The Borrowed Christmas (2014) Movie Script
Christmas
Is for children
Who believe
In Santa Claus
And snowflakes on
the windowpanes
Stockings filled
with candy canes
And puppies showing
just their nose and paws
Christmas
Is for children
Who can't wait
To trim the tree
And paper chains
and shiny lights
Jingle bells and
silent nights
And special times with
friends and family
Christmas
Is for children
Like me
Silver bells
And new white snow
Put your finger
on the ribbon
While I tie the bow
Kisses 'neath the mistletoe
And love that's understood
And don't those roasting
chestnuts smell good
Christmas
Is for children
Who rejoice
On Christmas Eve
For Christ was born
this holy night
Beneath the star
of wonder's light
A wondrous gift for
all who dare believe
Oh, but most of all
this time of year
I pray that peace
on earth is near
So all these Christmas
joys will always be
For Christmas
Is for children
Like me
- Sure has been slow around
here, hasn't it, Jimmy?
- One wheelbarrow.
- Yeah, everyone's getting
ready for Christmas.
Makes things dull around here.
I wonder if we oughta
close for the day.
Hello.
How can I help you, sir?
- I would like to rent
a Christmas.
I mean, all of your
signs, all over the store,
they say we rent anything.
So why not a Christmas?
- Why not?
What kind of Christmas
would you like?
- Well,
it must start the
afternoon before Christmas
and last through
Christmas night.
- All right.
- And there must be a
beautifully decorated tree.
- All right.
Decorated tree.
- Christmas presents.
Christmas carols.
The works.
- Christmas presents.
Christmas carols.
The works.
There.
Will that be all, sir?
- No.
We haven't gotten to the
most important things yet.
There needs to be five children.
- Five children.
- Mm-hm, five children.
The oldest two,
a girl and a boy,
are just coming home
for the holidays.
- Home for the holidays.
- And
a wife.
(laughs)
- A wife?
Okay.
A wife.
So
you're not married?
- No.
I'm not married.
- Okay, so we have a
beautifully decorated tree,
Christmas presents,
Christmas carols,
the works.
A wife,
five children.
Should the younger
children be girls or boys?
- How about two girls and a boy?
- All right.
Two girls and a boy.
- And I think that should do it.
Although I would like to
make one other request.
I want this to look like a
Norman Rockwell Christmas.
I do.
The whole nine yards.
Just like it was in
the early 20th century.
- This isn't gonna be cheap.
- Then why don't
I write a check?
- Would you like
to borrow my pen?
- I would love to
borrow your pen.
Thank you.
If you need more funds,
I can make them available.
Money is no object.
- I suppose you
want this Christmas
delivered to your home address?
- I most certainly would.
Here's my card.
- John Dale?
You're John Dale?
- Mm-hm.
- You own the big
house on Walnut Street?
- Across from the park.
- I walk past your home
every day on the way to work.
- I know.
I've seen you many times.
I had no idea that this
was your shop, though.
If you have any questions
about the order here--
- Oh, let me get you a receipt.
- Sure.
I guess you need your pen back.
- Thank you.
- I'm at home
during the evenings.
My house staff is
there during the day.
I'll let them know
you may be calling.
- There you go.
- Thank you.
Miss
Weston.
- Anne.
Miss Anne Weston.
- It is certainly a pleasure
to meet you, Miss Anne Weston.
Thank you again.
Good day.
- One Christmas, as ordered.
- Was he serious
about that order?
(snaps fingers)
Was he serious about that order?
- Oh yeah, order.
Oh Jimmy, why did I ever
get into this business?
- Well, maybe he was joking.
- No chance.
I'd say he's pretty
serious with this check.
- Whoa, I'd say he's serious.
- Mm-hm.
One Christmas tree, check.
Christmas presents, no problem.
Carols, sure, why not?
A wife and kids?
How am I supposed
to pull that off?
- Why couldn't he have
wanted a lawn mower?
We've got plenty of
those in the back.
- We say we rent anything.
I like challenges.
We're gonna have to
take care of this.
How are we gonna do this?
I'm gonna need some help.
- You need help?
He's the one that needs help.
- John Dale could
probably buy anything.
- But he can't buy happiness.
I bet that's what
he's trying to do.
It's a lonely person that
tries to buy happiness.
- I don't think
he's lonely, Jimmy.
But I do know I'm
gonna fill this order.
- He wants a play
right in his own home.
- That's it, I'll think
it of casting a play.
A play where the only spectator
is the main character.
How can you write a script
for a play like that?
- You can't.
The actors are gonna have
to make it up as they go.
- Hm.
- Imagine, meeting your wife
and kids for the first time.
(laughs)
- I know what you mean.
Oh, where do I get the actors?
And on Christmas Eve
and on Christmas Day.
Do you know expensive
that would be?
- Well, he did say not
to worry about cost.
Money is no object.
- I'll just have to
call the Actors Guild.
Yeah, I'll do that.
(phone ringing)
- Actors Guild, can I help you?
- Hello, yes, I would
like to hire the services
of some of your
professional actors
on Christmas Eve and
all day on Christmas.
- She said she'd
be here at 9:30,
and she's already
five minutes late.
- I wish she wouldn't come.
A rented Christmas?
What was Mr. Dale thinking of?
- Borrowed Christmas,
Martha, remember?
He said it's a
borrowed Christmas.
He also said we
need to cooperate,
so that's what we're gonna do.
- She'll probably be
telling me what to cook.
And I'm supposed to
cooperate with her?
Well, I can't think
about that now.
(doorbell ringing)
- Here she is.
Yes?
- Hi, I'm Miss Weston.
I called earlier?
- Yes, of course.
Please come in.
- Thank you.
Are you Bridget?
- Yes I am, and this
is my sister Martha.
- Hey, Martha.
Did Mr. Dale tell you
the plans that he had?
- He told us to
cooperate with you
in every way with this
borrowed Christmas.
- Borrowed Christmas?
- Yes, Mr. Dale thought it a
bit cold to call it rented.
- Mm.
I was hoping I could
ask you a few questions
about Mr. Dale, if
that's all right.
- I suppose that would be fine.
- I need to know what type
of Christmas he's used to.
I know he wanted this
vintage type of Christmas,
but is that what he's usually--
- There's been no Christmas
in this house for many years,
ever since Mr. Dale's
parents passed away.
- That's the way Mr.
Dale preferred it.
- How long have you
been with Mr. Dale?
- We've been with the
family for many years.
- Even back in Old Town.
- Old Town?
- Yes, even back in Riverton.
That's where our family's from.
- Riverton.
I passed through
there a few years ago.
What a beautiful place.
- You did?
- Mm-hm.
I'm from Fremont, myself.
Have you ever been there?
- No, we don't
get back up north.
- Is Mr. Dale from Riverton?
- He is, but his father's
business brought him here.
- I'd like to take some notes.
Do you mind if I
take off my coat?
- Whatever you wish.
Please forgive me.
- Thank you.
What beautiful flowers.
Are they real?
- Yes.
- Really?
Where in the world
would you find
live flowers this time of year?
- I grow them in my room.
- You do?
Your room?
- Flowers are my hobby.
- My mother used to
have potted plants
in her kitchen window.
- Bridget gave me
some box planters,
so I have quite a garden.
- Oh, I'd like to see it.
- Bridget, Miss Weston
said that her mother
bought her some potted
plants for her kitchen.
- Miss Weston, would
you like to sit down?
- Yes I would,
please, thank you.
I suppose you two are wondering
what this is all about.
- Yes, we are.
- I'll let you in
on a little secret.
So am I.
Last Saturday, Mr.
Dale came into my shop,
and he simply stated I
want to rent a Christmas.
- Borrow.
- [Anne] Excuse me?
- He wants to
borrow a Christmas.
- All right, borrow.
- So we've heard.
- I hardly know how
to fill this order.
The part that I
thought was going to be
the hardest has
been the easiest.
He wanted to have a
wife and five children,
and so that was pretty simple,
because I called the Actors
Guild and that was fine.
The decorations should be easy.
He wanted a Norman
Rockwell painting look.
And it just doesn't seem
much like a Christmas to me.
So I wanted to personalize it.
I thought we could bring
some happiness into it.
- Mr. Dale has not been happy
at all since his parents died.
- Jimmy was right.
- Excuse me?
- I'm sorry, I
was just thinking.
Please tell me more.
- Okay.
Mr. Dale's parents were in
an accident some time ago.
It was about this
time of the year.
His father was killed,
and his mother was
essentially an invalid.
Mr. Dale gave her
every consideration
as long as she was with us.
- That must have been terrible
to see his mother like that.
I assume he had other family?
- He has a brother, Lyle.
Lyle lives with his
family in California.
- Would they be
coming for Christmas?
- No, Miss Weston, they don't
get back here very often.
- Is there anyone else
that's close around?
Any hobbies?
- Just his work.
- He is very successful.
- Hm.
What about when he was a kid?
- He and Lyle were very close.
- Like two peas in a pod.
- [Martha] Always playing.
- And they fished together,
sometimes for the whole day.
- But they always made
it home for supper.
- They did, they did.
And do you remember
in the evenings
they would bring books and
ask me to read aloud to them?
- [Martha] Such sweet memories.
- Does Mr. Dale ever
get back to Riverton
to see the old house and things?
- No, Miss Weston,
that's the sad part.
When they moved to here,
their property became part
of the new high school.
- Huh.
Do you have a picture
of the old house?
- No, Mr. Dale's father had
a picture taken one spring,
but I don't know
where it would be.
- Do you think Mr. Dale
would like a picture
if I could find one?
- Do you think you could?
- It's worth a try.
Do you know who
took the picture?
- I believe it was Henry Terry.
He still has a shop
in Riverton, I think.
- Maybe he kept the negative.
I'll give a call
tomorrow to Riverton
and see what we can find out.
Another thing,
I arranged for the
actors to come here
for rehearsal on the
23rd of December.
Would that be all right?
- That would be quite all right.
- All right, awesome.
Maybe, Martha, you could make
some cookies for the children?
- Oh, I'd be happy to.
What would you like
for Christmas dinner?
- That's your
department, not mine.
- All right.
How many will be coming?
- Six, plus the family here,
and you have to remember
three of them are teenagers,
so cook for 10.
(laughing)
- Hey, is there anything else
that we can help you with?
- Let's see, do you
have any decorations?
- There are some
in the basement,
but I really don't
know what's down there.
- Okay.
I'll check on that
a little later.
Let me see.
I'm in a hurry.
Could you get my
coat for me, please?
- Oh, absolutely.
- All right.
I'm really looking forward
to seeing those flower.
Maybe after rehearsal.
- Oh, I hope so.
- Okay, that would be great.
Thank you so much.
- Sure.
- Why don't you come with me?
We have all these children
we've gotta buy for,
and it's for the play.
- Well, I, I--
- Oh, come on.
- Oh, go ahead, Martha.
I'll go get your coat.
- I have some misgivings.
- [Anne] Whatever for?
- How do you buy gifts for
children you don't even know?
- Well, think of it as the play
and we'll buy for the ages.
- Martha.
- We're Santas.
Now come on.
- It's all right.
It'll be all right.
- Those actor children probably
have everything they need.
- Just think of it as buying
for the play and the ages.
It's all right.
- It will be all right, Martha.
It'll be all right.
Just go and have fun.
Take your time.
- [Anne] Ready?
We're goin' shoppin'.
Got my purse.
- [Bridget] Miss Weston!
Hi.
- Bridget, I got it.
It was Mr. Terry, all right.
He had the negative.
- You got the picture?
- Yeah, it came this
morning, express mail.
- [Bridget] Oh.
- Can you believe?
- Martha, Martha!
Come here, you have to see this.
Take a look at this.
Look!
- Oh, it's the old
house, all right.
- [Anne] Hey, Martha.
- My, look at those colors.
Look at those lilac bushes.
I can almost smell them.
And look, there's the old swing.
- I know, isn't that great?
Can you imagine having
the negatives still,
after all of these years?
- I need to get back to work.
I've got some baking to do.
- Yay.
Bridget, would
you do me a favor?
- Imagine, five children.
- Yeah.
(laughs)
- Would you do me a favor?
- [Bridget] I will.
What do you need?
- I have a card in here
that says to John with love.
Would you wrap the picture and
stick the card in it for me?
- I will.
And I have a surprise for you.
- You do?
- I do, I do.
I'll be right back.
- Okay, awesome.
(doorbell ringing)
There's the door.
Is it all right?
It's probably the
ones I'm expecting.
- Oh, please do.
- Okay, I'll get it.
All right, thank you.
- Please do.
- Jimmy, what a surprise.
Come in here.
You oughta see everything
that's going on here.
It's awesome, it's
all coming together.
- Miss Weston,
I've got bad news.
- What?
- Wow.
- Hey.
- Look at this place.
- [Anne] What's the bad news?
- I don't know how
to tell you this.
- What?
- They called from
the Actors Guild.
- [Anne] And?
- The kids aren't comin'.
- Why aren't they coming?
- Two of the kids have measles,
and the others don't want
to come by themselves.
They don't really want to
miss Christmas at home anyway.
- What about the mother?
- Well, that's the worst part.
They haven't found
anyone to play the part.
- Why didn't they let us know?
I don't understand.
- They said they'd keep trying.
- Even if we get the mother,
what about the kids?
- Well, I could always
play one of the parts.
- Jimmy, would you?
Can you?
- Yeah, sure.
I mean, I don't know how good
of an actor I am, though.
- You would be great.
You're like a Robert De Niro.
You did all the plays
at the orphanage, right?
- Yeah, but that's not--
- You're a good actor,
you're a good actor.
We're gonna have to
change your name, though.
We're gonna have to
change your name to Jack.
You'll be the oldest son.
John'd like that.
- Huh?
- Yeah.
John Dale.
