Alone Among the Couples: With Patrick and David and Ted and Alexis firmly paired off in this episode, Stevie is the only singleton.
Big Fancy House: This is the second, and last, time we ever see the Rose Mansion.
Big "WHAT?!": Alexis reacts this way when Ted tells her his vet school friends took convincing to give her a chance after the broken engagements.
Blatant Lies: Stevie first tries to deny that she's crying during the Jazzagals performance, then switches to pretending it was because they were out of red wine.
In flashback, we see David and Moira performing The Number at one of the family's lavish Christmas Parties.
Even at Christmas, Johnny is terrible at giving gifts. He put in the effort, but the gifts he managed to find at the church rummage sale were underwhelming.
Christmas Episode: This is the only episode that doesn't take place in the Spring or Summer, and Johnny decides they should celebrate Christmas.
Dreaming of a White Christmas: It snows on Christmas Eve, just as the Rose family and the town comes together to throw Johnny's party.
Easily Forgiven: Averted. Ted's friends remember that Alexis broke his heart. Twice.
Everyone Is Christian at Christmas: Jewish Johnny clearly relishes the secular side of Christmas, but he also looks for the family menorah.
Easter Egg: In the flashback, we catch a glimpse of Alexis's sketchy former boyfriend Stavros as well as the snooty couple that Johnny tells off at the end of Season 2.
False Friend: Johnny dreams of a past Christmas party with all their old friends and Paul Shaffer. Recall, though, those friends dropped the Roses as soon as they lost their money.
Family of Choice: The True Meaning of Christmas is that the Rose family Christmas party was full of jerks who didn't care about them, but now they have true friends who love them.
Finagle's Law: Everything that can go wrong with the possibility of a Rose family Christmas party does go wrong. Alexis misunderstands Johnny's request to handle the guest list and decides to spend the evening with Ted's friends instead, David opts for Stevie's grandmother's crappy decorations instead of the fancy items from his store, and the tree he bought falls to pieces and is burned on one side. Johnny experiences an epic meltdown over the failure of his hopes for recreating a fond (false) memory and the family are shocked at how hurt he is.
Flashback: The cold open shows Johnny's flashback dream to one of the Roses's elaborate Christmas Parties.
Funny Background Event: Stevie walks in during the argument about the repeated ball-dropping on the Christmas Party saying "I opened a bottle of red, hope that's all right.". As the camera moves to focus on the on-going argument, Moira silently says "Yes, thank you" and grabs a glass.
Happy Holidays Dress: Moira's slinky, sparkling black & white number is topped with a gigantic and festive bow.
Lady Drunk: Moira is grateful that Stevie opened a bottle of wine, accepting a tumbler with a quiet thank you, then expresses shock that Johnny's eggnog at the cafe doesn't have any booze in it.
Let's Duet: We see David and Moira, resplendent in their holiday finery, performing The Number with Paul Shaffer on piano.
Manly Tears: Johnny struggles to hold back tears when he sees the lengths everyone has gone to to give him the Christmas party of his dreams.
Nostalgia Filter: Johnny pines after the Rose Christmases of years past for much of the episode, but when he's eating meatloaf alone in the diner he finally remembers that they always ended with him staring at the Christmas tree feeling alone and empty.
Pretty in Mink: Moira wears a fabulous fur outfit, and Johnny mentions the time she wore a mink coat to a Christmas PETA benefit.
Real Men Cook: Alexis walks in on Ted decorating ginger bread men.
Snow Means Love: Johnny and Moira have a romantic walk in the snow.
Special Guest: Paul Shaffer appears as himself as the special guest at the Roses' Christmas Party.
Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: Of course you're going to get to pick through crappy trees if you try to buy a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve.
Tears of Joy: Normally The Cynic, Stevie tears up during the Jazzagal's performance.
True Meaning of Christmas: The modest party at the motel is far more meaningful that the family's lavish ones, because they are together and surrounded by real friends.
