Jo's Xmas plans to visit her mother fall through, so she stays behind to help Mrs. Garrett sell off the large supply of fruitcakes.
THE FACTS OF LIFE produced four Xmas episodes over its' 9-season run that range from mediocre to abysmal.. This is the first and the best - though it's not up to the series' standard.
There is a running joke about the Merchants' Association mixing up Edna's Edibles ad with one from a pet shop, but it's not funny at all. In fact, the whole episode doesn't really land on either a comedic or sentimental level.
Natalie has all the funny stuff here, from being left out of Tootie and Blair's fake raffle scheme to her disappointment when she discovers her parents gifted her with a new coat instead of a stereo.
JoAnn Willette appears briefly as a friend of Blair's. She is unrecognizable and looks a lot older than when she would play Connie Lubbock on JUST THE TEN OF US from 1988-90.
The best of slim pickings for FACTS fans looking for holiday viewing. 6/10.