple years ago.
You fed fruitcake to the cat?
Boite.
Hey everybody,
Brady's here.
What? What's going on?
Did I forget to tell you about
the Christmas sweaters?
Yeah, you definitely forgot
to tell me about that.
Okay. Well don't worry about it,
we have lots of extras.
No, no. Don't go to any trouble
on my account.
It's tradition.
You're not thinking about
kicking up a fuss are you?
Oh no.
I know better than to argue
with you
when it comes to
Christmas traditions.
Good.
Hey.
I didn't know
you were caroling.
Um...
This has become about
more than just work for me.
I hope you understand.
Brady?
I understand completely.
Come on, let's practice.
Come on, come on, come on.
Let's practice.
One, two, three, four.
♪ Dashing through
the snow ♪
♪ In a one-horse
open sleigh ♪
Brady?
Hey, I think this
should fit you.
Enjoy the lights.
Wow, of all the things I thought
I'd be doing tonight,
wearing a Christmas sweater
with lights was not one of them.
You can change in there.
Merry Christmas!
Hey!
All right.
Okay, okay, okay.
Mira, Tim, have you guys
practiced your duet?
Oh, we've just been
super busy.
You know how it gets this time
of the year.
Yeah, I don't think we're going
to have time for it.
They have been doing this
since their grade one
Christmas concert.
I think that you two should
just do it for us here.
To make sure that
you're good to go.
In the Varma family
there is no willy-nilly
when it comes to
Christmas caroling.
That's right,
no willy-nilly.
Fine, fine. You ready?
One, two, three.
♪ Silent night,
holy night ♪
♪ All is calm ♪
♪ All is bright ♪
♪ Round yon virgin,
mother and child ♪
♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪
♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪
That was so beautiful.
Okay everybody outside,
scarves, toques.
Okay, okay, okay!
And we're taking two cars
because there's so many of you.
Okay.
-Good voice.
-Thanks.
Hey um, by the way. I heard
about Origin Electric.
Congratulations.
Yeah. I need to tell you
something about that.
But I haven't talked
to Mira yet,
so if you could just keep it
quiet for a little bit longer?
Trevor called me
this afternoon.
He was worried you might
be distracted
and need some help
wrapping up?
Huh?
I know you don't want
to hurt her.
But I really believe
she's going to be fine.
She's got a lot of love
and support here.
You're right.
Yeah.
Yeah, she can do anything
she wants.
Yeah, she can.
Yeah.
I'm glad you came.
Yeah.
Mira, can I talk to you
for a second?
Sure.
I would've told you this sooner,
but really there was
just so much going on.
What's up?
Well uh, Phillips Woolsey
just got this big new client.
Huge, really.
Origin Electric.
Wow. That's so great.
Yeah, my father's putting me
in charge of the account.
Oh.
So I have to drive back
to Seattle, right away.
Well what about
Varma Fruitcakes?
We're just getting started.
Finn will be taking over.
And I know he'll do
a great job.
When are you leaving?
Tonight.
I am so sorry.
I should probably get inside
and help my mom.
Have a safe drive.
And Merry Christmas, Brady.
Merry Christmas, Mira.
So.
Thank you for all...
Thank you all for coming.
I'm very excited to tell you
about the launch of our...
Finn?
Yeah?
What's a woke?
Woke, um...
Woke is really about being
in the know.
And that's what we wanna do
with our social media takeover.
Ooh!
How do you take over
the whole social media?
Dad, no.
The social media's
not one thing.
It's like when
different influencers
talk about the product.
Like the girl Manisha
is always watching,
that hauls the clothes
from all the stores.
Mom, she doesn't haul clothes.
It's a "clothing haul,"
like when you buy, you know...
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's all very exciting.
And I've been in contact
with a ton of influencers
who are going to vlog
and post
for what I'm calling
#NationalFruitcakeDay.
Woah, Woah! There's a holiday
for fruitcake?
How did we not know this?
There's no holiday
for fruitcake.
What's he saying?
I... It's not actually
a holiday.
Finn is just trying
to whip up interest.
Exactly.
And the reason I gather you
all on a Sunday
is we have to overnight
all the fruitcake swag bags
and I was hoping
you'd help me pack them.
Sure.
Doesn't that sound like fun
everybody, huh?
Yeah.
Uh, what's in the swag bags?
Well, fruitcake of course.
And tote bags.
And... Oh. Look at
the sweater.
And don't forget the hats.
That's a fruitcake.
Okay. Do we have any
control over what the
influencers will be saying?
Well, no.
Part of the deal is that they
make independent content.
But they're all on board.
And you're sure of this?
Of course.
It's all going to be
a lot of fun.
And by the end of the day,
fruitcake will be trending.
This is all very exciting.
They're especially interested
in promoting
their clean energy efforts,
so we'll want to showcase them
as a green friendly company.
Might not be a bad idea
for you to take a trip
out to California, see some
of the wind technology work
they're doing out
in the desert.
Brady?
Brady, are you listening?
Sorry. I'm just brainstorming
in my head.
You're already giving me
a lot of ideas.
I... I really need you
to stay centered.
I'm sorry.
I just haven't slept well
these last couple of nights.
I'm just readjusting.
I get it.
Take the afternoon
if you need to.
Open your mail, get caught up
on your Christmas shopping.
Tomorrow you have
your first team meeting.
You know, I think work
is the best thing for me.
Speaking of which,
I've got a lot of research
to do.
Is... is this everything?
That's it.
You go do what you do.
Why can't we see anything?
Because it's a livestream.
They should be logging on
any second.
The Dare Guy's huge.
I can't believe Finn got him.
What kind of dare can you
even do with a fruitcake?
What's up dare guys and gals?
It's me, The Dare Guy,
coming to you live from
The Dare Mom's house.
And today, we're celebrating
National Fruitcake Day!
I don't know.
Anyway, I got here 26 slices
of fruitcake
and I'm going to eat them all
in one minute.
Bob, you ready?
Guys, what you got to remember
with these things is
the only rules are
there are no rules!
Well, I do have to get all
the cakes down without hurling.
Okay?
Our fruitcakes don't make
people sick.
It's all in fun.
People love it.
Yeah, like last year
he jumped into
a pool full of marshmallows.
Three, two, one,
Dare Guy go!
Oh, we should've done
water bottles!
Manisha, shh!
That was...
Awesome!
Was it?
I did not hurl!
Guys, thanks for watching.
Have a good one.
Peace.
But he didn't even
say Varma Fruitcakes.
This was just the first one.
I'm going to send out an email
memo to the other influencers.
I promise we're going to get
on top of this.
I don't think we should've
ever done this.
People are going to make fun
of fruitcake now.
I can't believe we actually
paid money to make things worse.
Go take care of your sister.
Seriously? Okay, okay.
This will blow over.
Yeah. Right in time for our
going out of business sale.
Oh, don't be a defeatist Mir.
Okay listen.
Mom called and she wants us
to come over
to watch a Christmas movie.
I think we all need to take
our minds off fruitcake.
I really should stay and go
through emails.
Customer service is extra
important right now.
All that product we gave away
is an additional loss.
Mir, come on.
Look. You need to eat
and Mom's making biryani.
-Ooh.
-Mm-hmm.
All right.
Um... but I'm going to take
my work with me.
Yeah, no. Computer stays.
There are other computers.
Hot chocolates to go.
What's up dare guys and gals?
It's me, The Dare Guy.
Hello, this is Mira.
Leave me a message
and I'll get back to you.
You should hang it up
for the night.
Join in.
I'm not feeling too
merry and bright.
A lot of long nights
in this business.
A lot of hard work
and pressure.
I can handle it Dad.
But for me, the thing that
always kept me going
was knowing I was coming home
to you and your mom.
You know, you never
missed dinner.
Even if you had to come back
to the office afterwards.
This company has allowed
me to build a beautiful life,
and I couldn't be more
proud of you
for following in your
grandfather's and my footsteps.
Thank you, Dad.
But Brady.
You don't have to do things
exactly the way we did.
I'm always so blown away
by your talent and ideas.
Dad?
And I know you've got it
in you to give twice
what your grandpa and I did,
and still have all you need
to go after the things
that are really important.
Like Mira.
Dad, she makes me laugh.
She makes me want to care
as much as she does
about things that most people
just take for granted.
And she made me see that
Christmas could be magical
in a way that I never
saw it before.
Well then, go get her.
I think I screwed up big time.
I've had your mother so mad at
me that she could roast a turkey
with the fire in her eyes.
