The Christmas That Almost Wasn't takes place on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, in December of 1941, as Izzie Publicover, her brother and their friends prepare for a very special Christmas. Despite wartime rationing and the infrequency of winter visits, the Publicover children's grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins are coming for Christmas. But plans go awry two days before Christmas, when a huge storm hits the village. Can Izzie figure out a way to save Christmas for everyone?