What Is Christmas As Usual About?
The premise of Christmas As Usual in 298 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the crisp, snow‑capped landscape of Telemark, Norway, a young couple faces the most delightful of dilemmas: celebrating an engagement during the most beloved holiday of the year. Thea, a lively Norwegian with a close‑knit family, has just said “yes” to a bold proposal from her boyfriend, Jashan, a warm‑hearted Hindu Indian who has never experienced a traditional Norwegian Christmas. The pair’s plan to spend the festive season together promises a blend of cultural flavors, but also the inevitable clash of customs, expectations, and culinary traditions that can turn a cozy gathering into a comedy of errors.
The family home is a picture of holiday perfection—twinkling lights, meticulously planned meals, and generations of rituals that have long defined the season. Yet when Jashan steps across the threshold, his unfamiliarity with the customs and his own vibrant Indian heritage create a lively tension that ripples through every interaction. Anne‑Lise, Thea’s mother, grapples with the surprise of an outsider joining their intimate celebration, while Simen, the protective older brother, watches the new romance with a mix of curiosity and caution. The dynamic is further enriched by Hildegunn, pregnant and seasoned by her own time abroad, and her bright‑eyed daughter Ronja, whose innocence adds a fresh perspective to the cultural exchange.
Against a backdrop of frosted windows, crackling fireplaces, and the scent of both pine and exotic spices, the film dances between heart‑warming nostalgia and sharp, witty humor. It captures the fragile beauty of trying to honor deeply rooted traditions while welcoming new ones, all under the watchful eyes of a family eager to protect its holiday harmony. As the couple navigates the delicate balance between belonging and individuality, the audience is invited to wonder how love, laughter, and a dash of spice can rewrite the script of a timeless celebration.
What Happens in Christmas As Usual?
The complete story of Christmas As Usual, from the first scene to the last, in 735 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 7 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
On December 1 in Los Angeles, Jashan Joshi proposes to Thea Evjen. She accepts and invites him to spend Christmas Eve with her family in Telemark. Unsure how they will react, as Jashan is a Hindu and Indian, Thea decides to share the news in Norway.
Upon their arrival, Anne-Lise Evjen is taken aback, not expecting to meet an Indian. Jashan Joshi tries to compliment the house and decorations, which he also manages to foul up slightly. Saying goodnight, he calls Anne-Lise Evjen mamma, which she dislikes; after she rejects the Indian term auntie, he settles on mamma.
Thea Evjen is up early, so her mother tells her that Jørgen Bruun misses her. Anne-Lise points out that Jashan’s culture is very different from theirs, having done some online research. Uncomfortable with her mother’s response so far, as there is a culture clash, Thea convinces Jashan to put off announcing the engagement until she finds the right moment.
On the morning of Tiny Christmas (December 22), Thea’s brother Simen Evjen arrives with his pregnant wife Hildegunn Evjen and daughter Ronja Evjen. Also surprised, he questions the relationship, even more so once she excitedly shows them the ring. Jashan manages to choke down the unfamiliar food, makes an Indian snowman and goes with them to Thea’s father’s grave.
Thea suggests to Jashan they make dinner special, referring to announcing their engagement. He, on the other hand, believes the food, so prepares a huge curry dinner. The Norwegians are appalled, as each day up to Christmas is meticulously planned already. However, they sit down to try and eat it.
Just as Thea begins to share about the engagement, Simen, Ronja and Anne-Lise start to have a strong reaction to the spices, as they are unused to truly hot ones. Hildegunn is fine, having spent some months in India in her youth. She shows Thea and Jashan the tattoo she got then, which she believes says inner peace. He reveals that it really says white girl, leaving her without words.
On the 23rd, Tiny Christmas, they all head out on cross-country skis. Jashan is disappointed that their lunch spot is just a place to cook meat on a stick and NOT a restaurant. He and Thea hold back to spend time alone. As dusk approaches, Jørgen Bruun nears them with a snowmobile, upon Anne-Lise’s request. Jashan happily accepts, unaware he is her ex of five years and former neighbor.