But one of the best things
about love
is that it's very forgiving.
I should get back out there.
Thanks Dad.
Okay, It's A Wonderful Life
gets me like every time.
A retro-chic campaign.
-Manisha!
-Huh?
-Look at this.
-What?
Oh, wow.
Check this out.
I think we can fix
this disaster.
Right?
Uh-huh.
Hey.
Mira.
I just want to apologize.
I moved too quickly on
the social media thing,
and I should've...
Wait. It's going to be okay,
Finn.
I have a plan.
What are you going to do?
Show them.
I found Brady's ideas.
He wanted to do a retro-chic
ad campaign mirroring
all the best traditions
that I love about fruitcake,
with an aesthetic that appeals
to the modern hipster.
This is genius.
Yeah.
I made some initial calls
to get the ads into print,
and I would like you
and Manisha
to handle the social
media element.
Are you sure?
If we're going to make
this work,
we're going to need
all hands on deck.
Jay Varma reporting for duty.
Mom confirmed that the shipper
can still guarantee delivery
by Christmas.
And Mir had me reach out to
all the local coffee shops.
Every one of them is going
to feature our fruitcakes.
I think this is going to work,
you guys.
One, two, three.
Go Varmas!
Woo!
What?
Amazing.
♪ Good King Wenceslas
looked out ♪
♪ On the feast of Stephen ♪
♪ When the snow lay
round about ♪
♪ Deep and crisp and even ♪
♪ Brightly shone
the moon that night ♪
♪ Though the frost was cruel ♪
Merry Christmas.
Ohhh!
Congratulations on your
big ad campaign.
Thank you.
You know your dad put
an extra order in
to keep up
with the rush.
What? Are you kidding?
I'm so proud of you.
Oh, thank you so much.
♪ Hither, page,
and stand by me ♪
♪ If though know it telling ♪
♪ Yonder peasant, who is he ♪
♪ Where and which
his dwelling ♪
♪ Sire, he lives a good
league hence ♪
Brady.
I wasn't expecting you!
I would've picked you up
from the airport.
Oh, I drove.
I came to congratulate Phillips
Woolsey's newest partner
on a very successful holiday
ad campaign.
Honestly, if it hadn't been for
Mira finding all your ideas
and pulling
everything together,
this would be a very
different party.
Well the Varmas
have had nothing
but nice things to say about you
and all of your hard work.
You deserve the promotion.
I probably should've seen
that sooner.
They make a great couple.
What are you talking about?
Oh, here she is.
Mira, this is my date, Rachel.
So nice to meet you.
I've heard so much about you.
Well, I hope it's all good.
It's all good.
You know, I've been spending
a lot of time with Mira.
She doesn't gush a lot
when she gets really excited
about something,
but she does get this little
sparkle in her eye.
I've seen that too.
She does get that sparkle every
time she talks about you.
I don't know what to do.
Should I say anything
or should I be patient?
I don't want to push.
Can you wait here a second?
What?
Just hang on.
Just wait right here.
Okay, okay.
You have a special guest.
Hi.
When did you get here?
Sorry to be a party crasher.
I don't want to step in
on your family Christmas.
No.
I mean, what took you so long?
So.
I guess this is where things get
complicated, huh?
I don't have everything
figured out,
but I just know
that I don't want to spend
another Christmas without you.
You ready for your gift?
Yeah.
Okay.
Okay.
Tickets to Paris?
Think of it as a Christmas
bonus.
You deserve to follow
your dreams, Manisha.
Thank you.
And...
Oh!
For your future adventures.
Aww, I love it.
Just remember,
you can always drive
that RV back home.
Aww.
Hey, when did you have time
to get this?
When you're a big
famous coach,
I want front row seats
to the Olympics.
-Thank you.
-Me too.
You managed to get everyone
the perfect gift.
I didn't know you
were coming back,
so I didn't get
you anything.
I have everything I need,
right here.
♪ We wish you a Merry
Christmas ♪
♪ We wish you a Merry
Christmas ♪
♪ We wish you a Merry
Christmas ♪
♪ ...and a Happy New Year ♪
♪ Good tidings we bring ♪
♪ To you and your kin ♪
♪ Good tidings for Christmas
and a Happy New Year ♪
♪ Now bring us... ♪
Righty tightey,
lefty Loosey.
Not your right,
my right.
What? No?
No.
That's what I'm doing.
We have the same right.
This is impossible.
You have to start at the plugin,
silly.
You do know that we can
buy trees with lights
already on them, right?
Where's the fun in that?
Mum, where are
Nani's ornaments?
Well, I thought it would be
interesting to try
a new theme for
the tree this year.
Everything candy
cane striped.
-Okay, but...
-Calm down.
We've had them
since we were kids.
Calm down, Mira.
They are here.
Woah, Woah, Mom.
You have to let Mira know about
changes six months in advance.
Don't tease your sister,
beta.
Mira...
I learned a long time ago
never argue with your mother
when she's feeling inspired.
Why do we have to decorate
on Thanksgiving anyway?
I mean we could be doing
literally anything else.
Like watching football.
You don't watch football.
Nani always decorated
at Thanksgiving every year
because everything gets busy
after that.
Come on Manisha.
You know that Christmas is
fruitcake's time to shine.
Not that shiny these days.
Don't say such things.
You must honor the sanctity
of fruitcake.
You know, if they
don't go virtual
we could start selling them
as eco-friendly bricks.
Biodegradable yet impossible
to destroy.
Our fruitcakes are deliciously
tender and light.
There she goes.
And the very reason you have
that sweater upon your back.
You know, I actually got this
from the mall.
Mom and Dad started
Varma Fruitcakes
with nothing but a dream and our
Nani's Kerala Christmas Cake.
Actually, there's something
we want to tell you. Mira?
It's true.
Business has been slower
the last couple of years.
But your mother and I
have a plan.
Mm-hmm.
What plan?
We've hired a top tier
consulting company
to handle this year's holiday
advertising campaign.
What?
Who?
We always do our
own ad campaigns.
Phillips Woolsey Consulting.
Hmm.
Change it to a blue dress.
Blue elicits emotional
trust from shoppers.
Good morning, Dad.
Morning Brady.
Can I interest you
in a peppermint latte?
My assistant swears it'll put
you right into a holiday mood,
but I'm not so sure.
I think I'll pass.
It tastes like somebody
accidentally put toothpaste
in my coffee.
I don't know, I think they're
sort of festive.
Okay.
The Christmas madness
has begun.
And amen to that.
All those people down there,
scurrying about to buy presents.
It's the season
we love the most,
because what do we say,
my son?
Christmas is the ultimate
ad campaign.
Your grandfather coined
that phrase
and it has made us
the number one
consulting firm in the world.
And speaking of Christmas,
pass me that folder.
That one.
I have... thank you.
A project for you.
Varma Fruitcakes.
Mm-hmm.
Never heard of them.
You will.
Mom.
I have looked up
Phillips Woolsey,
and I just don't know.
How can we afford this?
Don't worry.
Trevor Phillips is an old friend
of your father's from college.
I have never heard Dad
say anything about him.
Well you don't know everything
about us.
We could be criminals
living a double life.
Mom, I'm being serious.
We have money in
the emergency fund.
Is this an emergency?
Sweetheart, people
don't appreciate fruitcake
the way they used to.
Things will pick up
by Christmas.
Think. What did Nani always
used to say?
Beti, we think it's time
to try something new.
I have new ideas.
We could do in-store tastings
in all the local markets.
We can dress Manisha up
like a reindeer.
Daddy and I would never want
to leave you kids
with a sinking ship.
Mom, it is not a sinking ship.
That's why we've hired
Daddy's friend.
And if this doesn't work,
then you need to understand
that we might have to make
some hard decisions
about the future of
Varma Fruitcakes.
You would consider
shutting down?
Try not to worry, beti.
Trevor Phillips is the best
of the best.
Okay.
I love you Mom.
Fruitcake?
They're a small regional
family-run company.
In the era of 3D printed
gingerbread houses,
fruity doorstops isn't exactly
a hot holiday commodity.
I admit they're not
our usual client.
But Avi Varma is an old friend
and I'd like to help him.
It's a little late to launch a
holiday campaign for this year.
Although we could plant seeds
for next season.
They are struggling, Brady.
I don't know if they're going
to have another holiday season
if they don't see some growth.
Is that cold business heart
of yours
turning into a marshmallow?
They're paying customers.
And it might be a feather
in our cap
if we can sell the unsellable.
Okay.
Not marshmallow.
