Trama

A successful music manager returns home to secure the rights to a Christmas love song written by his high school girlfriend.

The story follows a headstrong music manager in desperate need of a hit song for his last remaining client, who finds himself falling for a gifted singer-songwriter with abandoned dreams of making it big, as he attempts to secure the rights to a Christmas song she wrote years ago.—themoviedb

In Jackson Woods, Tennessee, single mother Melody Douglass teaches daughter Bailey to play the piano.

In Nashville, country star Lindsay Wyatt reminds her fans and listeners of radio station Country Heart 99 of her December 24 benefit concert. And at Dawson and Grimes, Luke Dawson has to be waked up in order to see Chad Madison, who is auditioning for him. Luke gives Chad advice on improving the song and then tells him because his middle name is Dean, Chad Dean would make a better name.

Back in Jackson Woods, Melody reminds customers at her father's restaurant Smoky's Barbecue to contribute to the charity that gives toys to less fortunate children every year at Christmas. Smoky has an accent and while his ethnicity is never revealed, the actor's family is from India.

Luke's behavior has gotten out of hand, and Ted informs him that the board voted to fire him. Luke gets angry and points out he co-founded the company and his name is on it. This doesn't matter. Luke threatens to take his clients with him, after which Dawson and Grimes will be in trouble. Ted says that won't happen.

At Smoky's, busboy Kenny has a crush on waitress Olivia.

Luke desperately tries to persuade his clients to stay with him. None of them will, except possibly Lindsay. As Luke is packing up his office, he picks up a pile of CDs. On top is one labeled "When Christmas Was Young", by Melody Douglass of Jackson Woods.

Luke picks up Lindsay after a recording session but she has to move those CDs to sit down. She sees Melody's CD and finds the title interesting, so she wants to listen. Lindsay is so impressed with the song that she says if Luke can get permission from Melody so Lindsay can sing it at her concert, she will continue to let him represent her.

So where is Jackson Woods?

Luke finds this ideal small town and stops at The Storybook Inn. He is surprised to find that it is run by his former best friend Brett, who he lost touch with when he became successful. Brett is happy to see him but later reveals he is upset at the way Luke treated him and everyone else. Brett's pregnant wife Emily helps run the inn.

Luke visits Smoky's and asks Olivia to seat him away from children. Olivia tries to get him to wait but he sees a perfect place to sit and runs into Kenny, who drops everything. Melody tells Kenny to get cleaned up and insists Luke clean up the mess.

Later Melody is working at the charity and Luke walks in and asks Melody for permission to use her song. Melody, who was already annoyed with Luke, won't give it. Luke hasn't explained who wants it, yet Bailey, who is wrapping presents with other girls, is wearing a Lindsay Wyatt t-shirt. Luke offers to help out with the charity, hoping this will help him persuade Melody to change her mind. The charity is having trouble getting enough toys for all the children that it must help.

Luke is serious about helping, so he and Melody go to several houses. Included is the grumpy old Mrs. Figgins, who lost her husband five years ago. Melody leaves Luke alone with her to put up decorations, and Luke and Mrs. Figgins actually have a nice conversation. He learns a lot about her and makes her happy, something Melody has been unable to do.

Melody attends a party with some friends, and Luke shows up. Melody sings Christmas songs and later has a nice conversation with Luke. Well, mostly nice. Luke still wants that song, and Melody doesn't want to let him have it.

Luke explains how his parents didn't really celebrate and he has lost touch with them. They live in the south Pacific, and they were disappointed in him because they wanted him to have a respectable career.

Melody and her friends go out caroling at several houses, and Luke watches. Bailey goes to a sleepover, and this gives Melody and Luke a chance to be alone at her house. They have a nice time. Luke shows he can play the piano a little and Melody gets out a collection of songs she wrote, and Luke really likes them. Luke leaves before things get too serious.

Melody's best friend Kara thinks Melody and Luke like each other.

Luke comes over to Melody's place while Bailey is there and makes a delicious spaghetti sauce. Bailey gets to be "sous chef", which she hears as "shoe chef".

Aware of the problems the charity is having, Luke asks Ted for help.

Luke and Brett finally talk about how Brett feels, and Luke agrees to join Brett and his other friends for their annual reunion.

Melody takes Luke to a peaceful lake and finally explains her reluctance to let anyone else have her song. She wrote it for her mother, while at that lake. She visited Luke in Nashville and brought the CD with her, but Luke ignored her and Melody's dream appeared unlikely to become a reality. Luke apologizes for his past behavior. Melody says she came home from Nashville when her mother got sick, and gave up on her career. Her father needed her. After Melody talks more about why she gave up on music, she and Luke kiss.

Lindsay calls Luke and asks if she can use the song. She is very frustrated and threatens to fire Luke if he can't get it. Luke lies and says he got the permission.

Luke, Melody and Bailey have an early Christmas celebration. Luke gives Bailey a necklace and Melody a music box shaped like a tiny piano. They give Luke a framed drawing Bailey made using the term "shoe chef", Everyone loves their presents.

The charity will not be able to give toys to all the children. But that's not all the bad news. Melody hears Lindsay being interviewed on Country Heart 99 (using Alexa), and Lindsay is excited that she will be able to perform this great new song, "When Christmas Was Young". Melody is very angry and confronts Luke, who tries to explain what he did and to convince Melody that he had real feelings for her. It doesn't matter.

Melody is at the charity along with her father, knowing they can't help all the children, when a truck arrives with numerous digital pianos. This will be enough for all the kids. Finding out Luke was responsible, Melody wonders if she should trust Luke. Smoky Tells Melody that he and Melody's mother did not have the perfect marriage that Melody thought they had, and he convinces Melody to give Luke another chance.

Lindsay is rehearsing for her concert and Luke walks in. One of the people working for her is confused because "When Christmas Was Young" wasn't supposed to be in the show. Luke says he didn't get permission. Lindsay says Melody contacted her through Dawson and Grimes, and Melody walks in with Bailey and a group of girls. Bailey is so excited to meet Lindsay, who lets everyone watch the concert from backstage.

When Lindsay is ready to perform Melody's song, she invites Melody out to join her. Melody is reluctant because she hasn't rehearsed and there are all those people, but she comes out and does a perfect job. Lindsay actually sings backup/ The audience loves the song, and Melody and Luke kiss again.