Jessica, the daughter of an impoverished apple farmer, still believes in Santa Claus. So when she comes across a reindeer with an injured leg, it makes perfect sense to her to assume that it is Prancer, who had fallen from a Christmas display in town. She hides the reindeer in her barn and feeds it cookies, until she can return it to Santa. Her father finds the reindeer and decides to sell it to the butcher, not for venison chops, but as an advertising display.

Rebecca Harrell Tickell
as Jessica Riggs

Sam Elliott
as John Riggs

John Duda
as Steve Riggs

Rutanya Alda
as Aunt Sarah

Cloris Leachman
as Mrs. McFarland

Ariana Richards
as Carol Wetherby

Abe Vigoda
as Orel Benton

Michael Constantine
as Mr. Stewart / Santa

Mark Rolston
as Herb Drier

Johnny Galecki
as Billy Quinn