It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (2019) - full transcript

♪ Have a holly, jolly
Christmas ♪

♪ It's the best time
of the year ♪

♪ I don't know if
there'll be snow ♪

♪ But have a cup of cheer

♪ Have a holly, jolly
Christmas ♪

♪ And when you walk
Down the street ♪

♪ Say hello
To friends you know ♪

♪ And everyone you meet

♪ Oh, ho, the mistletoe
Hung where you can see ♪

♪ Somebody waits for you

♪ Kiss her once for me



♪ Have a holly, jolly
Christmas ♪

♪ And in case you didn't hear

♪ Oh, by golly

♪ Have a holly, jolly
Christmas ♪

♪ This year

♪ Have
a holly, jolly Christmas ♪

♪ It's the best time
of the year ♪

Mom? Dad?
What are you doing here?

Liam, good morning!

We were getting
a little Christmas cheer.

Oh!

I know it's only
three weeks until Christmas,

but it just doesn't feel like
the holidays

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



I was just going
to get some myself.

Like father, like son.

Actually, they're not for me.

Strafford Candle is having
their opening ceremony

for the Christmas Spirit
Competition,

and I hear the owner has
a notorious sweet tooth.

Ooh.

Are we still meeting tomorrow

to decorate
the Mayor's Residence?

Mom, again...

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

It's just my house.

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

in the first round
of the competition?

You can call it what you want,
but yes,

the volunteers
are supposed to show up

bright and early tomorrow.

Will there be more cookies?

Oh. Ignore him.

West Riverton
is gonna win this year!

That's right.

I've been telling everyone

the Strafford Candle
will be named after our time.

"West Riverton Pine."

No... "Candy Cane."

Ask for a candy cane candle.

Oh, I love going every year

to see the town that wins.

And that's gonna be us,
this year.

In the bag.

I mean, if East Riverton

could make it into
the final round last year--

Please, don't remind me.

Ah. Still stings, huh?

No. Their mayor reminds me
every chance she gets.

Sarah's gotta be

the most competitive person
I have ever known.

She's been that way
since we were kids.

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

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

enthusiastic.

Yeah?

I mean, I love this town,

I love the people,
I love the competition,

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

That's the Christmas spirit.

And I am gonna love it

when we beat East Riverton
this year.

- Yes!
- Cookies!

Later, son.

All right.

Thanks, Sarah.

Tricia, thank you.

Your snowman-shaped cookies
are perfect,

and so much cuter

than the reindeer ones
that they have in West Riverton.

Well, good,
because we have to go all out

to beat them and win this year.

We are starting
first thing tomorrow,

decorating
the "Mayor's Residence."

You mean our house?

Yes. But this is gonna
make it spectacular.

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

Oh, thank you.

- Bye, Justin.
- Bye!

- See ya.
- Bye.

So, Mom, have you thought

of what you want
for Christmas yet?

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

That doesn't help.

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

Like the finger painting
of the snowmen

that you did that one year.

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

Okay, okay. Um...

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

You'd have to seriously
raise my allowance.

Dad, Mom wants me...

to buy her a car for Christmas.

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

Ah.

- Good morning.
- Hey.

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

Do you want to come with us?

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

Linda and I have
a date night planned.

But you and me are gonna spend
the whole afternoon together

tomorrow after school.

What are you guys gonna do?

We're gonna help decorate
the Mayor's house

over in West Riverton.

Frank, you're helping Liam?

Okay, Sarah, come on.

You've really got
to let this rivalry go.

Yeah, come on, I mean,

Christmas
is about coming together.

You know, "goodwill toward men."

Yes, of course it is,

and we will absolutely do that,
after we win.

Okay! Well, on that merry note,

come on,
let's get you to school.

- Come on. Hugs.
- Bye

That's my boy.

Oh...

you little stealer!

♪ ...Merry Christmas

♪ We wish you
A Merry Christmas ♪

♪ And a Happy New Year

Hurray!

Thank you all so much
for coming out.

That was amazing!

We need more lights.

On the tree?

No, for my house.
For the competition.

When we turn those lights on,

the entire Eastern Seaboard
should experience a brownout.

We only have enough left
in the budget

to maybe blow a few fuses

in New Hampshire
and parts of Maine.

But we can go
to the big Christmas store

on Highway 40.

They have discounts
when you buy in bulk.

No, Kendall,

you're the President
of the Town Council.

You have to learn to delegate.

You picked that tree
and set it up yourself.

Yes, well, I saw

what Sarah got
for East Riverton's City Hall,

and ours is so much better.

I should get going

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

You said you wanted to stop
and pick up some fruitcake

at the coffee shop, too.

Right. Thank you.

Mm.

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

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

I'll look at the budget.

Who needs snowplows, right?

Yale... I love this.

We can put them
over the fireplace in your house

and have a concert
for the judges

as they walk in.

It's perfect.

I think that takes care
of what we're doing

for round one
of the competition.

If we make it to round two...

"When" we make it to round two.

We have everything ordered

for the Christmas carnival
in town hall--

which was a great idea,
by the way.

Round two is all about
showing off

the fun side
of Christmas in East Riverton.

What's more fun
than games and food?

We are gonna win this year.

I can feel it.

Do you think
that the winner will get

the new distribution center that
Strafford Candle is planning?

Well, it's not
part of the prize,

but I think it's a possibility.

I mean, the owner of the company
loves Christmas.

Whichever town wins
could be a frontrunner.

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

that would be perfect for it.

Ohh. Fingers crossed.

Thanks.

Oh, uh...

Uh, didn't you say you wanted

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

Yes. Thank you.

- Sarah.
- Liam.

You have everything you need

for the ceremony
at Stafford Candles?

Oh, yes. All set. Thank you.

And you're all good?

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

After you.

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

No, no. You go ahead.

Please--

Okay! Will one
of you please go first?

You're letting all the heat out!

Do you think this will work?

Well, the more
we get them together,

the more they have
to be nice to each other.

Maybe it'll finally stick.

This would make my job
so much easier.

Ohh, it would
make my life a lot easier.

It is way too cold

for your "after you"
routine today.

- I was only trying to--
- Oh, no, no, we were just--

Yeah, I know

what you were "just"
and what you were "trying to."

I know all your little tricks
with each other.

You don't know
everything about us.

We're not that predictable.

Uh, may I please get
a peppermint--?

Peppermint macchiato.

Eggnog latte.

So...

are you ready for the Christmas
Spirit Competition?

Oh. Ready to win?

Ha! Absolutely.

Well, East Riverton made it
into the final round last year.

West Riverton is gonna make it
much further than that.

In fact...

we're gonna get the distribution
center, as well.

Isn't that right, Maureen?

Maureen is on our side.

Oh! Mm. No.

Maureenis on no one's side.

You see, I live
outside of both city limits,

and this place is Switzerland.

It's the only way
we can survive,

straddling the border
between both towns.

Now, if you two don't stop,

neither of you are getting
any of my Christmas fruitcake.

- Oh...
- You can't do that.

