Creating Christmas

Rating: 8/10

Reason: The acting was really good. There were a few over the top moments, but it wasn't too cheesy. I enjoyed the extra elements of the sister also finding some romance, as well as the old book partner's villainy.

*Watched on Amazon Prime Video (Age 13+)

 SPOILERS BELOW!

                                                            

Teacher Lady is very into Christmas. She is going skiing over the Christmas holidays with her Publisher Sister.  She goes to Publisher Sister's office to wait to leave on their ski trip together. 

Book Man has been burning through illustrators for his kids book.  He needs someone to draw pictures for his book or he'll miss his imminent deadline!

Teacher Lady overhears Publisher Sister and Book Man discussing the lack of available illustrators. Teacher Lady butts into the meeting and offers her services. She loves drawing, and she's good at it, and she's been working on a graphic novel, and she's a kindergarten teacher, so she can handle difficult people!

The book deadline means The Sisters will have to cancel their ski trip and work on the book instead. 

Book Man isn't so sure, but he's out of options. He agrees to it as long as Publisher Sister also comes to the cabin in the small town to work on the manuscript. 

Teacher Lady shows up at the cabin with a Christmas tree. 

Book Man is taken aback, and invites The Sisters in. He already has a Christmas tree...

Teacher Lady inserts her foot in her mouth and chews on it a bit as she explains that she figured Book Man wasn't very into Christmas... maybe this week won't be so bad after all... etc.

Publisher Sister takes Teacher Lady aside to remind her that they are here to help Book Man, not insult him.  Teacher Lady removes her foot from her mouth long enough to tell Publisher Sister she should leave so that Teacher Lady and Book Man can bond and collaborate on the book.

Publisher Sister sees the logic in that, and is about to scamper off with the extra Christmas tree when Neighbour Guy happens to stop by and offers to help with the tree removal. 

Book Man and Teacher Lady start discussing the book. It's about a cloud named Cloudy that doesn't want to talk to anyone. 

Teacher Lady tells Book Man, "Cloudy needs a friend to talk to. He seems lonely."

Book Man says, "Cloudy doesn't want to talk to anyone. That's the point." (Sounds like the book might be a bit autobiographical?)

Teacher Lady says it's time to make cookies!  Book Man is confused. 

"How can we work on the book if we are making cookies?"

Teacher Lady tells Book Man he's thinking too hard.  Book Man is annoyed.

Teacher Lady is breaking down Book Man's walls. Book Man is beginning to enjoy himself...

The Sisters meet for dinner at a bistro that is owned by Neighbour Guy! (Book Man stayed home to work on the book). Neighbour Guy is excited to see The Sisters, and invites Publisher Sister to go hiking. 

Teacher Lady has an idea for the book. Let's change the style of pictures! Book Man is not on board.

Book Man offers Teacher Lady a coffee. She says yes, then goes outside to make a snow angel, and giggle. Book Man is confused. 

Teacher Lady pulls Book Man down onto the snow. Book Man is cold. 

After dinner Teacher Lady and Book Man explore downtown and pop into the book store. Teacher Lady finds one of Book Man's kids books and reads it aloud to some random children. Book Man starts enjoying himself... but then he sees a poster for his Old Illustrator Buddy's new book. Book Man is jealous and worried. Book Man wants to go home and work on his book. 

Teacher Lady tells Book Man to stop being like Cloudy. Book Man is insulted and walks away. 

Book Man feels bad about leaving Teacher Lady behind, he finds her again and apologizes. Book Man is having trouble with his confidence since he and Old Illustrator Buddy had a falling out. Book Man wants to make his partnership with Teacher Lady official and truly collaborative. 

Teacher Lady says, "great! You should listen to my ideas more!" Book Man says, "ok."

Teacher Lady and Book Man flirt over Christmas ornament making. Publisher Sister and Neighbor Guy say they are going to pick out a Christmas wreath together. It's nice that Publisher Sister can take some time off work and relax and have some romance.

Back to the cabin for book time....

Teacher Lady shows Book Man her new illustrations. Book Man is impressed... Book Man is also skeptical.