The nickname for John is Jack.
And it'll be kind of nice to
make him feel like you're
really his son, you know?
- Okay, fine by me.
Fine.
- Jimmy, I really appreciate--
- Jack.
- Oh.
- Call me Jack.
- I really appreciate this.
- Seriously, though, it's not
only to help, Miss Weston.
I just want the chance
to be in a real home
with a family and a
real mother and father.
Even if it's just for one day.
- I understand.
- All the guys at school,
they say they're
fighting with their dads
all the time about
this and that.
They don't know how lucky
they are to fight with a dad.
- I lost my daddy at 14.
- You never told me that before.
- Yeah.
I had my first job at 14.
- 14.
- I put four brothers
through college.
It was challenging but worth it.
- Four brothers.
- Mm-hm.
- You have any sisters?
- I do.
I have a younger sister,
and she just got married
out of high school.
I was really counting
on using the money
to go see her
after the holidays.
But it'll be out of the question
if we don't get a
mother and children.
Oh.
- What.
- Orphanage!
- The orphanage.
Talk about great minds.
- Yes!
Any suggestions?
- Jean.
- Naturally we'd choose Jean.
- She can play the part
of the oldest girl.
- Mm-hm.
Don't you think it'd
make you feel a little
awkward?
- No, it'd be interesting.
- It'd be interesting?
(laughs)
Well, who else?
- Cynthia did a really good job
in the play at the
orphanage last time,
and Willie did too,
so that's four.
- You're a genius.
- There's a little girl
in the play too, right?
- Yeah.
Who's that one that
was the little one
that was running
around the stage
when you were doing rehearsals?
- You mean Lettie.
- She was running around,
and she got ice cream
all over the curtains.
- Okay, yeah, you mean Lettie.
- Yeah, she would be the one.
- What about the
other orphans, though?
We can't just leave them out.
- I've got an idea.
Mr. Dale wanted carolers,
so we could use them
as the carolers.
- Everyone can help.
Mrs. Lindsey would
love to do it.
- Oh, it'd be perfect.
That would be perfect.
I'll have to give
her a call right now.
Make yourself at home, take
off your coat, relax, Jimmy.
I mean Jack.
- [Mrs. Lindsey] Hello?
- Hello, Mrs. Lindsey.
- That sounded like
that went well.
- Yeah, except the mother.
- Here's the surprise.
Where's everybody else?
- Well, it's complicated.
Bridget, I'd like for
you to meet Jimmy.
He helps me out at the shop.
- [Bridget] How do you do?
- [Jimmy] Pleased to meet you.
- [Bridget] Nice
to meet you, Jimmy.
- Jimmy's gonna be the oldest
boy in our Christmas play.
- [Bridget] Aren't the
actor people coming?
- It's a little complicated.
Actors Guild is still
trying to locate a mother.
- What about the other children?
You have all those presents.
- Bridget, we have children
that are really gonna
appreciate the presents.
We're getting them
from the orphanage.
- That is great.
Martha will be so
happy to hear that.
She has been busy knitting
scarves for all the kids.
But you know she was
a little bit worried
that they wouldn't need them.
Hold on.
Martha!
- Yes?
- [Bridget] The children
from the Actors
Guild aren't coming.
- What?
They're not coming?
- Nope.
It's the children
from the orphanage!
- [Martha] The orphanage?
- [Bridget] Yeah.
- That's wonderful!
I'll need to start
baking some cookies.
I'm gonna make gingerbread
men, popcorn balls,
snickerdoodles,
oatmeal raisin cookies.
- [Anne] They're still
only five, Martha.
- I was gonna cook
that many anyway.
- Aw, well, if
there's any left over,
we can just take them
over to the orphanage.
- Oh, I'm gonna make enough
for the whole orphanage.
- [Anne] I'm sure they would
really, really like that.
I'd love to help you, if
that would be all right.
- [Martha] Yes.
- Martha, what was Mr.
Dale's favorite cookie?
- Hm.
Lyle and Mr. Dale loved
raisin oatmeal cookies.
I never could keep enough
of those at Christmastime.
- [Bridget] No.
- Mm.
We should have some for him
when he comes home tomorrow.
- What do you mean we?
- Jimmy, it's just
a prop for the play.
It's okay.
- You know, Miss Weston,
with you putting your four
brothers through school
and you loving them
and your sister,
you'd make a pretty
great mother.
- Not me!
No way.
- I've got lots of baking to do.
Those children are coming.
- [Anne] Thank you, Martha.
- That Martha, she
loves all this baking
that she's doing again.
- Yeah.
- She really likes to have
her hands in that flour bin.
- Yeah?
- It reminds me
of the old times.
- Yeah.
What's the surprise?
- [Bridget] Oh.
Right, right.
- Can I see it?
- [Bridget] This is what
I found in the attic.
These are the ornaments that
they used to use every year.
- Can I see?
- [Bridget] Sure.
- Look at this, Jimmy.
Isn't that beautiful?
Oh, it's so nice.
Oh, wow.
Oh, this is just perfect.
This is special.
- It really is.
Mr. Dale's parents got it
right after they were married,
and every Christmas they
put it on top of their tree,
year after year.
Miss Weston,
Martha has a nativity scene
that she would really like
for us to put on the mantel
if it's okay with you.
It's really turn of the century.
Is that okay?
- That would be wonderful.
- Great.
It's great.
I'll go ahead and get those
out of your way for now, then.
- All right, thank you.
- [Bridget] Nice
to meet you, Jimmy.
Thank you, Miss Weston.
- Okay, I have so much to do.
I think I'll come over here
early tomorrow to help Martha.
We still have to put
up the Christmas tree
and decorate it.
Do you think you could help?
- Yeah.
- All right.
The kids should be
here around 3:30.
- You know, Jean
would like to help too
with the tree, I bet.
- That would be great.
Do you think you could ask her?
- Yeah.
You know, I kinda like this.
- Yeah?
- Jean being my sister.
- Doesn't that kind
of cramp your style?
- Not a bit, not at all.
(doorbell ringing)
- Oh, looks like they're here.
Hey, hi, kids!
Come on in here.
- Hi, Miss Weston.
- [Anne] Hi.
Hi, sweetie.
Hi.
- Is this a princess castle?
Do we get to sleep here?
- Sure smells good in here.
- [Cynthia] This
place is amazing.
- Children, children.
Where's Willie?
- Does anyone know
who he belongs to?
I found him in my kitchen.
- Thank you for bringing
the children over.
- What a morning.
- I know, and it was
on such short notice.
Thank you.
- I told the children
that we were gonna be here
for Christmas as a family,
but you'll have to
tell them what to do.
- Okay, okay.
First I want you all
to take your coats off
and put 'em over
here on this table.
And your hats.
That would be good right there.
Then come sit down on the couch,
and I'm gonna give you the plan.
Are you ready?
All right.
Come on over here, Willie.
Jimmy-Jack.
Have a seat.
You have had fun in plays
before, haven't you?
- Uh-huh.
- Do I get to be in it?
- Yes, Lettie.
- Is this gonna be another play?
- Actually, kind of.
I had a man come into
my store the other day
and say he wanted to
rent, borrow, a Christmas.
- A Christmas?
How can you borrow Christmas?
- He wants to have Christmas
right here in this house,
and he asked me to help him.
- What kind of store
you got anyway?
- Is he rich?
- A little, he is.
- I mean, what kind of
store does someone walk into
and want to borrow a holiday?
- What are we supposed to do?
- For his borrowed
Christmas, he wants a tree.
- He wants to borrow a tree?
- [Anne] Yes, and presents.
- And presents?
- And he wants
Christmas carolers,
and he wants a wife,
and he wants kids.
- Do you want us to sing carols?
- Actually, no.
I want the other children
from the orphanage
to do the caroling,
but I want you to be his kids.
- So you mean we're
supposed to act
like his kids for a whole day?
- How do you act like kids?
- We are kids, Lettie.
It shouldn't be that tough.
- Maybe you should try to
eat like a kid, Willie.
For once.
- Yeah.
- Looks who's talkin'.
You eat like a horse.
- Willie, you are not
gonna act like that
in front of Mr. Dale, are you?
- Alice, Alice, it's okay.
They need to act natural.
- Okay.
If he can stand it,
I guess it's okay.
- Okay.
And the exciting thing about it
is that you all are gonna be
paid like professional actors.
- I'd like to do it for free.
- Why would you want
to do that, Jean?
- Jimmy said he thought
Mr. Dale was lonely.
I'd like to do it
for him as a present.
- But Miss Weston
said he's rich.
- Not all rich people are happy.
- A little extra money
would be nice for you,
wouldn't it, Jean?
- It'll be nice just
to be in a family,
even if it's only for a day.
- I'd rather get paid.
- What about you, Lettie?
- Will we get presents
like a real family?
- You sure do.
You all will get presents
as part of the play.
- I'd rather get paid.
- It's up to all
of you, of course,
but I do agree with Jean.
Everyone is so nice to
us at Christmastime.
- I still want the money.
- It's okay, Willie.
It's all right.
- Who'll be our mom?
- We have a professional actor
coming from the Actors Guild.
- But I want you to be the mom.
- No, not me.
- He does have a point.
If you're there, you
could tell us what to do.
- He's already seen me.
- [Jimmy] Well,
he's seen me too.
- It's different, Jimmy.
- Oh, come on, Miss Weston.
If Jean can be my sister,
you can be my mom.
- Uh.
- Anne,
it sounds like a
good idea to me.
The children do know you.
- I know, but a
professional actor
will know exactly what to do.
And we're under contract,
so until they break it,
we have to stick with it.
- Oh.
- I'd better introduce
you to Bridget and Martha.
They're really, really nice.
Bridget!
Martha, can you come
in here, please?
Hey.
Bridget, I want to
introduce you to the kids.
This is Jean.
And this is Cynthia.
And this is--
- Mr. Dale's coming.
I just saw him coming
down the street.
- What do we do?
Where do we go?
- Through the kitchen.
- [Willie] Where's the kitchen?
- [Anne] Go out the back way.
Hurry!
- The coats!
Mr. Dale!
Hi, I didn't expect you
until this afternoon.
- Fred is coming
to pick up the gift
you ordered for his wife.
I told him just to meet me here.
- Sure, but oh!
So handsome.
- Thank you.
- [Bridget] You're welcome.
- We're probably going
to want some lunch.
Would you have Martha make some
soup and sandwiches, please?
- Sure, absolutely, yes.
- Something smells really good.
What is Martha making?
- Oh, just some Christmas cake.
Here, have a seat.
Here.
Don't worry about anything.
I'll have her take care
of the sandwiches, okay?
All right, yeah, all right.
- I'm not worried about
anything, Bridget, thanks.
- [Bridget] I forgot your coat.
So sorry.
I got it, I got it.
(doorbell ringing)
Well, come in, sir.
Come in!
- [Fred] Good morning, Bridget.
- Good morning,
good morning, sir.
- Hey, sorry I'm late.
Traffic was crazy.
- Thanks again, Bridget.
I just got here
myself, don't worry.
- So I'm really excited
about this gift.
Claire's gonna love it.
I think Christmas
is gonna be epic.
- I believe you.
I'm gonna have Christmas
here this year.
- Here? You?
Christmas?
- Thanks to the
local rental shop.
You know the one
down on Front Street?
- Mm-hm.
So they're renting
Christmases, right?
- Yes sir, they are.
Although I'm calling
it borrowing Christmas.
- You're kidding.
- I'm completely serious.
- Come on, renting Christmas?
Borrowing Christmas?
Okay.
So there's a catch.
What is it?
- No catch.
- What's the punchline?
- It's not a joke.
There's no punchline.
- Okay.
All right, so lay it on me.
I've gotta heart it.
- Okay.
- Right?
- Last Saturday I was walking
down on Front Street
by the rental shop.
And I saw that
sign that's outside
that says we rent anything.
So I thought
I'm gonna go in there
and order me a Christmas.
I know it sounds crazy,
but I was just in
one of those moods.
I walked in there and Miss
Weston, who owns the shop,
she didn't know that I
was joking, I don't think.
She took me seriously, so
I got serious about it,
and the next thing I knew I
was walking out of the store
after having leaving a deposit.
For Christmas.
- What kind of
Christmas did you order?
No, wait, I know.
You ordered it off
the value menu there.
- No sir, I didn't.
I ordered the kind of Christmas
that I've always wanted,
a real storybook
kind of a Christmas,
like a Norman Rockwell painting.
Like the one you
and Claire share.
- How's that?
- I don't know.
Maybe I'm kind of jealous
of what you have.
You always seem so happy,
especially around the holidays
with the family and all.
- Isn't everybody?
- The ones who have
families, it seems.
- You're not dating.
You don't date.
Have a family?
- I get it, I get it.
I'm not looking
for a pity party,
I just decided I'm gonna
order a family for Christmas.
- A family.
From the rent shop.
Renting.
- From the rent shop.
- Renting a family.
- Yes, sir.
I ordered all the trimmings.
A tree, carolers, presents,
everything you can imagine.
Then I specified five children.
Just like you and Claire.
- Yeah, all right.
- And
a wife.
- Wait a minute.
We keep going deeper
down the rabbit hole.
So family, rent a
family, and a wife?
Why?
Watch it, man.
(laughs)
- No, there's no need to worry.
I don't fully expect her to
be able to fill this order.
But she did ask all
the right questions.
For a while there I felt like
I was ordering office supplies.
But she seemed confident
she could pull it off.
- So
she's going to bring a wife.
She's gonna bring not
one kid, five kids.
She's gonna bring
that all to you
on not just any day,
but a Christmas day.
That's an impossibility.
You know this, right?
- Yeah.
I do know.
You're probably right.
- Okay.
So she comes in here
with a bunch of decorations.
She's got strangers with her
and she's gonna do this thing.
That's your answer?