It's tradition.

It's the best fruitcake
in the world, Maureen.

Well, at least we agree on that.

Ah, I would never
do that to you.

Besides, the spirit of Christmas
is all about

sharing and helping
your fellow man, right?

- Yes.
- Of course it is.

Mm-hmm.

Don't you two have towns to run?

Thank you, Maureen.

- Bye, Maureen.
- Bye.

After you.

Oh, please, I insist.

Bye, Maureen.

Our winners from last year

and several years before,
Dover Lake.

Welcome to the Strafford Candle
Christmas Spirit Competition.

A finalist from last year,
East Riverton.

Welcome to the competition.

Our good friends from Weaverton.

Welcome to the competition.

All right.

There you go.

And our last entry,

let's have a warm welcome
for West Riverton.

- Welcome to the competition.
- Thank you. Thank you.

That makes 28 official entrants.

You know,
over the last 50 years,

the New Hampshire
Christmas Spirit Competition

has become
a beloved institution.

And yes, we sell
a lot of candles because of it,

but it's about
so much more than that.

It's a tradition

that brings
communities together.

So here's how the competition
is going to work.

Round one,

decorate the Mayor's Residence.

And then our beloved judges

will whittle it down to 10 towns

that will move forward
on to round two,

where they must do something

that shows how much fun
Christmas can be.

Then the top three towns

go into the third,
and final, round,

where they must put on
a gathering that speaks

to what Christmas means
for their community.

I will announce the winning town
December 23rd

and they will get
our 50th Anniversary Candle

named after the town.

Plus, a cash prize

for their
Parks and Recreation Department,

and bragging rights

as the New Hampshire town
with the most Christmas spirit.

What about the distribution
center you want to build?

Will the winning town
get that, too?

Not officially.

Although, I will say

that the qualities
that the judges look for--

a strong sense of community,

neighbors working together
toward the common good--

those are the qualities
that I'll be looking for

when I make my decision
on where we will expand.

Thank you all so much!

Have a very Merry Christmas.

John, hi.

Merry Christmas to you.

Liam, so good to see you again.

It's great to have you

in the competition again
this year.

Thank you very much.

Yeah. Are those
what I think they are?

Well, I remember
how much you love

our reindeer Christmas cookies,
so...

But not as much

as you're gonna love
our snowmen cookies.

Well, I love them both.

It's just a little way of saying

congratulations on the 50th
anniversary of the competition.

You know, when we started this,
we only had five towns enter.

It's almost
as much of a tradition

as your Christmas candles,

which, by the way,
my family loves them,

Oh, so do mine.

Oh, so do mine.
My father, actually,

he requested
a candy cane-scented candle

when we win the competition
this year.

Oh! Let's not get ahead
of ourselves, Liam.

Well, if you'll excuse me,

I have some work to do.

Of course.

- Oh! Oh, yes.
- Of course.

Thank you, John.

Mayor Clark.

The whole Clark family!

Merry Christmas.

I wasn't expecting you tonight.

Oh, Kendall said
she made a reservation.

Enzo, I don't know
how you do it.

Every year, you top yourself!
I think you did it again.

What can I say?

I like Christmas...
just a little bit.

"Just a little."

I hope you're hungry.

I recommend
the "Merry Manicotti"

or we're doing

our Christmas tree pizza
again this year.

How can we say no to that?

Come on.

I got one table left.

Mayor Reed!

- Welcome.
- Oh, Enzo. Hi!

This looks...

amazing.

Liam.

Sarah.

Ben, Catherine,
so good to see you.

Sarah.

Good to see you, Sarah.

Do you remember my son, Justin?

Of course.
Look how handsome he is.

Oh! Thank you, Mrs. Clark.

Enzo, please tell me
you're doing

the Christmas tree pizza
this year.

Of course.

But I was just about
to seat Mayor Clark,

and we only have one table left.

It might be a little while.

Oh, uh, Yale told us
to come by tonight,

but that is okay,
we can take it to go.

Oh, no, no. Don't be silly.
Sit with us.

Oh, Dad, I don't think that's--

No, we don't want to intrude.

They don't want to intrude.

It's no intrusion.

The more the merrier,
especially at this time of year.

Enzo, lead the way.

After you.

Thank you.

And since Liam couldn't do it,

your mother said
she would sing those notes.

How old were they?

About your age, I think.

I could have done it.

Oh! Sweetheart!

It was "O Holy Night."

An opera singer has a hard time
hitting those notes.

You should've heard him trying
to practice up in his room.

First time he did it,

we thought he was
being attacked by a wild animal.

Could we talk about
maybe something else?

So, Mom, did you do it?

I-I mean, you sing and you hum
all the time now,

you must've been great.

Justin, it was a long time ago.

The important
thing is, she tried.

So I guess you guys
knew each other

pretty well back then, huh?

Are you kidding?

They competed on everything.

Student council, debating club,
college applications.

And now that they've both
become Mayor,

it's always about
which town is winning what.

We aren't that bad.

We're just, um,

passionate about our towns

and the people who live there.

Yes. Well put.

And when

we win
the competition this year...

...Then that will be a surprise.

So, uh, Mayor Clark,

did my dad tell you

that I'm gonna be helping you
decorate this year?

Uh, yes, he did,

and we are very lucky
to have you.

Although, I have to admit
I'm a little bit surprised

your mom didn't find that,
I don't know,

a conflict of interest.

No. No, it's fine.

Just as long as
you don't give away

anything
that East Riverton is doing.

And what happens
in West Riverton

stays in West Riverton.

You know, Liam,
I was just thinking

about that issue
we needed to discuss.

What issue?

Yeah. That issue.

Uh, do you want to talk
about that right now?

You know, um, yeah, but it can
wait until tomorrow morning.

- 9:00 a.m., town square?
- Yeah, that sounds great.

Good.

Justin, did your mom
ever tell you the story

of how she and Liam both tried
to convince the Governor

to host their
Christmas tree lightings?

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

Why are we talking here?

Fewer witnesses?

Neutral territory.

Half in your town, half in mine.

Actually, my side of the square

is 10 feet wider than yours.

You're really trying
to push my buttons, aren't you?

- Is it working?
- No.

I wanted to talk about Justin,

since he's working
with Frank on your house,

I wanted to make sure

that he didn't get dragged
into the middle of this.

"This"?

Us. Our competitive spirit.

Sarah, come on.

I would never
involve Justin in... this.

Thank you.

Having said that,

when West Riverton

wins the Christmas Spirit
Competition,

I fully intend
to not let you forget

that it was done so
with your son's help.

And when you lose
to East Riverton,

I fully intend to use it
as a teachable moment

to show Justin
that winning isn't everything.

Mm-hmm. So, what do you have
planned for round two?

I don't know,
what are you gonna do?

Not one little tidbit?

They want me to dress up
as Santa Claus.

I would pay good money
to see that.

Ah, you're welcome to come.
I'll save you a seat.

Okay. And we will do the same
for you at ours.

Mm. Seems only fair...
if you dress up as Mrs. Claus.

