Christmas Tree Lane (2020) Movie Script
It's beginning to look a lot
like Christmas
Everywhere you go
There's a tree
in the Grand Hotel
And one in the park as well
The sturdy kind
that doesn't mind the snow
It's beginning to look a lot
like Christmas
Like Christmas, Christmas
Like Christmas, Christmas
Mmm
Fall
On your knees
Yeah.
O hear
The angels' voices
Yeah, mix in that chest voice.
O night
Oh, so close!
Okay, so remember,
it's like you just reach up,
and that next note
is effortlessly there.
It's like it's coming out
the crown of your head.
Ready? Let's try it
one more time.
O night
Divine
Good. That's so good.
And it's just gonna get
stronger and stronger.
Keep practicing between
one note and the other,
and do your exercises,
and let's work on that
for Thursday's lesson, okay?
Oh, Kari,
your mom said you wanted
to pick up
a few extra shifts here.
I can add you
onto the schedule.
- That'd be great.
- Okay?
Thanks.
What song is that?
Just something
I've been playing with.
When are you gonna do
a concert again?
Mom said you used to do them
up here all the time.
Yes, but these days,
I much prefer hearing
my students perform.
Okay, go ahead.
Finish your homework.
I know you have lots of it
before Christmas break.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- Good morning!
-Morning, Meg.
Sam, you're gonna be able
to see that from space.
I hope so.
Everything old is new again.
Yeah. Bye.
Morning, Marinos.
- Hey, morning, Meg.
- Morning, Meg!
- Good morning!
- Morning.
Oh, the kids filled out
their wish list?
Kari's outgrown it,
but Mabel's is ten pages long
with illustrations.
Santa's gonna be a busy guy.
I'm just gonna take this
to the bank.
- Okay, have fun. See you soon.
- Love you.
Yeah, I'm just on my way back
from the bank now, Dad.
Gonna grab a quick coffee,
and I'll be back.
Well, in case there is a rush,
I will be there.
Sprinkles?
Some sprinkles, too,
please, yeah.
Perfect. Thank you very much.
Could you actually--
I'm so sorry.
Just a few more sprinkles.
You have the small ones?
- Yes.
- Yeah, yeah, the small ones.
- Ah, that's great, perfect.
- Merry Christmas.
May I have a decaf coffee?
Black, please.
Yeah, we have a special
Christmas hot chocolate today.
That's fine.
- Is it?
- Excuse me?
You don't see a lot of people
drinking black coffee nowadays.
Well, all that stuff just masks
the flavor of the beans.
It's because
they taste like sadness.
Wow.
Look at this.
It's a Christmas masterpiece.
It's not really coffee,
is it?
It's more like dessert.
You, uh, you have a little,
a little something there.
Still got more of it.
There you go.
Guess it's more of
a sit-and-sip.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Do you care to join me?
- Sure.
- Yeah? Great.
So... do you work around here?
Yeah, 35th floor,
down the street.
When I looked out my window
and saw everyone skating
and hot chocolating,
I decided to take a break
and take it all in.
Hot chocolating?
Is that even a word?
It is as of three seconds ago.
Are you from Denver,
originally?
I am.
- Yeah, originally, but I--
- Do you hear that?
We wish you
a Merry Christmas
Listen to the joy
in their voices.
And a Happy New Year
Oh, yeah, that's beautiful.
I wonder who it is.
Houston Children's Choir, 1989.
How did you know that?
My family sells the vinyl
at our store.
Reilly's Music
on Christmas Tree Lane.
- Reilly's!
- Yeah.
Wow. I haven't been there
in years.
I didn't even think
it was still around.
Yep, sure is.
Still there.
I should probably get going.
Enjoy your masterpiece.
I will.
And you enjoy... that.
Oh, believe me, I will.
Merry Christmas.
Excuse me!
Reilly's.
- Hi.
- Hey.
Oh, I hear
it's a mob scene downtown.
Yeah, everybody's shopping
at that new plaza,
instead of coming down here.
Apparently, some people don't
even know we're still here.
Hey, Bert.
Ah, you saved me some steps.
- Ooh.
- That's yours.
- Looks official.
- Wow.
Maybe we won something.
Thanks, Bert.
Have a good one.
"Open immediately."
Hmm.
- What?
- What's wrong?
It's an eviction notice.
"All of the buildings
on the street have been sold.
They're tearing down
Christmas Tree Lane to build..."
"Creative spaces for
media and technology companies."
Emma, look.
- Morning.
- Morning.
So you ever gonna clean up
this disaster zone?
You should see my apartment.
It's ten times worse.
I've been looking for this
everywhere!
It was always so weird
decorating my LA office
with Christmas decorations
with the palm trees outside.
Well, we're all real glad
to have you back at corporate,
especially your father.
Speaking of which, we got a
meeting with him in five, so...
I guess Christmas
is gonna have to wait.
I guess so.
When do they want us out?
Ninety days.
They're offering a cash
incentive if we vacate early.
Looks like they found a loophole
in our leases.
Dad, we can't just
pick up and move.
We're barely hanging on
as it is.
Never heard of this new owner,
Cloverfield Investments.
Emma and I are
holding an emergency
Merchants' Association
meeting tomorrow,
upstairs at the store.
Well, that's a good idea,
but in the meantime, eat.
Thanks, Dad, but I just don't
have much of an appetite.
Hey, don't worry, honey.
We're gonna figure this out.
Now, I guess you better
get going before you...
Hit traffic.
Good night, Dad.
Night, honey.
We all should have bought
these buildings in the '60s,
when we had the chance.
What power do renters have?
Yeah, yeah, I think we opt
for the early buyout.
- At least make a few dollars.
- No, I disagree with that.
We can't just give up.
This is our chance
to really do something big
and to make the city
pay attention.
No! Our only chance
is the buyout.
I agree.
Come on, folks,
we're better than this.
We've been in that store
for 40 years.
Christmas Tree Lane
used to be
the most bustling
shopping district in town.
We've survived the Depression,
the Great Recession,
malls, even the Internet.
We can survive this.
This street is
one of the only places left
where people can experience
Christmas the way it used to be.
We just have to get people
back down here,
so that they can see it
for themselves.
So what we need are ideas
for how we can raise awareness
and do it fast.
Ideas, folks, come on.
How about gift wrapping?
- Gift wrapping, okay.
- A gift-wrapping party.
- How about a toy drive?
- Yeah.
- A bake sale.
- We just opened
our St. Elizabeth's Christmas
tree lot across the street.
What if we sponsored a Christmas
tree decorating contest?
Every shop on the lane
buys a tree from us
and then decorates it
in the theme of their shop.
-I love that!
- Hey, now we're talking.
That is a fantastic idea.
Ooh, what if we had a vintage
Santa with a photo booth
and maybe like
an old-timey sleigh?
Yes! I love that.
I know someone
at Channel 7 News.
Maybe they could do
a story about us.
Okay, that would be incredible.
So I think the one thing
we need, though,
is something to tie
all these events together,
some single, perfect
blockbuster event.
Like what?
Like a holiday parade?
- We've done that.
- Yeah.
Or a tree-lighting ceremony.
- We can combine that, yeah.
- Okay.
- A concert.
- Yes!
A concert on Christmas Eve.
- I love that idea.
- Nice!
- You can perform too.
- I--
Um, I'd be happy for Reilly's
just to host.
We could bring people together
to come down here
from all over the city.
The concert to save
Christmas Tree Lane.
This is it!
Who's that?
Just this guy I met yesterday
downtown at the coffee stand.
What's he doing here?
Here's an idea.
Go ask him.
Right.
Hey.
Checking to see
if we really are still here?
Actually, I came
to bring you this.
I wondered where that went.
Thank you.
My name is Nate,
by the way.
Meg.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Sorry. This is
my best friend, Emma.
She owns the coffee shop
a couple of doors down.
- Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you too.
Emma's place is famous
for their holiday hot cocoa bar.
It is right up your alley.
Emma, do--
That was smooth.
This-- This is amazing.
It's like a time capsule.
Since 1903.
Courtesy of
my great-great-grandfather.
He opened this place with
a prayer and a song. Literally.
- Is that you?
- No. That's my mom, Miriam.
She used to run the store
and taught upstairs.
Is she retired now?
No. Sadly, we lost her
about five years ago.
Oh, I'm sorry.
She was a great lady.
Her spirit
keeps this place going.
She is the heart and soul
of Reilly's.
I'm sorry.
It's my boss-slash-father.
You work for your dad too?
Yeah. It's not like having
a regular boss, right?
They know your strengths,
your skills, your weaknesses.
Yeah, with the added pressure
of the future of the company
riding on your shoulders.
That, I understand.
So what do you do,
if you don't mind my asking?
Yeah, I'm an architect.
What brings you back to Denver?
My father owns a real estate
investment firm here,
and he's grooming me
to take over for him
on the management side
for when he retires.
I'm trading my drafting table in
for a desk.
You don't sound
too thrilled about it.
Are those, those originals?
Most of them, yes.
Oh, check this out.
This is the choir that we were
listening to at the plaza.
It's one of the only
vinyl copies remaining.
What?
It's just so scratchy.
I guess that's why people
don't buy records anymore.
People do buy records,
and those that don't
are missing out.
That scratchiness,
as you call it,
those imperfections,
that's what makes it real.
That's what makes it special.
Go deeper. Really listen.
We wish you a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year
Let the music surround you.
Okay.
Good tidings for Christmas
That tonal balance
is pretty near perfect.
We wish you
a Merry Christmas
You can feel it, right?
It's almost... solid.
You can't get that
from a digital recording.
We all know
that Santa's coming
We all know
that Santa's coming
We all know
that Santa's coming
Between the music and the shop,
I feel like I've traveled
back into Christmas's past.
That's exactly
what we're going for.
Good tidings for Christmas
and a Happy New Year
You're welcome to take it home,
try it out for yourself.
Oh, no, no, I...
I haven't unpacked yet,
and even when I do,
I still won't have
a record player.
Well, lucky for you, we have a
whole bunch of refurbished ones,
And...
I am so sorry about this.
- Your dad?
- Yeah, it's--
I should go. I'm sorry.
Just end-of-year deadlines...
Hang on a second.
Here.
Wow. Talk about
high-pressure sales.
No, no. You can borrow it.
Take a little Christmas Tree
Lane home with you.
Sounds like you could use it.
That's very sweet,
but I can't take this without
giving you something in return.
Well, we are planning a big
Christmas Eve concert.
Maybe once we get the flyers
printed out,
you could help us pass them
around, spread the word.
Deal.
Well, uh,
great to see you again.
You too.
Enjoy.
I'll enjoy the scratches.
Joy to the world
The Lord is come
Let Earth receive her king
Folks, Merry Christmas.
Like to look at the trees?
Let heaven and nature sing
Let heaven
and nature sing
And heaven and heaven
And nature sing
Really need
to get our tree
and decorate it
for the competition
and for the open house.
And you need
to start practicing.
Practicing what?
Your song for the concert.
You are ready, Kari.
No, I'm not.
There's gonna be
so many people there, Meg.
I'm gonna tell you
what my mom told me
when I used to get nervous.
When you start to sing,
just focus on
one pair of eyes out there,
and you'll feel like
you're singing for a friend.
The hardest part is
walking out onto that stage.
And I promise
I'll help you do that.
Thank you.
Hey.
Nate.
Back so soon?
I actually-- I came to pay you
for the record player.
I'd like to buy it.
Well, as I said, you are
more than welcome to borrow it.
I insist.
Oh. You saw the flyer.
I didn't realize Christmas Tree
Lane was in trouble.
Well, it won't be if we can
rally enough people behind it.
Yeah, what can I do
to help?
Just keep on
spreading the word.
Okay. Well, how about for now
I at least buy a couple
Christmas albums?
That would be great.
My music student, Kari,
is in there,
and she can help you
with that.
Uh, you're leaving?
I just have to go and get
a Christmas tree for the store.