Teacher Lady says, "it's ok to do something new since you have a new partnership."

Book Man understands, and agrees. 

Teacher Lady says, "do you want to build a snowman?" Then calls in Publisher Sister and Neighbor Guy to come help... Family bonding! 

Book Man and Teacher Lady show Publisher Sister the book so far. Publisher Sister is impressed!

Teacher Lady suggests dinner, but Publisher Sister is going on a date with Neighbor Guy. That leaves Teacher Lady and Book Man on their own. Book Man offers to cook for Teacher Lady. Teacher Lady is delighted, and buys a new dress on the way home.

Book Man read Teacher Lady's mind about the dress code and is also dressed up and serving wine. Book Man tells Teacher Lady she's pretty. There are candles everywhere.

Teacher Lady tells Book Man about her graphic novel. She also says no one has seen it because it's not ready yet. Teacher Lady doesn't always finish what she starts, so she doesn't want to show Publisher Sister her graphic novel until she knows she won't fail.  Book Man understands. 

The Sisters sing some Christmas karaoke at the bistro while Book Man and Neighbor Guy listen. The mood suddenly sours as Old Illustrator Buddy walks in. Book Man takes his leave. 

Teacher Lady follows Book Man into the town square. It's time for Book Man to tell her the tale of what happened with Old Illustrator Buddy...

Book Man and Old Illustrator Buddy had written several successful books together. Book Man had an idea for a new book. Old Illustrator Buddy stole Book Man's idea and wrote the book himself! Teacher Lady is outraged!

Book Man finds it difficult to open up and trust people because of Old Illustrator Buddy. Teacher Lady is thankful.

Teacher Lady, "thank you for sharing that with me."

Book Man, "thank you for helping me trust again."

Teacher Lady, "thank you for saying that."

Teacher Lady bumps into Publisher Sister on her way to Book Man's cabin. Teacher Lady is excited to show Book Man something she's been working on. Publisher Sister thinks it's Teacher Lady's graphic novel. Teacher Lady says it's something else. Publisher Sister says, "don't flake out. Finish what you've started." Teacher Lady takes offence.

Teacher Lady takes a break and sits on a bench downtown to draw. Old Illustrator Buddy sits next to her and tells her she is talented. Old Illustrator Buddy offers to send Teacher Lady's drawings to his editor. Teacher Lady is contemplative. Then Teacher Lady says, "thanks but no thanks."

Old Illustrator Buddy runs into Book Man and mentions that he offered Teacher Lady to illustrate his next book. Book Man is miffed.

Old Illustrator Buddy apologies for the way things played out in their partnership. He always felt like the dumb one, and he wanted to see if he could make it on his own. Book Man can see his point. 

Book Man tells Teacher Lady he knows everything. Old Illustrator Buddy told him, and Book Man wishes Teacher Lady well in her future endeavors. Book Man talks over Teacher Lady so she can't get a word in. Book Man says he's in no mood to finish Cloudy's book. 

The Sisters go to the bistro to talk to Neighbor Guy. Publisher Sister apologizes to Teacher Lady for their earlier conversation. Teacher Lady wants to find a way to salvage Cloudy's book. Publisher Sister says it's not possible. There's no time. 

Teacher Lady shows Publisher Sister her new book she's been working on. Publisher Sister is amazed.

The Sisters decide to work together on Cloudy's book. Publisher Sister brings the completed Cloudy manuscript to Book Man and tells him that Teacher Lady finished it for him. Also, Teacher Lady turned down Old Illustrator Buddy's offer. Then Publisher Sister shows Book Man Teacher Lady's new book... It's about Book Man!

Book Man heads downtown to find Teacher Lady. She is difficult to find.  Book Man eventually finds Teacher Lady. Teacher Lady is confused. Book Man is apologetic. Teacher Lady is understanding. 

Book Man tells Teacher Lady she should take Old Illustrator Buddy's offer, but Teacher Lady doesn't trust Old Illustrator Buddy. Book Man is glad that Teacher Lady is so discerning.

Book Man kisses Teacher Lady. Teacher Lady kisses Book Man

The end