The next day, now aware of Jørgen’s past connection with Thea, Jashan jumps into the ice bath to save face. However, he catches cold, inadvertently interrupting Ronja Evjen’s solo at church. Dinner’s main course is crispy pig fat, which both Jashan and Ronja have difficulty choking down. He tries to mask the flavor with bottles from the kitchen of dried garlic and Indian chili which have labels, “Hindu” and “Black Boy.” Jashan feels insulted by Norway as a whole due to the spice labels.
Jørgen Bruun shows up, dressed as Father Christmas, to deliver people’s presents. As Ronja is sitting on one knee, he convinces Thea to sit on the other. Jashan protests, so Jørgen goes to leave, whispering something in his ear on his way. Jashan, drunk from potato liquor, gets into a fight with him and they knock over the Christmas tree.
After Jørgen leaves, Jashan also chooses to go, as he has gone through a roller coaster of emotions because Thea did not help him. He heads to the airport by taxi. Ronja asks for him, calling him “cool.” She goes on to say she knew it was Jørgen in the red suit, that he obviously is still in love with her and Jashan had not ruined the Christmas carol solo as she felt obligated.
Thea realizes she made a terrible mistake, so hurries off to the airport with her mother driving and everyone else in the back. She bypasses security to declare her love to Jashan and propose. However, security catches up with them and escorts them out of the terminal.
One year later, Thea and Jashan return to Norway for Christmas. This time they have mixed the two cultures together, in customs, food and dress. At midnight, they go outside, count down to midnight and shout Happy Christmas as Jashan’s family does in India. The happy couple lets it slip that their upcoming marriage is going to be held in India, to the Norwegians’ surprise.
Christmas As Usual Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Jashan proposes to Thea in Los Angeles” to “A year later: Norway Christmas with blended cultures”. 12 events name a place, across 5 locations.
- 1
Jashan proposes to Thea in Los Angeles
On December 1 in Los Angeles, Jashan proposes to Thea and she accepts. She invites him to spend Christmas Eve with her family in Telemark, and she plans to share the engagement news in Norway. The moment sets the stage for a cross-cultural union filled with anticipation and nerves.
When:December 1 Where:Los Angeles
- 2
Thea contemplates when to share the engagement in Norway
Thea decides to share the engagement news when she finds the right moment in Norway, signaling an intention to navigate cultural differences carefully. The idea introduces a subtle tension about how her family will receive an Indian partner.
When:early December Where:Telemark, Norway
- 3
Arrival in Telemark and cultural surprise
Thea and Jashan arrive in Telemark to meet Thea's family. Anne-Lise is taken aback by meeting an Indian fiancé and reacts with guarded curiosity. Jashan tries to compliment the house and decorations, but his unfamiliar remarks slightly misfire, creating early cultural friction.
When:upon arrival Where:Telemark, Norway
- 4
Delay of engagement announcement due to culture clash
Thea explains to Jashan that they should postpone announcing the engagement until she finds the right moment. They navigate how to present their relationship in a way that respects both Norwegian and Indian traditions. The tension highlights the cultural gap they will bridge.
When:after arrival Where:Telemark, Norway
- 5
Morning of Teeny Tiny Christmas introduces the family
On the morning of December 22 (Teeny Tiny Christmas), Thea's brother Simen arrives with his pregnant wife Hildegunn and daughter Ronja. Simen questions the engagement and is surprised by Thea's ring. Jashan endures unfamiliar Norwegian customs and even accompanies them to Thea's father's grave.
When:morning of December 22 Where:Telemark, Norway
- 6
Curry dinner clashes with the meticulously planned Norwegian Christmas
Thea suggests a special dinner to announce the engagement, but Jashan has prepared a huge curry feast. The Norwegians are appalled by the spice levels and the disruption of their meticulously planned Christmas schedule. The moment underscores the cultural clash and the difficulty of marrying two very different traditions.