Well, today's your lucky day
because I am fantastic
at picking Christmas trees.
I look at it kinda like choosing
a design for a building.
You know, you need a good base,
good balance,
and when it's right,
you can feel it in your heart.
Sounds a whole lot
like songwriting.
Are you--
Are you a songwriter?
I am a voice teacher
and a piano teacher,
and I help my dad
run the store.
Keeping the family business
going, just like you.
My dad.
- If you need to go--
- I know.
It's totally fine.
You know what?
This is important.
I need to get to know the city
again, now that I'm back.
Especially its history.
My dad will understand.
We should get some coffee?
Okay.
Are these gas lamps
original to the street?
They are. My dad told me that
back when they used to be on,
they put off this incredible
warm orange glow.
It's like being in a movie.
You never saw them?
No. They were turned off
over 40 years ago.
It was a sad day
for Christmas Tree Lane.
What's happening
with the street?
Christmas Tree Lane
is slated for demolition.
What do they want to tear
all this down for?
High rises.
New, modern...
Cold, sterile.
You know what
I'm talking about.
Yeah.
I built what you're talking
about all across the country.
This is Emma's coffee house.
She opened her doors here on
the lane, right out of college.
It's her dream.
I'm not letting anyone
take that away,
if I can help it.
Shall we coffee up?
Yeah, let's coffee up.
Come on, after you.
Oh, wow. The inlaid
ceiling tile in here.
You don't see that
in newer buildings. Beautiful.
Yeah.
- Hello.
- Meg!
And Nate. You're back.
What can I get you?
You know, why don't you
get something festive?
Good luck. I've been
trying to get her
to color outside the line
since first grade.
Okay, you know what?
Why don't we order her
an Americano
with a dash of nutmeg,
whipped cream,
some cocoa powder,
a little drizzle of chocolate
on there too?
I like this guy.
I'll be in a sugar coma
for a week.
This young man's order
sounds delightful.
Can I get one
just like it, please?
Why not? But we should
give it a name
in case it catches on.
Why don't we call it
"Nutmeg's Christmas Blizzard?"
You see what I did there?
Oh, I see what you did there.
- Yeah?
- Uh-huh.
- Emma likes it.
- Mm-hmm.
I think it's gonna
turn out really well.
I'm not sure about that.
- It's going to blow your mind.
- Oh, yeah, Emma!
Well, number 24 had good form,
bad coverage.
Number 11 had bad form,
good coverage.
Hey, what about this one?
We need a tree that looks good
from 360 degrees.
The base is nice.
Excellent form.
Good needle retention.
Top's a little funky, but we
could probably prune that up.
It's a contender.
Nate, they're closing
in five minutes.
Let's take it.
- We'll take it!
- We'll take it!
All right!
Hi.
This is perfect.
Thanks again for your help.
You know, I never did
buy those records.
Then you're just gonna have
to come back, aren't you?
The only thing
we know for sure
The truth is in...
Is nothing stays...
The only thing
we know for sure
Is nothing stays the same
La da da da da da
Sounding more and more
like Christmas.
I hope I wasn't playing
too loud.
So good to see you
writing again.
I just had a little burst
of inspiration.
Whoa, guys.
Where are you taking that?
That's my--
That's my drafting table.
Uh, we were hoping
to surprise you.
Well, you didn't have
to get me this, Dad.
We'll keep your drafting table
safely in storage.
I need your management expertise
right now,
more than I need
your drawing skills.
You know, you have no idea
how happy I am
to have you back home.
Hi.
What's-- What's all that?
Hmm? Our active project files.
Oh, I'm gonna need you
up to speed ASAP.
Looks like
a hundred files there.
Concert to save
Christmas Tree Lane!
Save Christmas Tree Lane!
December 24th!
- Christmas Eve.
- Here you go.
Save Christmas Tree Lane.
- Wanna take a selfie?
- Oh, yeah, for socials.
That's cute.
I've been posting twice a day.
Yeah. Have you been getting
a lot of followers?
#SaveChristmasTreeLane
is catching on.
- Nice.
- Oh, for sure.
Save Christmas Tree Lane!
- Christmas Tree Lane!
- Meg?
- Nate.
- What are you doing here?
Well, we're we're handing out
flyers for the concert.
What are you doing here?
Uh, I'm going skating.
Want to join me?
I have a lot of flyers
that I still need to hand out.
Oh, uh, guys, I've gotta go.
Our espresso maker is down.
It's a cappuccino catastrophe.
- I didn't hear a notification.
- It was on vibrate.
Okay, well, you two
have a great time.
- Emma...
- Um, bye.
- Okay, good luck with that.
- Emm!
You ready?
Sidebar.
I'm not a good skater.
- Okay.
- Whoa.
- All right, let's do this.
- Okay.
Good stuff.
Balance you out.
Whoa!
This is that slippery part
over here.
- Nate Williams?
- Regina?
Is that really you?
When did you get back to town?
Why didn't you call me?
Hey, how you doing?
I came back two weeks ago.
I've been busy
getting settled.
I'm so sorry. This is Meg.
Regina Stevens.
Regina and I have known
each other since college.
Known each other?
We dated for four years.
Did your father tell you
I had an eminent domain lawsuit
against him last month?
And I almost won.
Almost?
I'm sure he loved that.
No. Actually, he was lovely.
He took me for lunch after
and offered me a job
as his corporate counsel.
- And what'd you say?
- No way!
He'd have me working 24/7.
Edmund doesn't know the meaning
of weekends and holidays.
Oh, you weren't kidding
about him.
He's one of a kind.
The old gang is doing
a gift exchange at Smitty's Bar.
It's just around the corner.
Why don't we all get a drink
right now? Meg?
Oh, I-I'm gonna--
I'm gonna head out.
Come on! Are you sure?
Why don't you come join us?
No, I've got
so much work to do,
and it seems like you guys
have a lot to catch up on,
so I'll catch you later
All right.
Well, that was fun.
- It was nice to meet you.
- It was great to meet you.
You did great.
Thank you
for helping me with this.
Of course I'll help you
with yours too.
- Mine's done.
- Mine too.
We weren't as busy.
What did you tell her?
Just that you had a little
ice skating date with Nate.
I hate to disappoint you both,
but it was not a date.
Date.
Nate ran into an ex-girlfriend,
and I left.
I'll probably
never see him again.
Never say never.
- Nate!
- Hey.
- Oh, hi.
- Hi.
What-- What are you
doing here?
What, a man can't do
a little Christmas shopping?
Hey, Nate.
How did the cappuccino
catastrophe work out?
The what?
The cappuccino catastrophe.
Oh, that. Yes, all set.
- Great, good.
- Nate, this is Samantha.
She owns the vintage
clothing store down the street.
Oh, the one with
the pink tree?
That's the one.
Great color. Timeless.
I think so too.
Well, all right!
The gang is all here, huh?
So any ideas for the tree?
We got a little sidetracked.
Nate, this is my father,
Benjamin.
Dad, this is, this is Nate.
He's a new customer.
- Glad to meet you, Nate.
- Nice to meet you, sir.
Is this the one
you were telling me about?
Yep.
Well, Nate, feel free
to look around.
We'll be decorating,
if there's anything you need.
Except we haven't yet
figured out
how to theme the tree
to the store.
Do you guys happen
to have any old 45s?
Maybe some sheet music?
Boxes of both.
Yeah, why?
I have an idea.
Okay, that should do it.
Now all we need is light.
Oh, Meg, why don't you
do the honors?
Okay.
Ready?
- Ohh!
- Ha ha!
How nice is that?
This will be just perfect
for the open house tomorrow.
Well, if I can get off work
on time, I'll try to make it.
Okay.
These are amazing.
We can put some people helping
with the vintage Santa sleigh
in costumes like this.
Yes, that's beautiful.
Maybe we could even
let the kids
use some of these
in their photos.
- Love that.
- Definitely.
How's the promotion going
for the concert?
Oh, well, we blanketed the city
with flyers,
so now we just have to hope
we get a fantastic turnout.
And if we do,
I'll wear this.
What about this?
Ohh...
For Santa?
I think an A-line
might not be
the right cut for him.
For you!
It just came in,
and it screams "Meg."
It's beautiful, but where would
I wear something like this?
Mm, Christmas parties,
the concert,
dates.
The only thing on my mind
right now
is saving Christmas Tree Lane.
- What is that?
- What are you talking about?
- I saw that look.
- What look?
Captain Obvious.
- Okay, are we ready?
- Yes, let's do it.
Welcome to Reilly's!
- Merry Christmas, everybody!
- Thank you for coming!
Enjoy the treat table
and have some holiday cheer.
That's right.
Here's the info about
our Christmas Eve concert,
and a little pamphlet about the
history of Christmas Tree Lane.
Come join us on Friday for
our vintage Santa photo booth,
and the shops
will have specials too.
And the street will look
just like it did
at Christmas in the 1900s.
I finally got ahold of my
friend down at Channel 7 News.
I told him about
everything we're doing
to save Christmas Tree Lane,
and he said he'd love
to do a story on us.
That would be perfect.
Let's get him down here
right away.
Mm-hmm.
Free food, concert flyers,
our social media posts?
It's working, Meg.
You sure you don't mind
closing up?
Not at all.
That was a really
great day, huh?
Oh, you're making
a difference, honey.
We'll see.
I hope it'll be enough.
You just wait.
Good night.
Good night.
Oh, hey.
Am I too late
for the open house?
- Well, that's up to Meg.
- Come on in.
Wow. Looks like you had fun.
How did it go?
Oh, it was the best.
We had so many people.
We didn't slow down
until just a few minutes ago.
Oh, that's great.
Sadly, the only thing left
is fruitcake.
Hey, any port
in the storm, right?
That's right.
That's the Christmas spirit.
Thank you.
Can't do it.
Oh, hang on.
I know just the thing.
Okay, all right.
Now you're just mocking me.
Maybe a teensy little bit.
You're gonna need a fork
for that.
Thank you so much.
Can I offer you some wine?
- That, I'll take, please.
- Okay.
Regina would have been welcome
to join you.
It was lovely meeting her
the other day.
Oh, yeah.
She thought the same of you.
She's probably out with friends
tonight or something.
She seemed nice.
You should see her
in the courtroom.
You two were
pretty serious, huh?
Back in the day, yes.
Hey, did you put up the rest
of your flyers for the concert?
- Every last one.
- Great.
I had a thought.
My mom runs the toy drive
at St. Luke's Hospital,
and they get
a ton of foot traffic.
She'd be happy
to pass them out for you.
That'd be great.
I can print out a few more.
I'll be over there tomorrow
at noon, if you want to pass by.
I will. Thank you.
I really appreciate that.
- Oh, of course.
- Hey...
can I pick your
architect's brain for a second?
Yeah.
Okay, so we've been starting
to map out what the stage
might look like,
the outdoor stage
for the concert,
and right now all we have
is the base,
but it needs to really feel like
it's part of the history of
Christmas Tree Lane, you know?
It needs to be like
a natural extension
of the street
or geography of Denver.
- Yeah.
- Well...
you could do
a Christmas-themed backdrop
with some prop gas lights
and maybe some string lights
crisscrossing the street.
I'd be happy to draw up
a plan for you.
Seriously? I don't want
to bother you,
and I have no idea
how we'd be able to pay you.
Well, we could do a trade.
Like what?
I'd love to hear you play.
Mom mentored a whole generation
of local talent in this room.
And every singer-songwriter
you can think of
from the '60s and '70s
played here at one point
when they were just starting.
Wow.
You can feel the vibe.
Yeah.
Look at this record collection.
It's funny growing up
immersed in music
from infancy like I did.
It took a while before
I started writing my own songs.
I guess it felt like
a lot of pressure.
But I started writing
when I was about 16 or 17.
This is a Christmas song
I wrote a few years back.