Maybe nougat, the sticky kind
that ruins your dental work.
I've had Finn book your hotel.
You'll both leave first thing
in the morning.
All right.
Varma Fruitcakes.
It's time you become the most
coveted of holiday treats.
I told Manisha to have them
ship everything
to the back entrance.
Hey, can I have somebody please
move all these boxes?
Woah!
Gotcha.
-Thanks.
-Yeah.
Um, all of the shipping and
receiving should be processed
at the back entrance.
Safety reasons.
I'm not the delivery man.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
Are you a customer?
Let me help you.
Sorry about all the boxes.
What are you doing here?
Working.
Uh, you're never here
this early
and I didn't even hear you
leave the house.
Uh, I'm the special
projects manager,
and well, this is
a special project.
Where'd you get
these ribbons?
Oh, this is a joke, right?
I gave them to her,
and it's not a joke.
Okay.
Who are you and
what is going on?
Brady Phillips.
Phillips Woolsey Consulting.
And this is my associate,
Finn Webber.
I thought your name
was Trevor.
That's my father.
You can think of me as a special
projects manager too.
Well, I know that you're new
around here,
but Varma Cakes are wrapped
in red and green ribbon.
It's tradition.
Well these particular cakes
are part of a small batch
limited edition run.
We're marketing them
in conjunction with this year's
annual color tone holiday hues.
It's super on trend.
Okay. Well, if you want to hold
onto that idea
for just a few minutes,
you know,
I'm going to run it
past my father.
He's the boss.
Well, feel free to speak
to Avinash.
But your parents have given
Finn and I carte Blanche
over the new campaign.
We have to rush to get them
to market on time.
Oh. Well, all the same
I do think he should know
what you're planning
before we make any
final decisions, right?
Standard procedure.
I trust Brady.
He doesn't like to brag
or anything
but he's singlehandedly
responsible
for scrunchies
coming back in style.
Oh.
Not sure they should have.
Thank you, I will look
this over.
Excuse me.
Okay for real, scrunchies?
We need to keep going.
Dad, morning.
Have you seen what that man
is doing with our bows?
Tying the knot?
Hot pink? Really?
Manisha said these are
the cool new colors
according to social media.
Oh, so now this is some kind
of fashion show?
I don't think this Brady guy
knows anything about fruitcake.
Yeah, but what is there
to know, beti?
Flour, sugar, eggs.
Well, these are his ideas.
This guy isn't even wearing
a shirt.
It's shameless.
Do you have his number?
Dad.
Lookit, I mean, if I had abs
like that,
which I obviously don't,
I wouldn't wear
a shirt either.
Dad.
I don't think he knows anything
about us, or Nani,
or the company.
I think you guys should've
talked to me about this first.
The reason we didn't tell
you sooner
is we didn't want you to worry.
It's our job to worry.
It's your job to teach him
everything there is to know
about fruitcake.
Fine. I'm taking it
to senior management.
Oh no!
Go right ahead and tell her
that I love her
more than I did the day
I married her.
Mom.
So, you've already met Brady.
Mm-hmm.
Isn't he handsome?
No.
Mom, focus.
Did you tell Brady that he could
use those ugly Easter ribbons
on our beautiful
Christmas cakes?
Glad you're taking it so well.
Your father was afraid
you might overreact.
I'm not overreacting.
Ah! There you are.
Brady, our Mira knows
everything there is to know
about Varma Fruitcakes.
Oh.
Beti, why don't you give Brady
the full tour?
I'm looking forward
to learning more.
Okay. Well, um, after you.
Oh no, no. I insist.
Did you see the way he looked
at her?
Okay, there is hope.
Our store front.
You're familiar.
Okay, so Mira...
Um, do you prefer
Beti or Mira?
Mira.
Beti means daughter.
Oh.
It's like a term
of endearment.
Well, it's very rural.
Mm-hmm.
Is this your only location?
Yes. This is our
only storefront.
My parents bought this farm back
when they started the company.
But it works out just fine
for us.
Most of our foot traffic
is only seasonal.
But we do bake, pack, and ship
from here as well.
And online sales?
Jay handles our website.
And my father believes in
talking to our customers,
so a lot of our sales are done
over the phone.
Good morning,
I'll be right there.
This is where the real
magic happens.
Good morning.
Delia, your niece made me the
most beautiful thank you card.
It's so cute.
She drew us holding hands
and eating fruitcake.
Well she said she got the best
report in the whole first grade.
Aww.
But that might be because
she handed out cake.
Oh, this is Mr. Phillips.
He'll be around for the next
few weeks.
He's working on a new Christmas
marketing campaign.
Nice to meet you.
You too.
Varma Fruitcakes are handmade
using my Nani's
100-year-old recipe.
Hmm, a treasured family secret.
And although it's considered
fruitcake in the United States,
it's actually a traditional plum
cake from Kerala in India.
That's good to know.
You know it lends the brand
unique character.
Every batch contains a special
blend of spices.
What's in this spice blend?
Only three people have ever
had that information.
My Nani, my mother,
and now me.
And it's going
to stay that way.
Until I have my own son
or daughter.
Shall we continue?
Mm-hmm.
You see, what makes Varma
Fruitcakes so special
is that it's steeped
in tradition.
A good ad campaign can
make a customer think
that something new
is already an old tradition
it won't be Christmas without.
You can't fake tradition.
Hmm...
Would you like a coffee?
Oh, always.
Nothing can be a tradition
until it's shared
with someone special.
And you can't get that
from a billboard.
I beg to differ.
Okay.
Um, why don't you
tell me about
one of your family's
Christmas traditions?
When I was a little boy,
my mother would come sit
on my bed-
Mmmhmm.
-and read The Night Before
Christmas to me
every Christmas Eve.
Okay, that's what
I'm talking about.
And then we would drink a cup of
hot cocoa and watch for Santa.
I always fell asleep
before I finished mine.
So sweet.
And then on Christmas morning,
my empty cup of cocoa
would be there beside the tree
with a note from Santa
thanking me for saving
some cocoa for him.
You wouldn't have
that tradition
if your mother hadn't shared it
with you,
and that is what makes it
so special.
So you like that story?
Yes. That's exactly
the kind of thing
that I want you
to think about
when you're creating
our ad campaign.
Real traditions.
Huh.
What?
Well that "real tradition"
is an ad I wrote for
Huey Cocoa last year.
They went from being sold
in discount chains
to being the top selling cocoa
in the US in one holiday season.
You know, not everything can be
measured in dollars and cents.
Oh, there's nothing wrong
with pulling heartstrings
to bump ad sales.
As my grandfather always said,
"Christmas is the ultimate
ad campaign."
Wow. Should embroider that
on a stocking.
No, no, I'm not a Grinch.
But it's my job to look at
Christmas as a business.
Right.
Well, that's the tour.
Um, do you have any
other questions?
I think I've got what I need
for today.
Great, I will walk you out.
This is very generous of you.
You have to eat the fruitcake
to sell the fruitcake, right?
Woah, hey, oh!
Sorry.
No, it's all good.
Wow, Jay.
Are you going to have
any left to sell?
Well you can never be
too generous with fruitcake.
I was just explaining some of
Brady's idea for the campaign.
Mm.
And they sound great.
I mean, who knew there were
so many amazing ways
to sell fruitcake?
Yeah. Brady is full of it.
Ideas.
He is really just full of ideas.
Well, Finn and I will
be back tomorrow
to go over the rest
of the pitches.
Hmm.
Great, and I'll be here.
Well, no rush.
Um, little brother.
You and I have
our own work to do.
You know, I really like Finn.
But for the money Mom and Dad
are spending,
you'd think they'd have sent
a fuller fully seasoned team.
Oh, he seems smart
and Brady does too.
You just don't like change.
I can change.
I'm like a liquid.
A flowing, morphing,
chemical reaction of change.
Uh-huh.
You know, I bought
a new kind of pen
for the office
the other day,
and you sent a
company-wide memo
regarding the importance of
office supply continuity.
Can I help it if I'm passionate
about ink quality?
Come on, Mira.
Just give him a chance.
Look, you might be surprised.
All right.
Brady, I've been meaning to talk
to you about something.
Shoot.
I've been your junior associate
for two years.
Hm.
And I... I think I'm ready
to take on
some more responsibilities.
Okay.
And I'd like to do that with
the Varma Fruitcakes account.
Yeah, I don't think...
I need to get some of my own
ideas to the table
if I'm ever going
to be considered
for full Account Associate.
We just don't have
a lot of time.
