Three days before Christmas, the prosperous but dysfunctional Engel family come together for Christmas. Max remains a firm believer in Santa Claus, and intends on sending a letter to him. Amongst his family are his parents Tom and Sarah; his teenage sister Beth; his aunt Linda and uncle Howard; their children Howie Jr., Stevie, Jordan, and baby Chrissie; Sarah and Linda’s cantankerous aunt Dorothy; and Tom's mother Omi, who speaks mostly in German language.