- Answer?
What do you mean?
- I don't know, John.
I'm not a shrink, but
it seems to me like
you feel like you're
missing something,
and you think a rented
Christmas is gonna fix that?
- A borrowed Christmas.
I hear what you're saying.
But I'll be honest with you.
If Miss Weston thinks all I
want is a few decorations,
then I'd rather she just
forget the whole thing.
- You wearing flowered
scarves now, John?
- No.
Where'd you get that?
- It's right there.
- Okay.
Hey, Bridget!
Bridget!
- Why do we gotta
wear this stuff?
It itches.
- Because it's what
Mr. Dale wants.
- I hope we get some of these.
- We will.
But it shouldn't matter, piggy.
- Just be glad you're here.
- [Willie] So I can't
help it if I like to eat.
- All right, kids,
it's time for me to get
the finishing touch.
- Cynthia, will you
check the door, please?
- [Cynthia] Sure.
- That's a good idea, Willie.
Okay, so when Mr.
Dale gets here,
you come in here and tell
everyone that he's here, okay?
And then you go straight
into the hallway.
And Cynthia, when
Mr. Dale gets here,
can you come in and
take Lettie, please?
- [Cynthia] Yeah.
- Jimmy, do I look like
a princess in this?
- Of course you do.
- Can we open presents now?
- No, Lettie.
We have to wait until morning.
- Jean, I think we
should go, but remember,
I'm Jack in this one, okay?
And Lettie, as soon
as you see Mr. Dale,
you go up to him, you say hi,
and then you give
him a big hug, okay?
- What?
- Say hi, daddy.
- Hi, daddy!
- Louder.
- Hi, daddy!
- [Jimmy] That's great.
- [Jean] We'd better go.
Bye.
- What's that?
- That's called a manger
scene, and it reminds us of--
- He's coming!
He's coming!
- Bridget.
What is all this?
- We're doing our best to
follow out her orders, sir.
- So that was Miss
Weston's scarf.
Huh.
(serene music)
- Daddy's home!
- Hi, daddy!
- Look at the tree, daddy!
- [John] I see.
- There are presents too.
See?
I get one too, but
mama says not to touch.
- Oh?
Who, mommy?
- John, darling.
You're early.
Wonderful.
Welcome home.
Here.
- But--
- It's your favorite,
oatmeal raisin.
Like it?
- Thank you.
- I want one.
- Me too.
- No, it'll ruin your supper.
- Just one, please?
- No.
Upstairs, wash your
hands for supper.
Cynthia, will you
please take Lettie?
- [Cynthia] Come on, Lettie.
- Jack and Jean called
from the station.
They should be coming
home any minute.
- Coming home?
- Yes, silly.
Coming home from
school for Christmas.
Here, have another bite.
There you are.
- Oatmeal raisin.
- [Anne] I know.
- It's my favorite.
- I know.
Oh, I have so much to do.
Don't eat too many.
They might spoil your
appetite for supper.
- Yes, ma'am.
Huh.
Jack, Jean, Lettie.
God, who were the others?
That Miss Weston.
Sweetheart!
Sweetheart!
Sweetheart!
- Yes, darling?
- I was just wondering.
Is there anything I can
do to help you, dear?
- Well, the tree's
already decorated.
Things look like
they're in place.
No, I don't think so, but
thank you for asking, dear.
I sure wish they'd
hurry and get here.
- Me too.
Your apron is coming undone.
- Would you tie
it for me, please?
- [John] Sure.
- [Anne] Thank you.
- [John] You're very welcome.
- It's a little tight.
- Oh, sorry.
I don't do this very often.
(laughs)
There, how's that?
- Wow, what'd you do?
Tied in knots, huh?
- [John] Sorry.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Wow.
Bridget!
Bridget!
- I believe I'm over here, sir.
- Pardon me.
Is there anything we're missing?
- I don't believe so, sir.
- [John] You sure?
(doorbell ringing)
- Master Jack and
Miss Jean are coming!
Jack!
Jean!
- Merry Christmas, Bridget.
- Oh, merry Christmas, darling.
- Hello, Bridget.
Hope we're not late for
dinner, I'm starved.
- [Bridget] You
are just in time.
Can you smell it?
- Roast turkey.
- It is, yes.
Come in, come in.
- Hello, daddy.
- Hi.
- Jack, Jean!
- Hello, mother.
- Hi, sweetheart.
Come home.
Hi, baby.
- Mother.
It's so good to be home.
- Hello, father.
- Hello, son.
I tell you, before long,
you're gonna be
outgrowing your old man.
- Well, gee, dad, looks
like I already have.
(John laughs)
- [John] It's good to
have you home, son.
- A tree.
Oh mother, it's
as pretty as ever.
Everything's jus the same.
There's even that silver star
that grandpa and grandma Dale
had when daddy was little.
- I had a hard time keeping you
from cutting your teeth on it.
- [Jean] Mother!
- Jean, you're back!
- [Jimmy] Hey, sport!
- Hey, Jack.
I'm glad you're home.
Can we eat?
I'm hungry.
- Where's Lettie?
- [Cynthia] She's sleeping.
- This is incredible.
- [Martha] Jean!
- [Jean] Martha!
- You are as sweet as always.
And Jack.
My, look how much you've grown!
You're as handsome
as your father.
- Oh, now, Miss Martha.
- [Martha] I mean it.
- Can we please eat?
I'm hungry.
(laughing)
- There's no reason to whine.
There's plenty of food
in the room nextdoor.
- I wouldn't mind eating.
We don't have Martha's
food at college.
- I bet not.
- You to have to
get washed up first.
- Oh, excuse us.
- [John] We'll wait on you.
- Do we have to?
- Do you have some kind of a
hole in your stomach, Jack?
- I'm Willie, dad!
- Oh, excuse me, Willie.
I'm sorry.
- Oh yeah, and I do have
a hole in my stomach
and a hollow leg too.
- I believe it.
Why don't we go eat?
Come on, let's go take
care of that hollow leg.
- [Jimmy] Martha, you are
still the world's best cook.
- [Jean] Must be, you
took seconds three times.
- I saw that.
So what are your plans
for summer, Jean?
Summer school?
- Well, if I had
it my way, daddy,
I'd like to ramble about New
England on my favorite horse.
- Majesty?
- Yes, daddy, Majesty.
Then we could stay for a while
someplace near the beach.
- How about you, Jack?
- Well, I have that
job for six weeks
as a junior counselor
at the boys' camp.
But after that, I think
Jean's idea's pretty cool.
I think the kids
would like it too.
But you know, Willie
still talks about
that fish he caught last summer.
- Right.
- Exactly, but you know,
I think the last two weeks
I want to spend in Maine,
camping with you.
- Consider it done.
Hey, sweetie.
- Daddy, can you read us
the Christmas story
again this year?
- The Christmas story.
Our family tradition.
I think we can, as soon
as mommy gets here.
Why don't you go get her?
Hm.
- Remember that one?
Yeah?
- Here, daddy.
- Thank you very much.
This is gonna be fun.
Let's see.
Oh, should we wake Lettie?
- [Anne] No, she was
really tired earlier.
I think we should
just let her sleep.
- [John] Okay.
- [Anne] Okay.
- Okay, here it is.
Here's where it starts.
"In those days, Caesar
Augustus issued a decree
"that a census should be taken
of the entire Roman world.
"This was the first
census that took place
"while Quirinius was
governor of Syria,
"and everyone went to
their own town to register.
"So Joseph also went up from
the town to Nazareth in Galilee
"to Judea, to Bethlehem,
the town of David,
"because he belonged to
the house in line of David.
"He went there to
register with Mary,
"who was pledged to
be married to him
"and was expecting a child.
"While they were there,
"the time came for
the baby to be born.
"And she gave birth
to her first born,
"a son.
"She wrapped him in clothes,
placed him in a manger,
"because there was no guest
room available for them.
"And there were shepherds
living out in the fields nearby,
"keeping watch over
their flocks at night.
"An angel of the
Lord appeared to them
"and the glory of the
Lord shone around them,
"and they were terrified.
"But the angel said to
them do not be afraid.
"He said I bring you good news
"that will cause great
joy for all the people.
"Today in the town of David,
"a savior has been born to you.
"He is the Messiah, the Lord.
"This will be a sign to you.
"You will find a baby
wrapped in clothes
"and lying in a manger.
"Suddenly a great company
of the heavenly host
"appeared with the angel,
"praising God and
saying glory to God
"in the highest
heaven, and on earth,
"peace to those on
whom his favor rests.
"When the angels had left
them and gone into heaven,
"the shepherds
said to one another
"let's go to Bethlehem and see
this thing that has happened
"which the Lord
has told us about.
"So they hurried off and found
Mary and Joseph and the baby,
"who was lying in the manger.
"When they had seen him,
"they spread the word concerning
"what had been told
them about this child.
"And all who heard
it were amazed
"at what the shepherds
said to them.
"But Mary treasured
up all these things
"and pondered them in her heart.
"The shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
"for all the things that
they had heard and seen,
"which were just as
they had been told."
Glorifying and praising
God for all things.
- Listen to the carolers.
Don't they sound beautiful?
- Oh yeah.
- Daddy, can we let them in?
- Yes.
Let's do.
- Cynthia, would you
please ask Martha
to bring some cookies?
- Yes, mommy.
- Thank you, baby.
Merry Christmas, would
you please come in?
- Merry Christmas, children.
- [Carolers] Merry Christmas.
- That was beautiful.
- That was so beautiful.
- Thank you.
- Please, please sing another.
- [Caroler] How about
Silent Night, everybody?
Ready?
One, two, three.
Silent night
Holy night
All is calm
All is bright
'Round yon virgin
mother and child
Holy infant so
tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
- That was beautiful, children.
And I have some cookies for you.
And we have plenty.
Have a cookie.
- [John] Merry
Christmas, everyone.
- [Carolers] Merry Christmas.
- That was beautiful, children.
- Kids, we have to go now.
- Thank you, ma'am.
They sound like angels.
- Thank you.
Maybe they are.
- Merry Christmas.
- [All] Merry Christmas.
- [Caroler] God bless.
- [Anne] You too.
- Stay warm.
- [Anne] Bye, Mrs. Lindsey.
Thank you.
All right, kids, time for bed.
- But mama.
- No, your mother's right.
Christmas comes early.
- Say goodnight.
- 'Night, daddy.
- Goodnight, sweetie.
Goodnight, everybody.
- Goodnight, sweetheart.
Love you.
- Goodnight, son.
- See you in the morning.
- Goodnight, sweetie.
- 'Night, baby.
- Can I get a hug too?
Goodnight, sport.
- Goodnight.
Come on, Willie.
- Sweet dreams.
- Most of the Christmas
presents are wrapped,
but I've saved a few for you.
I'll be right back.
- [John] Okay, so.
- Are you ready?
- I guess.
What are we doing?
- We're gonna wrap presents.
First we're gonna
start with this one.
- [John] What is it?
- It's a sweater.
- [John] For who?
- Tom.
- Tom?
Okay, we've got
Jack, Jean, Willie.
Who's Tom?
- The paperboy.
- The paperboy?
- He had a really thin coat
on, and I felt bad, so.
He needed a sweater.
- That is very nice.
Okay, what's next?
- Can you guess who this is for?
- What is this, perfume?
- Mm-hm.
- Martha?
- Mm-hm.
- Mm, lilac.
- Any country girl likes lilac.
- Would she be
willing to accept it
in lieu of her usual
Christmas bonus?
- In addition to
her Christmas bonus.
And--
- How did I know
you were gonna say that?
- And this.
Don't they look beautiful?
- Is that for her too?
- Mm-hm.
It's from us.
- That is beautifuL.
- Beautiful.
- [John] Huh.
- Do you think she'll like it?
- I know she will.
It'll look good on her.
- Okay.
- Who's the one runnin'
around the house all the time?
- That would be Bridget.
- Okay, what do you think?
- She's gonna love 'em.
- And I got her
some romance novels.
- Wow.
- Or we did.
- We did.
- We did.
Take a look at this.
This is for Jack.
- Okay, this one's
already wrapped.
- Mm-hm.
- That is a nice watch.
- The best.
- It's nicer than my watch.
- He deserves the best.
- Our son does deserve the best.
- He is the best.
Go to bed!
You two go to bed!
- [John] Shh.
She must really be out.
- I'll get Lettie
and take her up.
You finish wrapping
the presents.
I'll make sure the
other two are in bed.
- Lettie,
Willie,
Jean.
To John, with love.
I don't even have a
present for my own wife.
I know just the thing.
- Mr. Dale, have all the
children gone to bed yet?
- Yes.
Miss Weston...
Mrs. Dale has already
taken them upstairs.
- Bridget has presents for them.
Should I bring them down now?
- Presents?
- From Santa Claus.
- [John] From Santa?
- Mr. Dale, surely
you haven't forgotten
about Santa since you
were a little boy.
- No, Martha, I have not
forgotten about Santa.
Have Bridget bring them in.
- All right.
Bridget!
It's all right!
- Well, look at that.
Who is the sled for?
- It's for Willie, sir.
- Ah.
Willie is gonna love it.
- Yes, sir.
- Bridget, I would like
you to go to the safe
and get the sapphire
brooch, please.
- The sapphire brooch?
- Yes.
Please.
- Yes, sir.
- That does my
heart so much good.
- It does mine too, Martha.
- Mr. Dale, I have
knitted scarves for each of the children.
- You're gonna spoil these kids.
- Well, I also made Miss Weston
a beautiful pair of slippers.
She's such a dear.
- Martha, if I
didn't know better,
I would think you were the
one that rented Christmas.
- I think you mean
borrowed, Mr. Dale.
You see, you can't bring
happiness into a house like this
and not expect it to
fall on all of us.
- Here it is, sir.
- Thank you, Bridget.
