And this is a Deck the Hallmark podcast synopsis!

"Catch Me If You Claus" originally aired November 23rd, 2023. And it went a little something like this...

The movie kicks off with a FANTASTIC intro package like an old spy movie! Cut to Avery Quinn practicing a news story that isn't actually for her. She's a wannabe reporter but is currently just a producer.

She's up for a reporter gig but doesn't get the job despite her mom being a famous reporter. She's given some advice - infrared mask to help her with her skin.

It's Christmas Eve and of course she's at work and good thing cuz the Christmas morning anchor has got laryngitis. So she goes for it and says she's willing to fill in and they give her a shot. 5am on Christmas morning.

She wakes up in the middle of the night, infrared mask on, by something in her living room. She goes to check it out and sees a guy dressed as Santa. She startles him and he nailed his head on the fireplace and knocks him out. She assumes it's a burglar she's heard about hitting peoples house dressed as Santa, but when he comes to, he claims to be the son of Santa.

He says this is the first time making the rounds and it's already been quite the night. He says the transfer of power hasn't happened in full force. She is NOT having it even after seeing him open the door of her neighbor to deliver a gift.

She tries to drag him to the police station but are stopped by an alarm security guy named Ricky. She drives around him anyhow much to his surprise.

The bad news is the real Santa Crook has struck across town and now the police are on high alert looking for Chris and Quinn.  She needs to get to a phone so they knock on the first door and it turns out it's a wrap party of a theater troop that does A Christmas Carol every year.

In order to use the phone, they make her audition to join the troop. She basically just yells at them but they love it. After seeing him interact with theater troop, she becomes convinced that he is indeed Santa. So now she is committed to finding the actual Santa crook.

The cops track em down, so they sneak out in full costume. They get a ride to the news station and are immediately kidnapped by some folks in a white van. Turns out it's the mayor’s baddies who are looking for a hard drive they think they stole. Chris and Quinn are like, “you got the wrong people” so the baddies are like, “we're gonna go to your house and find that harddrive.”

Seated back to back, Chris and Quinn hold hands and bond about living in the shadow of someone else’s dreams. Then they bring in the real Santa crooks and everyone is confused. Two sets of Santa crooks? WTF!

Quinn breaks them out of the ropes and they make a run for it - and snag the flash drive. To hide from the baddies, they hop into an unlocked truck and she just hops on him and starts making out with him hot and heavy. The baddie sees them and just assume they're wild and crazy kids and keeps on walking.

They end up back at her place (not like that) and are followed shortly Chris's dad - Santa. His dad is mad but gets over it pretty quick cuz he's Santa. The Mayor shows up, and just walks in, which you can't do.

Santa reads him the riot act and the cops show up. They hop in the sleigh, and they get her to the studio where she breaks the news AND CRUSHES IT!

Afterwards, she's greeted by Chris outside, they kiss some more, and hop in the sleigh to go somewhere warm.

And that my friends was “Catch Me If You Claus!”