On a cold winter night many animals gather to party in the cave of a sleeping bear, who then awakes and protests that he has missed the food and the fun.

Bear's friends awaken him the day before Christmas and help him to stay awake as they bake fruitcakes, fill stockings, and sing carols; then, while they sleep, he prepares his own surprise.

When Bear is too sick to play, his animal friends go to his cave to make him soup and tea and keep him company.

When Bear discovers he has a loose tooth, his friends try to help make it fall out.

As final preparations are being made for a long-planned surprise party, Bear gets so excited he nearly ruins everything.