All the busy sounds of life
come down to a whisper
Whether there's snow
or sunny skies
Or any sign of winter
No matter where we are,
we're home
With all the ones
who've missed us
The peace in every heart
lights up the sky
And that's why Christmas
I had no idea.
You're amazing.
Oh, thank you.
Why don't you perform more?
It's kind of complicated.
What happened?
A producer came to a show here
at the loft when I was playing.
And he heard me,
and he loved my voice,
and he liked my songs,
but he said if I wanted
to take it seriously,
I should write
more modern material.
More commercial,
whatever that means.
Anyway, when I moved back here,
I started teaching,
and I found real joy
in that too.
Do you play?
I have zero musical talent.
I don't even sing in the shower.
You're an artist though.
People like you always have
music in their souls.
Come here. Come sit.
We could play something
together.
I promise I'll go easy on you.
I know you could do it.
Your first piano lesson's
on the house.
Oh, well, thank you.
Silent night
Okay, I know that one, yeah.
- You heard it?
- I've heard that one, yeah.
Okay, so see the black keys?
So it's the middle black key
there, A-flat,
and then with this finger...
Yep.
Beautiful.
Silent night
Holy night
Now we're gonna
change the chord.
Go down to this.
Oh, boy.
-Hello! You still open?
- This one here?
So much for that piano lesson.
Well, just gives me an excuse
to come back.
You can keep playing
if you want.
Hey, Mom.
- Hi.
- This is incredible.
People have been so generous,
I can't even keep up.
Well, Meg has offered to do a
gift-wrapping night at her show.
That's awfully nice of her.
- She's got a big heart.
- Mm-hmm.
You should hear her sing
and play piano.
- She's so talented.
- Really?
And she's got this
incredible collection
of Joni Mitchell albums.
Oh, I love that.
- Hi!
- Oh, hey, you made it.
Hi.
Mom, this is Meg Reilly.
Meg, so nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you too.
These are for you.
They're donated from
Marino's Toy and Hobby Store
on Christmas Tree Lane.
That is so kind.
- Please thank them for us.
- I sure will.
Let me see these. Why don't I
see what I can do with these.
Thank you so much,
Mrs. Williams.
I really appreciate that.
Of course. Would you like
to join us for lunch?
I would love to, but I have
to get back to the shop.
We have so much planning to do
before the concert.
Okay, well, it was lovely
meeting you,
and I'm sure our paths
will cross again.
I hope so.
I'll see you after.
I like her.
She's great.
Oh, it's Dad.
Hmm, so much for lunch, huh?
Okay, moving on.
So what's the latest update
on CTL?
CTL?
Christmas Tree Lane.
That's one of our projects?
Actually, it's about to be
one of your projects, Nate.
I need you down on the ground,
coordinating as we move forward.
I heard
the Merchants' Association
was shilling for people
to come down and save the lane,
putting on some sort of concert
or something,
hoping to spruce up the street.
About 20 years too late.
I'm here with Meg Reilly,
the president of
the Christmas Tree Lane
Merchants' Association,
on one of the oldest streets
here in Denver.
Meg, where's the name
"Christmas Tree Lane" come from?
Back in the 1920s,
we were the first
shopping district in the city
to use electric Christmas lights
on all the trees and buildings.
Nobody had seen anything
like it.
People came from all over.
So there's a lot
of history here.
History and tradition.
And we're in danger
of losing both.
Christmas Tree Lane
is slated for demolition,
and we're hoping to show the
city that we are worth saving.
And how are you doing that?
By embracing what people
are longing for,
which is Christmas
the way it used to be.
We are having a Christmas tree
decorating contest,
we have a vintage Santa
and sleigh,
we're lighting this street
from end to end,
and it all finishes
with the big concert
to save Christmas Tree Lane
on Christmas Eve.
We are bringing history
back to life,
and we hope you will help us
preserve this lane
for generations to come.
And we're putting a link up
on our website
for that concert information.
You think I'm too old
to visit with Santa?
You are never too old to have
the Christmas you remember.
That's perfectly said.
I really love this.
I'll get right in.
Wow.
It really does feel like
you're going back in time.
Christmas the way it used to be.
Rick Connor, Channel 7 News,
reporting from
Christmas Tree Lane
100 years ago.
Have yourself a merry
little Christmas, Denver.
Hey, did you see
the story on TV?
I did. Christmas Tree Lane
is the talk of Denver.
It really feels like
all of our hard work
is starting to pay off,
you know?
This shop has been filled
with customers all day.
Hey, I, uh...
I want to tell you something.
Okay.
Well, it's just, I found
something out at work.
- Mabel!
- Aunt Meg!
Mabel.
- Hey, you.
- Hey, what a surprise.
You remember Emma and Kari.
And this is
my best buddy, Mabel.
- Hi, Mabel.
- Hi.
- I'm Nate.
- Are you ready to go?
Where are you going?
We are going to go look
at all of the trees
in the Christmas tree
decorating competition.
- Ooh.
-Ours is the best.
We even put little
coffee mugs on it.
I cannot wait to see that.
Do you want to come with us?
Uh...
Sure, yeah, why not?
How about this?
- Wow.
- It's so beautiful.
1, 2, 3.
Yay! Which one's your favorite?
- I like the pink.
- The pink?
Yeah, the pink.
- What other parts?
- I like the candy canes.
Yeah, I like
the candy canes too.
And then there's that little
star up there. You like that?
- You like the sugar cupcakes?
- And all the jelly beans?
Ah, wow, this is really nice.
Well, I mean, this one
is obviously the winner.
I think you might be
playing favorites.
Meg...
Wow. It's actually kinda
crowded in there.
Uh...
Was there still something
you wanted to talk to me about?
I just...
I wanted to say...
congratulations...
on all the publicity.
Thank you.
Yeah, I'm really
starting to believe
this might actually work.
Any chance you'll be coming back
down here tomorrow?
I can...
I can almost guarantee it.
See you then.
See you then.
Hey, Meg.
- Good morning!
- Thanks.
You know, these are going out
as fast as you get them to me.
That's fantastic. I'm gonna
bring the rest of these
over to Cloverfield Investments,
let them know about the concert
and invite them to use
a couple of VIP seats.
I want them to see this lane
and everything we're doing
for themselves.
Cloverfield. Aren't those guys
like a bunch of Scrooges?
Even Ebenezer
came around in the end.
Worth a shot, right?
Your mom would have done
the same thing.
There's a lot of history here.
History and tradition.
And we're in danger
of losing both.
Carol!
Carol?
You wanted to see me, sir?
Yeah. I'm headed down
to Christmas Tree Lane.
Oh, but you have a budget
meeting in about two minutes.
This is more important.
Thanks.
Hi. Meg Reilly
with the Christmas Tree Lane
Merchants' Association.
Meg.
Well, at least now I know
why you were down there
all the time,
doing a little
opposition research.
That's not it at all.
I kept on going there
because I love it down there.
I had no idea
that we were involved
in the Christmas Tree Lane
project.
How was that even possible?
Because when
I got back to Denver,
my father had dozens of projects
for me to get caught up on.
I had no idea our company
was the one
causing all your problems
until yesterday.
And you didn't tell me then?
I tried, but...
you were so happy.
And so was I.
Look, let me fix this.
How?
I can work on my father
from the inside.
I think we can do this
together.
Together?
I looked at the proposal, okay?
And I think that there's a way
that we can combine
the old buildings
with new construction.
I can do a sketch,
cost analysis,
and present it to my dad.
What makes you think
your father
would even consider
something like that?
Because I'll make sure
the plans are so good
that he won't be able
to say no.
Look, I know I can do this.
I just need to know
if you want me to try.
I don't know
what I want right now.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Before you say anything,
I just, I wanted to show you
what I've been working on.
Just in case you said yes.
Meg, I want to bring my father
down here tomorrow morning
and show him everything
you're doing.
If he sees this,
and I show him these plans,
I think that we have a shot
at something...
special.
From here on out,
I want total transparency.
No secrets.
I promise you I will not
keep anything from you.
Then I think it's worth a shot.
Son, this is a waste of time.
I've been down
Christmas Tree Lane before.
Hey, we have a site meeting
across town at 1:00,
so let's try to make this quick.
Mr. Williams, thank you so much
for coming down here.
I'm Meg Reilly.
Welcome to Christmas Tree Lane.
Nice to meet you.
I, uh, saw the story about you
on TV the other night.
And we have just gotten busier
ever since then.
Where else in the city
can you go
to experience Christmas the way
it was a hundred years ago?
People are just loving it.
Mm-hmm.
Well, I understand
what you and Nate
have been trying to do here,
but the only way to reinvent
this neighborhood
is to start over.
Christmas doesn't need
reinventing,
and neither do we.
- Well, that's not--
- Dad, look.
We're losing our connection
to the past.
All over town,
buildings are being torn down,
neighborhoods bulldozed over.
Well, that's not true.
No, that's not true.
- Yes, it is.
- The city has restored
the Ogden Theater,
Larimer Square,
the old Molly Brown House.
But, you know,
we need to have progress,
and we can't save everything.
But look at how many people
are out, sir.
Yeah, I see them,
but they're all gonna be gone
by January 1st.
Now, I want to wish you
all the best of luck
in your future endeavors,
Miss Reilly, all right?
Nate, we gotta go.
We're running late.
Go ahead, Dad.
I'll meet you back there.
Excuse me?
I'm gonna stay here with Meg.
- How's it going?
- Great.
Everybody's in a holiday mood.
They're amazing.
I think you should join them
for a song.
No, I couldn't.
There's so many people.
Yeah, but they're all
minding their own business.
Nobody's paying
that much attention.
It'll feel like a performance,
but no pressure.
You want to give it a try?
Just one.
Yeah? Okay!
Could my friend, Kari,
sit in with you guys for a song?
Yeah, we'd love that.
Come on.
1, 2, 3.
God bless ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ, our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
- Wow. She's amazing.
- I know.
Wait till the concert.
She's gonna blow everyone away.
Oh, tidings
of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh, tidings
of comfort and joy
Thank you.
And thanks to the best
music teacher in the world,
who should come up
and sing next.
Come on, Meg. Don't you have
an original for us?
I'm working on a few new things,
but they're not ready quite yet.
Carry on.
Concert to save
Christmas Tree Lane!
Merry Christmas.
Well, hello there.
Well, hello there.
What are you still
doing down here?
I didn't want to go back
to the office
and get lectured to
by my dad.
I get it.
So...
you're writing a new song.
Well, I'm trying to.
Lately, I feel like
I'm getting all these ideas,
but haven't really
finished anything
for a long time now.
There's this melody that keeps
playing around in my head,
and... I don't know.
I think I'm gonna go home.
I have a lot on my mind.
Well, let me,
let me walk you.
I think I'd rather just be
by myself, if that's okay.
Of course.
Thank you.
Thanks for sitting with me.
Ho ho ho! More toys!
Let me give you a hand
with that.
Oh, this is amazing!
Thank you so much.
We would have never been able
to get everything wrapped.
Well, we're happy to help.
Nate tells me that you are
something of
a gift-wrapping whisperer.
Is that true?
I'm terrible at this.
I hope you'll help me.
I will teach you
all my secrets.
But first, I hear there's
congratulations in order.
- What?
- Why?
You haven't heard?
The online version of
tomorrow's Denver Record
just went live.
The print edition
goes out in the morning.
Wow!
This is amazing.
They picked you
as number one.
"The street has music,
nostalgia,
themed Christmas trees,
vintage Santa,
and the biggest heart
in all of Denver."
"Take a walk down memory lane
at Reilly's Music Store
for some retro fun.
Savor the memories because
this all might be gone soon."
Look, there's even a link
to your concert page.
This is incredible!
How did this happen?
You made it happen.
And he took his blades
off his skates,
he starts shuffling around,
falls right on his face.
I haven't seen my son
laugh like that in ages.
You seem to bring out
the joy in him
when you're together.
Well, I think there's
a lot of joy hiding in there.
His father used
to be like that
when we first met.
I heard about his visit
down here.
