The manager of a small Budapest gift store "Mothers and Co", Alfred Kralik (James Stewart), constantly bickers with the saleswoman of the same store, pretty girl Clara Novak (Margaret Sullavan), with whom he can not find a common language. Both of them are young, single, and both are trying to find their happiness through matrimonial advertisements in the newspaper. Both he and she start a correspondence with an unknown partner. Each of them is fascinated and each hopes for a romantic meeting on Christmas Eve, which should decide their fate. When Alfred comes on an appointment, it turns out that the girl with whom he is in correspondence and with whom he is in love in absentia is none other than his obstinate employee, saleswoman Clara Novak. Overcoming hesitation, he decides to approach her, but the girl, seeing her colleague, condescendingly speaks to him, not realizing that he is the very addressee whom she idealizes in her dreams. Kralik is in good standing with the owner of the store (Frank Morgan), enjoys his location. However, as a result of a misunderstanding, he unexpectedly dismisses him, unfairly suspecting that Alfred is having a secret affair with his wife. Nevertheless, by the end of the film, all funny misunderstandings are resolved, and everything ends with a natural happy ending.