- [John] Hm.
It's almost like the
color of her eyes.
Bridget, I'm afraid Miss
Weston will be back...
Strike that.
Mrs. Dale will be
back down any moment.
I would like you
to wrap this gift
and include a card that
says to my beloved Anne.
Love always, John.
- This is for Miss Weston?
- This is for my wife.
- Yes, sir.
- Thank you, Bridget.
- [Martha] That's very
kind of you, Mr. Dale.
- She's brought
something into this house
that hasn't been
here for a long time.
I need to thank her for that.
- I think they're down for
the night, but you never know.
- Mr. Dale was just like that
when he was a little boy.
He never wanted to
go to sleep at night.
- I know, he didn't.
Oh, Miss Weston, we got
your guest room ready.
We put it right
between the two rooms
that we got ready
for the children,
just in case you wanted
to look in on them.
- Thank you.
- It's so wonderful to have
company in this house again.
Well, goodnight.
- Thank you, goodnight.
- Goodnight, Martha.
- [Bridget] See
you in the morning.
- 'Night.
- I do not know how you figured
out how to make them happy.
- A wife just knows.
I'm a natural sleuth.
(laughs)
- I'm impressed.
You did good.
- Thank you.
- Merry Christmas, Anne.
- Merry Christmas, John.
("Silent Night")
- All right, kids.
Looks like someone paid
us a visit last night.
Come on in.
With your eyes closed.
No peeking.
- [Anne] Make sure
your eyes are closed.
Look at the floor, Jack.
Ready?
- No peeking.
Don't cheat.
All right.
Why don't we let
mama count us down?
- All right, are you kids ready?
Ready?
Three,
two,
one.
- [John and Anne]
Merry Christmas!
- Yay!
- [John] All right,
whose is whose?
- [Anne] They're
having so much fun.
- [John] We got him the sled.
- Cynthia, honey,
will you please
go get Martha and
Bridget, bring them in?
- [Cynthia] Yes, mommy.
- [Anne] Thank you.
Merry Christmas, Martha.
Merry Christmas, Bridget.
- Merry Christmas.
Thank you, Cynthia.
- Thank you for
the scarf, Martha.
It's beautiful.
- Merry Christmas, darlin'.
Lilac.
Every good country
girl likes lilac.
- That's true.
- Here, it's my turn.
Thank you, sir.
Thank you, ma'am.
That's so kind of you.
- Merry Christmas, Bridget.
- Merry Christmas.
- Come on, Bridget.
Let's let this family
have a great Christmas.
- This is for you and mom.
- Thank you, Jean.
- Oh, how lovely.
- That is beautiful, Jean.
- Merry Christmas.
- Thank you, sweetie.
- Thank you.
- Okay, these are only trifles.
Mom.
- Thank you.
- And dad.
- Thank you, son.
- Whoa.
Sonnets of the Portuguese.
I love it.
It's so nice.
- Another book.
The World's Greatest Men.
- You know, they should've
wrote a chapter about you, dad.
- Thank you, son.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas to you.
- Merry Christmas, John.
- What do we have here?
To John, with love.
It's the old house.
- Let me see.
- What is it, daddy?
- A picture.
- It's the house
where I grew up.
How did you find this?
There's the meadow.
The orchard is
right behind here.
It's just like I remember it.
How in the world?
- Is it strange
that a wife knows
so many things
about her husband?
- Mom's flower bed.
The lilac bushes.
- I did my homework.
- It's perfect.
- I hope you like it.
- Jean.
What's that on the mantel?
- Who's this for?
It's for you, mother.
- To my beloved Anne.
With love, John.
(gasps)
Oh, it's lovely.
- A brooch.
- How elegant.
- It's so beautiful.
Oh, John.
- It looks like an heirloom.
- Oh mama, it's beautiful.
- You're beautiful, Miss Weston.
I mean mommy.
- Thank you, Lettie.
- I hate to break up this little
party here, but I'm hungry.
- Imagine that.
Martha made waffles with
powdered sugar and butter.
Do y'all wanna go eat?
Yeah?
All right, come on, let's go.
Come on, let's go.
How you doin', Jean?
You enjoying your time?
- [Jean] Yeah.
- [Anne] Yeah?
- I think Mr. Dale's the best
actor in the play, though.
- [Anne] What do you mean?
- You should have
seen him last night.
He asked us what we
wanted to do next summer,
and he promised to take
us all to the beach.
- The beach?
- Yeah.
I wish it were true.
I wish we could keep
on like this forever.
It's been fun
pretending, though.
I'm never gonna forget this.
- Yeah.
It's been a beautiful
memory for all of us.
What about you, Willie?
- What about what?
- What about our Christmas play?
- Ha, I beat ya.
- So what?
I beat you last time.
You couldn't do it again.
- Why don't we find out?
- Willie.
- [Willie] What?
- What about our Christmas,
did you enjoy it?
- It's been okay, I guess.
In fact, forget about
paying me for the part.
- You don't want the money?
- Nah.
This has been fun.
- [Anne] Aw.
- You can forget about
paying me too, Miss Weston.
- [Anne] You too?
- If we made Mr. Dale happy,
let's just say it was our
Christmas present to him.
- I've been so happy here.
- Yeah.
I believe Mr. Dale's
been happy as well.
He and Jimmy have been
out for over an hour.
- I thought they were
just taking a little walk in the snow.
- So did I.
But the truth is,
it's probably time we start
planning how we end this play.
Willie.
- [Willie] What?
- [Anne] Are you listening?
- Yeah, I'm listening.
- When Jimmy and
Mr. Dale get back,
I want you to get your
coats on, go see Bridget,
and she's gonna take you
back to Mrs. Lindsey.
- So soon?
- [Anne] I'm afraid so.
- What about the presents?
- Don't worry
about the presents.
I'll have Bridget
bring them to the shop,
and I'll make sure
they get to you.
Willie.
- I'm listening.
- [Anne] Don't forget.
- [Willie] I won't.
Can't we just stay
until tomorrow?
- I'm afraid not.
Bridget!
- Yes, Miss Weston?
- [Anne] When Mr.
Dale gets back,
will you take the
three younger children
back to Mrs. Lindsey?
- Is it time already?
- [Anne] Yes.
We could pretend you're taking
them for a walk or something.
Mr. Dale doesn't need to know
our little play is over yet.
- As you wish, Miss Weston.
- Thank you, Bridget.
Maybe you ought to
put the checkers away.
- Can't we just
play another game?
- No, you'd better do it now.
- Martha's been
knitting almost all day.
She said she was going
to make something
for every kid at the orphanage.
- [Anne] Martha's very kind.
- Bridget tells me that
you're leaving soon.
- You've been so kind to us.
- Well, that's easy.
I just don't want you to leave.
- You can always go visit
them at the orphanage.
- Oh, I will, I promise.
- We're lucky to have
you as a friend, Martha.
- Oh, baby.
(laughing)
- [Anne] How was the snow?
- It was cold.
- It was perfect for
making snowballs.
- [Anne] Oh, Jack!
- What?
You can't expect me to grow
up all at the same time.
- I threw a few myself.
- You did?
- Thank you, Bridget.
- Bridget, if you
and the children want to go on that walk.
- Oh.
- Yes, Miss Weston.
- Hello.
- Hi.
- What is this?
Look what I found.
Jean, your mother and I really
thank you for that present.
It was a beautiful photograph.
- I'm glad, daddy.
Hasn't this been the
best Christmas ever?
- It certainly has, darling.
- I don't want to go back.
- [Cynthia] Shh.
- I want to stay
with my new daddy.
- Miss Bridget will take
you on a sleigh ride
with Willie's new sled.
Would you like that?
- [Bridget] Come on, Lettie.
- Okay, okay.
- I'm sorry.
- Bye, dad.
- Bye, dad.
- Bye-bye, daddy.
- Bye-bye, Lettie.
Bye, guys.
Y'all have fun, okay?
- Well, I promised Joey
that I would come see
what he got for Christmas
down the street.
So I thought I'd come
over for a little while.
Is that okay?
- Sure, Jack.
- Jean, would you like to come?
- Sure.
Let me get my coat.
- Thanks for all
the presents, dad.
And everything.
- Thanks again for such
a nice Christmas, daddy.
(sniffles)
- Thank you.
See you after a while.
The best gift we can get
Is something you can't rent
You won't take it
back for a better one
The moments that we share
The love that takes us there
Reminds us of
the Father's son
And heaven met
earth in that child
And God and
sinners reconciled
And oh
The angels knew
It was time for the king
To come and save his world
So they started to sing
So they started to sing
- Mr. Dale.
Now that your Christmas
has been delivered,
I suppose I should be going.
Here is
the rest of the expenses from
the money that you gave me and
here's a check for the balance.
I can't accept payment
for the wonderful
Christmas that you gave me.
And as for the brooch,
I know that it had
to be your mother's.
It was so thoughtful
of you to think of it
as a Christmas prop.
It was very sweet.
This has to stay in the family.
Thank you once again,
and happy new year.
- Wait a minute.
If you can't keep it,
why don't you give it to
your favorite charity?
- Charity?
- Something tells me you
have the perfect one in mind.
- The orphanage?
- [John] Mm-hm.
- [Anne] How did you find out?
- I did a little
sleuthing of my own.
- It was Bridget.
- Nope.
- No?
- It was Martha.
She let it slip last night.
- She is a dear.
We had a little
trouble with Lettie.
We tried.
- You all did fine.
- Thank you.
I'm sure the orphanage will
really appreciate this.
- Miss Weston.
- Yes?
- Aren't you even going to
ask whether or not my little
borrowed Christmas
was satisfactory?
I mean, as a businesswoman,
I would think you might
be interested to know.
- Was it?
Are you satisfied?
- No.
I'm not.
- You're not satisfied?
- Not at all.
- I am so sorry.
I really don't know what to say.
The truth is, Mr. Dale,
that nothing in this
world belongs to us.
- What do you mean?
- Everything that we
have belongs to God.
- I know that.
- The moment that you
stepped in my store,
you asked me to give
you a Christmas,
and I did that exactly.
I did that for you.
I got you the tree,
the trimmings,
the children, the wife.
- I know.
- Everything.
I got you the picture
that meant so much to you.
When you opened it
up on Christmas Day,
your face, it was priceless.
Everything I did was,
it was for you.
It wasn't a Christmas.
It was a Christmas, but
it wasn't Christmas.
- Can I interrupt?
- [Anne] Sure.
- Anne.
- Yes?
- You did give me Christmas.
You see, you taught me something
these past couple of days.
You have taught me
that nothing borrowed,
nothing rented is ever
gonna permanently satisfy.
It's never gonna make me happy.
What's gonna make me happy
forever
is something that I
can call my very own.
You see, I want Christ,
the spirit of Christmas,
in the middle of
everything that I do.
And because you taught
me about Christmas,
I want to tell you right
now a little secret.
I want to adopt those children.
I want to do
everything in my power
to try to make every one
of their dreams come true.
- It's so wonderful.
They'll be so happy, and their
prayers will be answered.
I'm sure that will
make you happy.
- Not fully.
- Why?
- Because there's something
else I want in my life
that I want Christ
in the center of.
Give me your hand.
Miss Anne Weston,
I am not gonna be happy
unless I'm with you.
You are everything
I've ever dreamed of,
everything I have
ever wanted in a wife.
I want you to keep this brooch.
You said just a few minutes ago
it should remain in my family.
I'm giving it to you with
the hope and the prayer
that that's gonna be the case.
- Thank you, John.
- Anne.
I'm asking you to
let me earn the right
to have this Christmas
forever.
- Oh, John.
I've always wanted a family,
true love,
a home.
- You, those kids,
that's what's gonna
make me happy.
Every one of you.
You, Lettie, Jean, Jack,
Cynthia, Willie, all of you.
- Are you sure about Willie?
(laughing)
- Yes, I'm sure about Willie.
Especially Willie.
Can I ask you a favor,
Miss Anne Weston?
- [Anne] Sure.
- May I walk you home?
- Oh, please.
Please.
- I'll get my coat.
- John, there's something
that I really need to tell you
before we go any further.
- What?
- Jack's name isn't Jack.
It's Jimmy.
(laughing)
- You scared me for a second.
- Yeah?
- Jimmy.
- Yeah.
- Kinda like that.
- [Anne] You do?
All right.
- I do.
- [Anne] Good.
- [John] Let's get my coat.
- All right.
- This is the most glorious
Christmas of my whole life.
I need to go bake cookies
for my new family.
The best gift I know
Is not bought or sold
You won't find
it under a tree
2,000 years ago
A father sent his boy
To take on a burden for me
Heaven met earth
in that child
God and sinners reconciled
Oh the angels knew
- It's time for us to...
When Jimmy and Mr.
Dale get back...
When Jimmy gets
back, I want you...
Okay, sorry.
I don't know what to do.
When Jimmy and
Mr. Dale get back,
I want you kids to go
and get your coats on,
and meet with Mrs. Lindsey.
(laughs)
And Bridget will take
you back to Mrs. Lindsey.
Willie,
when Jimmy and Mr. Lind--
(laughing)
Sorry.
Okay, let me do it.
Willie, when Jimmy
and Mr. Dale get back,
I want you to go and
get your coats on
and see Mrs. Bridget to
take you to Mrs. Lindsey.
(laughing)
I don't know what the deal is.
It's all twisted in my head.
Oh my God.
It's twisted in my
head, everywhere.
Willie.
Willie.
Willie.
Willie.
Willie, when Jimmy and
Mr. Linds...oh my God.
(laughs)
Sorry.
Sorry.
Okay, okay.
