It's Christmas and the Meldrews are experiencing the usual run-of-the-mill events: Victor is asked to play an important part in a stage show which turns out to be the back end of a cow; then gets into a debate with a vicar about Jehovah's Witnesses. On top of this he has to contend with a house stuffed full of giant garden gnomes, whilst using an expensive vintage bottle of wine (intended for his next door neighbours) as a cooking ingredient.