In this Hallmark Channel telefilm that, like fruitcake, is sweet but full of empty calories, no-nonsense
advocate-for-the-underprivileged Holly Grant (Kelli Williams) has stopped believing in Santa Claus (Charles Durning). During her childhood, St. Nick promised her she'd meet her true love within 20 years; time is running out on that wish. In her line of work, she only meets yuppie attorneys like Ryan Hughes (Patrick Muldoon), whose tardiness at a hearing costs Holly's client temporary custody of her kids. Whether at a soup kitchen or a Christmas tree lot, Santa makes it his business to throw Holly and Ryan together. When Ryan subs for a pal at the lot, Santa assigns him a delivery to Holly's house. Having never met Ryan in person, Holly mistakes him for the fabulous, one-of-a-kind gift that her girlfriend had been hinting about. Could Ryan be her mail-order boyfriend, a gorgeous escort on tap for holiday functions? Rather than disabuse her of that notion, Ryan plays along with the mistaken identity. Enjoying her handsome present, unmarried Holly drags Ryan home to meet the folks, where Holly's sister-in-law plays matchmaker for Holly and her former beau, newspaper editor Ted Howell (Bruce Thomas). Sensing the chemistry between Ryan and Holly, Ted jealousy decides to discredit him. When Holly learns she's been dating her legal adversary, she's inconsolable. In his favor, Ryan quits the firm after his biggest client behaves like Simon Legree. If Holly cannot forgive Ryan, she'll be passing up the soul-mate who's been delivered by Santa in the St. Nick of time. The players' charm spritzes mistletoe sentimentality, and keeps surprisingly it fresh. --Robert Pardi
