Almost Christmas follows a series of predictable twists, that doesn't negate its charm.

You can't fault the film for its efficiency. Each of these idylls is threatened by a problem that will be solved within a reasonably tidy running time.

Aside from the traditional spaghetti set-up of conflicts that will unfurl and be resolved with good cheer around the turkey, David E Talbert's film has a rather moving backstory about the death of the family matriarch the previous year.

Almost Christmas isn't a brilliant film, though it's an entertaining and satisfying one.