Okay. I'll do it.

It'll be fun.

Do you have any interest
in making this

a little more interesting?

How so?

If one of us wins,

the losing mayor

has to host a big party
in the winner's honor.

How about, um...
a nice dinner instead?

Oh? You want to have dinner
with me?

Don't flatter yourself.

May the best mayor win.

May the best townwin.

Excuse me, Mayor Clark.

Um, may I ask a favor?

Of course, Justin. Yeah.

Well, I'm thinking about what
to get my mom for Christmas,

and since you've known
her for so long,

I was wondering
if you might have any ideas

on what she might like.

Uh, have you asked your father?

I mean, your mom and your dad
are good friends.

Oh, no, no, no.
He didn't like my suggestions.

Well, I was thinking

maybe something
that a mayor would like?

Besides, Dad told me

that you became mayor
because of Mom anyway.

Well... sort of.

Your mom, your dad, and I

all ran
for freshman Class President,

and I happened to win--

I only did it
to impress your mom,

but she was not happy
about losing.

No, she was not.

But, you know, it's funny,

the way she expressed it

was, really, by pushing me
to do better.

Uh, she taught me what it meant
to be in public service,

so much so that when
your dad and I went to college,

I studied political science.

And then we got back

to find that Riverton
had been split into two towns,

and they were looking for people
to work at the new City Hall,

and the rest is history.

Yep.

I don't think I understand

why it became
East and West Riverton.

Well, I mean,
it wasn't any one thing--

uh, disagreements about
taxation and zoning--

but, in the end,

it was really, uh...

people had different visions

for what they thought
Riverton should be.

But the two towns are so alike,
it's like they're twins.

I, uh... don't know about that.

So you still like being mayor?

Oh, I love it.

Yeah, Mom loves
being mayor, too.

I'm sure she does.

She's good at it, too.

Although, if you tell her
I told you that,

I will totally deny it.

Okay, I won't tell her.

- Okay.
- But will you let me know

if you can think of anything

that she might
want for Christmas?

Absolutely.

You know,

we probably should have just
dropped all these at my house.

We have that budget meeting
in 20 minutes, remember?

Oh, right.

You know, if we get
Strafford Candle's

distribution center,

our town's gonna have a huge
new source of tax revenue.

Things are going
really well already.

The town's in good shape.

Yeah, well, you know,
it's my job

to make sure
we're in great shape.

Liam, you don't
have to prove anything.

The people in this town
already know

how much time and energy
you put into being mayor.

There's no place I'd rather be

or anything else
I'd rather be doing.

I mean, this place...

our town is what
Christmas is all about.

Yes, it is.

But you still have to go
to that budget meeting.

Ahem.

Hmph.

What are we forgetting?

The judges are gonna
be here tomorrow.

We've checked every box.

We'll make it to second round.

I really wish I knew what
Liam was doing at his house.

Justin hasn't sent any photos?

No! He's not our spy.

Then who is?

We should have one.

I wouldn't send someone
over there

to peek into the windows
to see what they're doing.

I mean... I would do it myself.

Come on.

Wait. What?

I mean, it's not spying,
it's motherly concern.

I want to make sure
that he's okay.

See?
This is why you're the mayor.

Could you hear what they said?

Oh, not really.

I was too busy trying to come up
with an excuse as to why

we're behind this fence
with binoculars in our hands.

Bird-watching.

Oh! Yeah.

That's good.

I think she said

something about
checking on Justin.

Oh...

Wait. Justin's at my house.

Can you see anything?

Not really.
We need to get closer.

You know, most people
just ring the bell.

Oh...

Hey. Fancy seeing you here.

Yeah, in front of my house?

Imagine that.

Mm.

You two were spying on us.

No!

I was...

Checking on Justin.

...Checking on Justin.

Justin is just fine.

We've only been gone, what,
20 minutes, yeah?

- Yeah.
- You've been gone?

Mm-hmm.

Where'd you go, with binoculars?

Bird-watching.

We were bird-watching.

- Really?
- Mm-hmm!

See any interesting birds
in the trees at my house?

Look...

Um...

the judging is tomorrow.

I don't know about you,
but we have a lot to do.

Can we just agree

to let the Christmas cookies
crumble where they may?

No more spying on each other?

Run a clean race.

Yes. I can do that.

It was Kendall's idea anyway.

Yale totally put me up to it.

Did you see that bus
we just got thrown under

coming at us?

Nope.

Uh-huh. All right.

Okay, I will be over there
as soon as I can, Mrs. Murphy.

Okay. Bye.

Everything okay?

Not with Mrs. Murphy's fuse box.

I need to get over there

and see if I can figure out
what's wrong.

Uh, Justin,
have you got all your stuff?

I'll drop you off at
your mom's office on the way.

Well, if you're in a hurry,
I can drop him.

Oh, could we go look

for a present for my mom
on the way?

Yeah, sure. Why not?

Great. Uh, thanks, Liam.

I will see you
in the morning, okay, bud?

Ohh! Love ya.

- Thanks, man.
- Of course.

All right, let's go shopping.
Come on.

Do you think she'd like a watch?

No.

I mean, she wears
the one her mom gave her.

She has since high school.

Wow.

You really do know her well.

No, not really.

I mean, I used to...

uh, but now I only see her
at the occasional work event.

And when
there's a really big snowstorm.

What do you mean?

Well, the square is divided
between the two towns,

and there's a path that runs
right up the middle of it,

which is also divided
between us,

and, well, every time
there's a big storm,

we have to decide who's gonna
shovel the snow off the path.

Well, how do you do that?

You'd be surprised
how much gets decided

with the flip of a coin
around here.

Well, I really appreciate
your help anyway.

I really want her present

to be something big
this year, you know?

Well, Justin, Christmas presents

don't have to be big
to be meaningful.

Sometimes, the flashiest ones

are the ones
that get used the least.

I know it sounds strange, but...

sometimes, the little things
are the ones that mean most.

Hey, Mom.

Oh, hey, honey.
I am-- I'm almost done here.

Liam.

Hi.

Hi. Uh, Frank had
an emergency work call.

I dropped Justin by for him.

Well, thank you.
I appreciate that.

So what's for dinner?

Well, that will depend on

how much of a mess
the kitchen is

from all of the decorations.

Okay, well, I can
grab some takeout menus

from Yale's desk,

just in case.

Thanks, Mayor Clark.

Yeah, sure. Anytime.

You want me to...

- No, I--
- Here, let me, um...

Who are all these for?

Uh, people who helped out
with the competition.

Just a little "thank you"-
slash-Christmas gifts.

I've been so busy

that I haven't been able
to wrap them until now.

Well, I can certainly relate.

How do you balance

everything
that needs to get done?

Ha. Well, who says I do?

I don't know,

I think it's really
just a matter of perspective.

Make sure that the things
at the top of your to-do list

are things that matter most.

Thank you.

Anytime.

Um...

and good luck tomorrow.

You, too.

Bye.

What kind of tree, honey?

Oh, I'd love a Noble Fir.

