This is a fun family movie about trouble at the north pole when the daughter of Santa Claus brings her unaware muggle boyfriend home to meet mom and dad. He is soon chilled out by Jack Frost who thinks he is next in line for both the daughter and for Santa. Well done with four leads - Jesse Hutch, Kristen Bell, Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter- Birney superb the rest of the cast merely adding to the family fun. A bit stitled in terms of the boyfriend's weird toy factory employer back in the real world but certainly works well.

Things go downhill when Holly and Connor travel to the north pole. Some of the casting and acting was better than my '2' rating, Uncle Mario in particular was a pleasant relief from what was otherwise a horrible production. My least favorite character was Jack, but it wasn't necessarily his acting. Rather, it was everything else about him ... casting, plot, writing, directing. (Why was he always in "their" home?) Casting for Santa (A.K.A. Nick) was particularly bad, as was Nick's fake beard. Santa and Mrs. Claus' acting was pathetic, although that is probably more the fault of the director rather than the actors. The only reason I wasted two hours watching the whole thing, was so that I could submit a review. I almost forgot to mention that both of the scenes at Connor's workplace were also pathetic.

A woman brings her boyfriend home for Christmas to meet her parents, Santa and Mrs. Claus. He must decide if he's willing to continue their relationship after learning that he'd be next in line for Santa's job. I am a sucker for Meredith Baxter. Having Michael Gross (Her Family Ties Co-Star) is just an added bonus. Now this film isn't the greatest however it is still sweet. It has a minor hidden message in this film about toys and how the electronic can co-exist. The film is well made and the North-pole scenes make this film fun Jesse Hutch (who is the man who would be Santa) shines in this and its almost a thankless role. He is very charismatic. The film in general is safe for the entire family. Now the 10 and under set will love this. Fans of "Family Ties" will also get a kick out of the reunion of Meredith Baxter and Michael Gross

Even comparing this to the admittedly low bar set by other Christmas movies, this is just awful. A weak plot, poor acting (with the exception of Meredith Baxter Birney), and terrible effects. For example, when they're sitting on the roof in the snow, the snow bounces- because it's obviously cotton batting. And the shooting star flying through the sky? I could throw a flashlight and make a more convincing magic star. My husband and I decided that Jesse Hutch looks like the love child of Seth McFarland and Christopher Knight. Laura Bell Bundy? I just kept waiting for her to yell "Boats! Boats! Boats!". I do have to say the Clauses did have a lovely ski lodge house.This was just painful. Though i should rate this a 1 or 2, I'm giving it a 3, because it's Christmas and I'm feeling generous.