And my Dad has this sort of
special connection
with this client.
But I totally understand,
and I promise we'll come back
to this in the new year.
All right?
Sure.
Yeah, I understand.
Great.
Let's go.
This is Christmas.
Okay. This is coffee.
Am I playing
the game right, or?
I'm not playing a game.
It's Brady.
He is super-hot by the way.
Manisha, focus.
This is research.
We need to convince Brady
that his ad campaign
is totally wrong.
Yeah, who is the other person in
this "we" we're talking about?
Because I like his ideas.
You like this atrocity?
Yes!
I talked about these shades
in my latest fashion vlog.
Did you not watch it?
Not yet.
I've just been really busy.
Well, it's not my fault
that you're going to shame
the Varma name by ending up
on the worst dressed list.
That is not the point.
The point is we need
to do something
to make Brady understand
what a real Varma Christmas
is all about.
The way that Nani did it.
Otherwise, how is he going
to know how to sell our cakes?
And you're going to do that
with our old Christmas crafts?
No. I have written a list.
Yep. Brady has no idea
what he's in for.
It's a really good list.
Mm-hmm.
So I have a proposal for you.
Oh, this sounds serious.
It is.
Varma Fruitcakes
is a family company
that believes in the heart of
the holiday season.
So you've told me.
And while you may know market
trends and demographics,
I know Christmas.
Is this about that story
I told you?
I wasn't trying
to trick you.
I just wanted
to prove a point.
Well, you know what I think?
Have a seat.
I think my dad reached out
to your father,
because as a fellow
family businessman
he would understand the
importance of tradition.
Hmm.
But instead we got you.
I'm the top partner
at our firm.
I'm trying to say that I think
you're just not the right person
to market Varma Fruitcakes.
Oh, hang on a second.
Yet.
You're not the right
person yet.
I think you just need
a crash course
in my Nani's
holiday spirit.
Why am I slightly afraid?
My parents have agreed to make
me your point of contact.
And before I give final approval
on anything to do
with the ad campaign,
I need to know that you fully
understand a Varma Christmas.
Do you know how much research
my company has done
into the psyche of
the holiday consumer?
You don't need to be a Varma
to sell someone a fruitcake.
You know, we're paying you
your ridiculous hourly rate.
Wow.
So what difference
does it make
if you just do my kind
of research?
I think you're wasting
your money.
But it's yours to waste,
so fine.
What do I have to do?
Be at my parents' house today
at 3:00 PM.
Are there any other clues?
Wear something you can climb in.
What have I gotten
myself into?
Seriously, all those ideas
you told me about are great.
You should talk to Brady.
Brady is a good boss,
but he's really serious
about what he does
and that doesn't leave a lot of
room for collaboration.
Can't hurt to try, right?
I'm saving up my best ideas
for when I run my own campaign.
I just need Brady to see
that I'm ready.
Well, I get it.
Nobody around here
takes me seriously.
That doesn't seem fair.
You know, it's not like
I spent my childhood
dreaming about creating
a website for fruitcakes.
My family just expected me
to work here
so, uh, so I did.
Oh jeez, prepping papers.
What would you do if you could
be anything you wanted to be?
I think I'd be a coach.
Like PE?
With the shorts and the whistle?
No, definitely not shorts.
Um, I was on the youth
Olympic snowboarding team.
Wow, did you get a medal?
I didn't get to compete.
I had a pretty major wipe out
on a trial run.
I broke more bones in my body
than I ever knew a person had.
Anyway, that was the end
of my professional
snowboarding career.
I'm sorry.
That's okay.
My parents never considered
it a real career anyway.
I bet you're incredible.
Thanks.
All right.
Back to fruitcakes.
Uh... this way,
candy canes, right?
Woah.
Have we been drafted
into a garage sale?
Haven't you hung
Christmas lights before?
I think my mom usually
hired somebody to do it.
And I live in a high rise now.
I mean, I guess
if I wanted to
I could put some out
on the balcony.
That's not exactly
the same thing.
Oh, hang on.
Hi Dad.
You'll never guess who I'm
having dinner with tonight.
Did you finally lock
in a meeting with
the real Santa Claus?
Almost as good.
I am wining and dining
Mr. Hardy Everett,
CEO of Origin Electric.
But they've been with Ginsberg
Advertising for 50 years.
And I intend to convince them
to make a change.
Now that would make for
a very merry Christmas.
Guys? Seriously?
Are you at a demolition site?
Actually I'm doing some
important market research.
Well then, by all
means carry on.
And tell Avi I say hello
next time you see him.
Will do.
Thanks Dad. Bye.
-Hey.
-Hey.
Sorry, I didn't want
to interrupt you.
I was just checking to see
if your home insurance
includes a provision
for draining the entire pacific
seaboard of electricity.
-Where is it?
-It's behind the chair.
There is no plug
behind the chair.
It is behind the chair,
that's where we plugged it in
last year.
Brady, I'm so glad you came.
We can always use an extra
pair of hands.
Oh yes.
Hey, just happy to help.
Oh, and Dad says hi.
I'm going to tell him that
I'm going to put you to work.
Hard manual labor.
Mira, why don't the two of you
go help Tim
with the decorating on the
side. Okay?
Yes, yes. Go, go, go.
Okay?
Okay, now enough
procrastinating.
Here, take this.
Put it over there,
put it over there.
Okay.
We have to go get that box
inside. Come on.
Okay, then don't procrastinate
and go get the box inside.
So who's Tim?
His family runs the farm where
we get all our dried fruits.
We've known them forever.
So more like a cousin
or a brother, really?
Sort of?
♪ Oh, what fun
it is to ride. ♪
Around the corner!
We can hear you.
♪ In a one-horse
open sleigh. ♪
-Hey.
-Hey.
Brady, this is Tim Bradshaw.
Tim, Brady Phillips.
-It's good to meet you.
-Good to meet you.
Mira told me you're going
to revolutionize
the way people think
about fruitcake.
I appreciate her confidence
in me.
Well, we do have to make him
an honorary Varma first.
Well then.
Brady, grab these berries.
There you go.
Watch out.
And uh, they go up there.
Oh.
Yeah, I think I have
this bum knee,
you know, lacrosse injury.
High school.
You know how it is.
Yeah.
Are you afraid of heights?
No, no, no.
Don't you work in a skyscraper?
Yeah well, those have elevators
and walls.
They got walls.
They do.
I'm going to go
up the ladder.
-Okay.
-Okay.
Careful.
So uh, you've known Mira
a long time?
Yeah, we've been close
for years now.
She's a pretty amazing woman.
A force to be reckoned with.
Well, she's a Varma.
They don't do
anything halfway.
I can hear you,
you know.
Tim, can you grab me
a set of lights?
Lights around the corner.
Sorry, Brady.
Hey, hey, hey.
There's lights right here.
-Oh yeah?
-Yeah.
You know, my family decorates.
Hmm?
We usually stick
to the white lights.
Just white lights?
Isn't that kind of boring?
Oh, hey, hey, hey.
That's my family tradition
you're talking about there.
Oh.
This is high.
Oh!
-Woah.
-Woah!
Gotcha.
You okay?
Well, you'll never get
anything done
with your arms full of Mira.
Uh...
Come on you two.
As per Nani's tradition,
you will be paid for
your decorating services
in fruitcake.
Dig in.
I have a confession to make.
What?
I don't actually like fruitcake.
I mean I know Jay gave us all
those samples and everything,
but I haven't actually
tried any yet.
Okay.
Set aside any preconceived
notions you have,
and open your mind
and your mouth.
Come on, open wide.
Ah.
Mmhmm.
Mmm.
This is delicious.
I know.
So light and airy.
I told you.
Nani's fruitcake
is the best.
Fruitcake's just boring
to most people.
It's what your great aunt would
serve with afternoon tea.
It sounds cozy.
Sounds like a snooze-fest.
We need to make Varma Fruitcake
seem sexy.
Desirable.
Aspirational.
Exactly.
I love fruitcake more than
just about anyone,
but even I know no one's
going to aspire to it.
Well that's what they said
about kale,
and look at it now.
Woah, Woah,
Woah, wait, wait.
Are you telling us that you
are personally responsible
for the fame and fortune
of kale?
Well I don't want to brag,
but yes.
Okay, but nobody's
putting fruitcake
in a smoothie anytime soon,
are they?
It's actually a good idea.
We could come at it
from the health angle.
Talk about the fiber
and the fact that your fruit
is all organic.
Yeah, play it up
with the yoga set.