Merry Christmas, folks.

Can I show you
some trees over here?

Mom, Dad...

It's getting late.

I'm watching a Christmas movie.

Come watch it with me.

The competition starts tomorrow,

and I've just got so much work
to do that I don't even know...

I will watch it
with you, Mister.

Okay.

Ahem. Hand over that popcorn.

All right.

Mm, this is good.

How's the cocoa?

Mm. Mom, it's perfect.

Absolutely delicious, Catherine.

Yeah, the judges
are gonna love this.

We are absolutely gonna win.

Mom, you say that every year,
and we haven't won yet.

Well, then we are overdue.

- Yes, you're right.
- Hear, hear.

There is no way
any mayor's house

could be more merry
than West Riverton's today.

Oh!

Oh, I really do love those.

Yeah.

They sure are unique.

Well, we still have a while
before the judges get here.

East and West Riverton

are the last two stops
of the first round.

Oh, I wish
they were seeing us last.

They'll be so blown away
by what we do

they won't even notice
what West Riverton does.

After all these years,

I've learned
never to count Liam out.

If we both make it
into the next round,

it'll make it even harder
to get into the final.

We are gonna have
to pull out all the stops

on the Christmas carnival.

Okay.
Only a couple more hours, right?

Mm-hmm.

I think I need a distraction.

Yeah.

Good idea.

Give me another one.

You've already had two.

Don't you think that's enough?

I need all the strength
I can get.

Well, don't say
I didn't warn you.

I'm not saying a word.

Smart man.

Nervous?

No. I'm just hungry.

You?

Not at all.

Maureen, can I get one of those
slices of fruitcake, please?

If there's any left.

So, are you
ready for the judges?

Oh, very ready. Are you kidding?

Yeah, us too. We're gonna
knock it out of the park.

Oh, same here.

If you, uh, want,

you can join us when the...

...judges come to take a tour.

Why?

It's the neighborly thing to do.

Okay, I will-- I will be there.

And if you want to come over
for our tour...

Yeah. Great.

Great. It will be.

It's gonna be
really, really great.

Yeah, us too.

I have never been more ready
for anything in my life.

If you look closely,

you can see that our snow people
represent what a family--

Wow. That is nice.

...Especially at Christmas time.

We should have done that.

- We'll be fine.
- If you'll all follow me,

we have
some special surprises inside.

We should go get ready
for the judges at your house.

- Oh.
- Yeah?

Okay, let me just...

Thank you so much for coming.

Come on in.

Oh, wow.

Check this out, judges.

Oh! I love those.

Welcome. Thank you. Thank you.

Feel free to look around,
enjoy...

and be sure
to check out the kitchen,

where we have
warm apple cider for everyone.

Oh, thank you!

Enjoy!

John, thank you for coming.

Oh, are you kidding?

Even though I'm not judging,

I love tagging along
on these tours.

Really makes it
feel like Christmas.

Have you met my son, Justin?

I think we met last year.

It's good to see you,
Mr. Gibson.

You too, Justin.
Look how tall you are now!

Yeah, I can see
you're really proud

of everything you guys
have accomplished here.

Well, actually, he worked
over at West Riverton this year.

- Really?
- Yeah, I know,

it's a little unorthodox.

No, no, no.
I think it's wonderful.

Nothing shows
the spirit of Christmas

more than being able
to help your neighbor.

I agree.

You know, I don't suppose

you'd want
to tell the judges that?

Good luck, Sarah.

- Good to see you. Justin.
- Bye.

All right. The cider's this way?

- Yes. Right that way.
- Thank you.

Thank you all so much
for coming to West Riverton.

I know everyone in town is
very excited to have you here,

and I would like
to personally welcome you

to the Mayor's Residence.

Although...

it seems
to be missing something.

What is it missing? Um...

Oh!

We should've had more lights.

Don't worry about it.

Before we go inside,

I have one more thing
I'd like to share with you.

I'm pretty sure it's...

unlike anything
you've ever seen before.

Ta-dah!

Thank you.

You were saying?

So, uh... ahem.

Why are you here?

I'm just... heh...
nervous about the results.

Yeah, me too.

It's like
the Christmas spelling bee

all over again.

Ha! I almost
forgot about the spelling bee.

We were, what? Uh...

10?

11.

What was your word?

Oh...

Um...

"Frankincense."

- Mm.
- Yours?

"Myrrh."

I never understood why...
why didn't the Magi

just get him, like,
a nice sweater or something?

Sarah!

They just called! We did it!

We made it to the second round!

Really?

Yes!

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Maybe it'll be good news
for you, too.

Yeah.

Kendall?

We did it.

"We did it"?

We made it to round two?

Yes!

Oh, my goodness! You scared me.

We did it! We did it!

Congratulations.

Ahem! Thank you.

And to you, too.

Looks like you're gonna be

getting into that Santa suit
after all.

Yes. Looks like it.

And, uh, you ready
for round two, "Mrs. Claus"?

- Round two?
- Mm-hmm.

Oh, Liam, I am already
picking out restaurants

for you to take me to
when we win the whole thing.

The steak you're gonna buy me
is gonna be so good!

We'll see about that.

Yes, we will.

Hmm.

Good luck.

You'll need it!

Okay.

So we've got the games
and the food

and the raffle prizes...
is that enough for round two?

We're already using
every room in the town hall,

including this one.

It's enough.

I feel like
we need some more atmosphere.

What about that string quartet
we had last year?

No, they were already booked.

Oh, that's too bad.
Where are they playing?

Oh... I mean, does it matter?

We've got some great
entertainment for our pageant.

Yeah, they're playing
at West Riverton, aren't they?

Yeah.

Look... I think we should
focus on our carnival

and let's not get
distracted by--

But you see?

This is what he does.

He acts all innocent--

"Oh, I didn't
steal your bells"--

and then he tries
to get the upper hand.

Okay, okay. But there's nothing
you can do about it.

Oh, yeah?

We'll see about that.

Oh, no.

How can we help with round two?

Well, I think, uh, I think
we're in pretty good shape.

I, um... Look at this.

All the decorations I could
possibly fit in the building.

Uh, we booked the musicians.

I'm gonna be reading

'Twas the Night Before
Christmas,

and Frank and Justin are
in charge of the lightshow.

You know...

I think we might actually

make it into
the final round this year.

That hasn't happened since...
ever.

Ah, thanks
for reminding me, Dad.

I didn't mean anything by that.

You're doing a great job.

He's right.

You're so devoted to this town.

I try to be.

Liam, please.

We may be your parents,
but we're not your only family.

All of West Riverton
is your family,

and you always

put all of us first,
no matter what.

Oh.

Do you really think that?

It's what makes you
a great mayor.

Thank you.

You did it again.

"Hello" to you, too.
Did what again?

Hmm. You stole one of our ideas.

Kendall found
those bells online.

No, not the bells.

Did you book

the string quartet that we had
at our pageant last year?

Oh. Yeah, I did that.

You are un--

You are unbelievable!

