Summaries

Synopsis

In the charming town of Hallsville, Texas, Nic Monts, his wife Penny, and their daughter Maddie, home from college for Christmas break, prepare for the annual Grumpy Old Santa Bowling Tournament. The grand prize is a coveted cruise for two. At the bowling alley, they meet Nic's best friend Pastor Kris and his wife Julie. Nic and Maddie face off against Nic's high school rival, Spike, and his partner, Deuce. During the tournament, it's clear Penny is unhappy. Despite their best efforts, Nic and Maddie lose to Spike and Deuce.

After the tournament, Nic and Pastor Kris discuss Penny's discontent by a serene pond. Determined to salvage his marriage, Nic decides to buy the cruise tickets from Spike. The story progresses with a heartwarming montage of Christmas Eve and morning, showing the family attending a candlelight service and exchanging gifts. As the New Year approaches, Maddie returns to college, and Nic heads back to the oilfields. While working, Nic successfully buys the cruise tickets from Spike, only to return home heartbroken to find Penny has left him.

Five years later, Nic and Pastor Kris are fishing once again, discussing the upcoming Grumpy Old Santa tournament. Maddie won't be participating since her mom is visiting with her new boyfriend, Tim, but she'll be there for Thanksgiving. We also learn Pastor Kris's sister, Sandy (nicknamed Twinkie), is retiring from the police force in Dallas and moving back to East Texas. Pastor Kris suggests Nic and Sandy team up for the tournament. Meanwhile, Nic tries a dating app called Lazo, but his first attempt ends in disappointment.

Nic seeks Maddie's help with the app. On Thanksgiving Day, at Pastor Kris's house, Nic is stunned when Sandy arrives in a blue Bronco. The holiday progresses with subtle flirtation between Nic and Sandy, much to Kris's dismay. Soon after, Nic receives a message from Sandy on the dating app, leading to a secret romance and a first kiss. Days before the tournament, Penny and Tim arrive at Maddie's home, formerly Nic and Penny's home. They all gather at Kris and Julie's house, where Penny learns Maddie isn't playing in the tournament and Sandy is teaming up with Nic. Penny suggests Tim and Maddie should compete instead. Kris, nervous about Nic and Penny seeing each other again, tries to dissuade the idea.

The group heads to the bowling alley for some practice, only to find Nic and Sandy already there. Penny confronts Nic, proposing to give their relationship another try, but Nic refuses. She leans in to create the illusion of intimacy, which Sandy misinterprets, leading her to leave in distress. Nic chases after her, but she drives off, hurt. Later, while fishing, Nic confides in Pastor Kris about the misunderstanding. Kris confronts Sandy, who reveals the truth but insists it no longer matters. Kris encourages her to fight for Nic.

On the day of the tournament, Sandy picks up Nic. At the bowling alley, the tension between Sandy and Penny is palpable. The competition is fierce, with Nic believing this is their year to win, especially with the grand prize now being a trip to Europe and the second prize a cruise. Sandy teases about it being a perfect honeymoon trip, making Nic blush. In a surprising twist, a couple resembling Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus win the tournament. Nic and Spike's teams battle intensely for second place, only to lose to Maddie and Tim.

The story concludes at a candlelight service where Pastor Kris delivers a poignant message about forgiveness and not keeping score. Penny seeks forgiveness. At an Italian restaurant, Nic hides an engagement ring in a Twinkie, but Sandy chokes on it, only to be saved by the bowling alley drunk, Terry. Sandy agrees to marry Nic. The final scene shows Nic and Sandy enjoying their cruise, a joyful ending to a heartwarming tale.