Hmm.
When I get home,
I'm gonna talk to Edmund
and show him that article,
see what I can do
to help him bring back
that love of Christmas he had.
- Really?
- Yeah.
Thank you.
Hey, they're not
still at work, are they?
No, they live up there.
Above the shop?
Yeah. Most of these buildings
had apartments upstairs
for the shopkeepers.
When I was a kid,
the lane was filled with
families that lived here.
- It was zoned for residential?
- Mm-hmm.
- What happened?
- The suburbs.
Back in the 1970s,
nobody wanted to live downtown.
We had the shops,
but no one to shop at them.
But people are clamoring
to move back to the city.
I'd live down here
in a heartbeat.
What if...
What if we added housing
to the plans?
Everyone's been so focused
on office space,
but what if we got people
living down here again?
It sounds like a great idea,
but how would you
convince your dad?
I'd have to revise the plans.
But the minute
people are living here,
you got your shopping base.
Add offices,
and people can walk to work.
Dining, bars, markets.
I think this could work.
Thanks for walking me back.
Of course.
You're...
You're an extraordinary
person, Meg.
Getting to know you has been
the greatest Christmas gift
I could have ever asked for.
I know what you want
for Christmas.
And I'm not giving up.
Thank you, Nate.
I had a good time tonight.
Me too.
Oh, hey, Dad.
Hey, what's up?
You wanted to see me?
Yes.
I figured out a way to make
Christmas Tree Lane
more profitable.
With a mixed-use project,
we can expect
either double or triple
the per-square-foot income.
I remember being your age,
challenging authority.
That's the beauty of youth.
But I'm proud
of your initiative.
Well, I'm glad
because I'm putting a proposal
together for the board.
Full set of plans.
I have Dean doing a cost
analysis for me right now.
Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Nate, that street has been
a retail failure for years.
How is it going to support
offices and housing?
I mean, it's a waste of time.
Well, not to me, Dad,
and definitely not to the shop
owners of Christmas Tree Lane.
Put me on the agenda before
people leave for the holidays.
You won't be disappointed.
Good?
Miss Reilly.
Meg. Do you mind
if I join you?
Oh, of course.
You have a sweet tooth
just like your son.
Oh? Where do you think
he got it from?
Oh. Where are my manners?
Would you like one?
You know what?
I absolutely would. Thank you.
Mmm!
Nobody makes Christmas kolaches
like Mrs. Kaminski.
You know Mrs. Kaminsky?
No, no, um,
I knew her mother.
So you used to come
to Christmas Tree Lane.
Mm-hmm. Yeah, I remember
the Christmas windows,
the lights,
the old gas lights.
It was the most beautiful thing
I'd ever seen.
Well, Mr. Williams,
with all due respect,
why don't you help us save it?
Those were the old days.
At least come
to our Christmas Eve concert.
Christmas Eve is too late, Meg.
We vote tomorrow.
Listen, um,
I really gotta get going.
Merry Christmas, Meg.
Hey.
- Hey.
- So sorry I'm late.
I can't wait to hear about
this conversation
you had with my dad.
Well, we kind of bonded
over Christmas Tree Lane,
if you can imagine that.
Wow.
My dad talks about the past
basically never,
so something must have
gotten to him.
I think it was when he spent
time down here the other day.
I know it sounds crazy,
but I think he has a soft spot
in his heart for this street.
Okay, go on.
A guy doesn't sneak down here
in the middle of the workday
to buy a box of Christmas
kolaches from his youth,
unless he's got more on his mind
than the bottom line.
You're doing the presentation
tomorrow.
We don't have time to get
the board to come down here
to see the Christmas Eve
concert,
so we need to figure out a way
to bring the spirit
of Christmas Tree Lane to them.
Merry Christmas!
- Hi, Father John!
- Hey, Father!
Ah, thank you.
Thank you so much.
Merry Christmas.
- Okay, yeah.
- Cookies.
Pan around a little bit.
So this is
a day in the life.
One Nutmeg's Christmas Blizzard
coming right up.
That was my idea.
Voila.
Whoa! Another food cart?
These never used
to come down here.
It's because Christmas Tree Lane
is now the place to be.
Look at this selection.
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
This is a fantastic idea.
We should do this next year
for the open house,
assuming we still have
a house to open.
Oh, come on. Don't give up.
This is far from over.
All right?
We're gonna make this happen.
So what do you think
I should get,
white chocolate
or milk hot chocolate?
Or maybe I can do a swirl.
You have the same exact
expression as your father,
you know that?
What do you mean?
When I saw him
at the bakery.
It was like he was
10 years old again.
He has a heart, Nate.
I saw it today.
It's just a glimmer,
but it's in there.
What do you love more,
singing or songwriting?
Actually, right now,
seeing my students perform.
You know, you can do all of that
and still write your own songs.
I am so sorry.
It's, uh, it's work.
I'll be right back, okay?
Hello.
Ever since
the Merchants' Association
has been planning events
for the holiday season,
the street has seen
an explosion of foot traffic.
I think that if we
harness the energy,
Christmas Tree Lane can become
the destination it once was.
Hey.
Hey.
So, uh,
I know I won over
some of the board.
They came up to me
after the meeting.
What about your dad?
The revised plans would trigger
a new approval process
with the city.
Well, that would be
a good thing for us.
That would buy us more time.
It would cost a fortune
in new plans
and set the whole project back
by at least a year.
My father doesn't want
to spend the money.
But this is just
the first step, Meg.
I know that if we lobby
enough of the board,
I can challenge my father.
I can't count on your father
coming around at this point.
No, but I can help.
Nate, I know that
you've tried your best.
I know you've done
everything you can,
but right now I think
the only hope we have
is that people come together
and stand up for
Christmas Tree Lane,
just like before we met.
But we did meet.
And everything changed.
We can't just let that go.
I'm sorry,
but right now the...
the only thing I can focus on
is the concert.
It's our last chance.
And if that doesn't work?
Well, then I guess
you will have
a lot of new buildings
to design.
I have to call my dad.
Thank you for everything, Nate.
Hey, Dad.
It's not good news.
Where is everybody?
I told them about the board.
You've already shouldered
too much of this as it is,
and I didn't want you
to have to deliver any bad news.
Where's Nate?
It doesn't matter.
He can't help us anymore.
But he matters to you,
doesn't he?
I can't even think
about that anymore, Dad.
What I know is that I made
a promise to everybody
on Christmas Tree Lane,
and I failed.
Are you kidding me?
You have succeeded
beyond your wildest dreams.
- How can you say that?
- Look around, honey.
You make family everywhere
you go, just like your mother.
The lane hasn't felt like this
in years.
Have you ever seen
so many smiles?
And I think that
this experience,
as unpleasant as it's been,
has really helped you
find your voice.
Sorry, Dad.
It's okay, sweetie.
Carol, where's Nate?
I don't know, sir.
He left after the meeting
without saying anything.
Hey.
Hi, sweetie.
Well, I tried.
I really did.
But Dad won, and I lost.
I'm so sorry.
I know you did your best.
How's Meg doing?
I think I lost her too.
I just-- I blew it, Mom.
I disappointed her in the most
important thing in her life.
There's no coming back
from that.
Will you be at the concert
tomorrow night?
No, no. After everything
that's gone on,
I should probably
just steer clear.
No, Nate,
you need to be there.
Why?
Because she needs to know
that even if Christmas Tree Lane
won't be there for her,
you will.
Samantha, you're runner-up.
Merry Christmas.
Thank you, Father.
Ah!
- What's this?
- We tallied up the votes
from all the folks
who came down to see the trees.
You won.
Merry Christmas.
If you love Christmas,
this is the place to be
on Christmas Eve.
Everyone coming together
to save Christmas Tree Lane,
getting ready for
the big concert tonight.
So much buzz and excitement
happening here,
where you've got everyone
coming together,
and if they're successful,
they can bring Christmas back
the way it used to be--
the lights, the sounds...
Lots of energy here.
Regina, hi.
What are you doing down here?
Nate called me.
I'm sorry about what happened.
You know he did
everything he could.
Absolutely. And now it's just
better for us to go it alone,
like we did before.
Do you think this concert
will do the trick?
Honestly, at this point,
I don't know what to think.
Well, I do, and that's why
I'm going to help you.
Pardon me?
Nate came to me
a few days ago.
He was worried that things
wouldn't work out with his dad,
and if that happened,
he wanted you to have
a backup plan.
That's me.
He called me this morning
and asked me to come down here.
I could tell he was worried.
That's what he was
meeting you about.
I... I thought you
and Nate were--
That ended a long time ago, Meg.
I'm lucky to have him
as a friend.
I really appreciate this offer,
but there's no way
that we could afford you.
I know, but this is exactly
the kind of work I do pro bono.
Why didn't Nate tell me he was
talking to you about this?
He was hoping
he'd be successful.
He was trying to protect you.
I know you two just met,
but he cares about you, Meg.
Christmas Tree Lane
brought you and Nate together.
Don't let it tear you apart.
Merry almost Christmas!
Let's come on in
and do a rehearsal!
Ready?
How are you holding up?
You got this.
You are gonna be so great.
Okay, first step,
let's make sure
we're all in the same key.
Thought we were
going to the party.
What's this all about,
Lorraine?
I've never seen
so many people down here.
How'd this all happen?
You know how.
Meg Reilly.
Wow.
You look incredible.
Thank you.
Have you taken a look outside?
No, not yet.
You've already
made a difference.
To me, to everyone else.
You're gonna do great, Meg.
It's the season of miracles,
after all.
Hear the angels' voices
O night
Divine
O night
When Christ was born
O night
Divine
O night
O night divine
Whoo!
Hi. Good evening.
I'm Meg Reilly,
and this is the concert
to save Christmas Tree Lane.
Thank you all so much
for coming out tonight
and showing your support.
Before we get started,
I want to thank my father,
whose love and support
has really kept
my spirits high,
especially over these
last few weeks.
Thank you, Dad.
I love you.
For over a hundred years,
this is where Denver came
to celebrate the holidays.
As my mother used to say,
"When you have a shop
on Christmas Tree Lane,
you have to live up
to the name."
Christmas Tree Lane
is more than just a street.
Christmas Tree Lane is about
love and family
and keeping the spirit
of Christmas alive,
and that is exactly what
we are going to do tonight.
I wasn't originally planning
to perform tonight,
but seeing you all out here,
my heart is full, and...
I'm finally ready
to sing my song.
Dusting off these memories
One more year gone by
Face to face
we're meant to be
The truth within your eyes
And it's happened
so unexpectedly
Like the best things
always do
The lights in my heart
are on again
I think it's
all because of you
You are the piece
I've been missing
I couldn't have prayed
I'd find
You are the gift
I've been wishing for
My hope on this holy night
Here in the glow
of Christmas past
Everything old
feels new again
Please let this be
our beginning
And Christmas
Will never end
Please say
we're only beginning
And Christmas
Will never end
Whoo!
You pulled off the impossible.
The concert was incredible.
Not the concert, Nate.
You know, when I look around
and see all this energy,
all this goodwill, it...
it gives me pause.
You know, Meg is right.
Something very special lives
here on Christmas Tree Lane,
and it wouldn't be right
if we took that away.
Let's give it a try, okay?
You've, uh...
You have no idea how much
that means to me, Dad.
Go tell her, honey.
Okay. I love you guys.
You're welcome, son.
Wow.
You blew me away.
You blew everyone away.
I meant every word.
These gas lamps!
Are you kidding me?
How did you do that?
Called in a couple favors
to the city.
What would you say if I told you
they'd stay on permanently?
What do you mean?
My father wants to find a way
to make this work.
Are you serious?
That's a miracle.
You're the miracle, Meg.
Knowing you has changed my life.
You have changed my life too.
I...
I can't even begin to imagine
Christmas Tree Lane
without you by my side.
Well, you won't have to...
because I'm not going anywhere.
Merry Christmas, Meg.