Glory to God in the highest
Peace on earth,
goodwill to men
Glory to God in the highest
A savior is born
in Bethlehem
A savior is born
in Bethlehem
A savior is born
in Bethlehem
The best gift I know
Was not bought or sold
You won't find
it under the tree
Is for children
Who believe
In Santa Claus
And snowflakes on
the windowpanes
Stockings filled
with candy canes
And puppies showing
just their nose and paws
Christmas
Is for children
Who can't wait
To trim the tree
And paper chains
and shiny lights
Jingle bells and
silent nights
And special times with
friends and family
Christmas
Is for children
Like me
Silver bells
And new white snow
Put your finger
on the ribbon
While I tie the bow
Kisses 'neath the mistletoe
And love that's understood
And don't those roasting
chestnuts smell good
Christmas
Is for children
Who rejoice
On Christmas Eve
For Christ was born
this holy night
Beneath the star
of wonder's light
A wondrous gift for
all who dare believe
Oh, but most of all
this time of year
I pray that peace
on earth is near
So all these Christmas
joys will always be
For Christmas
Is for children
Like me
- Sure has been slow around
here, hasn't it, Jimmy?
- One wheelbarrow.
- Yeah, everyone's getting
ready for Christmas.
Makes things dull around here.
I wonder if we oughta
close for the day.
Hello.
How can I help you, sir?
- I would like to rent
a Christmas.
I mean, all of your
signs, all over the store,
they say we rent anything.
So why not a Christmas?
- Why not?
What kind of Christmas
would you like?
- Well,
it must start the
afternoon before Christmas
and last through
Christmas night.
- All right.
- And there must be a
beautifully decorated tree.
- All right.
Decorated tree.
- Christmas presents.
Christmas carols.
The works.
- Christmas presents.
Christmas carols.
The works.
There.
Will that be all, sir?
- No.
We haven't gotten to the
most important things yet.
There needs to be five children.
- Five children.
- Mm-hm, five children.
The oldest two,
a girl and a boy,
are just coming home
for the holidays.
- Home for the holidays.
- And
a wife.
(laughs)
- A wife?
Okay.
A wife.
So
you're not married?
- No.
I'm not married.
- Okay, so we have a
beautifully decorated tree,
Christmas presents,
Christmas carols,
the works.
A wife,
five children.
Should the younger
children be girls or boys?
- How about two girls and a boy?
- All right.
Two girls and a boy.
- And I think that should do it.
Although I would like to
make one other request.
I want this to look like a
Norman Rockwell Christmas.
I do.
The whole nine yards.
Just like it was in
the early 20th century.
- This isn't gonna be cheap.
- Then why don't
I write a check?
- Would you like
to borrow my pen?
- I would love to
borrow your pen.
Thank you.
If you need more funds,
I can make them available.
Money is no object.
- I suppose you
want this Christmas
delivered to your home address?
- I most certainly would.
Here's my card.
- John Dale?
You're John Dale?
- Mm-hm.
- You own the big
house on Walnut Street?
- Across from the park.
- I walk past your home
every day on the way to work.
- I know.
I've seen you many times.
I had no idea that this
was your shop, though.
If you have any questions
about the order here--
- Oh, let me get you a receipt.
- Sure.
I guess you need your pen back.
- Thank you.
- I'm at home
during the evenings.
My house staff is
there during the day.
I'll let them know
you may be calling.
- There you go.
- Thank you.
Miss
Weston.
- Anne.
Miss Anne Weston.
- It is certainly a pleasure
to meet you, Miss Anne Weston.
Thank you again.
Good day.
- One Christmas, as ordered.
- Was he serious
about that order?
(snaps fingers)
Was he serious about that order?
- Oh yeah, order.
Oh Jimmy, why did I ever
get into this business?
- Well, maybe he was joking.
- No chance.
I'd say he's pretty
serious with this check.
- Whoa, I'd say he's serious.
- Mm-hm.
One Christmas tree, check.
Christmas presents, no problem.
Carols, sure, why not?
A wife and kids?
How am I supposed
to pull that off?
- Why couldn't he have
wanted a lawn mower?
We've got plenty of
those in the back.
- We say we rent anything.
I like challenges.
We're gonna have to
take care of this.
How are we gonna do this?
I'm gonna need some help.
- You need help?
He's the one that needs help.
- John Dale could
probably buy anything.
- But he can't buy happiness.
I bet that's what
he's trying to do.
It's a lonely person that
tries to buy happiness.
- I don't think
he's lonely, Jimmy.
But I do know I'm
gonna fill this order.
- He wants a play
right in his own home.
- That's it, I'll think
it of casting a play.
A play where the only spectator
is the main character.
How can you write a script
for a play like that?
- You can't.
The actors are gonna have
to make it up as they go.
- Hm.
- Imagine, meeting your wife
and kids for the first time.
(laughs)
- I know what you mean.
Oh, where do I get the actors?
And on Christmas Eve
and on Christmas Day.
Do you know expensive
that would be?
- Well, he did say not
to worry about cost.
Money is no object.
- I'll just have to
call the Actors Guild.
Yeah, I'll do that.
(phone ringing)
- Actors Guild, can I help you?
- Hello, yes, I would
like to hire the services
of some of your
professional actors
on Christmas Eve and
all day on Christmas.
- She said she'd
be here at 9:30,
and she's already
five minutes late.
- I wish she wouldn't come.
A rented Christmas?
What was Mr. Dale thinking of?
- Borrowed Christmas,
Martha, remember?
He said it's a
borrowed Christmas.
He also said we
need to cooperate,
so that's what we're gonna do.
- She'll probably be
telling me what to cook.
And I'm supposed to
cooperate with her?
Well, I can't think
about that now.
(doorbell ringing)
- Here she is.
Yes?
- Hi, I'm Miss Weston.
I called earlier?
- Yes, of course.
Please come in.
- Thank you.
Are you Bridget?
- Yes I am, and this
is my sister Martha.
- Hey, Martha.
Did Mr. Dale tell you
the plans that he had?
- He told us to
cooperate with you
in every way with this
borrowed Christmas.
- Borrowed Christmas?
- Yes, Mr. Dale thought it a
bit cold to call it rented.
- Mm.
I was hoping I could
ask you a few questions
about Mr. Dale, if
that's all right.
- I suppose that would be fine.
- I need to know what type
of Christmas he's used to.
I know he wanted this
vintage type of Christmas,
but is that what he's usually--
- There's been no Christmas
in this house for many years,
ever since Mr. Dale's
parents passed away.
- That's the way Mr.
Dale preferred it.
- How long have you
been with Mr. Dale?
- We've been with the
family for many years.
- Even back in Old Town.
- Old Town?
- Yes, even back in Riverton.
That's where our family's from.
- Riverton.
I passed through
there a few years ago.
What a beautiful place.
- You did?
- Mm-hm.
I'm from Fremont, myself.
Have you ever been there?
- No, we don't
get back up north.
- Is Mr. Dale from Riverton?
- He is, but his father's
business brought him here.
- I'd like to take some notes.
Do you mind if I
take off my coat?
- Whatever you wish.
Please forgive me.
- Thank you.
What beautiful flowers.
Are they real?
- Yes.
- Really?
Where in the world
would you find
live flowers this time of year?
- I grow them in my room.
- You do?
Your room?
- Flowers are my hobby.
- My mother used to
have potted plants
in her kitchen window.
- Bridget gave me
some box planters,
so I have quite a garden.
- Oh, I'd like to see it.
- Bridget, Miss Weston
said that her mother
bought her some potted
plants for her kitchen.
- Miss Weston, would
you like to sit down?
- Yes I would,
please, thank you.
I suppose you two are wondering
what this is all about.
- Yes, we are.
- I'll let you in
on a little secret.
So am I.
Last Saturday, Mr.
Dale came into my shop,
and he simply stated I
want to rent a Christmas.
- Borrow.
- [Anne] Excuse me?
- He wants to
borrow a Christmas.
- All right, borrow.
- So we've heard.
- I hardly know how
to fill this order.
The part that I
thought was going to be
the hardest has
been the easiest.
He wanted to have a
wife and five children,
and so that was pretty simple,
because I called the Actors
Guild and that was fine.
The decorations should be easy.
He wanted a Norman
Rockwell painting look.
And it just doesn't seem
much like a Christmas to me.
So I wanted to personalize it.
I thought we could bring
some happiness into it.
- Mr. Dale has not been happy
at all since his parents died.
- Jimmy was right.
- Excuse me?
- I'm sorry, I
was just thinking.
Please tell me more.
- Okay.
Mr. Dale's parents were in
an accident some time ago.
It was about this
time of the year.
His father was killed,
and his mother was
essentially an invalid.
Mr. Dale gave her
every consideration
as long as she was with us.
- That must have been terrible
to see his mother like that.
I assume he had other family?
- He has a brother, Lyle.
Lyle lives with his
family in California.
- Would they be
coming for Christmas?
- No, Miss Weston, they don't
get back here very often.
- Is there anyone else
that's close around?
Any hobbies?
- Just his work.
- He is very successful.
- Hm.
What about when he was a kid?
- He and Lyle were very close.
- Like two peas in a pod.
- [Martha] Always playing.
- And they fished together,
sometimes for the whole day.
- But they always made
it home for supper.
- They did, they did.
And do you remember
in the evenings
they would bring books and
ask me to read aloud to them?
- [Martha] Such sweet memories.
- Does Mr. Dale ever
get back to Riverton
to see the old house and things?
- No, Miss Weston,
that's the sad part.
When they moved to here,
their property became part
of the new high school.
- Huh.
Do you have a picture
of the old house?
- No, Mr. Dale's father had
a picture taken one spring,
but I don't know
where it would be.
- Do you think Mr. Dale
would like a picture
if I could find one?
- Do you think you could?
- It's worth a try.
Do you know who
took the picture?
- I believe it was Henry Terry.
He still has a shop
in Riverton, I think.
- Maybe he kept the negative.
I'll give a call
tomorrow to Riverton
and see what we can find out.
Another thing,
I arranged for the
actors to come here
for rehearsal on the
23rd of December.
Would that be all right?
- That would be quite all right.
- All right, awesome.
Maybe, Martha, you could make
some cookies for the children?
- Oh, I'd be happy to.
What would you like
for Christmas dinner?
- That's your
department, not mine.
- All right.
How many will be coming?
- Six, plus the family here,
and you have to remember
three of them are teenagers,
so cook for 10.
(laughing)
- Hey, is there anything else
that we can help you with?
- Let's see, do you
have any decorations?
- There are some
in the basement,
but I really don't
know what's down there.
- Okay.
I'll check on that
a little later.
Let me see.
I'm in a hurry.
Could you get my
coat for me, please?
- Oh, absolutely.
- All right.
I'm really looking forward
to seeing those flower.
Maybe after rehearsal.
- Oh, I hope so.
- Okay, that would be great.
Thank you so much.
- Sure.
- Why don't you come with me?
We have all these children
we've gotta buy for,
and it's for the play.
- Well, I, I--
- Oh, come on.
- Oh, go ahead, Martha.
I'll go get your coat.
- I have some misgivings.
- [Anne] Whatever for?
- How do you buy gifts for
children you don't even know?
- Well, think of it as the play
and we'll buy for the ages.
- Martha.
- We're Santas.
Now come on.
- It's all right.
It'll be all right.
- Those actor children probably
have everything they need.
- Just think of it as buying
for the play and the ages.
It's all right.
- It will be all right, Martha.
It'll be all right.
Just go and have fun.
Take your time.
- [Anne] Ready?
We're goin' shoppin'.
Got my purse.
- [Bridget] Miss Weston!
Hi.
- Bridget, I got it.
It was Mr. Terry, all right.
He had the negative.
- You got the picture?
- Yeah, it came this
morning, express mail.
- [Bridget] Oh.
- Can you believe?
- Martha, Martha!
Come here, you have to see this.
Take a look at this.
Look!
- Oh, it's the old
house, all right.
- [Anne] Hey, Martha.
- My, look at those colors.
Look at those lilac bushes.
I can almost smell them.
And look, there's the old swing.
- I know, isn't that great?
Can you imagine having
the negatives still,
after all of these years?
- I need to get back to work.
I've got some baking to do.
- Yay.
Bridget, would
you do me a favor?
- Imagine, five children.
- Yeah.
(laughs)
- Would you do me a favor?
- [Bridget] I will.
What do you need?
- I have a card in here
that says to John with love.
Would you wrap the picture and
stick the card in it for me?
- I will.
And I have a surprise for you.
- You do?
- I do, I do.
I'll be right back.
- Okay, awesome.
(doorbell ringing)
There's the door.
Is it all right?
It's probably the
ones I'm expecting.
- Oh, please do.
- Okay, I'll get it.
All right, thank you.
- Please do.
- Jimmy, what a surprise.
Come in here.
You oughta see everything
that's going on here.
It's awesome, it's
all coming together.
- Miss Weston,
I've got bad news.
- What?
- Wow.
- Hey.
- Look at this place.
- [Anne] What's the bad news?
- I don't know how
to tell you this.
- What?
- They called from
the Actors Guild.
- [Anne] And?
- The kids aren't comin'.
- Why aren't they coming?
- Two of the kids have measles,
and the others don't want
to come by themselves.
They don't really want to
miss Christmas at home anyway.
- What about the mother?
- Well, that's the worst part.
They haven't found
anyone to play the part.
- Why didn't they let us know?
I don't understand.
- They said they'd keep trying.
- Even if we get the mother,
what about the kids?
- Well, I could always
play one of the parts.
- Jimmy, would you?
Can you?
- Yeah, sure.
I mean, I don't know how good
of an actor I am, though.
- You would be great.
You're like a Robert De Niro.
You did all the plays
at the orphanage, right?
- Yeah, but that's not--
- You're a good actor,
you're a good actor.
We're gonna have to
change your name, though.
We're gonna have to
change your name to Jack.
You'll be the oldest son.
John'd like that.
- Huh?
- Yeah.
John Dale.
The nickname for John is Jack.
