Every year, holiday planning starts with hopes for perfection, but it never goes as expected.
Chuck once again goes overboard with Christmas decorations, annoying his neighbor Manny, but his wife Clarice insists on keeping the peace since their son Kevin is dating Chuck’s daughter, Katie.
Meanwhile, Jenny and her husband prepare for her divorced parents to visit, with Jenny hoping holidays with them will get easier.
Josh arrives at his parents’ house, discussing with Stacey their plan to leave for Sydney in 72 hours. His parents regret that Stacey couldn’t join him, but he explains she’s tying up loose ends before their big move abroad. He realizes they haven’t used any of the gifts he’s given them. Later, while driving to town, he gets pulled over by Nora, an old classmate, who gives him a ticket and reminds him they were never friends.
Lois excitedly welcomes her newly engaged son Ted and his fiancé Marcus home.
Meanwhile, Stephanie asks to join Max and Annie’s holiday gift drive. Annie is annoyed, but Max welcomes her. Annie vents to her mom, Lucy, about Max’s enthusiasm for Stephanie, but Lucy reassures her. At the café, Cole helps Lucy with shelves. She’s flustered but clearly likes him, and her employee nudges her to invite him over to fix a window.
Gaby shares exciting news about auditioning for a cooking show, but is shocked to find Kevin dating her high school nemesis, Katie. While making a soufflé, she reminds her parents how Katie tormented her. When Katie arrives with garlic knots and asks to share Gaby’s dish later, Gaby is annoyed but agrees to karaoke with Kevin.
Ted’s dad, Steve, books his Nai Nai (Grandma) a trip to Palm Springs. Ted confesses to Marcus that Nai Nai doesn’t know he’s gay but promises to tell her before the wedding. Later, the family panics when Nai Nai shows up, saying her flight was canceled. When she catches Ella hugging Marcus after seeing a honeymoon book, she assumes they’re engaged.
Jenny is frustrated that her mom Linda didn’t tell her dad Robert about her new boyfriend, Evan. Linda says they can go elsewhere but Jenny relents.
Chuck mocks Katie for being a “traitor” by dating Kevin. When Rebecca panics over their daughter eating a regular hot dog, Connie insists it was an accident. Fed up, Katie decides to stay at Kevin’s house, where she feels welcome.
Josh’s parents defend Nora, revealing her husband passed away, and she’s raising their son alone. Later, Josh apologizes to Nora, meeting her son Theo, who asks if he’s a bad guy. Josh bonds with Theo over Legos, softening Nora’s stance.
Lucy finds her sister Sylvie at the door and leaves her with Annie before running errands. Sylvie asks Annie what she’s missed.
At karaoke, Katie signs up for a duet with Gaby. They’re having fun until Katie accidentally knocks Gaby off the stage. Katie apologizes, but Gaby is humiliated. Her frustration grows when she’s made to sleep on the couch while Katie gets her room.
Jenny tells Robert about her mom’s boyfriend, and he reassures her he’s okay with it.
Meanwhile, Josh, distracted at a real estate office, forgets to put his car in park and knocks over a fire hydrant. Nora writes him another ticket but agrees to swap his court date for community service after he pleads for help.
Later, Gaby finds a diamond engagement ring while looking for a blanket.
Steve books a new flight, but Nai Nai refuses to go, toasting instead to Marcus and Ella’s “engagement.” The family plays along.
Max welcomes his grandma, who introduces her much younger boyfriend, Evan.
Lucy returns home to find Sylvie laughing with Cole, who just fixed her window.
Connie calls a family meeting, introducing a behavioral contract forbidding fights, ridicule, and drinking. Anyone who disobeys will stay in the shed. Finally, Chuck attempts to light up the house, but the decorations malfunction, leaving everyone disappointed.