December 24, 1983, 10:50 p.m.; Julie's whole family is gathered once again this year for Christmas Eve. All except Denis, her father, newly excluded by his divorce. Julie, 8 years old, waits for Santa Claus to arrive to unwrap her presents, while Denis, parked in front of the house, waits until the agreed time to come and pick up his children. He's ready to do anything to get his half of Christmas, but he still doesn't know the emotional trenches that a return to his ex-in-law's family will entail. Constrained by her parents' clumsy planning, Julie must choose between the painful reality of her father's life and the magic of the holiday.