Exactly.
What does any of this have
to do with Christmas?
Christmas will be the window
dressing for everything.
Remember, Christmas
is the ultimate...
Ad campaign.
I think somebody needs
another project
to get him back on
the Varma track.
Ooh. Watch out, Brady.
She is relentless when
she's trying to prove a point.
Yeah, right.
You don't have to walk me
to the car.
Oh, come on.
It's my pleasure.
Hey, you going to be at
the factory tomorrow?
Bright and early.
All right.
Well, can I take you to lunch?
I'd really like that.
Thanks for tonight.
I had a really good time.
You're welcome.
Um, drive safe.
It's a little icy out there.
Will do.
I got you some fruitcake.
Thank you.
Somebody's got a Christmas
crush.
I'm... I'm just being friendly.
You know it's okay
to like him, right?
I don't like him.
He's a coworker.
Mira's got a boyfriend,
she's a smoochy
smoocher.
Stop it!
I'm going to go help mom
in the kitchen.
Mira's getting married,
it's a Christmas love story.
Wow, well I will let you in
on a little secret.
He makes great
French toast.
Thank you.
Bye bye.
-Good morning.
-Good morning.
So, did you get any inspiration
from last night?
Some.
But I don't think I've landed
on the exact right thing yet.
Hmm. Well maybe project
number two
of Operation Varma Christmas
will be the thing.
Hey, does this one
involve ladders?
I promise I will keep your feet
firmly planted on the ground
this time.
Deal. When and where?
My place tonight after work,
and bring a hot glue gun
if you have one.
Well I'm certain I do not
have one.
That's fine.
We can share.
Excuse me.
Okay. I've got work too.
Varma Fruitcakes.
Stop being nervous.
It makes you look weird.
Why would I be nervous?
I don't know, maybe because
you have a crush on Brady.
Wait, what are you doing?
Uh, putting on my scarf.
It's winter outside and I don't
want to get frostbite.
But you can't leave.
Why not?
Because then I'll be alone
with Brady.
Okay, I don't think he's a thief
or a murderer,
so you will be just fine.
That is not what I mean.
Hey, you know, if he does get
fresh with you,
you could use the fruitcake
as a weapon.
No, but seriously,
I have been using them as
dumbbells for my workouts.
It's amazing.
Do you ever stop?
You know I love you, and you
know I love fruitcake.
Now go have fun
and don't be a weirdo.
Did you forget
your keys again?
I told you to always...
put them in your purse.
You are not Manisha.
Sorry to disappoint.
She was just here.
She's always forgetting her keys
and she was
just here, so...
Should I go look for her?
Hey, I thought you didn't
have a glue gun.
Oh. Well now I can't say
that anymore, can I?
Can I come in?
Oh, yes. Sorry.
Entrée.
So this is our project.
Looks complicated.
Don't worry. It's really fun.
When we got to a certain age
in our family,
everybody got to make
their own stocking.
Hey, I was seven
when I made this okay?
I can see that.
Don't judge.
It was made with love,
just like Nani's-.
Fruitcake.
Oh.
You've been listening.
Mm.
I like that.
I'm not that much
of a crafty person.
All you need is an idea,
okay?
Maybe you start
with a character.
Like who would you want
to meet the most?
-Santa Claus?
-Hm?
-Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?
-Hm?
Uh... Frosty the Snowman?
I did always like
that Frosty song.
Okay. That is perfect.
All right.
Okay.
I would get so excited to hang
my stocking up every year.
Did your family do
Christmas stockings?
We had stockings.
But they were mostly only for...
for show.
Santa didn't bring you
any stocking stuffers?
Oh no.
Santa brought plenty of candy
to the Phillips' house.
But they were mostly in my
mother's antique crystal dishes.
Hmm.
It wasn't tragic or anything.
No, I had lots of great
Christmas memories.
Yeah?
My parents would hold these
amazing holiday parties
for all of their
business clients.
And I used to love going
to the studio with my dad
when he was overseeing
Christmas ads.
Okay. But that sounds
like business.
Where was the magic?
I promise I am not scarred
by my kind of Christmas.
Oh, oh, okay.
I'm not.
Okay.
-All right.
-Yeah.
See, you'll have this forever.
And every year you can
hang it up,
you'll remember this moment.
And think of you.
Oh, no.
That's... that's
not what I meant.
I meant you'll think of
Christmas and traditions
and snow... persons.
Not me.
I think I'll have a hard time
forgetting you.
It's Tim.
I should...
You should get that.
-get that.
-Yeah.
I should be going home anyways,
and, you know, put this
inspiration to good use.
Hey, can you hang on a sec?
See you soon?
Yeah.
See ya.
Are you checking on me?
Hey there.
You got the files open?
Yes.
Um, what am I looking at here?
We have to pick a couple
to play a husband and wife
getting ready
for a cocktail party
where they'll be serving
Varma Fruitcake.
Anybody giving you a spark?
This isn't really what I had
in my head.
I know, we couldn't get any
redheads on such short notice,
but I could reach out
to another agency.
No, that's not what I meant.
Where's the warmth
and the friendliness?
These don't look like
people I want to have
fruitcake with.
Okay. That's sort of
the point.
It's a... a rebrand, remember?
I, I should go
write that email.
I was going to write
to that person.
Okay Mira.
Why don't you tell me exactly
what you do have in your head?
When we were little,
I would wake up to the smell
of fruitcake
every Christmas morning.
Jay and I would run downstairs
in our pajamas,
and Nani would be waiting
for us by the tree.
Wait, where were your parents?
They were around,
but I'm a first
generation American.
They came to this country
because they wanted to build
a successful life.
Something that they could give
to us one day.
So they worked hard building
a business.
And then Manisha came along,
and you know,
they just didn't have time
for the fun stuff back then.
I get it.
I mean, my dad missed a lot
of little league games.
And honestly, they
didn't really care
that much about Christmas
back then.
They didn't grow up with it.
Well they've definitely
caught up since then.
I mean, they knew
about Christmas.
They were starting a holiday
fruitcake company.
But at home Nani did it all,
and mostly for me.
Being the only Indian girl
at Robert Louis Stevenson
Elementary was not so fun.
And Nani didn't want me to feel
weird or left out at school,
so she did everything she could
to learn about Christmas
so we could celebrate
like pros.
That's really sweet.
Yeah. Nani was the best.
It wasn't her culture,
but she wanted to make
me happy.
And she did.
I can see why her fruitcake
means so much to you.
Yeah. Nani was pure love.
And she baked it
right into her cakes.
And these people,
they're not showing me
the love.
That's a beautiful memory,
Mira.
But I'm trying to create a
future for Varma Fruitcakes.
And you just keep getting stuck
in the past.
You know, I think I have to go
write an email
to someone as well.
-Mira?
-Hmm?
Pass me the firetrucks
from the second shelf.
There's two.
Who put a lump of coal
in your Christmas stocking?
I thought I was getting
through to Brady,
but he just doesn't get it.
Mira, Brady is a professional.
Just let him do what he knows.
What he knows is not
Nani's kind of Christmas.
And it's not what this company
is about.
Varma Fruitcakes will be
about nothing at all
if nobody eats them.
Mom, I love coming to work every
day and being with you guys.
I love that it still smells like
Nani is here with us.
And I don't want any of that
to change.
Beti, your Nani will always
be with us.
Look at your hands.
They're just like hers.
You even have that small freckle
on your thumb.
The same one.
She's in your heart.
She's in every cell of you.
Remember what Nani used
to say?
Keep a light touch...
...Or the cake will fall.
So maybe keep a little lighter
touch with Brady?
Mmm.
Hmm.
It's going to work out.
I'll try.
Ah!
That's my girl.
Now, we have a toy drive
to complete
and I need you to deliver
the rest of the donations.
Okay. Um, maybe I will get Tim
to go with me.
Why don't you invite
Brady instead.
It might help with some
of that holiday inspiration
you've been trying
to give him.
Maybe you're right.
Mother's always right.
That's all the toys
for the toy drive.
Hey, I used to have one of these
when I was a little buckaroo.
But did you have the hat
and spurs to match?
Well, yippee ki yay
little filly.
I surely did.
Aw, now these,
these were my thing.
Before I was going to rule
the fruitcake world,
I was going to be
a race car driver.
There was a time when you
weren't obsessed
with fruitcakes?
It was brief but real.
Oh.
So where do you donate
all these toys?
Oh, we take them to the
hospitals all around the area
and they give them
to the kids
who are going to be stuck
there for Christmas.