And it'll be kind of nice to
make him feel like you're
really his son, you know?
- Okay, fine by me.
Fine.
- Jimmy, I really appreciate--
- Jack.
- Oh.
- Call me Jack.
- I really appreciate this.
- Seriously, though, it's not
only to help, Miss Weston.
I just want the chance
to be in a real home
with a family and a
real mother and father.
Even if it's just for one day.
- I understand.
- All the guys at school,
they say they're
fighting with their dads
all the time about
this and that.
They don't know how lucky
they are to fight with a dad.
- I lost my daddy at 14.
- You never told me that before.
- Yeah.
I had my first job at 14.
- 14.
- I put four brothers
through college.
It was challenging but worth it.
- Four brothers.
- Mm-hm.
- You have any sisters?
- I do.
I have a younger sister,
and she just got married
out of high school.
I was really counting
on using the money
to go see her
after the holidays.
But it'll be out of the question
if we don't get a
mother and children.
Oh.
- What.
- Orphanage!
- The orphanage.
Talk about great minds.
- Yes!
Any suggestions?
- Jean.
- Naturally we'd choose Jean.
- She can play the part
of the oldest girl.
- Mm-hm.
Don't you think it'd
make you feel a little
awkward?
- No, it'd be interesting.
- It'd be interesting?
(laughs)
Well, who else?
- Cynthia did a really good job
in the play at the
orphanage last time,
and Willie did too,
so that's four.
- You're a genius.
- There's a little girl
in the play too, right?
- Yeah.
Who's that one that
was the little one
that was running
around the stage
when you were doing rehearsals?
- You mean Lettie.
- She was running around,
and she got ice cream
all over the curtains.
- Okay, yeah, you mean Lettie.
- Yeah, she would be the one.
- What about the
other orphans, though?
We can't just leave them out.
- I've got an idea.
Mr. Dale wanted carolers,
so we could use them
as the carolers.
- Everyone can help.
Mrs. Lindsey would
love to do it.
- Oh, it'd be perfect.
That would be perfect.
I'll have to give
her a call right now.
Make yourself at home, take
off your coat, relax, Jimmy.
I mean Jack.
- [Mrs. Lindsey] Hello?
- Hello, Mrs. Lindsey.
- That sounded like
that went well.
- Yeah, except the mother.
- Here's the surprise.
Where's everybody else?
- Well, it's complicated.
Bridget, I'd like for
you to meet Jimmy.
He helps me out at the shop.
- [Bridget] How do you do?
- [Jimmy] Pleased to meet you.
- [Bridget] Nice
to meet you, Jimmy.
- Jimmy's gonna be the oldest
boy in our Christmas play.
- [Bridget] Aren't the
actor people coming?
- It's a little complicated.
Actors Guild is still
trying to locate a mother.
- What about the other children?
You have all those presents.
- Bridget, we have children
that are really gonna
appreciate the presents.
We're getting them
from the orphanage.
- That is great.
Martha will be so
happy to hear that.
She has been busy knitting
scarves for all the kids.
But you know she was
a little bit worried
that they wouldn't need them.
Hold on.
Martha!
- Yes?
- [Bridget] The children
from the Actors
Guild aren't coming.
- What?
They're not coming?
- Nope.
It's the children
from the orphanage!
- [Martha] The orphanage?
- [Bridget] Yeah.
- That's wonderful!
I'll need to start
baking some cookies.
I'm gonna make gingerbread
men, popcorn balls,
snickerdoodles,
oatmeal raisin cookies.
- [Anne] They're still
only five, Martha.
- I was gonna cook
that many anyway.
- Aw, well, if
there's any left over,
we can just take them
over to the orphanage.
- Oh, I'm gonna make enough
for the whole orphanage.
- [Anne] I'm sure they would
really, really like that.
I'd love to help you, if
that would be all right.
- [Martha] Yes.
- Martha, what was Mr.
Dale's favorite cookie?
- Hm.
Lyle and Mr. Dale loved
raisin oatmeal cookies.
I never could keep enough
of those at Christmastime.
- [Bridget] No.
- Mm.
We should have some for him
when he comes home tomorrow.
- What do you mean we?
- Jimmy, it's just
a prop for the play.
It's okay.
- You know, Miss Weston,
with you putting your four
brothers through school
and you loving them
and your sister,
you'd make a pretty
great mother.
- Not me!
No way.
- I've got lots of baking to do.
Those children are coming.
- [Anne] Thank you, Martha.
- That Martha, she
loves all this baking
that she's doing again.
- Yeah.
- She really likes to have
her hands in that flour bin.
- Yeah?
- It reminds me
of the old times.
- Yeah.
What's the surprise?
- [Bridget] Oh.
Right, right.
- Can I see it?
- [Bridget] This is what
I found in the attic.
These are the ornaments that
they used to use every year.
- Can I see?
- [Bridget] Sure.
- Look at this, Jimmy.
Isn't that beautiful?
Oh, it's so nice.
Oh, wow.
Oh, this is just perfect.
This is special.
- It really is.
Mr. Dale's parents got it
right after they were married,
and every Christmas they
put it on top of their tree,
year after year.
Miss Weston,
Martha has a nativity scene
that she would really like
for us to put on the mantel
if it's okay with you.
It's really turn of the century.
Is that okay?
- That would be wonderful.
- Great.
It's great.
I'll go ahead and get those
out of your way for now, then.
- All right, thank you.
- [Bridget] Nice
to meet you, Jimmy.
Thank you, Miss Weston.
- Okay, I have so much to do.
I think I'll come over here
early tomorrow to help Martha.
We still have to put
up the Christmas tree
and decorate it.
Do you think you could help?
- Yeah.
- All right.
The kids should be
here around 3:30.
- You know, Jean
would like to help too
with the tree, I bet.
- That would be great.
Do you think you could ask her?
- Yeah.
You know, I kinda like this.
- Yeah?
- Jean being my sister.
- Doesn't that kind
of cramp your style?
- Not a bit, not at all.
(doorbell ringing)
- Oh, looks like they're here.
Hey, hi, kids!
Come on in here.
- Hi, Miss Weston.
- [Anne] Hi.
Hi, sweetie.
Hi.
- Is this a princess castle?
Do we get to sleep here?
- Sure smells good in here.
- [Cynthia] This
place is amazing.
- Children, children.
Where's Willie?
- Does anyone know
who he belongs to?
I found him in my kitchen.
- Thank you for bringing
the children over.
- What a morning.
- I know, and it was
on such short notice.
Thank you.
- I told the children
that we were gonna be here
for Christmas as a family,
but you'll have to
tell them what to do.
- Okay, okay.
First I want you all
to take your coats off
and put 'em over
here on this table.
And your hats.
That would be good right there.
Then come sit down on the couch,
and I'm gonna give you the plan.
Are you ready?
All right.
Come on over here, Willie.
Jimmy-Jack.
Have a seat.
You have had fun in plays
before, haven't you?
- Uh-huh.
- Do I get to be in it?
- Yes, Lettie.
- Is this gonna be another play?
- Actually, kind of.
I had a man come into
my store the other day
and say he wanted to
rent, borrow, a Christmas.
- A Christmas?
How can you borrow Christmas?
- He wants to have Christmas
right here in this house,
and he asked me to help him.
- What kind of store
you got anyway?
- Is he rich?
- A little, he is.
- I mean, what kind of
store does someone walk into
and want to borrow a holiday?
- What are we supposed to do?
- For his borrowed
Christmas, he wants a tree.
- He wants to borrow a tree?
- [Anne] Yes, and presents.
- And presents?
- And he wants
Christmas carolers,
and he wants a wife,
and he wants kids.
- Do you want us to sing carols?
- Actually, no.
I want the other children
from the orphanage
to do the caroling,
but I want you to be his kids.
- So you mean we're
supposed to act
like his kids for a whole day?
- How do you act like kids?
- We are kids, Lettie.
It shouldn't be that tough.
- Maybe you should try to
eat like a kid, Willie.
For once.
- Yeah.
- Looks who's talkin'.
You eat like a horse.
- Willie, you are not
gonna act like that
in front of Mr. Dale, are you?
- Alice, Alice, it's okay.
They need to act natural.
- Okay.
If he can stand it,
I guess it's okay.
- Okay.
And the exciting thing about it
is that you all are gonna be
paid like professional actors.
- I'd like to do it for free.
- Why would you want
to do that, Jean?
- Jimmy said he thought
Mr. Dale was lonely.
I'd like to do it
for him as a present.
- But Miss Weston
said he's rich.
- Not all rich people are happy.
- A little extra money
would be nice for you,
wouldn't it, Jean?
- It'll be nice just
to be in a family,
even if it's only for a day.
- I'd rather get paid.
- What about you, Lettie?
- Will we get presents
like a real family?
- You sure do.
You all will get presents
as part of the play.
- I'd rather get paid.
- It's up to all
of you, of course,
but I do agree with Jean.
Everyone is so nice to
us at Christmastime.
- I still want the money.
- It's okay, Willie.
It's all right.
- Who'll be our mom?
- We have a professional actor
coming from the Actors Guild.
- But I want you to be the mom.
- No, not me.
- He does have a point.
If you're there, you
could tell us what to do.
- He's already seen me.
- [Jimmy] Well,
he's seen me too.
- It's different, Jimmy.
- Oh, come on, Miss Weston.
If Jean can be my sister,
you can be my mom.
- Uh.
- Anne,
it sounds like a
good idea to me.
The children do know you.
- I know, but a
professional actor
will know exactly what to do.
And we're under contract,
so until they break it,
we have to stick with it.
- Oh.
- I'd better introduce
you to Bridget and Martha.
They're really, really nice.
Bridget!
Martha, can you come
in here, please?
Hey.
Bridget, I want to
introduce you to the kids.
This is Jean.
And this is Cynthia.
And this is--
- Mr. Dale's coming.
I just saw him coming
down the street.
- What do we do?
Where do we go?
- Through the kitchen.
- [Willie] Where's the kitchen?
- [Anne] Go out the back way.
Hurry!
- The coats!
Mr. Dale!
Hi, I didn't expect you
until this afternoon.
- Fred is coming
to pick up the gift
you ordered for his wife.
I told him just to meet me here.
- Sure, but oh!
So handsome.
- Thank you.
- [Bridget] You're welcome.
- We're probably going
to want some lunch.
Would you have Martha make some
soup and sandwiches, please?
- Sure, absolutely, yes.
- Something smells really good.
What is Martha making?
- Oh, just some Christmas cake.
Here, have a seat.
Here.
Don't worry about anything.
I'll have her take care
of the sandwiches, okay?
All right, yeah, all right.
- I'm not worried about
anything, Bridget, thanks.
- [Bridget] I forgot your coat.
So sorry.
I got it, I got it.
(doorbell ringing)
Well, come in, sir.
Come in!
- [Fred] Good morning, Bridget.
- Good morning,
good morning, sir.
- Hey, sorry I'm late.
Traffic was crazy.
- Thanks again, Bridget.
I just got here
myself, don't worry.
- So I'm really excited
about this gift.
Claire's gonna love it.
I think Christmas
is gonna be epic.
- I believe you.
I'm gonna have Christmas
here this year.
- Here? You?
Christmas?
- Thanks to the
local rental shop.
You know the one
down on Front Street?
- Mm-hm.
So they're renting
Christmases, right?
- Yes sir, they are.
Although I'm calling
it borrowing Christmas.
- You're kidding.
- I'm completely serious.
- Come on, renting Christmas?
Borrowing Christmas?
Okay.
So there's a catch.
What is it?
- No catch.
- What's the punchline?
- It's not a joke.
There's no punchline.
- Okay.
All right, so lay it on me.
I've gotta heart it.
- Okay.
- Right?
- Last Saturday I was walking
down on Front Street
by the rental shop.
And I saw that
sign that's outside
that says we rent anything.
So I thought
I'm gonna go in there
and order me a Christmas.
I know it sounds crazy,
but I was just in
one of those moods.
I walked in there and Miss
Weston, who owns the shop,
she didn't know that I
was joking, I don't think.
She took me seriously, so
I got serious about it,
and the next thing I knew I
was walking out of the store
after having leaving a deposit.
For Christmas.
- What kind of
Christmas did you order?
No, wait, I know.
You ordered it off
the value menu there.
- No sir, I didn't.
I ordered the kind of Christmas
that I've always wanted,
a real storybook
kind of a Christmas,
like a Norman Rockwell painting.
Like the one you
and Claire share.
- How's that?
- I don't know.
Maybe I'm kind of jealous
of what you have.
You always seem so happy,
especially around the holidays
with the family and all.
- Isn't everybody?
- The ones who have
families, it seems.
- You're not dating.
You don't date.
Have a family?
- I get it, I get it.
I'm not looking
for a pity party,
I just decided I'm gonna
order a family for Christmas.
- A family.
From the rent shop.
Renting.
- From the rent shop.
- Renting a family.
- Yes, sir.
I ordered all the trimmings.
A tree, carolers, presents,
everything you can imagine.
Then I specified five children.
Just like you and Claire.
- Yeah, all right.
- And
a wife.
- Wait a minute.
We keep going deeper
down the rabbit hole.
So family, rent a
family, and a wife?
Why?
Watch it, man.
(laughs)
- No, there's no need to worry.
I don't fully expect her to
be able to fill this order.
But she did ask all
the right questions.
For a while there I felt like
I was ordering office supplies.
But she seemed confident
she could pull it off.
- So
she's going to bring a wife.
She's gonna bring not
one kid, five kids.
She's gonna bring
that all to you
on not just any day,
but a Christmas day.
That's an impossibility.
You know this, right?
- Yeah.
I do know.
You're probably right.
- Okay.
So she comes in here
with a bunch of decorations.
She's got strangers with her
and she's gonna do this thing.
That's your answer?
- Answer?
What do you mean?