Merry Christmas, Nate.
Yay!
like Christmas
Everywhere you go
There's a tree
in the Grand Hotel
And one in the park as well
The sturdy kind
that doesn't mind the snow
It's beginning to look a lot
like Christmas
Like Christmas, Christmas
Like Christmas, Christmas
Mmm
Fall
On your knees
Yeah.
O hear
The angels' voices
Yeah, mix in that chest voice.
O night
Oh, so close!
Okay, so remember,
it's like you just reach up,
and that next note
is effortlessly there.
It's like it's coming out
the crown of your head.
Ready? Let's try it
one more time.
O night
Divine
Good. That's so good.
And it's just gonna get
stronger and stronger.
Keep practicing between
one note and the other,
and do your exercises,
and let's work on that
for Thursday's lesson, okay?
Oh, Kari,
your mom said you wanted
to pick up
a few extra shifts here.
I can add you
onto the schedule.
- That'd be great.
- Okay?
Thanks.
What song is that?
Just something
I've been playing with.
When are you gonna do
a concert again?
Mom said you used to do them
up here all the time.
Yes, but these days,
I much prefer hearing
my students perform.
Okay, go ahead.
Finish your homework.
I know you have lots of it
before Christmas break.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- Good morning!
-Morning, Meg.
Sam, you're gonna be able
to see that from space.
I hope so.
Everything old is new again.
Yeah. Bye.
Morning, Marinos.
- Hey, morning, Meg.
- Morning, Meg!
- Good morning!
- Morning.
Oh, the kids filled out
their wish list?
Kari's outgrown it,
but Mabel's is ten pages long
with illustrations.
Santa's gonna be a busy guy.
I'm just gonna take this
to the bank.
- Okay, have fun. See you soon.
- Love you.
Yeah, I'm just on my way back
from the bank now, Dad.
Gonna grab a quick coffee,
and I'll be back.
Well, in case there is a rush,
I will be there.
Sprinkles?
Some sprinkles, too,
please, yeah.
Perfect. Thank you very much.
Could you actually--
I'm so sorry.
Just a few more sprinkles.
You have the small ones?
- Yes.
- Yeah, yeah, the small ones.
- Ah, that's great, perfect.
- Merry Christmas.
May I have a decaf coffee?
Black, please.
Yeah, we have a special
Christmas hot chocolate today.
That's fine.
- Is it?
- Excuse me?
You don't see a lot of people
drinking black coffee nowadays.
Well, all that stuff just masks
the flavor of the beans.
It's because
they taste like sadness.
Wow.
Look at this.
It's a Christmas masterpiece.
It's not really coffee,
is it?
It's more like dessert.
You, uh, you have a little,
a little something there.
Still got more of it.
There you go.
Guess it's more of
a sit-and-sip.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Do you care to join me?
- Sure.
- Yeah? Great.
So... do you work around here?
Yeah, 35th floor,
down the street.
When I looked out my window
and saw everyone skating
and hot chocolating,
I decided to take a break
and take it all in.
Hot chocolating?
Is that even a word?
It is as of three seconds ago.
Are you from Denver,
originally?
I am.
- Yeah, originally, but I--
- Do you hear that?
We wish you
a Merry Christmas
Listen to the joy
in their voices.
And a Happy New Year
Oh, yeah, that's beautiful.
I wonder who it is.
Houston Children's Choir, 1989.
How did you know that?
My family sells the vinyl
at our store.
Reilly's Music
on Christmas Tree Lane.
- Reilly's!
- Yeah.
Wow. I haven't been there
in years.
I didn't even think
it was still around.
Yep, sure is.
Still there.
I should probably get going.
Enjoy your masterpiece.
I will.
And you enjoy... that.
Oh, believe me, I will.
Merry Christmas.
Excuse me!
Reilly's.
- Hi.
- Hey.
Oh, I hear
it's a mob scene downtown.
Yeah, everybody's shopping
at that new plaza,
instead of coming down here.
Apparently, some people don't
even know we're still here.
Hey, Bert.
Ah, you saved me some steps.
- Ooh.
- That's yours.
- Looks official.
- Wow.
Maybe we won something.
Thanks, Bert.
Have a good one.
"Open immediately."
Hmm.
- What?
- What's wrong?
It's an eviction notice.
"All of the buildings
on the street have been sold.
They're tearing down
Christmas Tree Lane to build..."
"Creative spaces for
media and technology companies."
Emma, look.
- Morning.
- Morning.
So you ever gonna clean up
this disaster zone?
You should see my apartment.
It's ten times worse.
I've been looking for this
everywhere!
It was always so weird
decorating my LA office
with Christmas decorations
with the palm trees outside.
Well, we're all real glad
to have you back at corporate,
especially your father.
Speaking of which, we got a
meeting with him in five, so...
I guess Christmas
is gonna have to wait.
I guess so.
When do they want us out?
Ninety days.
They're offering a cash
incentive if we vacate early.
Looks like they found a loophole
in our leases.
Dad, we can't just
pick up and move.
We're barely hanging on
as it is.
Never heard of this new owner,
Cloverfield Investments.
Emma and I are
holding an emergency
Merchants' Association
meeting tomorrow,
upstairs at the store.
Well, that's a good idea,
but in the meantime, eat.
Thanks, Dad, but I just don't
have much of an appetite.
Hey, don't worry, honey.
We're gonna figure this out.
Now, I guess you better
get going before you...
Hit traffic.
Good night, Dad.
Night, honey.
We all should have bought
these buildings in the '60s,
when we had the chance.
What power do renters have?
Yeah, yeah, I think we opt
for the early buyout.
- At least make a few dollars.
- No, I disagree with that.
We can't just give up.
This is our chance
to really do something big
and to make the city
pay attention.
No! Our only chance
is the buyout.
I agree.
Come on, folks,
we're better than this.
We've been in that store
for 40 years.
Christmas Tree Lane
used to be
the most bustling
shopping district in town.
We've survived the Depression,
the Great Recession,
malls, even the Internet.
We can survive this.
This street is
one of the only places left
where people can experience
Christmas the way it used to be.
We just have to get people
back down here,
so that they can see it
for themselves.
So what we need are ideas
for how we can raise awareness
and do it fast.
Ideas, folks, come on.
How about gift wrapping?
- Gift wrapping, okay.
- A gift-wrapping party.
- How about a toy drive?
- Yeah.
- A bake sale.
- We just opened
our St. Elizabeth's Christmas
tree lot across the street.
What if we sponsored a Christmas
tree decorating contest?
Every shop on the lane
buys a tree from us
and then decorates it
in the theme of their shop.
-I love that!
- Hey, now we're talking.
That is a fantastic idea.
Ooh, what if we had a vintage
Santa with a photo booth
and maybe like
an old-timey sleigh?
Yes! I love that.
I know someone
at Channel 7 News.
Maybe they could do
a story about us.
Okay, that would be incredible.
So I think the one thing
we need, though,
is something to tie
all these events together,
some single, perfect
blockbuster event.
Like what?
Like a holiday parade?
- We've done that.
- Yeah.
Or a tree-lighting ceremony.
- We can combine that, yeah.
- Okay.
- A concert.
- Yes!
A concert on Christmas Eve.
- I love that idea.
- Nice!
- You can perform too.
- I--
Um, I'd be happy for Reilly's
just to host.
We could bring people together
to come down here
from all over the city.
The concert to save
Christmas Tree Lane.
This is it!
Who's that?
Just this guy I met yesterday
downtown at the coffee stand.
What's he doing here?
Here's an idea.
Go ask him.
Right.
Hey.
Checking to see
if we really are still here?
Actually, I came
to bring you this.
I wondered where that went.
Thank you.
My name is Nate,
by the way.
Meg.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Sorry. This is
my best friend, Emma.
She owns the coffee shop
a couple of doors down.
- Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you too.
Emma's place is famous
for their holiday hot cocoa bar.
It is right up your alley.
Emma, do--
That was smooth.
This-- This is amazing.
It's like a time capsule.
Since 1903.
Courtesy of
my great-great-grandfather.
He opened this place with
a prayer and a song. Literally.
- Is that you?
- No. That's my mom, Miriam.
She used to run the store
and taught upstairs.
Is she retired now?
No. Sadly, we lost her
about five years ago.
Oh, I'm sorry.
She was a great lady.
Her spirit
keeps this place going.
She is the heart and soul
of Reilly's.
I'm sorry.
It's my boss-slash-father.
You work for your dad too?
Yeah. It's not like having
a regular boss, right?
They know your strengths,
your skills, your weaknesses.
Yeah, with the added pressure
of the future of the company
riding on your shoulders.
That, I understand.
So what do you do,
if you don't mind my asking?
Yeah, I'm an architect.
What brings you back to Denver?
My father owns a real estate
investment firm here,
and he's grooming me
to take over for him
on the management side
for when he retires.
I'm trading my drafting table in
for a desk.
You don't sound
too thrilled about it.
Are those, those originals?
Most of them, yes.
Oh, check this out.
This is the choir that we were
listening to at the plaza.
It's one of the only
vinyl copies remaining.
What?
It's just so scratchy.
I guess that's why people
don't buy records anymore.
People do buy records,
and those that don't
are missing out.
That scratchiness,
as you call it,
those imperfections,
that's what makes it real.
That's what makes it special.
Go deeper. Really listen.
We wish you a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year
Let the music surround you.
Okay.
Good tidings for Christmas
That tonal balance
is pretty near perfect.
We wish you
a Merry Christmas
You can feel it, right?
It's almost... solid.
You can't get that
from a digital recording.
We all know
that Santa's coming
We all know
that Santa's coming
We all know
that Santa's coming
Between the music and the shop,
I feel like I've traveled
back into Christmas's past.
That's exactly
what we're going for.
Good tidings for Christmas
and a Happy New Year
You're welcome to take it home,
try it out for yourself.
Oh, no, no, I...
I haven't unpacked yet,
and even when I do,
I still won't have
a record player.
Well, lucky for you, we have a
whole bunch of refurbished ones,
And...
I am so sorry about this.
- Your dad?
- Yeah, it's--
I should go. I'm sorry.
Just end-of-year deadlines...
Hang on a second.
Here.
Wow. Talk about
high-pressure sales.
No, no. You can borrow it.
Take a little Christmas Tree
Lane home with you.
Sounds like you could use it.
That's very sweet,
but I can't take this without
giving you something in return.
Well, we are planning a big
Christmas Eve concert.
Maybe once we get the flyers
printed out,
you could help us pass them
around, spread the word.
Deal.
Well, uh,
great to see you again.
You too.
Enjoy.
I'll enjoy the scratches.
Joy to the world
The Lord is come
Let Earth receive her king
Folks, Merry Christmas.
Like to look at the trees?
Let heaven and nature sing
Let heaven
and nature sing
And heaven and heaven
And nature sing
Really need
to get our tree
and decorate it
for the competition
and for the open house.
And you need
to start practicing.
Practicing what?
Your song for the concert.
You are ready, Kari.
No, I'm not.
There's gonna be
so many people there, Meg.
I'm gonna tell you
what my mom told me
when I used to get nervous.
When you start to sing,
just focus on
one pair of eyes out there,
and you'll feel like
you're singing for a friend.
The hardest part is
walking out onto that stage.
And I promise
I'll help you do that.
Thank you.
Hey.
Nate.
Back so soon?
I actually-- I came to pay you
for the record player.
I'd like to buy it.
Well, as I said, you are
more than welcome to borrow it.
I insist.
Oh. You saw the flyer.
I didn't realize Christmas Tree
Lane was in trouble.
Well, it won't be if we can
rally enough people behind it.
Yeah, what can I do
to help?
Just keep on
spreading the word.
Okay. Well, how about for now
I at least buy a couple
Christmas albums?
That would be great.
My music student, Kari,
is in there,
and she can help you
with that.
Uh, you're leaving?
I just have to go and get
a Christmas tree for the store.