I didn't take them.

They weren't booked,
so I figured

you were doing something else.

I guess
I shouldn't be surprised.

Okay! That's enough.
You two, come with me.

Come on.

Fine.

What is this?

You two need to hash this out
once and for all.

I thought you were Switzerland.

Oh, ho!

Honey, even the Swiss
wouldn't put up with you.

All this "smiling
on the outside" stuff

is just a facade
for how you really feel.

It's gone on way too long.

Work it out.

But--

This is ridiculous.

You and I are fine.

We do not need
to hash anything out.

I mean, sure, we're never
gonna agree on anything.

I completely agree.

It's locked.

It's not locked.

Okay, it's locked.

That's what I s--

You know what?

Maureen? Come on.

Hello?

I'll just call her.

There's no reception.

Me either.

Maureen! Come on!

How long are we gonna
keep them in there?

Well, Justin
is with Frank tonight,

so they can stay a while.

Well, whatever it takes
to get them to call a truce.

- Thanks, Maureen.
- Mm-hmm.

Fingers crossed.

Yeah.

I'll let you know how it goes.

We totally deserved this.

Well, you did.

Sorry.

I just can't help it sometimes.

You know,
Justin thinks we're friends.

What do you think?

Is that something
that could ever happen?

Stranger things have happened.

I can't think of any off the top
of my head right now, but...

Okay.

Well, then let's just pretend
for a minute,

we are friends.

Okay...

friend.

We have the time.

What would you like
to talk about?

You know, I was thinking...

do you ever feel like

your work gets in the way
of your life?

Every day.

I'm not talking
about the little things,

like we always eat take-out

because we don't have time
to cook a proper meal.

I mean the...
I mean the big things,

the really important things.

Where is this coming from?

Ah, it's just...

something my mom said.

She said
I always put the town first...

which, by default,
means that I'm always second.

Or third.

Yeah.

I don't feel like
I've missed anything,

but, lately,
I've been thinking...

Just wondering
if I've missed out on something.

Doesn't make any sense,

does it?

Yeah, it does.

It's like, sometimes,

you feel like you've left

some of that happiness
on the table.

Yeah.

You're still here?

Totally forgot...

this door sticks.

Oh, yeah, that'll happen when
it's locked from the outside.

So, have we achieved peace?

No. We achieved sore backs,
stiff neck.

Well...

I guess
I shouldn't be surprised.

A couple hours
isn't gonna make up for decades

of you two disliking each other.

We don't...

dislike each other.

We are just two
very different people, Maureen.

Y-You are joking, right?

You two are so alike

that sometimes I have
a hard time telling you apart.

Can you imagine
what you could've accomplished

over the past few decades

if you'd worked together

instead of against each other?

We said we wouldn't
spy on each other.

Yes, we did.

However...

I'm listening.

We never said anything about
not spying on the other towns.

No.

We shouldn't be here.

Why? Dover Lake's
our biggest competition.

They've won four times now.

I mean, we can't see anything
from here.

I knew we should've
brought binoculars.

Nobody would believe
the bird-watching story.

It's December.

Well, they don't all fly south.

It'd be too conspicuous.

Says the woman who brought
five-month-old newspapers.

You saw the Fourth of July
article on the front, right?

It was all I could find.

Oh, no.

I think they made us.

Okay, just act cool.

It's fine.

Having the carolers hand out
homemade Christmas cookies

at the carnival

is such a fun idea.

Do we have enough volunteers
to bake as many as we need?

We only have a few days
to get it all done.

I think we're gonna have
so many cookies,

we're gonna be eating them
until next Christmas.

I don't want to run out.

Nothing can go wrong.

I mean, I'm sure Dover Lake
is not playing around,

and neither is West Riverton.

I thought you said

you and Liam called a ceasefire.

It's shaky.

Hostilities could break out
at any moment.

But, for now,
you're getting along?

For now. I mean, I never thought
he was a "bad" guy,

I just-- I guess I didn't see

enough of his good guy
tendencies until recently.

We actually have a lot more
in common than I thought.

More in common, like, with work,

or something more than that?

Mm. Do not even go there.

I'm definitely not
interested in him that way.

You're sure?

I'm 100% sure.

I am 99% sure.

What's that 1% about?

It's about...

it's less than two weeks
until Christmas.

The holiday spirit
is in the air,

the romance of the season.

And it's not all the things
you have in common?

It's not that much.

I mean, sure, we grew up
in the same town

and we went out for a lot of
the same things as kids,

like student council
and debate club, and...

we studied the same thing
in college,

and we're both mayors,

and we both sometimes wonder
if there's more...

but that doesn't mean
we're alike.

Clearly.

We are not alike!

I am 98% positive.

Okay, so... So, hang on.

Maureen locked you
in a storage room?

I think she thought
she was helping.

And was she?

Well, maybe a little.

Sarah and I, we just have
so much history.

Yes, I know you do.

I was there for most of it.

But, you know, I think
the two of you

enjoy your rivalry way too much
to ever give it up.

Well, she certainly keeps me
from getting complacent.

You know,
Sarah and I started out

with the whole
"opposites attract" thing,

but we didn't work

because we realized
how different we actually were.

So, it stands to reason

that the two of you
should get along

because of how similar you are.

Yeah, but you two were in love.

Most days, we can barely
tolerate each other

with politician smiles.

And my relationship with Sarah
is totally different.

Well, you know what?

Maybe it shouldn't be.

Look, you know
I'm with Linda now,

and we just-- we make sense.

In fact, I'm picking out
an engagement ring

later tonight.

Really?

Congratulations!

- Thanks.
- Wow.

I don't know, she was like
the missing piece of puzzle

that I was looking for.

Maybe Sarah is yours.

♪ Silent night

♪ Holy ni--

I swear, it's ginger snap.

I think
it just smells spicy in here.

It's ginger snap, my friend.

Ah-hah! I knew you were making
Christmas cookies!

Can I help?

Spanish homework first,
bake cookies later.

Fine. But...

if East Riverton doesn't make it
into the final round

because you needed more help,

I'm gonna say "I told you so."

Okay. As long as you do it
in Spanish.

Adios, Mayor Clark.

I'll see you, Justin.

He's a really good kid.

Yeah. I think
I'm gonna keep him.

Need some help?

We're supposed to be working

on this new
friendship thing, remember?

Right.

Um, how are you
with a cookie cutter?

Um...

Yeah.

Sure.

Thanks for bringing Justin home.

Frank called and explained.

Apparently, he's picking up
an engagement ring for Linda.

Yeah.

Uh, he told me.

That's, uh... that's big.

How do you feel about that?

Fine.

Mostly fine.

I mean, Frank and I
started as friends

and we ended as friends

and we just want
each other to be happy.

And Linda's amazing.
Justin loves her.

But?

But sometimes I forget

that everything's
not a competition.

Are you in a relationship?

Oh, I'm sorry. Is that...

That's too personal.

I...

No, it's okay.

No, I'm not in a relationship.

I mean, full-time job,
full-time parent...

