America is in the midst of the Great Depression, and the Kamp family is struggling to get by, especially since Mrs. Kampās untimely death nearly a year ago. The older children do their best to take care of the family, but itās the younger childrenāHopalong Cassidy fan Norman and straight-talking little Ruthieāwho struggle most. Now, with their mother gone and their father overwhelmed by doctor bills from young Normanās battle with polio, the Kamp siblings fully expect a Christmas without presents. But when William scrapes together a dollar in coins to use for Christmas gifts, everything begins to change.