Help for the Holidays

because elves, after all, deserve happiness, too

2012 • 84 min • Family · Fantasy · TV Movie

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Synopsis

Although she loves Christmas, Santa’s elf Christine (Summer Glau) wonders if there could be more to life than making toys in the North Pole. When Santa receives an emergency wish from a little boy in Los Angeles, he puts Christine on a special assignment, sending her to L.A. to give the VanCamp family—mom Sara (Eva La Rue), dad Scott (Dan Gauthier), and their two kids Ally (Izabela Vidovic) and Will (Mason Cook)—a holiday wake-up call. Will Christine fail her assignment and be sent back to the North Pole for good, or will the VanCamps come to their senses about the meaning of Christmas?

Our family guide

Best from age 5

Movie Knight Score

67 reviews

61 Audience · 67 · 100%

An elf from the North Pole is sent to Los Angeles to help a family rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. She teaches them about holiday spirit and the joy of giving, while also exploring her own wishes for life beyond toy-making.

Violence & peril: 1/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 0/10
Romance & sensuality: 1/10
Scary moments: 1/10

Heads up

Some brief moments of sadness as the family struggles with their holiday spirit.
Characters briefly express doubts about the existence of Santa.

What it models well

The spirit of giving
Family togetherness
Believing in magic
Helping others

Talk about it after

What does the "spirit of Christmas" mean to you?
How can we help others during the holidays?
What are some ways to show appreciation for your family?

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Help for the Holidays. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.