Well, today's your lucky day
because I am fantastic
at picking Christmas trees.
I look at it kinda like choosing
a design for a building.
You know, you need a good base,
good balance,
and when it's right,
you can feel it in your heart.
Sounds a whole lot
like songwriting.
Are you--
Are you a songwriter?
I am a voice teacher
and a piano teacher,
and I help my dad
run the store.
Keeping the family business
going, just like you.
My dad.
- If you need to go--
- I know.
It's totally fine.
You know what?
This is important.
I need to get to know the city
again, now that I'm back.
Especially its history.
My dad will understand.
We should get some coffee?
Okay.
Are these gas lamps
original to the street?
They are. My dad told me that
back when they used to be on,
they put off this incredible
warm orange glow.
It's like being in a movie.
You never saw them?
No. They were turned off
over 40 years ago.
It was a sad day
for Christmas Tree Lane.
What's happening
with the street?
Christmas Tree Lane
is slated for demolition.
What do they want to tear
all this down for?
High rises.
New, modern...
Cold, sterile.
You know what
I'm talking about.
Yeah.
I built what you're talking
about all across the country.
This is Emma's coffee house.
She opened her doors here on
the lane, right out of college.
It's her dream.
I'm not letting anyone
take that away,
if I can help it.
Shall we coffee up?
Yeah, let's coffee up.
Come on, after you.
Oh, wow. The inlaid
ceiling tile in here.
You don't see that
in newer buildings. Beautiful.
Yeah.
- Hello.
- Meg!
And Nate. You're back.
What can I get you?
You know, why don't you
get something festive?
Good luck. I've been
trying to get her
to color outside the line
since first grade.
Okay, you know what?
Why don't we order her
an Americano
with a dash of nutmeg,
whipped cream,
some cocoa powder,
a little drizzle of chocolate
on there too?
I like this guy.
I'll be in a sugar coma
for a week.
This young man's order
sounds delightful.
Can I get one
just like it, please?
Why not? But we should
give it a name
in case it catches on.
Why don't we call it
"Nutmeg's Christmas Blizzard?"
You see what I did there?
Oh, I see what you did there.
- Yeah?
- Uh-huh.
- Emma likes it.
- Mm-hmm.
I think it's gonna
turn out really well.
I'm not sure about that.
- It's going to blow your mind.
- Oh, yeah, Emma!
Well, number 24 had good form,
bad coverage.
Number 11 had bad form,
good coverage.
Hey, what about this one?
We need a tree that looks good
from 360 degrees.
The base is nice.
Excellent form.
Good needle retention.
Top's a little funky, but we
could probably prune that up.
It's a contender.
Nate, they're closing
in five minutes.
Let's take it.
- We'll take it!
- We'll take it!
All right!
Hi.
This is perfect.
Thanks again for your help.
You know, I never did
buy those records.
Then you're just gonna have
to come back, aren't you?
The only thing
we know for sure
The truth is in...
Is nothing stays...
The only thing
we know for sure
Is nothing stays the same
La da da da da da
Sounding more and more
like Christmas.
I hope I wasn't playing
too loud.
So good to see you
writing again.
I just had a little burst
of inspiration.
Whoa, guys.
Where are you taking that?
That's my--
That's my drafting table.
Uh, we were hoping
to surprise you.
Well, you didn't have
to get me this, Dad.
We'll keep your drafting table
safely in storage.
I need your management expertise
right now,
more than I need
your drawing skills.
You know, you have no idea
how happy I am
to have you back home.
Hi.
What's-- What's all that?
Hmm? Our active project files.
Oh, I'm gonna need you
up to speed ASAP.
Looks like
a hundred files there.
Concert to save
Christmas Tree Lane!
Save Christmas Tree Lane!
December 24th!
- Christmas Eve.
- Here you go.
Save Christmas Tree Lane.
- Wanna take a selfie?
- Oh, yeah, for socials.
That's cute.
I've been posting twice a day.
Yeah. Have you been getting
a lot of followers?
#SaveChristmasTreeLane
is catching on.
- Nice.
- Oh, for sure.
Save Christmas Tree Lane!
- Christmas Tree Lane!
- Meg?
- Nate.
- What are you doing here?
Well, we're we're handing out
flyers for the concert.
What are you doing here?
Uh, I'm going skating.
Want to join me?
I have a lot of flyers
that I still need to hand out.
Oh, uh, guys, I've gotta go.
Our espresso maker is down.
It's a cappuccino catastrophe.
- I didn't hear a notification.
- It was on vibrate.
Okay, well, you two
have a great time.
- Emma...
- Um, bye.
- Okay, good luck with that.
- Emm!
You ready?
Sidebar.
I'm not a good skater.
- Okay.
- Whoa.
- All right, let's do this.
- Okay.
Good stuff.
Balance you out.
Whoa!
This is that slippery part
over here.
- Nate Williams?
- Regina?
Is that really you?
When did you get back to town?
Why didn't you call me?
Hey, how you doing?
I came back two weeks ago.
I've been busy
getting settled.
I'm so sorry. This is Meg.
Regina Stevens.
Regina and I have known
each other since college.
Known each other?
We dated for four years.
Did your father tell you
I had an eminent domain lawsuit
against him last month?
And I almost won.
Almost?
I'm sure he loved that.
No. Actually, he was lovely.
He took me for lunch after
and offered me a job
as his corporate counsel.
- And what'd you say?
- No way!
He'd have me working 24/7.
Edmund doesn't know the meaning
of weekends and holidays.
Oh, you weren't kidding
about him.
He's one of a kind.
The old gang is doing
a gift exchange at Smitty's Bar.
It's just around the corner.
Why don't we all get a drink
right now? Meg?
Oh, I-I'm gonna--
I'm gonna head out.
Come on! Are you sure?
Why don't you come join us?
No, I've got
so much work to do,
and it seems like you guys
have a lot to catch up on,
so I'll catch you later
All right.
Well, that was fun.
- It was nice to meet you.
- It was great to meet you.
You did great.
Thank you
for helping me with this.
Of course I'll help you
with yours too.
- Mine's done.
- Mine too.
We weren't as busy.
What did you tell her?
Just that you had a little
ice skating date with Nate.
I hate to disappoint you both,
but it was not a date.
Date.
Nate ran into an ex-girlfriend,
and I left.
I'll probably
never see him again.
Never say never.
- Nate!
- Hey.
- Oh, hi.
- Hi.
What-- What are you
doing here?
What, a man can't do
a little Christmas shopping?
Hey, Nate.
How did the cappuccino
catastrophe work out?
The what?
The cappuccino catastrophe.
Oh, that. Yes, all set.
- Great, good.
- Nate, this is Samantha.
She owns the vintage
clothing store down the street.
Oh, the one with
the pink tree?
That's the one.
Great color. Timeless.
I think so too.
Well, all right!
The gang is all here, huh?
So any ideas for the tree?
We got a little sidetracked.
Nate, this is my father,
Benjamin.
Dad, this is, this is Nate.
He's a new customer.
- Glad to meet you, Nate.
- Nice to meet you, sir.
Is this the one
you were telling me about?
Yep.
Well, Nate, feel free
to look around.
We'll be decorating,
if there's anything you need.
Except we haven't yet
figured out
how to theme the tree
to the store.
Do you guys happen
to have any old 45s?
Maybe some sheet music?
Boxes of both.
Yeah, why?
I have an idea.
Okay, that should do it.
Now all we need is light.
Oh, Meg, why don't you
do the honors?
Okay.
Ready?
- Ohh!
- Ha ha!
How nice is that?
This will be just perfect
for the open house tomorrow.
Well, if I can get off work
on time, I'll try to make it.
Okay.
These are amazing.
We can put some people helping
with the vintage Santa sleigh
in costumes like this.
Yes, that's beautiful.
Maybe we could even
let the kids
use some of these
in their photos.
- Love that.
- Definitely.
How's the promotion going
for the concert?
Oh, well, we blanketed the city
with flyers,
so now we just have to hope
we get a fantastic turnout.
And if we do,
I'll wear this.
What about this?
Ohh...
For Santa?
I think an A-line
might not be
the right cut for him.
For you!
It just came in,
and it screams "Meg."
It's beautiful, but where would
I wear something like this?
Mm, Christmas parties,
the concert,
dates.
The only thing on my mind
right now
is saving Christmas Tree Lane.
- What is that?
- What are you talking about?
- I saw that look.
- What look?
Captain Obvious.
- Okay, are we ready?
- Yes, let's do it.
Welcome to Reilly's!
- Merry Christmas, everybody!
- Thank you for coming!
Enjoy the treat table
and have some holiday cheer.
That's right.
Here's the info about
our Christmas Eve concert,
and a little pamphlet about the
history of Christmas Tree Lane.
Come join us on Friday for
our vintage Santa photo booth,
and the shops
will have specials too.
And the street will look
just like it did
at Christmas in the 1900s.
I finally got ahold of my
friend down at Channel 7 News.
I told him about
everything we're doing
to save Christmas Tree Lane,
and he said he'd love
to do a story on us.
That would be perfect.
Let's get him down here
right away.
Mm-hmm.
Free food, concert flyers,
our social media posts?
It's working, Meg.
You sure you don't mind
closing up?
Not at all.
That was a really
great day, huh?
Oh, you're making
a difference, honey.
We'll see.
I hope it'll be enough.
You just wait.
Good night.
Good night.
Oh, hey.
Am I too late
for the open house?
- Well, that's up to Meg.
- Come on in.
Wow. Looks like you had fun.
How did it go?
Oh, it was the best.
We had so many people.
We didn't slow down
until just a few minutes ago.
Oh, that's great.
Sadly, the only thing left
is fruitcake.
Hey, any port
in the storm, right?
That's right.
That's the Christmas spirit.
Thank you.
Can't do it.
Oh, hang on.
I know just the thing.
Okay, all right.
Now you're just mocking me.
Maybe a teensy little bit.
You're gonna need a fork
for that.
Thank you so much.
Can I offer you some wine?
- That, I'll take, please.
- Okay.
Regina would have been welcome
to join you.
It was lovely meeting her
the other day.
Oh, yeah.
She thought the same of you.
She's probably out with friends
tonight or something.
She seemed nice.
You should see her
in the courtroom.
You two were
pretty serious, huh?
Back in the day, yes.
Hey, did you put up the rest
of your flyers for the concert?
- Every last one.
- Great.
I had a thought.
My mom runs the toy drive
at St. Luke's Hospital,
and they get
a ton of foot traffic.
She'd be happy
to pass them out for you.
That'd be great.
I can print out a few more.
I'll be over there tomorrow
at noon, if you want to pass by.
I will. Thank you.
I really appreciate that.
- Oh, of course.
- Hey...
can I pick your
architect's brain for a second?
Yeah.
Okay, so we've been starting
to map out what the stage
might look like,
the outdoor stage
for the concert,
and right now all we have
is the base,
but it needs to really feel like
it's part of the history of
Christmas Tree Lane, you know?
It needs to be like
a natural extension
of the street
or geography of Denver.
- Yeah.
- Well...
you could do
a Christmas-themed backdrop
with some prop gas lights
and maybe some string lights
crisscrossing the street.
I'd be happy to draw up
a plan for you.
Seriously? I don't want
to bother you,
and I have no idea
how we'd be able to pay you.
Well, we could do a trade.
Like what?
I'd love to hear you play.
Mom mentored a whole generation
of local talent in this room.
And every singer-songwriter
you can think of
from the '60s and '70s
played here at one point
when they were just starting.
Wow.
You can feel the vibe.
Yeah.
Look at this record collection.
It's funny growing up
immersed in music
from infancy like I did.
It took a while before
I started writing my own songs.
I guess it felt like
a lot of pressure.
But I started writing
when I was about 16 or 17.
This is a Christmas song
I wrote a few years back.
All the busy sounds of life
come down to a whisper
Whether there's snow
or sunny skies
Or any sign of winter
No matter where we are,
we're home
With all the ones
who've missed us
The peace in every heart
lights up the sky
And that's why Christmas
I had no idea.
