Retired detective Jim Nash gets caught up in the Christmas spirit when Allie Sands, his partner, talks him into doing a stint as a mall Santa on the day before Christmas. All goes well, even without eggnog, until Santa's old instincts kick in during a bank robbery. Jim and his faithful companion Zelda follow the robbers to the mall's roof, where he learns the story of why the trio of thieves picked this particular bank. Christmas spirit is eventually restored and Jim, Santa, and Allie, followed by Zelda, return home to a crackling fire and news that will forever change every Christmas in their future.