- I don't know, John.
I'm not a shrink, but
it seems to me like
you feel like you're
missing something,
and you think a rented
Christmas is gonna fix that?
- A borrowed Christmas.
I hear what you're saying.
But I'll be honest with you.
If Miss Weston thinks all I
want is a few decorations,
then I'd rather she just
forget the whole thing.
- You wearing flowered
scarves now, John?
- No.
Where'd you get that?
- It's right there.
- Okay.
Hey, Bridget!
Bridget!
- Why do we gotta
wear this stuff?
It itches.
- Because it's what
Mr. Dale wants.
- I hope we get some of these.
- We will.
But it shouldn't matter, piggy.
- Just be glad you're here.
- [Willie] So I can't
help it if I like to eat.
- All right, kids,
it's time for me to get
the finishing touch.
- Cynthia, will you
check the door, please?
- [Cynthia] Sure.
- That's a good idea, Willie.
Okay, so when Mr.
Dale gets here,
you come in here and tell
everyone that he's here, okay?
And then you go straight
into the hallway.
And Cynthia, when
Mr. Dale gets here,
can you come in and
take Lettie, please?
- [Cynthia] Yeah.
- Jimmy, do I look like
a princess in this?
- Of course you do.
- Can we open presents now?
- No, Lettie.
We have to wait until morning.
- Jean, I think we
should go, but remember,
I'm Jack in this one, okay?
And Lettie, as soon
as you see Mr. Dale,
you go up to him, you say hi,
and then you give
him a big hug, okay?
- What?
- Say hi, daddy.
- Hi, daddy!
- Louder.
- Hi, daddy!
- [Jimmy] That's great.
- [Jean] We'd better go.
Bye.
- What's that?
- That's called a manger
scene, and it reminds us of--
- He's coming!
He's coming!
- Bridget.
What is all this?
- We're doing our best to
follow out her orders, sir.
- So that was Miss
Weston's scarf.
Huh.
(serene music)
- Daddy's home!
- Hi, daddy!
- Look at the tree, daddy!
- [John] I see.
- There are presents too.
See?
I get one too, but
mama says not to touch.
- Oh?
Who, mommy?
- John, darling.
You're early.
Wonderful.
Welcome home.
Here.
- But--
- It's your favorite,
oatmeal raisin.
Like it?
- Thank you.
- I want one.
- Me too.
- No, it'll ruin your supper.
- Just one, please?
- No.
Upstairs, wash your
hands for supper.
Cynthia, will you
please take Lettie?
- [Cynthia] Come on, Lettie.
- Jack and Jean called
from the station.
They should be coming
home any minute.
- Coming home?
- Yes, silly.
Coming home from
school for Christmas.
Here, have another bite.
There you are.
- Oatmeal raisin.
- [Anne] I know.
- It's my favorite.
- I know.
Oh, I have so much to do.
Don't eat too many.
They might spoil your
appetite for supper.
- Yes, ma'am.
Huh.
Jack, Jean, Lettie.
God, who were the others?
That Miss Weston.
Sweetheart!
Sweetheart!
Sweetheart!
- Yes, darling?
- I was just wondering.
Is there anything I can
do to help you, dear?
- Well, the tree's
already decorated.
Things look like
they're in place.
No, I don't think so, but
thank you for asking, dear.
I sure wish they'd
hurry and get here.
- Me too.
Your apron is coming undone.
- Would you tie
it for me, please?
- [John] Sure.
- [Anne] Thank you.
- [John] You're very welcome.
- It's a little tight.
- Oh, sorry.
I don't do this very often.
(laughs)
There, how's that?
- Wow, what'd you do?
Tied in knots, huh?
- [John] Sorry.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Wow.
Bridget!
Bridget!
- I believe I'm over here, sir.
- Pardon me.
Is there anything we're missing?
- I don't believe so, sir.
- [John] You sure?
(doorbell ringing)
- Master Jack and
Miss Jean are coming!
Jack!
Jean!
- Merry Christmas, Bridget.
- Oh, merry Christmas, darling.
- Hello, Bridget.
Hope we're not late for
dinner, I'm starved.
- [Bridget] You
are just in time.
Can you smell it?
- Roast turkey.
- It is, yes.
Come in, come in.
- Hello, daddy.
- Hi.
- Jack, Jean!
- Hello, mother.
- Hi, sweetheart.
Come home.
Hi, baby.
- Mother.
It's so good to be home.
- Hello, father.
- Hello, son.
I tell you, before long,
you're gonna be
outgrowing your old man.
- Well, gee, dad, looks
like I already have.
(John laughs)
- [John] It's good to
have you home, son.
- A tree.
Oh mother, it's
as pretty as ever.
Everything's jus the same.
There's even that silver star
that grandpa and grandma Dale
had when daddy was little.
- I had a hard time keeping you
from cutting your teeth on it.
- [Jean] Mother!
- Jean, you're back!
- [Jimmy] Hey, sport!
- Hey, Jack.
I'm glad you're home.
Can we eat?
I'm hungry.
- Where's Lettie?
- [Cynthia] She's sleeping.
- This is incredible.
- [Martha] Jean!
- [Jean] Martha!
- You are as sweet as always.
And Jack.
My, look how much you've grown!
You're as handsome
as your father.
- Oh, now, Miss Martha.
- [Martha] I mean it.
- Can we please eat?
I'm hungry.
(laughing)
- There's no reason to whine.
There's plenty of food
in the room nextdoor.
- I wouldn't mind eating.
We don't have Martha's
food at college.
- I bet not.
- You to have to
get washed up first.
- Oh, excuse us.
- [John] We'll wait on you.
- Do we have to?
- Do you have some kind of a
hole in your stomach, Jack?
- I'm Willie, dad!
- Oh, excuse me, Willie.
I'm sorry.
- Oh yeah, and I do have
a hole in my stomach
and a hollow leg too.
- I believe it.
Why don't we go eat?
Come on, let's go take
care of that hollow leg.
- [Jimmy] Martha, you are
still the world's best cook.
- [Jean] Must be, you
took seconds three times.
- I saw that.
So what are your plans
for summer, Jean?
Summer school?
- Well, if I had
it my way, daddy,
I'd like to ramble about New
England on my favorite horse.
- Majesty?
- Yes, daddy, Majesty.
Then we could stay for a while
someplace near the beach.
- How about you, Jack?
- Well, I have that
job for six weeks
as a junior counselor
at the boys' camp.
But after that, I think
Jean's idea's pretty cool.
I think the kids
would like it too.
But you know, Willie
still talks about
that fish he caught last summer.
- Right.
- Exactly, but you know,
I think the last two weeks
I want to spend in Maine,
camping with you.
- Consider it done.
Hey, sweetie.
- Daddy, can you read us
the Christmas story
again this year?
- The Christmas story.
Our family tradition.
I think we can, as soon
as mommy gets here.
Why don't you go get her?
Hm.
- Remember that one?
Yeah?
- Here, daddy.
- Thank you very much.
This is gonna be fun.
Let's see.
Oh, should we wake Lettie?
- [Anne] No, she was
really tired earlier.
I think we should
just let her sleep.
- [John] Okay.
- [Anne] Okay.
- Okay, here it is.
Here's where it starts.
"In those days, Caesar
Augustus issued a decree
"that a census should be taken
of the entire Roman world.
"This was the first
census that took place
"while Quirinius was
governor of Syria,
"and everyone went to
their own town to register.
"So Joseph also went up from
the town to Nazareth in Galilee
"to Judea, to Bethlehem,
the town of David,
"because he belonged to
the house in line of David.
"He went there to
register with Mary,
"who was pledged to
be married to him
"and was expecting a child.
"While they were there,
"the time came for
the baby to be born.
"And she gave birth
to her first born,
"a son.
"She wrapped him in clothes,
placed him in a manger,
"because there was no guest
room available for them.
"And there were shepherds
living out in the fields nearby,
"keeping watch over
their flocks at night.
"An angel of the
Lord appeared to them
"and the glory of the
Lord shone around them,
"and they were terrified.
"But the angel said to
them do not be afraid.
"He said I bring you good news
"that will cause great
joy for all the people.
"Today in the town of David,
"a savior has been born to you.
"He is the Messiah, the Lord.
"This will be a sign to you.
"You will find a baby
wrapped in clothes
"and lying in a manger.
"Suddenly a great company
of the heavenly host
"appeared with the angel,
"praising God and
saying glory to God
"in the highest
heaven, and on earth,
"peace to those on
whom his favor rests.
"When the angels had left
them and gone into heaven,
"the shepherds
said to one another
"let's go to Bethlehem and see
this thing that has happened
"which the Lord
has told us about.
"So they hurried off and found
Mary and Joseph and the baby,
"who was lying in the manger.
"When they had seen him,
"they spread the word concerning
"what had been told
them about this child.
"And all who heard
it were amazed
"at what the shepherds
said to them.
"But Mary treasured
up all these things
"and pondered them in her heart.
"The shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
"for all the things that
they had heard and seen,
"which were just as
they had been told."
Glorifying and praising
God for all things.
- Listen to the carolers.
Don't they sound beautiful?
- Oh yeah.
- Daddy, can we let them in?
- Yes.
Let's do.
- Cynthia, would you
please ask Martha
to bring some cookies?
- Yes, mommy.
- Thank you, baby.
Merry Christmas, would
you please come in?
- Merry Christmas, children.
- [Carolers] Merry Christmas.
- That was beautiful.
- That was so beautiful.
- Thank you.
- Please, please sing another.
- [Caroler] How about
Silent Night, everybody?
Ready?
One, two, three.
Silent night
Holy night
All is calm
All is bright
'Round yon virgin
mother and child
Holy infant so
tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
- That was beautiful, children.
And I have some cookies for you.
And we have plenty.
Have a cookie.
- [John] Merry
Christmas, everyone.
- [Carolers] Merry Christmas.
- That was beautiful, children.
- Kids, we have to go now.
- Thank you, ma'am.
They sound like angels.
- Thank you.
Maybe they are.
- Merry Christmas.
- [All] Merry Christmas.
- [Caroler] God bless.
- [Anne] You too.
- Stay warm.
- [Anne] Bye, Mrs. Lindsey.
Thank you.
All right, kids, time for bed.
- But mama.
- No, your mother's right.
Christmas comes early.
- Say goodnight.
- 'Night, daddy.
- Goodnight, sweetie.
Goodnight, everybody.
- Goodnight, sweetheart.
Love you.
- Goodnight, son.
- See you in the morning.
- Goodnight, sweetie.
- 'Night, baby.
- Can I get a hug too?
Goodnight, sport.
- Goodnight.
Come on, Willie.
- Sweet dreams.
- Most of the Christmas
presents are wrapped,
but I've saved a few for you.
I'll be right back.
- [John] Okay, so.
- Are you ready?
- I guess.
What are we doing?
- We're gonna wrap presents.
First we're gonna
start with this one.
- [John] What is it?
- It's a sweater.
- [John] For who?
- Tom.
- Tom?
Okay, we've got
Jack, Jean, Willie.
Who's Tom?
- The paperboy.
- The paperboy?
- He had a really thin coat
on, and I felt bad, so.
He needed a sweater.
- That is very nice.
Okay, what's next?
- Can you guess who this is for?
- What is this, perfume?
- Mm-hm.
- Martha?
- Mm-hm.
- Mm, lilac.
- Any country girl likes lilac.
- Would she be
willing to accept it
in lieu of her usual
Christmas bonus?
- In addition to
her Christmas bonus.
And--
- How did I know
you were gonna say that?
- And this.
Don't they look beautiful?
- Is that for her too?
- Mm-hm.
It's from us.
- That is beautifuL.
- Beautiful.
- [John] Huh.
- Do you think she'll like it?
- I know she will.
It'll look good on her.
- Okay.
- Who's the one runnin'
around the house all the time?
- That would be Bridget.
- Okay, what do you think?
- She's gonna love 'em.
- And I got her
some romance novels.
- Wow.
- Or we did.
- We did.
- We did.
Take a look at this.
This is for Jack.
- Okay, this one's
already wrapped.
- Mm-hm.
- That is a nice watch.
- The best.
- It's nicer than my watch.
- He deserves the best.
- Our son does deserve the best.
- He is the best.
Go to bed!
You two go to bed!
- [John] Shh.
She must really be out.
- I'll get Lettie
and take her up.
You finish wrapping
the presents.
I'll make sure the
other two are in bed.
- Lettie,
Willie,
Jean.
To John, with love.
I don't even have a
present for my own wife.
I know just the thing.
- Mr. Dale, have all the
children gone to bed yet?
- Yes.
Miss Weston...
Mrs. Dale has already
taken them upstairs.
- Bridget has presents for them.
Should I bring them down now?
- Presents?
- From Santa Claus.
- [John] From Santa?
- Mr. Dale, surely
you haven't forgotten
about Santa since you
were a little boy.
- No, Martha, I have not
forgotten about Santa.
Have Bridget bring them in.
- All right.
Bridget!
It's all right!
- Well, look at that.
Who is the sled for?
- It's for Willie, sir.
- Ah.
Willie is gonna love it.
- Yes, sir.
- Bridget, I would like
you to go to the safe
and get the sapphire
brooch, please.
- The sapphire brooch?
- Yes.
Please.
- Yes, sir.
- That does my
heart so much good.
- It does mine too, Martha.
- Mr. Dale, I have
knitted scarves for each of the children.
- You're gonna spoil these kids.
- Well, I also made Miss Weston
a beautiful pair of slippers.
She's such a dear.
- Martha, if I
didn't know better,
I would think you were the
one that rented Christmas.
- I think you mean
borrowed, Mr. Dale.
You see, you can't bring
happiness into a house like this
and not expect it to
fall on all of us.
- Here it is, sir.
- Thank you, Bridget.
- [John] Hm.
