3 Magical Moments From Disney's The Ultimate Christmas Present Worth Remembering

Updated on Dec 23, 2019 at 8:55 PM

Some Christmas movies are so magical that they stick with you well beyond your childhood years, and the 2000 film The Ultimate Christmas Present is that for me. Starring then-12-year-olds Brenda Song and Hallee Hirsh, the Disney Channel original movie tells the story of two teenagers who steal a magical weather machine from a cabin in the woods and use it to make it snow in Los Angeles. As someone who grew up in California, the concept of snow alone was enough to get me hooked within the first 15 minutes. Of course, like all movies that involve magic, there's a catch.

It turns out the snow machine belongs to Santa Claus, who shows up to help the two BFFs once the device glitches and creates a blizzard big enough that it spreads all the way to San Francisco. I'm shivering just thinking about it! The bumbling elves and chocolate floods alone make this movie worth watching almost 20 years later. Read ahead to find out exactly what it is about this holiday classic that makes it stand the test of time.

Santa Claus — That's It — He's the Best Part

When Mrs. Claus discovers Santa's snow machine is missing, she sends two blundering elves named Crumpet and Sparky to track down its location. The elves eventually manage to find the girls, and from then on, they are determined to put Sam and Allie on the naughty list for tampering with the snow machine. Despite being upset about his missing snow machine, Santa Claus (John B. Lowe) quickly becomes the most likable character in the film. Jolly and understanding, he's everything you expect Santa to be, while also being unafraid to deliver some tough love when necessary.

Each Character Is Whackier Than the Last in the Best Way Imaginable

While Allie and Sam are doing their best to turn off the weather machine and make it through the blizzard — which has Allie's dad trapped at the airport — a local weatherman named Edwin Hadley sets out on his own journey to track down the source of the unexpected weather phenomenon. Edwin manages to break into Allie's house and get his hands on the weather machine, only to be cornered by Santa Claus, his elves, Allie, and Sam.

After announcing his plan to use the machine to become the best weatherman in history, Edwin makes his escape on a snowmobile until he crashes into a chocolate factory shortly after. This sends him hurtling into a vat of chocolate and gives the girls the chance to take back the snow machine and return it to Santa.

At It's Core, It's About Being Understanding and Forgiving of Others

Despite the fact that Allie and Sam stole the weather machine, Santa and the girls are able to work together to fix it and save Christmas. Santa understands that they aren't bad kids and they don't deserve to be on the naughty list. Even though the film isn't the most well-made Disney movie, at it's core, it's about being understanding and accepting of those around you.

Allie understands that her mom has to work long hours to provide for her and her brother; Sam understands that Allie misses her dad, who is always away on business trips; and Santa understands that the girls didn't mean any harm. If that's not the true Christmas spirit, I don't know what is.