Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Festive family comedy teaches the true meaning of Christmas.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
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Where to Watch
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The 12 Days of Christmas Eve
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS EVE, selfish businessman Brian Conway (Kelsey Grammer) gets into a car accident on Christmas Eve and is given an ultimatum by Santa (Mitch Poulos) to change his ways in order to get another chance at life. He is given 12 opportunities to repair his relationships and show he understands the true meaning of Christmas. But is he too set in his ways to know how?
Is It Any Good?
There's no doubting Grammer makes for a good Scrooge-like figure in this mash up of A Christmas Carol and Groundhog Day. He dials his characteristic grumpy exacerbation up to 10 in The 12 Days of Christmas Eve, acting alongside his real-life daughter Spencer Grammer as his long-suffering on-screen daughter Michelle, while Uschi Umschied is adorable as his spritely, wise-beyond-her-years granddaughter Harkin. The plot is fairly formulaic, but all the warm Christmas messages are there -- as is Santa himself -- alongside some fun meta touches and a couple of decent one-liners. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but Christmas movies rarely do and they don't really need to either. If it's fun and feel-good you're looking for, this should tick the box with the requisite amount of festive warmth and sparkle.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the meaning of Christmas in The 12 Days of Christmas Eve. What did the film suggest is important at Christmas? If you celebrate Christmas, what does the holiday season mean to you? If you don't, what does this time of year mean to you?
The main character develops compassion for others and gratitude for what he has in life -- character strengths that his daughter and granddaughter also show. Why are these important? Can you think of times you've shown these attributes in your own life?
Main character Brian dies in a number of ways (before being given another chance). Did you find any of these "deaths" upsetting or did the comedic tone make them less impactful?
Kelsey Grammer acts alongside his real-life daughter Spencer in the movie. Does knowing that add anything to your experience of the film, given that it centers family so strongly?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 26, 2022
- Cast : Kelsey Grammer , Spencer Grammer , Uschi Umschied , Mitch Poulos
- Director : Dustin Rikert
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studios : Lifetime Television , Johnson Production Group
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Holidays
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Gratitude
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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