When:December 22 Where:Telemark, Norway
- 7
Spice tension and a tattoo revelation
As the spicy dishes are tasted, reactions become strained. Hildegunn reveals a tattoo she got in India, which she believes says 'inner peace' but Jashan reveals that it actually says 'white girl', leaving her speechless. The exchange exposes deep-seated misunderstandings about identity and respect.
When:December 22 Where:Telemark, Norway
- 8
Tiny Christmas ski excursion and hidden ex-neighbor
On December 23 they go cross-country skiing for Tiny Christmas. Jashan is disappointed that their 'lunch spot' is merely a place to cook meat on a stick rather than a proper restaurant. They seek a private moment, but Jørgen arrives on a snowmobile at dusk, revealing his continued connection to Thea.
When:December 23 Where:Telemark, Norway
- 9
Ice bath and church interruption heighten tensions
The next day, now aware of Jørgen's past with Thea, Jashan plunges into an ice bath to save face. He catches a cold and later inadvertently interrupts Ronja’s solo at church. The heightened emotions push the couple toward a breaking point.
When:December 24 Where:Telemark, Norway
- 10
Father Christmas confrontation ends with a toppled tree
Jørgen arrives dressed as Father Christmas to deliver presents and awkwardly invites Thea to sit with Ronja on his knee. Jashan protests, and Jørgen whispers something in his ear as he leaves. Drunk from potato liquor, Jashan lashes out in a fight, sending the Christmas tree toppling.
When:December 24 Where:Thea's family home, Telemark, Norway
- 11
Airport pursuit and a failed proposal
After the chaos, Jashan hails a taxi to the airport, trying to escape the emotional roller coaster. Ronja hints that she sensed the truth about Jørgen, calling Jashan 'cool' in the moment. Thea, realizing her mistake, rushes after him with her mother driving, and they attempt to declare their love and engagement at the airport, only to be stopped by security and escorted out of the terminal.
When:December 24 (evening) Where:Airport, Telemark, Norway
- 12
A year later: Norway Christmas with blended cultures
One year later, Thea and Jashan return to Norway for Christmas. They blend their two cultures in customs, food and dress, culminating in a midnight countdown where they shout 'Happy Christmas' as Jashan's family does in India. The couple reveals that their upcoming marriage will take place in India, surprising the Norwegians.
When:Midnight, Christmas Eve (one year later) Where:Norway
Who Are the Main Characters in Christmas As Usual?
7 characters, among them Jashan Joshi (Kanan Gill), Thea Evjen (Ida Ursin-Holm) and Anne-Lise Evjen (Marit Andreassen): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- JJ
Jashan Joshi (Kanan Gill)
Played by Kanan Gill
A warm, confident fiancé bridging two worlds. He eagerly embraces his partner’s family while also feeling the weight of cultural misunderstandings. His attempts to fit in reveal both resilience and vulnerability as he navigates unfamiliar traditions and spicy foods.
- 💬 Language and culture
- ❤️ Cross-cultural romance
- 🎭 Family integration
- TE
Thea Evjen (Ida Ursin-Holm)
Played by Ida Ursin-Holm
Thea acts as the conduit between love and family, trying to balance her fiancé’s culture with Norwegian expectations. She negotiates timing and diplomacy, seeking a moment to share the engagement on her terms. Her choices reflect a desire to honor both sides of her identity.
- 💞 Romance
- 🧭 Cultural negotiation
- 🕊️ Family ties
- AE
Anne-Lise Evjen (Marit Andreassen)
Played by Marit Andreassen
Thea’s mother, initially wary of an Indian fiancé and quick to judge cultural differences. She embodies traditional Norwegian hospitality while maintaining strong opinions about what feels proper for Christmas. Her perspective evolves as she confronts her own assumptions.