Not enough time to be dating.

What about you?

Weren't you seeing
that nurse, Jill?

Oh, uh...

No, she...

she wanted to...

...be closer to her family
in Pennsylvania.

She asked me to come with her,
but, uh...

West Riverton needs you.

Just like
East Riverton needs you.

Um...

I think we could use
another set of hands,

so, yes, I'm gonna--

I'm gonna go release Justin
from homework duty.

Okay.

Great.

Ta-dah!

Now that, ladies and gentlemen,

that... is a Christmas cookie.

It's not bad.

Not bad? Are you ki--
Let me see yours.

- Come on!
- These...

...are a Christmas work of art.

Oh, please.

Mine is so much better.

Right?

Justin, what do you think?

Me?

I think my cookie is the best.

Oh, my goodness, he really
is your son, isn't he?

Yeah.

♪ We wish you
A Merry Christmas ♪

♪ We wish you

♪ A Merry Christmas

♪ We wish you
A Merry Christmas ♪

♪ And 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

You came.

Oh, I am very good

at the "ring around
the reindeer" game, so...

That sounds like a challenge.

That sounds like
acceptance of a challenge.

You go ahead.

I will be there in a...

a minute.

Okay.

I'll be... waiting.

So...

have we dropped below
"90% sure" yet?

Aren't you supposed to be
talking to John

about why he's supposed to put
his distribution center here?

Merry Christmas!

Ho, ho, ho.

Merry Christmas.

Not a word.

I was told there'd be seats
saved for us?

Indeed!

Right this way, Madam Mayor.

Ho, ho, ho!

- Thank you, Santa.
- Young man.

Ho, ho, ho, ho!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas.
Look at you lovely people.

So nice to have you.

Do you fancy a story?

Fantastic! All right.

"'Twas the night
before Christmas,

when all through the house,

not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung
by the chimney with care

in the hopes that St. Nicholas
soon would be there.

The children were nestled
all snug in their beds,

while visions of sugar plums

danced in their heads..."

Good morning, everyone!

Welcome
to Strafford Candle Company.

I'm John Gibson,

and I'm here to announce
the finalists

in our 50th annual New Hampshire
Christmas Spirit Competition.

The three towns that advance
to the final

will face
their biggest challenge yet--

creating a gathering
that shows the heart

of what Christmas truly means
in their town.

Now, I'll be announcing
the winner December 23rd.

All right? Without further ado,
let's get on with it.

All right! The finalists are...

Dover Lake.

East Riverton...

And last, but not least,

West Riverton!

We did it! We did it!

That's perfect!

I love that.
That's great, that's great.

Congratulations.

Thank you. You too.

You totally deserve it.

Well, so do you.

Still gonna win, though.

Did I happen to mention

how big the steak
you're gonna buy me

is gonna be?

Hmph.

We really
should've planned ahead

for the final round.

We only have five days
to come up with

"...a gathering
that shows the heart

of what Christmas
means to the community."

Well, we've never made it
this far before.

We have to decide

what the competition is doing
before we decide what to do.

Dover Lake
has won several times,

and they always go big.

Lots of spectacle.

Well, what did East Riverton do
last year

when they made it
to the final round?

Oh! The parade down Main Street.

It was so much fun.

Should we do that?

Oh, no, no.

No. No, we have to come up
with our own idea.

Besides, if Sarah found out
we took one of their ideas...

- No.
- Right.

Whatever we do, it needs
to say, "West Riverton."

Something...

that really shows
who we are as a community.

We have to involve
everyone in town, too.

I wish we knew what
East Riverton Lake was doing.

Yeah.

Maybe you should talk to Sarah.

You have no idea

what you're doing
for the final round?

No. Do you?

Not really.

We were gonna do this bi--

I probably shouldn't be
telling you,

but, whatever,
we're not doing it anyway.

We were gonna do
this really big tree lighting.

Oh!

Well, that's, uh... that's nice.

Exactly.

"Nice." Not winning.

So, now we're trying
to figure out

what to do, in five days.

Should we even
be talking about this?

We are still competing.

I know, but I like talking
to you about things like this.

Do not let it go to your head.

I am not gonna,

but I like talking to you, too.

I mean, Kendall is great,
I love working with her,

but she, um...

doesn't understand me
like, you know, you do.

I know what you mean.

Yale is the best Chief of Staff
in the world,

but even he knows
when I need more.

I mean, he had just suggested
that I reach out to you

when you texted me.

Uh, Kendall told me
to text you...

too.

You don't... think...

they're trying
to get us together?

Nah. No.

No.

No.

No...

So...

what are we gonna do
about the final round?

Uh, well...

I think we need to get
Kendall and Yale to find out

what the competition
is doing first.

Okay.

Here you go. Dig in.

Thanks, Enzo.

You may want to keep 'em coming.

You found out what
Dover Lake is doing?

Yep. A fireworks presentation.

Well, that doesn't sound
so great.

Except it's not just fireworks.

Even superhero movies

don't have
that many special effects.

Oh.... how are we gonna
compete with that?

We can't.

I mean, they're gonna win
the candles, the cash prizes--

And probably
the distribution center, too.

I'll make another pizza.

You know...

maybe we shouldn't have canceled
the big Christmas tree.

I really need to let go
of the big tree, don't I?

Unless you can figure out a way

to make it shoot fireworks
out of the top, then yeah.

But we don't need that.

Why's that?

Well, because it's like
you said, Mayor Clark.

Hmm?

Christmas isn't about
the biggest or the fanciest.

Sometimes,

it's the little things
that say a lot.

The little things...

That's what matters.

If Dover Lake goes big...

...Then we should go small.

More personal.

Something with heart
that everybody can be a part of,

instead of, you know,
just sitting there,

looking up in the sky.

Sharing a meal
with friends and neighbors.

Christmas dinner.

Potluck.

Everybody brings something.

Guys...

The entire community

coming together
to share favorite holiday dishes

and sing Christmas carols...

Liam, Sarah--

That is Christmas spirit.

It's brilliant.

- That's what we have to do.
- Guys!

You do realize you're competing
against each other, right?

You can't both do
Christmas dinners.

Why can't we?

Now, each town will do
their own Christmas feasts

in their town halls.

The judges will go to one...

...And then we will have
a candlelight procession

that goes over
to the other town hall.

And then we will end the night
with both towns together.

As it should be.

Each town will do
their own decorations

and their own entertainment.

And each town
will do their own food.

We're gonna have a huge feast

where everyone can bring
their favorite dish to share.

So, are we able to go
to each other's events?

Well, I hope so,
'cause I got a big appetite!

Of course you can.

We encourage everybody
to go back and forth

between East and West Riverton.

I know I'm coming over for some
of Catherine's hot chocolate.

I will have an extra Thermos
just for you.

Fantastic. Thank you, Catherine.

See, this way we're still
competing against each other,

but we're also showing
that we can work together.

Because that, really,

is what the spirit
of Christmas is all about.

So, that's it. Any questions?

Which town will I be helping?

Both.

