Stitch searches for an experiment pod that got wrapped into a present during Christmastime, causing everyone else to mistakenly think he's being greedy.
On the morning of Christmas Eve, Lilo and Stitch sneak around the house trying to find their Christmas presents early. Nani says that she hid them extra good this year, but Lilo climbs into the attic and finds them on the first try. Stitch wants to open the presents right away, but Lilo stops him, explaining that the point is to give gifts rather than just receive them. After they hear horrible Christmas caroling from Jumba and Pleakley downstairs, they show Stitch some end-year holiday traditions such as eggnog and tree decorating (completely misunderstanding both as usual). Pleakley tries to use a bowling ball as a tree topper, destroying the tree completely. Nani has to work all day, but promises to be home in time for Christmas Eve celebrations.
On Gantu's ship, Reuben has set up a Christmas party, but Gantu is uninterested in participating as he has just found an experiment pod marked 025. Reuben suggests wrapping it up as a present for Hämsterviel, and Gantu agrees, figuring it might get the rodent off his tail for once.
Lilo takes Stitch to the mall to show him the "true spirit of Christmas", which is, of course, rampant consumerism. He sits on a mall Santa's lap, who deems him naughty, causing Stitch to rip off his fake beard. Lilo says that Stitch is suffering from the "Christmas Crazies" and that he better be good or Santa won't bring him any presents. However, just as she is saying this, Stitch spots 025's experiment pod being wrapped at a nearby kiosk and rushes to grab it. He rips open an entire pile of presents but none of them have the experiment pod inside. Lilo scolds Stitch because she thinks he is just after presents. Stitch dashes after a nearby delivery truck as Lilo follows. Gantu comes to pick up his present but the clerk explains that a strange blue puppy destroyed everything.
Gantu goes on the hunt for Stitch as Stitch starts exploring the entire island, stealing hundreds of everyone's presents in order to find the experiment pod.note Lilo gives chase but is unable to keep up with him, eventually heading home to find out Stitch has barricaded himself in the attic and is opening each present one by one. Lilo tells Jumba there is a secret way into the attic, and Jumba sneaks up and nabs Stitch. The containment pod Stitch is in is completely soundproof, bulletproof, and "626-proof", so he is unable to explain himself to anyone.
Jumba attaches a brain analyzer on the containment pod to determine what is going through Stitch's mind, only to find the 025 experiment pod being wrapped in a present. He determines that there was logical reasoning behind 626's actions and releases Stitch from the pod. Lilo plans to find the present with the experiment pod in it and return all the others, but just then, Gantu destroys half the house and steals all of the Christmas presents, flying off in his ship. Lilo and Stitch storm Gantu's ship after finding out that it's only Reuben guarding it (taking a Christmas nap). Meanwhile, Jumba spots Gantu at the mall disguised as Santa and calls Lilo and Stitch.
Just as Gantu finally receives the wrapped present containing the 025 experiment pod, Lilo confronts Gantu about stealing the presents, only to realize that Gantu was just trying to give Hämsterviel a present all along. A small child approaches Gantu (still dressed as Santa) and asks for a present. His heart softened, and he decides to activate 025, a star-shaped experiment that can make colorful lights, as a present to everyone. 025 (now named Topper) climbs up to the top of the mall's Christmas tree, its one true place. Gantu begins handing out presents to all the children as Lilo remarks on how ʻohana is the best gift of all.
Experiments who appeared or were mentioned in this episode:
- Topper (X-025): This episode's Monster of the Week; a yellow star-shaped experiment who is designed to emit a bright light, serving as a beacon for the Galactic Armada. He only appears at the end of the episode.
- Reuben (X-625): Tries to take a Christmas nap.
Tropes featured in this episode:
- Advertised Extra: Topper only physically appears at the end of the episode.
- An Aesop: Christmas is about giving to your loved ones, not getting presents.
- Big "YES!": Although we don't hear him when he does this thanks to the soundproofing of the container he's in, Stitch angrily shouts this in response to Lilo's question after she and Jumba finally learn why he was hoarding Christmas presents.Lilo: You were after an experiment pod the whole time?
(Stitch visibly screams, "Yes!" from inside the soundproofed container.) - Christmas Episode
- Even Evil Has Standards: Gantu may want to hunt experiments at virtually any cost, but when a little girl (mistaking him for Santa) sadly asks for a present, he feels guilty about denying her the present box that contains 025.
- Poor Communication Kills: This episode really stretches the show's tendency to have Stitch speak as little (and broken) English as possible, as much of this episode's plot would not have happened if Stitch told Lilo exactly what he saw first before trying to take every single present in Kokaua Town. The fact that this episode even has a scene where Stitch is put inside a soundproof capsule—which no other episode doesnote —just to have his memories scanned only reinforces this.
- Puppy-Dog Eyes: A little girl does this to Gantu dressed as Santa Claus to get him to give her a present. Despite Gantu's Lampshade Hanging to get her to stop, it works, and he gives her the experiment pod meant for Hämsterviel.
- Running Gag: Stitch mispronouncing "Mele Kalikimaka", the Hawaiʻian way to say "Merry Christmas".
- Toilet-Drinking Dog Gag: Stitch's scanned memories from Jumba's brain analyzer reveal that he once drank water out of the ʻohana's toilet bowl like an actual dog would, even though there's no need for him to do that at all.
- Villains Out Shopping: Gantu wasn't trying to claim 025 because it was his usual experiment-hunting job; he was genuinely trying to get a present for his boss.
