Harriet is not feeling the Christmas spirit this year, in fact she is feeling the most unchristmassy she has ever felt. Her daughter being out of town isn't helping things, and her job is getting more and more chaotic the more she tries to do for the students she helps. It isn't until Harriet gets set on keeping a group of her students out of trouble, and ends up fixing up an old theatre and putting on a play that she starts to feel more Christmassy and learns the true meaning of community. This book is a good mix of White Christmas, and It's A Wonderful Life in my opinion. 
The love interest in this book was actually helpful and even though they do have a rough patch its one that can be fixed rather easily, and is one that didn't take away from the main part of the story. 

- Friends that become family
- Community building