Ah.
Hey, you know we did
all the ad work
for the Turbo Slime Lab.
I bet they'd be willing
to donate some product
to the cause.
People are hitting each other
with rolls of wrapping paper
over those things.
Well, I could get maybe
100 units.
Would that be enough?
Are you kidding?
That would be amazing!
Thank you.
Yeah.
Um...
Are you sure this isn't
some kind of publicity stunt
for your client?
You don't think I could ever
do anything
just out of the kindness
of my heart?
Christmas is the ultimate
ad campaign, right?
Touché.
But I promise I just want
to make a donation.
No strings attached.
Hey. I can be a pretty nice guy,
you know.
We'll see.
All right. Back to work,
nice guy.
All right, boss lady.
So he makes one phone call,
and they don't just give him 100
Slime Labs, they give him 300.
What?
Yeah.
And he gets them all sent
directly to each hospital,
and he spent the whole evening
helping me pick up donations.
And he's not charging us
for his time.
He sounds like
a great guy.
Yeah.
Maybe you should ask him
to the world famous Varma
holiday party.
I thought you were going to be
my plus one.
Actually, I asked someone else
to come with me.
What?
Tim, you're finally getting
back out there?
Who is she and why didn't you
tell me you're seeing someone?
It's all still really new.
Okay.
But I met her at the support
group for people
who have lost their spouse.
Oh, so she's a widow.
Yeah.
Okay.
Well, we both said we're going
to take it slow.
Mm-hmm.
But I like her.
A lot.
This is great!
Ahhhh!!!
So great.
Why don't you ask Brady?
Oh. I mean, he's nice, but
I don't like him that way.
-Really?
-Yeah.
Because he's exactly
your type.
Okay, I will admit that
he's pretty dreamy.
But like, in a Manhattan
business mogul kind of way.
I don't have time for useless
entanglements right now.
Is that what you're calling
first dates these days?
You know, I don't need a man
to be happy.
One can have a complete life
on one's own.
I know you don't need a man
to be happy.
But there are plenty of things
that I want that I don't need.
Like this cookie.
I don't need it.
But I want it.
Woah.
It's late and it's Friday.
You should probably go do
something fun.
Yeah, what about you?
I want to finish
what I'm working on,
but you go ahead.
Are you sure?
Okay.
Wait, how do you get back
to the hotel?
Call a car.
Begone with you.
Okay.
Yeah.
Do you want me to turn
the light on?
You know, it's nice in here.
Just leave it.
Mm-hmm.
How'd you know I was getting
off work now?
I didn't.
But I don't mind waiting
for what I want.
Where's my umbrella?
Hmm, I thought this would be
more romantic.
You know, waiting out
in the rain.
Would you like to take me
to dinner, Jay Varma?
I know just the place.
Hmm.
This just isn't Christmas.
Good morning.
Hey there.
Just doing some inventory.
You almost need sunglasses
for those things, don't you?
They're bright.
Well good thing we have Brady.
He brings a whole
new perspective.
Yeah.
Do you and Mom think I can't
manage the company?
Is that the real reason that you
are putting off retirement?
Why would you think that?
You do everything around here.
There'd be no Varma Fruitcakes
without you.
Are you upset that
we hired Brady?
I'm not mad.
I just thought that
since you and mom
are thinking about passing
the torch,
that if there was some big
decision to be made,
that you would've talked
to me about it.
Your mother and I,
we were just sitting in bed
talking over ideas,
and I remembered Trevor.
And then she said I should
ask him to do an ad,
I said that's a good idea,
so I sent him an email
on my phone.
It all happened
very quickly.
Okay.
But is there anything else
you're not telling me?
Like, are we in more trouble
than I thought?
I don't want you and Mom
to be putting yourselves
in a bad position.
Things are not great.
But they aren't
totally desperate.
And your mother and I would
do anything for you kids.
That's the whole reason
we started Varma Fruitcake.
And I would do anything
for you guys.
Even if that means
working with Brady and...
not against him?
Hmm. Busted.
Mm-hmm.
He is pretty great,
isn't he?
Mm.
And very attractive.
Dad!
What, it's my duty to see
my daughter settled.
And he's from a very
good family.
I have eyes, beti.
I can see the little sparks fly
when the two of you look
at each other.
You should give him
a real chance.
He might surprise you.
-Hello?
-Hi.
What's up?
Um, I was wondering if you could
meet me at the bakery.
All right.
Okay great.
So what are we working on?
You are going to make
a Varma Fruitcake
in the very place where
my Nani taught me.
I'm not much of a cook.
I'm not much of a teacher
but we'll have to figure
it out together.
Okay. What's first?
Well first you dry the fruit
and then you soak the dried
fruit in brandy for a month.
I might have to take
a few appointments
between now and then.
Lucky for you, that part's
already done.
So, you need to toss the fruit
in the flour
so that it doesn't sink
to the bottom of the batter.
So here, just dump it in.
-Mm-hmm.
-Yeah.
And then gently toss.
Okay.
What's that?
This is ghee.
It's clarified butter.
It's used in a lot
of Indian cooking.
It's one of the secrets
to making
a very tender Kerala Cake.
I thought you were keeping
all of your Nani's secrets.
You can have this one.
Because I'm nice.
Ahh.
Um, I'll grab that.
Ooh.
So is this what goes into
the secret spice blend?
Yes.
I will let you watch me
mix them,
but I will not tell you
what they are.
Can I smell them?
Sure.
Mm.
Smells nutty.
But also a little bit
like licorice.
Is it anise?
No. It's cardamom.
Oh...
Gotcha.
Oh, you!
Crafty.
Okay. You got two of Nani's
secrets now.
Mm-hmm.
Okay, here we go.
Thank you.
Okay.
Ah, ah, ah!
Don't you dare.
You have to let it cool.
Just a taste?
No. It'll be worth the wait.
You can't expect me to just
sit here and stare
at this cake if you don't
want me to eat it.
Wow.
Let's go outside.
No, it's so cold out.
Come on.
We won't be out too long.
Okay, fine.
Look at those stars.
Yeah.
You know when we were little,
during the Christmas season
when things got extra busy,
my parents would come home
for dinner.
And then they'd let us
come out here
and run around
in our pajamas.
That sounds cute.
It was more noisy than cute.
But my poor Nani, she probably
needed a break.
Mm.
And we would look up
at those stars,
and pretend this whole yard
was a planet
and we were on
a space quest.
Cool.
And we would each pick a star
that was our home
that we were trying
to get back to.
See, that's the kind of thing
I missed out on being
an only child.
I bet you were really
cute though.
A little bit.
You know, we did
everything together.
We liked all the same stuff,
we even had matching pajamas.
Wow.
Yeah.
Everything's different now.
Of course everything's
different now.
You probably don't even fit
in those pajamas anymore.
I know it's different for Jay
and Manisha.
To them it's just a job,
but to me it's my family.
It's Nani's Kerala Cake,
is what holds us together.
I don't think that's true.
-No?
-No.
I've seen how close
you all are.
But I am scared.
Of what?
That if we...
lose this company,
that if we lose Nani's
kind of Christmas,
we're going to lose
each other too.
I promise
that won't happen.
You know, that cake is probably
cooled by now.
It's cold.
I'm just going to pack
this up for you.
I thought we were going
to try it together.
I just didn't realize
how late it was.
Oh.
Right yeah, I guess
it is kind of late.
But hey, time flies
when you're having fun.
I know I'm not
your only account.
I shouldn't keep monopolizing
your time.
Otherwise, what's going
to happen
when you go back
to the city?
Hey, we still have time.
I should... get home.
Hey I um, I... I still have
some stuff to do at the office.
Do you mind if I head back
for a bit?
No, that's fine.
All right, I'll lock up
when I'm done.
Okay.
See you tomorrow?
Aww.
So where are we at?
Well, Finn has some great ideas
to help Jay update the website
and increase our online sales.
Oh, that's exciting.
Yeah.
And after spending more time
with Brady...
Oh yes, we've noticed you two
seem to be joined at the hip.
Hmm. He's growing on you, eh?
I know I gave you guys a lot
of pushback about him.
It's your job in this family
to provide the pushback.
It always has been.
But you guys were right.
And it's time to let him
do his marketing magic.
Ha! Good for you, Mira.
We know change doesn't
come easy for you.
But change will be a big part of
the company when you take over.
Uh, was this some kind of test
or something?
Wait, are you guys going
to make an announcement?
Well it wasn't a test.
And it's not like we're packing
today or anything.
