Trading Christmas

Trading Christmas is a 2011 Christmas film directed by Michael Scott and starring Faith Ford, Tom Cavanagh, Gil Bellows, Gabrielle Miller, Emma Lahana, and Andrew Francis. The film is based on the novel of the same name by author Debbie Macomber, who also serves as a producer. The film premiered on the Hallmark Channel on November 26, 2011. Plot Three years after her husband died Emily Spengler, a 2nd grade teacher in the small Washington town of South Woodbourne, is preparing for the arrival of her daughter, Heather, who is a Boston College student. When Emily finds out that Heather wishes to do other things for Christmas, she calls her friend Faith Kerrigan, for advice. Faith is a divorced event planner based in San Francisco. Meanwhile in Boston Charles Johnson, an English professor and writer, is working on the finishing draft for his latest novel. Struggling to finish his book after missing several deadlines, his brother Ray, the owner of a software security company, suggests he go someplace to concentrate on his writing. Meanwhile in Washington, Emily decides to surprise her daughter in Boston. Unfortunately, she is unaware that her daughter has already made plans to go with her boyfriend Jason, to Phoenix, Arizona, and stay at his grandparents' home.