Kate remembers her childhood holidays when her dad, Mac, lived in London and showed her the city. With her mom often away while traveling with boyfriends, Kate clung to those moments with her dad. Everything felt safe then.
Now, things are different. Mac has retired, recently broke his hip, and Kate’s the only one who notices how withdrawn he’s become. Caring for him has consumed her life, leaving little room for work or friends. She thought she had found love, but it fell apart. As the holidays approach, she’s alone again.
Three weeks earlier:
Kate encourages her dad to get out of the house, but he’s not up for it. Later, while chatting with pal Callum at a café, her best friend Laura shows up and jokingly suggests signing her up for the “12 Dates of Christmas” dating service. Kate rolls her eyes. Laura and Callum insist she’s a catch and should put herself out there, but Kate refuses.
At work, Kate presents her designs to Nicola, who isn’t impressed. And after Kate mentions that caring for her dad has thrown her off, Nicola bluntly tells her to get it together.
Back home, Kate finds Laura and Callum waiting for an “intervention.” They sit her down, again pushing the 12 Dates of Christmas idea. Kate insists she’ll date when she’s ready. They just want her happy, they say, and she hasn’t been for a long time. To her shock, they’ve already signed her up. Mac backs them up, telling Kate it’s time for her to live her life while he focuses on his own. Reluctantly, she agrees and learns her first date is that night.
At the event, Kate meets Drew, the founder of 12 Dates of Christmas, who calls it the perfect time to open her heart to romance. Kate is whisked away in a horse-drawn carriage to meet her mystery date. After waiting too long, Drew returns to say the man canceled. Frustrated, Kate decides this whole thing isn’t for her.
She stops by the cafe to vent to Callum about the no-show. They smirk about the one time they kissed until his girlfriend, Sara, arrives, cutting the moment short. Kate shrugs it off, saying dating is just messy, and she’ll know when the right person comes along.
Laura presses her to go on Date #2. Kate hesitates, but Laura begs her to keep trying, joking that she needs to live vicariously through Kate now that she’s married. Kate finally gives in.
Kate gets a call from her mother, Delilah, who invites her to the beach for the holidays. Kate declines, saying she can’t leave her dad.
Meanwhile, Mac runs into Evelyn at the café. She asks about his retirement and his hip, then invites him to her Latin aerobics class.
Kate’s second date takes place on an ice rink. She and her date wobble around, chatting awkwardly. Soon he’s venting about his ex and ends up crying on her shoulder. Later, Kate tells Laura and Callum all about it. They laugh and encourage her to keep going.
At home, Kate urges her dad to take a walk. He says he’ll think about it. Later, he walks by Evelyn’s class, where she pulls him inside. He joins briefly but leaves, uncomfortable and unsure.
Kate gears up for Date #3, a baking competition. Her date tells her he’s a working dad whose ex has remarried. As they bake, they share stories about family and relationships. Kate talks about her parents. The two work well together and seem to enjoy the moment.
Meanwhile, Evelyn visits Mac again. She opens up about losing her husband and how she had to move forward. When Mac gets defensive, saying all he did was retire and break his hip, she calls him out playfully, telling him to get over himself. They laugh, and the ice breaks.
Back at the baking competition, Kate and her date deliberately ruin their dessert so they don’t win. He admits he’s serious about finding someone to marry again and asks Kate what she’s looking for. She admits she’s not sure anymore and wonders if she’s even ready for this.
Later, Kate stops by her dad’s house and finds he’s not there. Concerned, she and Laura start looking for him. Laura tells Kate she just wants her to find someone because she deserves love and happiness. They finally spot Mac in the Latin aerobics class, dancing and having a good time.
That night, Drew surprises Kate with a visit. When Kate says she’s quitting, Drew insists she hasn’t had her “moment” yet, the realization of why she joined in the first place. Drew says she’ll help her find it but she has to take a chance. Drew hands her flowers from her first date, who’s waiting at the café.