Ah. Cool.

All right, everyone.

Should we get to work?

- Yes!
- Yes!

- Let's have some fun!
- Whoo-hoo!

Wait, wait, wait.

You've already started
setting up your tables?

We've barely started decorating.

You've started decorating?

Well...

Hey, guys. Over here.

So, Yale and I were thinking,

that instead of
just sharing the food,

we share the recipes, too.

See, like, this one,

for my mom's gingerbread
that she makes every year.

And mine will be
for the maple glaze

on the Christmas ham I'm baking.

We can all do recipe cards,

and if someone likes something,

they can just take a card

and make it
for their own family.

I think it's brilliant.

Me too. I mean, I love it.

It's so nice to see you two
finally working together.

I agree.

Okay...

so one of my ovens
just broke down.

Oh...

Okay. Um...

We just need a plan.

Um, Frank can fix your oven.

Done. And Liam,

I can send some of my people
to help your tables.

Great. So, and when
we're finished setting up,

I can send you some of my people

to help decorate.

Fantastic.

See?

This is what we can accomplish

when we all stop
with this rivalry business.

Exactly.

- Yeah. Let's get to work.
- Hmph.

I'm sorry
this is taking so long.

I know you're busy.

Justin, don't worry about it.

I told you I was gonna help you
find your mother a present,

and that's what we're gonna do.

But Christmas is almost here.

You know what?

Maybe we're just going
about this in the wrong way.

What makes you
think about your mom?

What do you mean?

Well...

sometimes, I'm at work
or I'm out in town,

and something will happen

and I'll think about my mom.

It could be a sound or a smell.

Hot chocolate does it for me.

But what makes you think
about your mom?

Hmm?

Christmas carols.

Hmm.

She's always humming
or singing Christmas carols,

even when
it's not Christmastime.

No, I get it.

I have an idea. Come on.

Where are we going?

Right there.

Hi, honey.

What are you smiling about?

Oh, nothing.

So, uh, Dad told me to come by

and let you know that I'm gonna
stay at his place tonight

since you're working late.

Okay. How are things going
over at West Riverton?

Oh, fine, I think.

Mayor Clark said
he felt really good

about how far we've gotten.

Although, when he said it,

there was a vein sticking out
of his forehead,

just like you do
when I don't clean my room.

Okay.

Well, I will go check on him
in a bit.

I just need to finish
my Christmas shopping first.

But Christmas
is in, like, four days.

I know.

I just got a little sidetracked

with work
and the competition and...

everything.

But don't worry,
I got your presents weeks ago.

I'm still stuck on some friends
and some people I work with.

Oh, well, I can help with that.

So...

what makes you think of them?

What makes me think of them?

Yeah, like, well,
who are you shopping for?

Well, I was looking
for something for Liam.

Okay. So, what makes you think
of Mayor Clark?

Once you figure that out,

then you'll find
the perfect present for him.

How did you get so smart?

Huh?

Mm!

♪ Christmas is near

♪ Christmas is just
Around the corner ♪

♪ It ain't no mistake...

♪ Santa, he won't be
much longer... ♪

♪ So bring on the cheer

♪ 'Cause Christmas is just
Around the corner ♪

You look, uh...

beautiful.

Um...

ahem, very festive.

Thank you.

You look handsome.

And... festive also.

Thank you.

I just, um, I just wanted
to check on you.

Everything okay?

Yeah, uh,
people have started arriving

and the judges
should be here soon...

I think.

You?

Yeah, it's all looking good.

Are you okay?

- Yeah. No, I'm good.
- It's just, um...

Do you remember, um,

when we talked about
letting the job get in the way?

Yeah, I do.

These, uh, last few weeks
have been really great.

I've really enjoyed
the past few days,

just getting to work with...

...East Riverton.

Yeah, I, uh, I agree.

I mean, I feel the same...

about West Riverton.

But tomorrow,
the competition's gonna be over.

What are we gonna do?

Go back to our jobs
and our lives

and never be together again?

Sarah, John's here.

I have to go.

"Mayor" thing.

Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.

Sarah.

Win or lose...

...we should be, uh,

really proud
of what we've accomplished.

Yes, we should.

Hi, Sarah.

Hi, John.

Thank you for coming.

Oh, my pleasure.

Judges...

John...

thank you
for joining us tonight.

We're so happy

that you wanted to be part
of our community

for Christmas.

And speaking of community,

we could not
have done this dinner

without Mayor Liam Clark

and our friends
at West Riverton.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor Reed.

Now, our two towns have
finally come together

to show that Christmas
really is about sharing.

I can't think of a better way
to celebrate the holidays

than with all of you.

There's plenty of food inside.

Please. I hope you're hungry.
Come on in.

And Merry, Merry Christmas
to you all.

Merry Christmas!

Please, come on.

♪ Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
Lend your ear this way ♪

♪ Don't you tell a single soul
What I'm going to say ♪

♪ Christmas Eve Is coming soon ♪

♪ Now, you dear old man

♪ Whisper what
you'll bring to me ♪

♪ Tell me if you can

You are sitting
on the East Riverton side.

Just seeing what the view
is like from over here.

Mm.

Where's Maureen?

Oh, uh...

she baked fruitcakes
for three days.

I told her to go on home
and I'd close up for her.

Now, that's what I call a mayor.

Back at ya.

We did good tonight.

Yeah, everybody did.

Yep.

Do you think it was good enough?

Mm, Dover Lake had fireworks.

Yeah, but it doesn't seem
very Christmassy.

Except they were in the shapes
of flying reindeer

across the sky.

Mm.

I really want to win.

- Yeah, so do I.
- Mm.

You know, if we don't win,

I do hope that...

...you do.

Oh.

Well, if we don't win...

What am I saying?

We're gonna win.

I'm sure.

I hope it's you, if it's not us.

What if Dover Lake wins?

Well...

um...

maybe, then, it's time for
somebody else to take the wheel.

What?

What?

You love being mayor. Come on!

Yeah. So do you.

But, um...

I'm not sure
how much longer, uh...

we can keep leaving
all that happiness on the table.

You know, the view's
not too bad from this side.

I was just gonna say
the same thing.

I'll see you tomorrow?

Yes.

Yes, you will.

Okay.

John didn't say anything?

Uh, just that he wanted to meet.

Do you know what he wanted?

I don't know,

but they usually announce
a winner by now.

Maybe he's coming
to tell one of us that we won.

Or that we lost.

Oh, I don't think so.

Oh...

John, hi!

- Good morning.
- Hi, John.

Hi. Sorry for
the last-minute meeting.

We have a bit of a situation
on our hands.

Oh! What kind of a situation?

In the 50 years of the Christmas
Spirit Competition,

this has never happened.

Uh, what happened?

We have three judges.

One voted for Dover Lake,

one voted for West Riverton,

and one voted for East Riverton.

It's a tie?

So, what happens now?

Well...

In the event of a tie,

one person must cast their vote
for one of the finalists.

Who?

Me.

Yale, will you

get me John Gibson
on the phone, please?