It's almost like the
color of her eyes.
Bridget, I'm afraid Miss
Weston will be back...
Strike that.
Mrs. Dale will be
back down any moment.
I would like you
to wrap this gift
and include a card that
says to my beloved Anne.
Love always, John.
- This is for Miss Weston?
- This is for my wife.
- Yes, sir.
- Thank you, Bridget.
- [Martha] That's very
kind of you, Mr. Dale.
- She's brought
something into this house
that hasn't been
here for a long time.
I need to thank her for that.
- I think they're down for
the night, but you never know.
- Mr. Dale was just like that
when he was a little boy.
He never wanted to
go to sleep at night.
- I know, he didn't.
Oh, Miss Weston, we got
your guest room ready.
We put it right
between the two rooms
that we got ready
for the children,
just in case you wanted
to look in on them.
- Thank you.
- It's so wonderful to have
company in this house again.
Well, goodnight.
- Thank you, goodnight.
- Goodnight, Martha.
- [Bridget] See
you in the morning.
- 'Night.
- I do not know how you figured
out how to make them happy.
- A wife just knows.
I'm a natural sleuth.
(laughs)
- I'm impressed.
You did good.
- Thank you.
- Merry Christmas, Anne.
- Merry Christmas, John.
("Silent Night")
- All right, kids.
Looks like someone paid
us a visit last night.
Come on in.
With your eyes closed.
No peeking.
- [Anne] Make sure
your eyes are closed.
Look at the floor, Jack.
Ready?
- No peeking.
Don't cheat.
All right.
Why don't we let
mama count us down?
- All right, are you kids ready?
Ready?
Three,
two,
one.
- [John and Anne]
Merry Christmas!
- Yay!
- [John] All right,
whose is whose?
- [Anne] They're
having so much fun.
- [John] We got him the sled.
- Cynthia, honey,
will you please
go get Martha and
Bridget, bring them in?
- [Cynthia] Yes, mommy.
- [Anne] Thank you.
Merry Christmas, Martha.
Merry Christmas, Bridget.
- Merry Christmas.
Thank you, Cynthia.
- Thank you for
the scarf, Martha.
It's beautiful.
- Merry Christmas, darlin'.
Lilac.
Every good country
girl likes lilac.
- That's true.
- Here, it's my turn.
Thank you, sir.
Thank you, ma'am.
That's so kind of you.
- Merry Christmas, Bridget.
- Merry Christmas.
- Come on, Bridget.
Let's let this family
have a great Christmas.
- This is for you and mom.
- Thank you, Jean.
- Oh, how lovely.
- That is beautiful, Jean.
- Merry Christmas.
- Thank you, sweetie.
- Thank you.
- Okay, these are only trifles.
Mom.
- Thank you.
- And dad.
- Thank you, son.
- Whoa.
Sonnets of the Portuguese.
I love it.
It's so nice.
- Another book.
The World's Greatest Men.
- You know, they should've
wrote a chapter about you, dad.
- Thank you, son.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas to you.
- Merry Christmas, John.
- What do we have here?
To John, with love.
It's the old house.
- Let me see.
- What is it, daddy?
- A picture.
- It's the house
where I grew up.
How did you find this?
There's the meadow.
The orchard is
right behind here.
It's just like I remember it.
How in the world?
- Is it strange
that a wife knows
so many things
about her husband?
- Mom's flower bed.
The lilac bushes.
- I did my homework.
- It's perfect.
- I hope you like it.
- Jean.
What's that on the mantel?
- Who's this for?
It's for you, mother.
- To my beloved Anne.
With love, John.
(gasps)
Oh, it's lovely.
- A brooch.
- How elegant.
- It's so beautiful.
Oh, John.
- It looks like an heirloom.
- Oh mama, it's beautiful.
- You're beautiful, Miss Weston.
I mean mommy.
- Thank you, Lettie.
- I hate to break up this little
party here, but I'm hungry.
- Imagine that.
Martha made waffles with
powdered sugar and butter.
Do y'all wanna go eat?
Yeah?
All right, come on, let's go.
Come on, let's go.
How you doin', Jean?
You enjoying your time?
- [Jean] Yeah.
- [Anne] Yeah?
- I think Mr. Dale's the best
actor in the play, though.
- [Anne] What do you mean?
- You should have
seen him last night.
He asked us what we
wanted to do next summer,
and he promised to take
us all to the beach.
- The beach?
- Yeah.
I wish it were true.
I wish we could keep
on like this forever.
It's been fun
pretending, though.
I'm never gonna forget this.
- Yeah.
It's been a beautiful
memory for all of us.
What about you, Willie?
- What about what?
- What about our Christmas play?
- Ha, I beat ya.
- So what?
I beat you last time.
You couldn't do it again.
- Why don't we find out?
- Willie.
- [Willie] What?
- What about our Christmas,
did you enjoy it?
- It's been okay, I guess.
In fact, forget about
paying me for the part.
- You don't want the money?
- Nah.
This has been fun.
- [Anne] Aw.
- You can forget about
paying me too, Miss Weston.
- [Anne] You too?
- If we made Mr. Dale happy,
let's just say it was our
Christmas present to him.
- I've been so happy here.
- Yeah.
I believe Mr. Dale's
been happy as well.
He and Jimmy have been
out for over an hour.
- I thought they were
just taking a little walk in the snow.
- So did I.
But the truth is,
it's probably time we start
planning how we end this play.
Willie.
- [Willie] What?
- [Anne] Are you listening?
- Yeah, I'm listening.
- When Jimmy and
Mr. Dale get back,
I want you to get your
coats on, go see Bridget,
and she's gonna take you
back to Mrs. Lindsey.
- So soon?
- [Anne] I'm afraid so.
- What about the presents?
- Don't worry
about the presents.
I'll have Bridget
bring them to the shop,
and I'll make sure
they get to you.
Willie.
- I'm listening.
- [Anne] Don't forget.
- [Willie] I won't.
Can't we just stay
until tomorrow?
- I'm afraid not.
Bridget!
- Yes, Miss Weston?
- [Anne] When Mr.
Dale gets back,
will you take the
three younger children
back to Mrs. Lindsey?
- Is it time already?
- [Anne] Yes.
We could pretend you're taking
them for a walk or something.
Mr. Dale doesn't need to know
our little play is over yet.
- As you wish, Miss Weston.
- Thank you, Bridget.
Maybe you ought to
put the checkers away.
- Can't we just
play another game?
- No, you'd better do it now.
- Martha's been
knitting almost all day.
She said she was going
to make something
for every kid at the orphanage.
- [Anne] Martha's very kind.
- Bridget tells me that
you're leaving soon.
- You've been so kind to us.
- Well, that's easy.
I just don't want you to leave.
- You can always go visit
them at the orphanage.
- Oh, I will, I promise.
- We're lucky to have
you as a friend, Martha.
- Oh, baby.
(laughing)
- [Anne] How was the snow?
- It was cold.
- It was perfect for
making snowballs.
- [Anne] Oh, Jack!
- What?
You can't expect me to grow
up all at the same time.
- I threw a few myself.
- You did?
- Thank you, Bridget.
- Bridget, if you
and the children want to go on that walk.
- Oh.
- Yes, Miss Weston.
- Hello.
- Hi.
- What is this?
Look what I found.
Jean, your mother and I really
thank you for that present.
It was a beautiful photograph.
- I'm glad, daddy.
Hasn't this been the
best Christmas ever?
- It certainly has, darling.
- I don't want to go back.
- [Cynthia] Shh.
- I want to stay
with my new daddy.
- Miss Bridget will take
you on a sleigh ride
with Willie's new sled.
Would you like that?
- [Bridget] Come on, Lettie.
- Okay, okay.
- I'm sorry.
- Bye, dad.
- Bye, dad.
- Bye-bye, daddy.
- Bye-bye, Lettie.
Bye, guys.
Y'all have fun, okay?
- Well, I promised Joey
that I would come see
what he got for Christmas
down the street.
So I thought I'd come
over for a little while.
Is that okay?
- Sure, Jack.
- Jean, would you like to come?
- Sure.
Let me get my coat.
- Thanks for all
the presents, dad.
And everything.
- Thanks again for such
a nice Christmas, daddy.
(sniffles)
- Thank you.
See you after a while.
The best gift we can get
Is something you can't rent
You won't take it
back for a better one
The moments that we share
The love that takes us there
Reminds us of
the Father's son
And heaven met
earth in that child
And God and
sinners reconciled
And oh
The angels knew
It was time for the king
To come and save his world
So they started to sing
So they started to sing
- Mr. Dale.
Now that your Christmas
has been delivered,
I suppose I should be going.
Here is
the rest of the expenses from
the money that you gave me and
here's a check for the balance.
I can't accept payment
for the wonderful
Christmas that you gave me.
And as for the brooch,
I know that it had
to be your mother's.
It was so thoughtful
of you to think of it
as a Christmas prop.
It was very sweet.
This has to stay in the family.
Thank you once again,
and happy new year.
- Wait a minute.
If you can't keep it,
why don't you give it to
your favorite charity?
- Charity?
- Something tells me you
have the perfect one in mind.
- The orphanage?
- [John] Mm-hm.
- [Anne] How did you find out?
- I did a little
sleuthing of my own.
- It was Bridget.
- Nope.
- No?
- It was Martha.
She let it slip last night.
- She is a dear.
We had a little
trouble with Lettie.
We tried.
- You all did fine.
- Thank you.
I'm sure the orphanage will
really appreciate this.
- Miss Weston.
- Yes?
- Aren't you even going to
ask whether or not my little
borrowed Christmas
was satisfactory?
I mean, as a businesswoman,
I would think you might
be interested to know.
- Was it?
Are you satisfied?
- No.
I'm not.
- You're not satisfied?
- Not at all.
- I am so sorry.
I really don't know what to say.
The truth is, Mr. Dale,
that nothing in this
world belongs to us.
- What do you mean?
- Everything that we
have belongs to God.
- I know that.
- The moment that you
stepped in my store,
you asked me to give
you a Christmas,
and I did that exactly.
I did that for you.
I got you the tree,
the trimmings,
the children, the wife.
- I know.
- Everything.
I got you the picture
that meant so much to you.
When you opened it
up on Christmas Day,
your face, it was priceless.
Everything I did was,
it was for you.
It wasn't a Christmas.
It was a Christmas, but
it wasn't Christmas.
- Can I interrupt?
- [Anne] Sure.
- Anne.
- Yes?
- You did give me Christmas.
You see, you taught me something
these past couple of days.
You have taught me
that nothing borrowed,
nothing rented is ever
gonna permanently satisfy.
It's never gonna make me happy.
What's gonna make me happy
forever
is something that I
can call my very own.
You see, I want Christ,
the spirit of Christmas,
in the middle of
everything that I do.
And because you taught
me about Christmas,
I want to tell you right
now a little secret.
I want to adopt those children.
I want to do
everything in my power
to try to make every one
of their dreams come true.
- It's so wonderful.
They'll be so happy, and their
prayers will be answered.
I'm sure that will
make you happy.
- Not fully.
- Why?
- Because there's something
else I want in my life
that I want Christ
in the center of.
Give me your hand.
Miss Anne Weston,
I am not gonna be happy
unless I'm with you.
You are everything
I've ever dreamed of,
everything I have
ever wanted in a wife.
I want you to keep this brooch.
You said just a few minutes ago
it should remain in my family.
I'm giving it to you with
the hope and the prayer
that that's gonna be the case.
- Thank you, John.
- Anne.
I'm asking you to
let me earn the right
to have this Christmas
forever.
- Oh, John.
I've always wanted a family,
true love,
a home.
- You, those kids,
that's what's gonna
make me happy.
Every one of you.
You, Lettie, Jean, Jack,
Cynthia, Willie, all of you.
- Are you sure about Willie?
(laughing)
- Yes, I'm sure about Willie.
Especially Willie.
Can I ask you a favor,
Miss Anne Weston?
- [Anne] Sure.
- May I walk you home?
- Oh, please.
Please.
- I'll get my coat.
- John, there's something
that I really need to tell you
before we go any further.
- What?
- Jack's name isn't Jack.
It's Jimmy.
(laughing)
- You scared me for a second.
- Yeah?
- Jimmy.
- Yeah.
- Kinda like that.
- [Anne] You do?
All right.
- I do.
- [Anne] Good.
- [John] Let's get my coat.
- All right.
- This is the most glorious
Christmas of my whole life.
I need to go bake cookies
for my new family.
The best gift I know
Is not bought or sold
You won't find
it under a tree
2,000 years ago
A father sent his boy
To take on a burden for me
Heaven met earth
in that child
God and sinners reconciled
Oh the angels knew
- It's time for us to...
When Jimmy and Mr.
Dale get back...
When Jimmy gets
back, I want you...
Okay, sorry.
I don't know what to do.
When Jimmy and
Mr. Dale get back,
I want you kids to go
and get your coats on,
and meet with Mrs. Lindsey.
(laughs)
And Bridget will take
you back to Mrs. Lindsey.
Willie,
when Jimmy and Mr. Lind--
(laughing)
Sorry.
Okay, let me do it.
Willie, when Jimmy
and Mr. Dale get back,
I want you to go and
get your coats on
and see Mrs. Bridget to
take you to Mrs. Lindsey.
(laughing)
I don't know what the deal is.
It's all twisted in my head.
Oh my God.
It's twisted in my
head, everywhere.
Willie.
Willie.
Willie.
Willie.
Willie, when Jimmy and
Mr. Linds...oh my God.
(laughs)
Sorry.
Sorry.
Okay, okay.
Glory to God in the highest
Peace on earth,
goodwill to men
Glory to God in the highest
A savior is born
in Bethlehem
A savior is born
in Bethlehem
A savior is born
in Bethlehem
The best gift I know
Was not bought or sold
You won't find
it under the tree