Christmas with a Kiss

The film opens with Mona Sinclair on a second date in New York City, where she impulsively invites her date to her family's Christmas carnival. In a jarring twist, the man reveals he is getting back together with his ex-wife, leaving Mona humiliated. She returns home to Milton, upstate New York, to help her parents, Harold and Linda, with their 10-day Christmas carnival. Upon arrival, she immediately runs into her high school ex, Fletcher, a local fireman who previously broke her heart by ghosting her after graduation. Simultaneously, she meets Dez Jordan, a cynical reporter from 'Culture & Lifestyle' magazine who is staying in her parents' guest house to write a story about Milton's Christmas traditions. Mona and Dez initially clash over their differing views on social media and tradition, but they begin to bond as they work together on carnival preparations. Meanwhile, Mona's parents reveal that Harold's health is failing and they want Mona or her sister Erin to take over the carnival legacy, a prospect that terrifies Mona as she fears losing her career in New York. Mona begins dating Fletcher again, but finds him somewhat predictable and lacking the depth she craves. The conflict peaks when Mona discovers a draft of an article Dez wrote that describes Milton's traditions as 'gaudy' and 'hyper-commercialized.' Feeling betrayed, she confronts him, unaware that he had already changed his mind and written a glowing final version. To redeem himself, Dez uses his military connections to arrange for Mona's brother-in-law, Jackson, to receive emergency leave from the Navy so he can surprise the family for Christmas. Realizing that Fletcher doesn't share her desire for a family and stability, Mona breaks things off with him. On the night of the Christmas Eve dance, Mona discovers Dez's true final article and his role in bringing Jackson home. She decides to accept the responsibility of running the carnival, modernizing it with her social media skills, and confesses her feelings to Dez. The movie concludes with the pair kissing under the mistletoe at the Milton dance, fulfilling the local legend of lasting love.