You're amazing.
Oh, thank you.
Why don't you perform more?
It's kind of complicated.
What happened?
A producer came to a show here
at the loft when I was playing.
And he heard me,
and he loved my voice,
and he liked my songs,
but he said if I wanted
to take it seriously,
I should write
more modern material.
More commercial,
whatever that means.
Anyway, when I moved back here,
I started teaching,
and I found real joy
in that too.
Do you play?
I have zero musical talent.
I don't even sing in the shower.
You're an artist though.
People like you always have
music in their souls.
Come here. Come sit.
We could play something
together.
I promise I'll go easy on you.
I know you could do it.
Your first piano lesson's
on the house.
Oh, well, thank you.
Silent night
Okay, I know that one, yeah.
- You heard it?
- I've heard that one, yeah.
Okay, so see the black keys?
So it's the middle black key
there, A-flat,
and then with this finger...
Yep.
Beautiful.
Silent night
Holy night
Now we're gonna
change the chord.
Go down to this.
Oh, boy.
-Hello! You still open?
- This one here?
So much for that piano lesson.
Well, just gives me an excuse
to come back.
You can keep playing
if you want.
Hey, Mom.
- Hi.
- This is incredible.
People have been so generous,
I can't even keep up.
Well, Meg has offered to do a
gift-wrapping night at her show.
That's awfully nice of her.
- She's got a big heart.
- Mm-hmm.
You should hear her sing
and play piano.
- She's so talented.
- Really?
And she's got this
incredible collection
of Joni Mitchell albums.
Oh, I love that.
- Hi!
- Oh, hey, you made it.
Hi.
Mom, this is Meg Reilly.
Meg, so nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you too.
These are for you.
They're donated from
Marino's Toy and Hobby Store
on Christmas Tree Lane.
That is so kind.
- Please thank them for us.
- I sure will.
Let me see these. Why don't I
see what I can do with these.
Thank you so much,
Mrs. Williams.
I really appreciate that.
Of course. Would you like
to join us for lunch?
I would love to, but I have
to get back to the shop.
We have so much planning to do
before the concert.
Okay, well, it was lovely
meeting you,
and I'm sure our paths
will cross again.
I hope so.
I'll see you after.
I like her.
She's great.
Oh, it's Dad.
Hmm, so much for lunch, huh?
Okay, moving on.
So what's the latest update
on CTL?
CTL?
Christmas Tree Lane.
That's one of our projects?
Actually, it's about to be
one of your projects, Nate.
I need you down on the ground,
coordinating as we move forward.
I heard
the Merchants' Association
was shilling for people
to come down and save the lane,
putting on some sort of concert
or something,
hoping to spruce up the street.
About 20 years too late.
I'm here with Meg Reilly,
the president of
the Christmas Tree Lane
Merchants' Association,
on one of the oldest streets
here in Denver.
Meg, where's the name
"Christmas Tree Lane" come from?
Back in the 1920s,
we were the first
shopping district in the city
to use electric Christmas lights
on all the trees and buildings.
Nobody had seen anything
like it.
People came from all over.
So there's a lot
of history here.
History and tradition.
And we're in danger
of losing both.
Christmas Tree Lane
is slated for demolition,
and we're hoping to show the
city that we are worth saving.
And how are you doing that?
By embracing what people
are longing for,
which is Christmas
the way it used to be.
We are having a Christmas tree
decorating contest,
we have a vintage Santa
and sleigh,
we're lighting this street
from end to end,
and it all finishes
with the big concert
to save Christmas Tree Lane
on Christmas Eve.
We are bringing history
back to life,
and we hope you will help us
preserve this lane
for generations to come.
And we're putting a link up
on our website
for that concert information.
You think I'm too old
to visit with Santa?
You are never too old to have
the Christmas you remember.
That's perfectly said.
I really love this.
I'll get right in.
Wow.
It really does feel like
you're going back in time.
Christmas the way it used to be.
Rick Connor, Channel 7 News,
reporting from
Christmas Tree Lane
100 years ago.
Have yourself a merry
little Christmas, Denver.
Hey, did you see
the story on TV?
I did. Christmas Tree Lane
is the talk of Denver.
It really feels like
all of our hard work
is starting to pay off,
you know?
This shop has been filled
with customers all day.
Hey, I, uh...
I want to tell you something.
Okay.
Well, it's just, I found
something out at work.
- Mabel!
- Aunt Meg!
Mabel.
- Hey, you.
- Hey, what a surprise.
You remember Emma and Kari.
And this is
my best buddy, Mabel.
- Hi, Mabel.
- Hi.
- I'm Nate.
- Are you ready to go?
Where are you going?
We are going to go look
at all of the trees
in the Christmas tree
decorating competition.
- Ooh.
-Ours is the best.
We even put little
coffee mugs on it.
I cannot wait to see that.
Do you want to come with us?
Uh...
Sure, yeah, why not?
How about this?
- Wow.
- It's so beautiful.
1, 2, 3.
Yay! Which one's your favorite?
- I like the pink.
- The pink?
Yeah, the pink.
- What other parts?
- I like the candy canes.
Yeah, I like
the candy canes too.
And then there's that little
star up there. You like that?
- You like the sugar cupcakes?
- And all the jelly beans?
Ah, wow, this is really nice.
Well, I mean, this one
is obviously the winner.
I think you might be
playing favorites.
Meg...
Wow. It's actually kinda
crowded in there.
Uh...
Was there still something
you wanted to talk to me about?
I just...
I wanted to say...
congratulations...
on all the publicity.
Thank you.
Yeah, I'm really
starting to believe
this might actually work.
Any chance you'll be coming back
down here tomorrow?
I can...
I can almost guarantee it.
See you then.
See you then.
Hey, Meg.
- Good morning!
- Thanks.
You know, these are going out
as fast as you get them to me.
That's fantastic. I'm gonna
bring the rest of these
over to Cloverfield Investments,
let them know about the concert
and invite them to use
a couple of VIP seats.
I want them to see this lane
and everything we're doing
for themselves.
Cloverfield. Aren't those guys
like a bunch of Scrooges?
Even Ebenezer
came around in the end.
Worth a shot, right?
Your mom would have done
the same thing.
There's a lot of history here.
History and tradition.
And we're in danger
of losing both.
Carol!
Carol?
You wanted to see me, sir?
Yeah. I'm headed down
to Christmas Tree Lane.
Oh, but you have a budget
meeting in about two minutes.
This is more important.
Thanks.
Hi. Meg Reilly
with the Christmas Tree Lane
Merchants' Association.
Meg.
Well, at least now I know
why you were down there
all the time,
doing a little
opposition research.
That's not it at all.
I kept on going there
because I love it down there.
I had no idea
that we were involved
in the Christmas Tree Lane
project.
How was that even possible?
Because when
I got back to Denver,
my father had dozens of projects
for me to get caught up on.
I had no idea our company
was the one
causing all your problems
until yesterday.
And you didn't tell me then?
I tried, but...
you were so happy.
And so was I.
Look, let me fix this.
How?
I can work on my father
from the inside.
I think we can do this
together.
Together?
I looked at the proposal, okay?
And I think that there's a way
that we can combine
the old buildings
with new construction.
I can do a sketch,
cost analysis,
and present it to my dad.
What makes you think
your father
would even consider
something like that?
Because I'll make sure
the plans are so good
that he won't be able
to say no.
Look, I know I can do this.
I just need to know
if you want me to try.
I don't know
what I want right now.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Before you say anything,
I just, I wanted to show you
what I've been working on.
Just in case you said yes.
Meg, I want to bring my father
down here tomorrow morning
and show him everything
you're doing.
If he sees this,
and I show him these plans,
I think that we have a shot
at something...
special.
From here on out,
I want total transparency.
No secrets.
I promise you I will not
keep anything from you.
Then I think it's worth a shot.
Son, this is a waste of time.
I've been down
Christmas Tree Lane before.
Hey, we have a site meeting
across town at 1:00,
so let's try to make this quick.
Mr. Williams, thank you so much
for coming down here.
I'm Meg Reilly.
Welcome to Christmas Tree Lane.
Nice to meet you.
I, uh, saw the story about you
on TV the other night.
And we have just gotten busier
ever since then.
Where else in the city
can you go
to experience Christmas the way
it was a hundred years ago?
People are just loving it.
Mm-hmm.
Well, I understand
what you and Nate
have been trying to do here,
but the only way to reinvent
this neighborhood
is to start over.
Christmas doesn't need
reinventing,
and neither do we.
- Well, that's not--
- Dad, look.
We're losing our connection
to the past.
All over town,
buildings are being torn down,
neighborhoods bulldozed over.
Well, that's not true.
No, that's not true.
- Yes, it is.
- The city has restored
the Ogden Theater,
Larimer Square,
the old Molly Brown House.
But, you know,
we need to have progress,
and we can't save everything.
But look at how many people
are out, sir.
Yeah, I see them,
but they're all gonna be gone
by January 1st.
Now, I want to wish you
all the best of luck
in your future endeavors,
Miss Reilly, all right?
Nate, we gotta go.
We're running late.
Go ahead, Dad.
I'll meet you back there.
Excuse me?
I'm gonna stay here with Meg.
- How's it going?
- Great.
Everybody's in a holiday mood.
They're amazing.
I think you should join them
for a song.
No, I couldn't.
There's so many people.
Yeah, but they're all
minding their own business.
Nobody's paying
that much attention.
It'll feel like a performance,
but no pressure.
You want to give it a try?
Just one.
Yeah? Okay!
Could my friend, Kari,
sit in with you guys for a song?
Yeah, we'd love that.
Come on.
1, 2, 3.
God bless ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ, our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
- Wow. She's amazing.
- I know.
Wait till the concert.
She's gonna blow everyone away.
Oh, tidings
of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh, tidings
of comfort and joy
Thank you.
And thanks to the best
music teacher in the world,
who should come up
and sing next.
Come on, Meg. Don't you have
an original for us?
I'm working on a few new things,
but they're not ready quite yet.
Carry on.
Concert to save
Christmas Tree Lane!
Merry Christmas.
Well, hello there.
Well, hello there.
What are you still
doing down here?
I didn't want to go back
to the office
and get lectured to
by my dad.
I get it.
So...
you're writing a new song.
Well, I'm trying to.
Lately, I feel like
I'm getting all these ideas,
but haven't really
finished anything
for a long time now.
There's this melody that keeps
playing around in my head,
and... I don't know.
I think I'm gonna go home.
I have a lot on my mind.
Well, let me,
let me walk you.
I think I'd rather just be
by myself, if that's okay.
Of course.
Thank you.
Thanks for sitting with me.
Ho ho ho! More toys!
Let me give you a hand
with that.
Oh, this is amazing!
Thank you so much.
We would have never been able
to get everything wrapped.
Well, we're happy to help.
Nate tells me that you are
something of
a gift-wrapping whisperer.
Is that true?
I'm terrible at this.
I hope you'll help me.
I will teach you
all my secrets.
But first, I hear there's
congratulations in order.
- What?
- Why?
You haven't heard?
The online version of
tomorrow's Denver Record
just went live.
The print edition
goes out in the morning.
Wow!
This is amazing.
They picked you
as number one.
"The street has music,
nostalgia,
themed Christmas trees,
vintage Santa,
and the biggest heart
in all of Denver."
"Take a walk down memory lane
at Reilly's Music Store
for some retro fun.
Savor the memories because
this all might be gone soon."
Look, there's even a link
to your concert page.
This is incredible!
How did this happen?
You made it happen.
And he took his blades
off his skates,
he starts shuffling around,
falls right on his face.
I haven't seen my son
laugh like that in ages.
You seem to bring out
the joy in him
when you're together.
Well, I think there's
a lot of joy hiding in there.
His father used
to be like that
when we first met.
I heard about his visit
down here.
Hmm.
