Director Clea DuVall wrote the film as an autobiography. She has said that she wrote it so she could see her own experiences play out on screen.
The film is a pioneering holiday-themed romantic comedy centered around a same-sex couple. In fact, the movie features several LGBTQ+ actors including Kristen Stewart, Dan Levy, Victor Garber and Aubrey Plaza. It also is the sophomore film from queer actress/director Clea DuVall.
"Candy Cane Lane" from the opening scene of the film is a real place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The residents of the street agreed to keep their holiday displays up for a few extra weeks into January 2020 to accommodate the production.
Filming took place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and wrapped in February 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the film industry.