- 👩👧👦 Protective matriarch
- 🧭 Tradition
- 🗣️ Generational gap
- JB
Jørgen Bruun (Mads Sjøgård Pettersen)
Played by Mads Sjøgård Pettersen
Thea’s neighbor and ex, whose reappearance complicates the engagement. He provokes tension with past connections and a Santa-like reveal, challenging the couple’s resolve. His presence tests loyalties and the ability to move forward.
- 🎅 Past love
- 🥷 Surprise appearance
- 🧩 Complication
- HE
Hildegunn Evjen (Veslemøy Mørkrid)
Played by Veslemøy Mørkrid
Simen’s wife, who is open-minded about different cultures and has lived in India. She adds warmth and experience to the family dynamic and shares a tattoo story that underscores cultural exchange. Her reaction helps reveal character growth within the family.
- 💃 Open-minded
- 🗺️ India past
- 🧬 Family
- RE
Ronja Evjen (Matilde Hovdegard)
Played by Matilde Hovdegard
The young niece who embodies curiosity and warmth. She navigates the adults’ tensions with a child’s perspective and ultimately supports-building connections between diverse traditions. Her presence helps humanize the cultural clash for the family.
- 👧 Curiosity
- 🕯️ Adventurous
- 🗣️ Insightful
- SE
Simen Evjen (Erik Follestad)
Played by Erik Follestad
Thea’s brother, protective of his sister and skeptical of the union. He represents the pragmatic Norwegian viewpoint and pressures the couple to prove the seriousness of their relationship. He experiences personal growth alongside the family’s evolving stance.
- 🧍 Skepticism
- 🧭 Family duty
- 🧩 Tradition
Where and When Is Christmas As Usual Set?
Christmas As Usual is set in Los Angeles, Telemark and Norway (Present day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present day
The story unfolds in December in a contemporary setting, with events spanning from the first of December in Los Angeles to a late-December Christmas period in Norway. It includes a later sequence a year later, when the couple returns to Norway to blend the cultures. The timeline emphasizes real-time family visits, holiday meals, and the evolving engagement.
Where
Los Angeles, Telemark, Norway
The film begins in Los Angeles during a holiday proposal, then moves to Telemark, Norway for a Christmas gathering. Telemark serves as a snowy, rural backdrop where family traditions and modern life collide. The contrast between the laid-back LA scene and the Norse winter celebrations highlights the cultural divide the couple must navigate.
- 🎄 Festive
- 🌍 Culture clash
- 🗺️ Travel between LA and Norway
- 🏔️ Norwegian countryside
What Are the Themes of Christmas As Usual?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Culture clash, Intercultural love and Family and tradition.
-
01
Culture clash
The narrative centers on the friction between Indian and Norwegian customs: food, language, and holiday traditions collide in a single family gathering. Misunderstandings and stereotypes surface as the couple tries to announce their engagement. The film uses humor and discomfort to explore how cultural differences can be both a barrier and a bridge.
-
02
Intercultural love
Jashan and Thea navigate how to merge two distinct cultural identities within a single relationship. Their engagement becomes a test of mutual respect, adaptability, and shared values. The story tracks how love can challenge expectations from both families and communities.
-
03
Family and tradition
The Norwegian family’s Christmas rituals collide with Indian customs, revealing generational expectations and pressure to conform. Food, decorations, and even a tattoo incident become focal points for acceptance or rejection. The film uses these contrasts to examine what family means across cultures.
-
04
Identity and stereotypes
The movie exposes how labels and perceptions slip into everyday life, from spice labels to tattoos misread as a cultural insult. Jashan’s sense of belonging is tested as he faces microaggressions and the wordless judgments of relatives. These moments drive the characters toward greater empathy or alienation.
What Kind of Film Is Christmas As Usual?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A charming and sometimes awkward romantic comedy that follows a couple navigating cultural clashes and family expectations during a chaotic Norwegian Christmas celebration.
- romantic
- comedic
- clumsy
- awkward
- heartwarming
- chaotic
- cross-cultural relationship
- family traditions
- holiday romance
- engagement
Quiz
How well do you remember Christmas As Usual? Test yourself on the story.