When I get home,
I'm gonna talk to Edmund
and show him that article,
see what I can do
to help him bring back
that love of Christmas he had.
- Really?
- Yeah.
Thank you.
Hey, they're not
still at work, are they?
No, they live up there.
Above the shop?
Yeah. Most of these buildings
had apartments upstairs
for the shopkeepers.
When I was a kid,
the lane was filled with
families that lived here.
- It was zoned for residential?
- Mm-hmm.
- What happened?
- The suburbs.
Back in the 1970s,
nobody wanted to live downtown.
We had the shops,
but no one to shop at them.
But people are clamoring
to move back to the city.
I'd live down here
in a heartbeat.
What if...
What if we added housing
to the plans?
Everyone's been so focused
on office space,
but what if we got people
living down here again?
It sounds like a great idea,
but how would you
convince your dad?
I'd have to revise the plans.
But the minute
people are living here,
you got your shopping base.
Add offices,
and people can walk to work.
Dining, bars, markets.
I think this could work.
Thanks for walking me back.
Of course.
You're...
You're an extraordinary
person, Meg.
Getting to know you has been
the greatest Christmas gift
I could have ever asked for.
I know what you want
for Christmas.
And I'm not giving up.
Thank you, Nate.
I had a good time tonight.
Me too.
Oh, hey, Dad.
Hey, what's up?
You wanted to see me?
Yes.
I figured out a way to make
Christmas Tree Lane
more profitable.
With a mixed-use project,
we can expect
either double or triple
the per-square-foot income.
I remember being your age,
challenging authority.
That's the beauty of youth.
But I'm proud
of your initiative.
Well, I'm glad
because I'm putting a proposal
together for the board.
Full set of plans.
I have Dean doing a cost
analysis for me right now.
Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Nate, that street has been
a retail failure for years.
How is it going to support
offices and housing?
I mean, it's a waste of time.
Well, not to me, Dad,
and definitely not to the shop
owners of Christmas Tree Lane.
Put me on the agenda before
people leave for the holidays.
You won't be disappointed.
Good?
Miss Reilly.
Meg. Do you mind
if I join you?
Oh, of course.
You have a sweet tooth
just like your son.
Oh? Where do you think
he got it from?
Oh. Where are my manners?
Would you like one?
You know what?
I absolutely would. Thank you.
Mmm!
Nobody makes Christmas kolaches
like Mrs. Kaminski.
You know Mrs. Kaminsky?
No, no, um,
I knew her mother.
So you used to come
to Christmas Tree Lane.
Mm-hmm. Yeah, I remember
the Christmas windows,
the lights,
the old gas lights.
It was the most beautiful thing
I'd ever seen.
Well, Mr. Williams,
with all due respect,
why don't you help us save it?
Those were the old days.
At least come
to our Christmas Eve concert.
Christmas Eve is too late, Meg.
We vote tomorrow.
Listen, um,
I really gotta get going.
Merry Christmas, Meg.
Hey.
- Hey.
- So sorry I'm late.
I can't wait to hear about
this conversation
you had with my dad.
Well, we kind of bonded
over Christmas Tree Lane,
if you can imagine that.
Wow.
My dad talks about the past
basically never,
so something must have
gotten to him.
I think it was when he spent
time down here the other day.
I know it sounds crazy,
but I think he has a soft spot
in his heart for this street.
Okay, go on.
A guy doesn't sneak down here
in the middle of the workday
to buy a box of Christmas
kolaches from his youth,
unless he's got more on his mind
than the bottom line.
You're doing the presentation
tomorrow.
We don't have time to get
the board to come down here
to see the Christmas Eve
concert,
so we need to figure out a way
to bring the spirit
of Christmas Tree Lane to them.
Merry Christmas!
- Hi, Father John!
- Hey, Father!
Ah, thank you.
Thank you so much.
Merry Christmas.
- Okay, yeah.
- Cookies.
Pan around a little bit.
So this is
a day in the life.
One Nutmeg's Christmas Blizzard
coming right up.
That was my idea.
Voila.
Whoa! Another food cart?
These never used
to come down here.
It's because Christmas Tree Lane
is now the place to be.
Look at this selection.
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
This is a fantastic idea.
We should do this next year
for the open house,
assuming we still have
a house to open.
Oh, come on. Don't give up.
This is far from over.
All right?
We're gonna make this happen.
So what do you think
I should get,
white chocolate
or milk hot chocolate?
Or maybe I can do a swirl.
You have the same exact
expression as your father,
you know that?
What do you mean?
When I saw him
at the bakery.
It was like he was
10 years old again.
He has a heart, Nate.
I saw it today.
It's just a glimmer,
but it's in there.
What do you love more,
singing or songwriting?
Actually, right now,
seeing my students perform.
You know, you can do all of that
and still write your own songs.
I am so sorry.
It's, uh, it's work.
I'll be right back, okay?
Hello.
Ever since
the Merchants' Association
has been planning events
for the holiday season,
the street has seen
an explosion of foot traffic.
I think that if we
harness the energy,
Christmas Tree Lane can become
the destination it once was.
Hey.
Hey.
So, uh,
I know I won over
some of the board.
They came up to me
after the meeting.
What about your dad?
The revised plans would trigger
a new approval process
with the city.
Well, that would be
a good thing for us.
That would buy us more time.
It would cost a fortune
in new plans
and set the whole project back
by at least a year.
My father doesn't want
to spend the money.
But this is just
the first step, Meg.
I know that if we lobby
enough of the board,
I can challenge my father.
I can't count on your father
coming around at this point.
No, but I can help.
Nate, I know that
you've tried your best.
I know you've done
everything you can,
but right now I think
the only hope we have
is that people come together
and stand up for
Christmas Tree Lane,
just like before we met.
But we did meet.
And everything changed.
We can't just let that go.
I'm sorry,
but right now the...
the only thing I can focus on
is the concert.
It's our last chance.
And if that doesn't work?
Well, then I guess
you will have
a lot of new buildings
to design.
I have to call my dad.
Thank you for everything, Nate.
Hey, Dad.
It's not good news.
Where is everybody?
I told them about the board.
You've already shouldered
too much of this as it is,
and I didn't want you
to have to deliver any bad news.
Where's Nate?
It doesn't matter.
He can't help us anymore.
But he matters to you,
doesn't he?
I can't even think
about that anymore, Dad.
What I know is that I made
a promise to everybody
on Christmas Tree Lane,
and I failed.
Are you kidding me?
You have succeeded
beyond your wildest dreams.
- How can you say that?
- Look around, honey.
You make family everywhere
you go, just like your mother.
The lane hasn't felt like this
in years.
Have you ever seen
so many smiles?
And I think that
this experience,
as unpleasant as it's been,
has really helped you
find your voice.
Sorry, Dad.
It's okay, sweetie.
Carol, where's Nate?
I don't know, sir.
He left after the meeting
without saying anything.
Hey.
Hi, sweetie.
Well, I tried.
I really did.
But Dad won, and I lost.
I'm so sorry.
I know you did your best.
How's Meg doing?
I think I lost her too.
I just-- I blew it, Mom.
I disappointed her in the most
important thing in her life.
There's no coming back
from that.
Will you be at the concert
tomorrow night?
No, no. After everything
that's gone on,
I should probably
just steer clear.
No, Nate,
you need to be there.
Why?
Because she needs to know
that even if Christmas Tree Lane
won't be there for her,
you will.
Samantha, you're runner-up.
Merry Christmas.
Thank you, Father.
Ah!
- What's this?
- We tallied up the votes
from all the folks
who came down to see the trees.
You won.
Merry Christmas.
If you love Christmas,
this is the place to be
on Christmas Eve.
Everyone coming together
to save Christmas Tree Lane,
getting ready for
the big concert tonight.
So much buzz and excitement
happening here,
where you've got everyone
coming together,
and if they're successful,
they can bring Christmas back
the way it used to be--
the lights, the sounds...
Lots of energy here.
Regina, hi.
What are you doing down here?
Nate called me.
I'm sorry about what happened.
You know he did
everything he could.
Absolutely. And now it's just
better for us to go it alone,
like we did before.
Do you think this concert
will do the trick?
Honestly, at this point,
I don't know what to think.
Well, I do, and that's why
I'm going to help you.
Pardon me?
Nate came to me
a few days ago.
He was worried that things
wouldn't work out with his dad,
and if that happened,
he wanted you to have
a backup plan.
That's me.
He called me this morning
and asked me to come down here.
I could tell he was worried.
That's what he was
meeting you about.
I... I thought you
and Nate were--
That ended a long time ago, Meg.
I'm lucky to have him
as a friend.
I really appreciate this offer,
but there's no way
that we could afford you.
I know, but this is exactly
the kind of work I do pro bono.
Why didn't Nate tell me he was
talking to you about this?
He was hoping
he'd be successful.
He was trying to protect you.
I know you two just met,
but he cares about you, Meg.
Christmas Tree Lane
brought you and Nate together.
Don't let it tear you apart.
Merry almost Christmas!
Let's come on in
and do a rehearsal!
Ready?
How are you holding up?
You got this.
You are gonna be so great.
Okay, first step,
let's make sure
we're all in the same key.
Thought we were
going to the party.
What's this all about,
Lorraine?
I've never seen
so many people down here.
How'd this all happen?
You know how.
Meg Reilly.
Wow.
You look incredible.
Thank you.
Have you taken a look outside?
No, not yet.
You've already
made a difference.
To me, to everyone else.
You're gonna do great, Meg.
It's the season of miracles,
after all.
Hear the angels' voices
O night
Divine
O night
When Christ was born
O night
Divine
O night
O night divine
Whoo!
Hi. Good evening.
I'm Meg Reilly,
and this is the concert
to save Christmas Tree Lane.
Thank you all so much
for coming out tonight
and showing your support.
Before we get started,
I want to thank my father,
whose love and support
has really kept
my spirits high,
especially over these
last few weeks.
Thank you, Dad.
I love you.
For over a hundred years,
this is where Denver came
to celebrate the holidays.
As my mother used to say,
"When you have a shop
on Christmas Tree Lane,
you have to live up
to the name."
Christmas Tree Lane
is more than just a street.
Christmas Tree Lane is about
love and family
and keeping the spirit
of Christmas alive,
and that is exactly what
we are going to do tonight.
I wasn't originally planning
to perform tonight,
but seeing you all out here,
my heart is full, and...
I'm finally ready
to sing my song.
Dusting off these memories
One more year gone by
Face to face
we're meant to be
The truth within your eyes
And it's happened
so unexpectedly
Like the best things
always do
The lights in my heart
are on again
I think it's
all because of you
You are the piece
I've been missing
I couldn't have prayed
I'd find
You are the gift
I've been wishing for
My hope on this holy night
Here in the glow
of Christmas past
Everything old
feels new again
Please let this be
our beginning
And Christmas
Will never end
Please say
we're only beginning
And Christmas
Will never end
Whoo!
You pulled off the impossible.
The concert was incredible.
Not the concert, Nate.
You know, when I look around
and see all this energy,
all this goodwill, it...
it gives me pause.
You know, Meg is right.
Something very special lives
here on Christmas Tree Lane,
and it wouldn't be right
if we took that away.
Let's give it a try, okay?
You've, uh...
You have no idea how much
that means to me, Dad.
Go tell her, honey.
Okay. I love you guys.
You're welcome, son.
Wow.
You blew me away.
You blew everyone away.
I meant every word.
These gas lamps!
Are you kidding me?
How did you do that?
Called in a couple favors
to the city.
What would you say if I told you
they'd stay on permanently?
What do you mean?
My father wants to find a way
to make this work.
Are you serious?
That's a miracle.
You're the miracle, Meg.
Knowing you has changed my life.
You have changed my life too.
I...
I can't even begin to imagine
Christmas Tree Lane
without you by my side.
Well, you won't have to...
because I'm not going anywhere.
Merry Christmas, Meg.
Merry Christmas, Nate.
Yay!