Home for the Holidays

After their mother’s passing, three estranged siblings return to their Midwest hometown to settle their parent’s estate. As they sift through her belongings, they rediscover their childhood through her cherished Christmas cards, rekindling their bond and realizing that family, despite its complexities, is what truly matters.

About this Project

My parents have written a Christmas letter to friends and family every single year of my life. As an adult, the gift of being able to read my life through their eyes, in annual installments, has been one of the most special legacies they could have ever passed down—and it’s one that I’ve carried on, now that I have a family of my own. The idea behind this script is to bring the memories from these cards off the page and into a film through a story that deals with both the hard realities of growing up and into yourself, as well as celebrates what the holidays are really all about… family.

Project Timeline

This is a dream I intend to hold for a long time, as this story is still being written—but you can always check back here for updates.

A Mahan Family Christmas Card for You to Enjoy While You Wait

As I sifted through all of our Christmas cards, this one—this one from 2001 in particular—stood out. Not only was it the year we lost my Grandpa Mark, one of the most influential figures in my life, but it was also the year my dad chose to note my inclinations toward writing. For as long as I can remember, from the moment I learned how to type, I wanted to write. I have so many memories of sitting down at the family computer, pulling up a Word document, and diving into a storyline. My wish with this project is that one day, it becomes the best story I ever write—and the best holiday movie you ever enjoy.