But we have been thinking
about buying an RV.
We'll be like snails with
a house on our back.
With a king sized bed,
a full kitchen,
and a retractable awning.
I want to see America with
my beautiful wife by my side.
Aww.
I hope my husband looks
at me that way
after 34 years of marriage.
You aren't even going to get
one year of marriage
if we can't even get you
out on a date.
Mom, stop!
I'm doing something
with Tim tonight.
Tim doesn't count
as a date.
No, but he's showing me
how to use a dating app
so it sort of counts.
Bless our Tim.
Have you taken a picture
for your profile?
I just bought this wonderful
pink lipstick
that I think will look perfect
on you.
Mom...
I have plenty of lipstick.
I gotta go count some fruitcake.
It's true, you look
lovely in pink.
Thank you Papa.
See, even Dad thinks so.
Dating app?
-Hey.
-Hey.
Little too cold to work
outside tonight?
Actually I was going
to finish up inside.
You know, I haven't
seen you today.
Hmm.
I thought maybe you fell
into a vat of fruitcake batter.
Sort of.
More like a vat of paperwork.
There's um, something I want
to talk to you about.
It's Tim.
We have dinner reservations.
Can it wait until tomorrow?
Yeah, sure.
Have a good night, Brady.
You too, Mira.
Hey...
Hey Dad.
I take it you got my email?
I did.
I'm surprised you've decided
to move in a new direction
with the Varma account.
Spending all this time with
the Varmas has got me thinking
about Granddad and his old
ad campaigns.
Now I'm making the connection.
I decided rather
than fighting it,
we should latch onto the idea
that fruitcake's a retro product
and let that be
the selling point.
I love it.
Avinash will too.
He's always been
the sentimental type.
All the Varmas are amazing.
I know I...
I came into this thinking of
it as a throwaway job,
but spending time getting
to know Mira
and the rest of the Varmas?
You know, I think I may be
having a renaissance.
Ah, I see.
Mira is Avi's oldest
daughter, right?
Yeah.
She's kind
of devoted herself
to steeping me in
Varma Cakes culture.
Uh-huh.
Yeah, we've been doing all
of these projects like...
well, making a Christmas
stocking, and decorating, and...
Brady, I didn't call to discuss
the Varmas.
Huh?
I wanted to tell you
we got Origin Electric.
That's incredible, Dad!
And we're going to need you
back here as soon as possible
to get things running
on the account.
We can't just leave the Varmas
with nothing.
They're depending on me.
Plus we aren't done
with the toy drive and...
and I promised I'd go caroling
with them tomorrow.
Finn can finish this off
for you, Brady.
He's ready and you've already
laid a strong groundwork.
But I'm not ready.
Brady, I need you for this.
We made big promises and
we won't get a second chance.
It's just that Mira...
Your grandpa would be
the first to tell you
that success involves a great
deal of personal sacrifices.
I've certainly made my share
of them.
But building this company
is bigger
than just you and me, Brady.
I understand.
I'll be back in Seattle
by tomorrow night.
The sooner the better.
I know, Dad.
I'll... I'll see you tomorrow.
It's a full-scale social
media blitz,
in conjunction with a ton
of online influencers.
Collabs are so hot right now,
and by crossing over audiences
we get maximum exposure.
Have you talked to Brady
about this?
This is... this is great stuff.
Brady is really supportive, but
if I roll it out as his junior
everyone will just assume
it was his idea.
Then use it as a launching
point to get your own campaign.
I told you, he doesn't think
I'm ready.
What?
Um...
Look, you've been encouraging
me to follow my dreams,
and that's what finally got me
to reach out
to a few of my old contacts...
about coaching.
-For snowboarding?
-Yeah.
You're doing it?
Yeah, it's not set in stone
and my family doesn't
quite know about it yet,
but one of my old coaches
is looking for someone to train
his more junior boarders.
I am so happy for you.
Come here!
That's so amazing.
Hey.
You should take your own advice,
all right?
I think it's time you
go for it too.
Why are you always right?
I don't know.
What did you say?
Huh? Oh, I'm practicing
my French.
She puts together another box.
Practicing for what?
Okay.
Do you remember Elise?
Sure.
Well she's been living
and working in Paris
at this magazine.
She saw my vlog
and she thinks that I can get
an apprenticeship there.
You are not moving to Paris.
What about the company?
What about it?
I mean, Jay, Mom and Dad
are here.
Plus you can run the company
with your eyes closed.
That is not the point.
Honestly, Mira.
Everyone's cool with it.
You should be too.
And besides I don't even
like fruitcake.
How can you not like fruitcake?
Oh...
Does Mom know about this?
Yeah, no, about that.
She may or may not have caught
me feeding it to the cat
a couple years ago.
You fed fruitcake to the cat?
Boite.
Hey everybody,
Brady's here.
What? What's going on?
Did I forget to tell you about
the Christmas sweaters?
Yeah, you definitely forgot
to tell me about that.
Okay. Well don't worry about it,
we have lots of extras.
No, no. Don't go to any trouble
on my account.
It's tradition.
You're not thinking about
kicking up a fuss are you?
Oh no.
I know better than to argue
with you
when it comes to
Christmas traditions.
Good.
Hey.
I didn't know
you were caroling.
Um...
This has become about
more than just work for me.
I hope you understand.
Brady?
I understand completely.
Come on, let's practice.
Come on, come on, come on.
Let's practice.
One, two, three, four.
♪ Dashing through
the snow ♪
♪ In a one-horse
open sleigh ♪
Brady?
Hey, I think this
should fit you.
Enjoy the lights.
Wow, of all the things I thought
I'd be doing tonight,
wearing a Christmas sweater
with lights was not one of them.
You can change in there.
Merry Christmas!
Hey!
All right.
Okay, okay, okay.
Mira, Tim, have you guys
practiced your duet?
Oh, we've just been
super busy.
You know how it gets this time
of the year.
Yeah, I don't think we're going
to have time for it.
They have been doing this
since their grade one
Christmas concert.
I think that you two should
just do it for us here.
To make sure that
you're good to go.
In the Varma family
there is no willy-nilly
when it comes to
Christmas caroling.
That's right,
no willy-nilly.
Fine, fine. You ready?
One, two, three.
♪ Silent night,
holy night ♪
♪ All is calm ♪
♪ All is bright ♪
♪ Round yon virgin,
mother and child ♪
♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪
♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪
That was so beautiful.
Okay everybody outside,
scarves, toques.
Okay, okay, okay!
And we're taking two cars
because there's so many of you.
Okay.
-Good voice.
-Thanks.
Hey um, by the way. I heard
about Origin Electric.
Congratulations.
Yeah. I need to tell you
something about that.
But I haven't talked
to Mira yet,
so if you could just keep it
quiet for a little bit longer?
Trevor called me
this afternoon.
He was worried you might
be distracted
and need some help
wrapping up?
Huh?
I know you don't want
to hurt her.
But I really believe
she's going to be fine.
She's got a lot of love
and support here.
You're right.
Yeah.
Yeah, she can do anything
she wants.
Yeah, she can.
Yeah.
I'm glad you came.
Yeah.
Mira, can I talk to you
for a second?
Sure.
I would've told you this sooner,
but really there was
just so much going on.
What's up?
Well uh, Phillips Woolsey
just got this big new client.
Huge, really.
Origin Electric.
Wow. That's so great.
Yeah, my father's putting me
in charge of the account.
Oh.
So I have to drive back
to Seattle, right away.
Well what about
Varma Fruitcakes?
We're just getting started.
Finn will be taking over.
And I know he'll do
a great job.
When are you leaving?
Tonight.
I am so sorry.
I should probably get inside
and help my mom.
Have a safe drive.
And Merry Christmas, Brady.
Merry Christmas, Mira.
So.
Thank you for all...
Thank you all for coming.
I'm very excited to tell you
about the launch of our...
Finn?
Yeah?
What's a woke?
Woke, um...
Woke is really about being
in the know.
And that's what we wanna do
with our social media takeover.
Ooh!
How do you take over
the whole social media?
Dad, no.
The social media's
not one thing.
It's like when
different influencers
talk about the product.
Like the girl Manisha
is always watching,
that hauls the clothes
from all the stores.
Mom, she doesn't haul clothes.
It's a "clothing haul,"
like when you buy, you know...
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's all very exciting.
And I've been in contact
with a ton of influencers
who are going to vlog
and post
for what I'm calling
#NationalFruitcakeDay.
Woah, Woah! There's a holiday
for fruitcake?
