In three separate stories the author focuses upon the lives of independent women who are searching for happiness in varied surroundings. They must juggle their personalities, their personal goals, and their romantic tendencies as they try to balance their unique existences with the needs and desires of the men in their lives. In an unrelated story, Santa Claus faces an uncertain future and a less than jolly Christmas this year. He tries to put up an optimistic front and hopes for better times ahead. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and all the tiny workers at the North Pole are hoping that this year is only a fluke. In the final selection, the author tells how the stories and characters in all of his books came to be, but he knows not the 'why' of the question.