Ahem.

Hi. John?

Mayor Liam Clark here.

Do you have a minute?

Please.

Thank you for coming.

Of course.

Um...

I wanted to, um, tell you
that I called John

and, uh, I asked you to here
to say

that I need you to trust me.

Well, we don't have
a great track record

when it comes to trust.

Yeah.

I talked to John, too.

Oh, you did?

Yeah, I promised him

our conversation
would be private.

You're gonna have to trust me...

that I did
what I thought was best

for everyone.

Did-- Did you lobby him
about the competition?

About getting

the distribution center, too?

Yes.

Sarah...

- Did you do the same?
- Yes, but I was....

I was just trying to...

"Trying to..." what?

I...

Wh-- What are we gonna do...

...if we can't even trust
each other to do what's right?

I don't know.

Good luck tomorrow.

Yeah.

Good luck to you, Sarah.

Justin?

Why are you shoveling
my front walk?

Well, you told me the story
the other day,

about the town square

and how, when it snows,
you flip a coin

to decide who shovels it.

Yeah?

So, when I got up this morning
and saw all this,

I thought of you.

This is your Christmas present.

My...

that is really kind
of you, Justin,

but you didn't have to do that,
really.

Well, if I had to do it,

it wouldn't have been
much of a present.

No. No, I suppose not.

You know, it's like
you said the other night

at the Christmas feast--

the holidays
is a time for sharing,

and I am sharing
our new snow shovel with you.

That's so thoughtful of you.

Thank you very much, Justin.

Merry Christmas,
Mayor Clark, Mr. Clark.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Justin.

Good kid.

Kind of reminds me of you.

Oh, really?

Taking time out
from his Christmas Eve

to come over here
and shovel snow?

He's gonna make a good mayor
one day.

Yeah, well...

maybe he can win the Christmas
Spirit Competition, huh?

Liam.

Mm?

Winning isn't always about
coming in first place.

Uh, Dad, I think that's
exactly what that means.

You know, you and mom
have always

encouraged my competitive side.

Only in the things
we thought mattered to you.

Is there something that means
more than this competition?

Yeah.

But I just don't know
if I mean that to her.

Only one way to find out.

Hey. You seem
kind of quiet today.

Are you worried
about the competition?

No.

If West Riverton wins,
I'll be happy for them.

Okay, what is happening?

What have you done with Sarah?

I guess
I'm just finally understanding

that this whole rivalry thing
with them

has been a big waste of time.

Think of everything
we could've been doing.

Well...

it's not too late.

I think it might be.

And what? You're just gonna go
back to being rivals again?

No.

I just think it's maybe time

to see if someone else can
do the job better than I have.

What? Are...

Are you talking about
not running for re-election?

There's just so much more
out there,

and this job just keeps
getting in the way.

It got in the way of us.

Hey, there was a lot more to it
than that.

Us not working out
was not your fault.

Well, thank you for saying that.

And don't get me wrong,

I'm glad that we're good
and that you have Linda,

but I told a friend
that, um, I sometimes feel

like I'm just not grabbing
all the happiness that I can,

like I'm leaving some of it
on the table,

and I don't...
I don't want to do that anymore.

Then don't.

I wish it was that easy.

I'm not saying it's easy.

I'm just saying take it
one thing at a time.

I mean, looking back
over the last few weeks,

what's-- what's one thing

that you feel like
you left on the table?

The one Christmas wish
you didn't ask for?

You should probably check that.

John Gibson
has made his decision.

All right. Showtime.

Ahem.

Hi.

Hi. John's not here yet?

Not yet.

I'll just-- I'll wait out here.

Of course not.

Come in.

- I have--
- I have something I really--

- I'm sorry. Go ahead.
- No, you go.

- No, you. Go ahead.
- No, you go.

No. You, please.

Do we have to flip a coin?

Okay, uh, I'll go.

Um...

Last night, when we were talking
about trusting each other,

Sarah, I just need you to know
that I do trust you.

I trust you to keep me honest.

You've been doing it
for as long as I can remember.

You make me,

um, a better person.

I don't always like it...

But I need it.

And I need you.

I need you.

Um...

You did it again.

I did what?

You took my idea.

Knock, knock.

May I come in?

Of course.

Hi, John.

Hi.

Liam. Sarah.

Merry Christmas Eve to you both.

Yes, Merry Christmas
to you too, John.

Well, I guess you both know
why I'm here.

You've made your decision?

I have.

I took what you both said to me
into consideration,

and in the end,
it was an easy choice.

Sarah.

Liam, Mr. Gibson...

you're not gonna believe
what's going on.

Can it wait?
John was just about to--

No! You have to see this.

Now! Come outside!
Come on, come on!

Okay! Uh, gentlemen?

Shall we?

Come on!

Okay!

Oh, my goodness.

Wow.

I don't understand.

What is all this?

A celebration.

But we don't know who won yet.

They don't care.

We started getting calls
this afternoon

and everyone wanted to come out
and spend Christmas together

as a community-- one community.

Here, at our shared town square.

Liam, Sarah,

I think it's time
to make my announcement.

Excuse me.

- After you.
- Okay.

Well, hey, everybody!

How are you doing?

Excuse me. Hi.

How're you guys doing?
Excuse me.

It's good to see you again.

Everyone, this is, uh, just...

We're overwhelmed!

Yes. Yes.

Uh, John Gibson
form Strafford Candle Company

is gonna announce the winner

of the Christmas Spirit
Competition.

Thank you! Thank you, thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen,
Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

I thought long and hard
about who to cast my vote for

and I heard
some very persuasive arguments

from your mayors...

Liam told me

that he thought
that East Riverton deserved

to win and...

Sarah told me

that she thought that
West Riverton deserved to win.

- Is that what you said?
- Yeah.

In the end...

my choice was simple.

I cast my vote

for Riverton.

Sorry, can you say that again?

Wait, I don't...

I voted for East Riverton
andWest Riverton.

So it's...

still a tie?

I took the liberty of...

uh, maybe you could
help me with this.

Oh, oh, yeah.

- There we go.
- Yeah.

Oh, my goodness.

"Riverton Fruitcake."

No "East," no "West,"

just Riverton?

Yes!

Any community
that can come together

and work together
as well as this one does

deserves to be the location

for our wonderful,
new distribution center.

Congratulations, Riverton!

Thank you so much!

Thank you, thank you.

Thank you, John.

Can we do this?

Yes! Yes!

Wow!

One town again?

Can we do that?

We did all this.

I mean, we had a lot of help.

But we did it... together.

You are going to make
a great mayor of Riverton.

Me?

Oh, no, no,
it definitely should be you.

No, no, I should step down
and you should be in charge.

But you deserve it.
I'm not gonna do it.

Maybe we should
let the people decide.

You know, I think that would
probably be best.

What do you think?

They're gonna get behind
reuniting the towns?

I think we can talk 'em into it.

Sure we can.

We can do anything.

Together.

Yeah.

Merry Christmas, Liam.

Merry Christmas, Sarah.

Oh!