How did we not know this?
There's no holiday
for fruitcake.
What's he saying?
I... It's not actually
a holiday.
Finn is just trying
to whip up interest.
Exactly.
And the reason I gather you
all on a Sunday
is we have to overnight
all the fruitcake swag bags
and I was hoping
you'd help me pack them.
Sure.
Doesn't that sound like fun
everybody, huh?
Yeah.
Uh, what's in the swag bags?
Well, fruitcake of course.
And tote bags.
And... Oh. Look at
the sweater.
And don't forget the hats.
That's a fruitcake.
Okay. Do we have any
control over what the
influencers will be saying?
Well, no.
Part of the deal is that they
make independent content.
But they're all on board.
And you're sure of this?
Of course.
It's all going to be
a lot of fun.
And by the end of the day,
fruitcake will be trending.
This is all very exciting.
They're especially interested
in promoting
their clean energy efforts,
so we'll want to showcase them
as a green friendly company.
Might not be a bad idea
for you to take a trip
out to California, see some
of the wind technology work
they're doing out
in the desert.
Brady?
Brady, are you listening?
Sorry. I'm just brainstorming
in my head.
You're already giving me
a lot of ideas.
I... I really need you
to stay centered.
I'm sorry.
I just haven't slept well
these last couple of nights.
I'm just readjusting.
I get it.
Take the afternoon
if you need to.
Open your mail, get caught up
on your Christmas shopping.
Tomorrow you have
your first team meeting.
You know, I think work
is the best thing for me.
Speaking of which,
I've got a lot of research
to do.
Is... is this everything?
That's it.
You go do what you do.
Why can't we see anything?
Because it's a livestream.
They should be logging on
any second.
The Dare Guy's huge.
I can't believe Finn got him.
What kind of dare can you
even do with a fruitcake?
What's up dare guys and gals?
It's me, The Dare Guy,
coming to you live from
The Dare Mom's house.
And today, we're celebrating
National Fruitcake Day!
I don't know.
Anyway, I got here 26 slices
of fruitcake
and I'm going to eat them all
in one minute.
Bob, you ready?
Guys, what you got to remember
with these things is
the only rules are
there are no rules!
Well, I do have to get all
the cakes down without hurling.
Okay?
Our fruitcakes don't make
people sick.
It's all in fun.
People love it.
Yeah, like last year
he jumped into
a pool full of marshmallows.
Three, two, one,
Dare Guy go!
Oh, we should've done
water bottles!
Manisha, shh!
That was...
Awesome!
Was it?
I did not hurl!
Guys, thanks for watching.
Have a good one.
Peace.
But he didn't even
say Varma Fruitcakes.
This was just the first one.
I'm going to send out an email
memo to the other influencers.
I promise we're going to get
on top of this.
I don't think we should've
ever done this.
People are going to make fun
of fruitcake now.
I can't believe we actually
paid money to make things worse.
Go take care of your sister.
Seriously? Okay, okay.
This will blow over.
Yeah. Right in time for our
going out of business sale.
Oh, don't be a defeatist Mir.
Okay listen.
Mom called and she wants us
to come over
to watch a Christmas movie.
I think we all need to take
our minds off fruitcake.
I really should stay and go
through emails.
Customer service is extra
important right now.
All that product we gave away
is an additional loss.
Mir, come on.
Look. You need to eat
and Mom's making biryani.
-Ooh.
-Mm-hmm.
All right.
Um... but I'm going to take
my work with me.
Yeah, no. Computer stays.
There are other computers.
Hot chocolates to go.
What's up dare guys and gals?
It's me, The Dare Guy.
Hello, this is Mira.
Leave me a message
and I'll get back to you.
You should hang it up
for the night.
Join in.
I'm not feeling too
merry and bright.
A lot of long nights
in this business.
A lot of hard work
and pressure.
I can handle it Dad.
But for me, the thing that
always kept me going
was knowing I was coming home
to you and your mom.
You know, you never
missed dinner.
Even if you had to come back
to the office afterwards.
This company has allowed
me to build a beautiful life,
and I couldn't be more
proud of you
for following in your
grandfather's and my footsteps.
Thank you, Dad.
But Brady.
You don't have to do things
exactly the way we did.
I'm always so blown away
by your talent and ideas.
Dad?
And I know you've got it
in you to give twice
what your grandpa and I did,
and still have all you need
to go after the things
that are really important.
Like Mira.
Dad, she makes me laugh.
She makes me want to care
as much as she does
about things that most people
just take for granted.
And she made me see that
Christmas could be magical
in a way that I never
saw it before.
Well then, go get her.
I think I screwed up big time.
I've had your mother so mad at
me that she could roast a turkey
with the fire in her eyes.
But one of the best things
about love
is that it's very forgiving.
I should get back out there.
Thanks Dad.
Okay, It's A Wonderful Life
gets me like every time.
A retro-chic campaign.
-Manisha!
-Huh?
-Look at this.
-What?
Oh, wow.
Check this out.
I think we can fix
this disaster.
Right?
Uh-huh.
Hey.
Mira.
I just want to apologize.
I moved too quickly on
the social media thing,
and I should've...
Wait. It's going to be okay,
Finn.
I have a plan.
What are you going to do?
Show them.
I found Brady's ideas.
He wanted to do a retro-chic
ad campaign mirroring
all the best traditions
that I love about fruitcake,
with an aesthetic that appeals
to the modern hipster.
This is genius.
Yeah.
I made some initial calls
to get the ads into print,
and I would like you
and Manisha
to handle the social
media element.
Are you sure?
If we're going to make
this work,
we're going to need
all hands on deck.
Jay Varma reporting for duty.
Mom confirmed that the shipper
can still guarantee delivery
by Christmas.
And Mir had me reach out to
all the local coffee shops.
Every one of them is going
to feature our fruitcakes.
I think this is going to work,
you guys.
One, two, three.
Go Varmas!
Woo!
What?
Amazing.
♪ Good King Wenceslas
looked out ♪
♪ On the feast of Stephen ♪
♪ When the snow lay
round about ♪
♪ Deep and crisp and even ♪
♪ Brightly shone
the moon that night ♪
♪ Though the frost was cruel ♪
Merry Christmas.
Ohhh!
Congratulations on your
big ad campaign.
Thank you.
You know your dad put
an extra order in
to keep up
with the rush.
What? Are you kidding?
I'm so proud of you.
Oh, thank you so much.
♪ Hither, page,
and stand by me ♪
♪ If though know it telling ♪
♪ Yonder peasant, who is he ♪
♪ Where and which
his dwelling ♪
♪ Sire, he lives a good
league hence ♪
Brady.
I wasn't expecting you!
I would've picked you up
from the airport.
Oh, I drove.
I came to congratulate Phillips
Woolsey's newest partner
on a very successful holiday
ad campaign.
Honestly, if it hadn't been for
Mira finding all your ideas
and pulling
everything together,
this would be a very
different party.
Well the Varmas
have had nothing
but nice things to say about you
and all of your hard work.
You deserve the promotion.
I probably should've seen
that sooner.
They make a great couple.
What are you talking about?
Oh, here she is.
Mira, this is my date, Rachel.
So nice to meet you.
I've heard so much about you.
Well, I hope it's all good.
It's all good.
You know, I've been spending
a lot of time with Mira.
She doesn't gush a lot
when she gets really excited
about something,
but she does get this little
sparkle in her eye.
I've seen that too.
She does get that sparkle every
time she talks about you.
I don't know what to do.
Should I say anything
or should I be patient?
I don't want to push.
Can you wait here a second?
What?
Just hang on.
Just wait right here.
Okay, okay.
You have a special guest.
Hi.
When did you get here?
Sorry to be a party crasher.
I don't want to step in
on your family Christmas.
No.
I mean, what took you so long?
So.
I guess this is where things get
complicated, huh?
I don't have everything
figured out,
but I just know
that I don't want to spend
another Christmas without you.
You ready for your gift?
Yeah.
Okay.
Okay.
Tickets to Paris?
Think of it as a Christmas
bonus.
You deserve to follow
your dreams, Manisha.
Thank you.
And...
Oh!
For your future adventures.
Aww, I love it.
Just remember,
you can always drive
that RV back home.
Aww.
Hey, when did you have time
to get this?
When you're a big
famous coach,
I want front row seats
to the Olympics.
-Thank you.
-Me too.
You managed to get everyone
the perfect gift.
I didn't know you
were coming back,
so I didn't get
you anything.
I have everything I need,
right here.