In this Christmas comedy, Academy Award-winning actor Christoph Waltz plays a pet shop owner who generally prefers animals to people. Recently divorced, he is still very attached to his ex-wife – who lives right across the hall from him.

Konstantin, the new temp worker at the pet store, wonders why he's even needed considering how little money the store is making. Meanwhile, owner Johannes uses the store's problems to try to bring his ex-wife Marion – who also happens to be his neighbor – back into his life.

Johannes asks his new employee, a psychology student, about love and relationships – but doesn't particularly like the answer he gets in return.

When Marion comes by to help Johannes with his taxes, he finds out she's met someone else – news he doesn't deal with particularly well.

To earn some money and help out his injured employee, Johannes visits several families pretending to be Saint Nicholas – and ends up making quite an impression.

Sascha reveals to Johannes, who is dressed as Saint Nicholas, that his parents are on the verge of separation. Later, Johannes spies on Marion and her new boyfriend at the Christmas market.

While Johannes spies on his ex-wife and her new boyfriend at the Christmas market, Sascha confronts him about the promises he made.

While Sascha's parents continue fighting, he lays out his Christmas list. At the shop, Johannes plots to get Marion back – but it seems as though she's happily moved on.

Johannes devises a plan to get Marion back – but when things goes awry, it turns out she's actually just as moved by his openness towards Sascha.

Marion spends a nice day at the sea with Johannes and Sascha, and is impressed at how well Johannes gets along with the boy. Then Sascha asks if they can bake cookies together.

Johannes, Sascha, and Marion are having a great time together at her apartment until her new boyfriend shows up unexpectedly – with plans to propose to her.

While Johannes tries to win Marion back, Sascha's parents continue fighting. He overhears his mother accusing his father of cheating – and his father denying it.

Marion and Johannes share a bottle of wine together, and Marion admits that she has feelings for him and sometimes wishes they had never split up. But their moment is interrupted when Sascha appears and has a terrible accident.

All is lost for Johannes: He's unable to convince Marion that he didn't walk out on her, and even Sascha won't speak to him anymore. Johannes takes it upon himself to find the boy's father.

Johannes and Konstantin try to find Sascha's father. Then Sascha's mother comes to visit Johannes to compare notes – and accidentally rings Marion's bell.