Louie's dad gets fired so the entire family tries to think of ways to save money until he can get back on his feet. Meanwhile, summer vacation has started and Louie is looking forward to three months of swimming and freedom...until his Dad, starved for things to keep himself busy, decides that Louie is going to help him do every fix-it job around the house.

Louie Anderson tells the story of a typical Christmas season when growing up in Cedar Knolls, Wisconsin during his childhood. Young Louie and his family go through the usual routine every family goes through during the season--with some hilarious results! Everything from buying a Christmas tree for the steep (at that time) price of $35, to putting up Christmas decorations for a lonely neighbor (who turns out to be Jewish), to actually opening presents on Christmas Day.

Dad loves his car like it's another member of the family, so when it stops running, Dad feels as though a family member is very, very sick.

Little Louie's never met a job he didn't like, but he does (eventually) get his household tasks done. Yet, he may have taken on a task that's more than he can handle when he tries to help down-and-out friend of the family get back on his feet. It's a single act of kindness - but it's doubled his chores!