9 Times Pete From ‘Holiday Baggage’ Was Our Dad

Ready to hear some dad jokes? The holidays are only days away and that means family time, which often comes with classic dad moments. Each family is different with different traditions but there are some relatable moments that can be felt almost universally. As self-proclaimed dad experts, dads have a tendency to share certain behaviors or traits that are unintentionally hilarious.

Holiday Baggage is a film that captures the family dysfunction that can occur over the holidays but in particular, it captures the relatability of having a dad. Starring Barry Bostwick, here are some of our favorite dad moments from the family drama.

9 Relatable Things Only Dads Do

1. Dad Jokes

Pete is an estranged father and husband who unexpectedly comes back to town to visit his family for the holidays. He exhibits many of those classic dad qualities, one of which is his comedic timing. In this scene, Pete meets his daughter’s boyfriend Greg, and tells a corny joke that would make any dad proud.

2. Grilling The Boyfriends

Every father dreads the day when their daughter brings home a potential love interest. Pete is no exception to this, and he makes sure to dig in with a few questions when his daughter’s boyfriend arrives. He does this in an endearing way but still makes a scene at the dinner table.

3. Always Takes Advantage of Sales

Sales and discounts are something that all dads live for. They are a great way to save money no matter what the occasion. In Holiday Baggage, Pete returns home after buying plenty of toys and accessories for the incoming baby. His reasoning for doing so is simple – a sale.

4. Not Really Graceful

Yoga takes patience and mindfulness, which dads tend to lack. Pete finds himself following yoga instructions from his estranged wife and doing a lousy job of it.

5. Always Trying To Watch Sports

Sports and dads go hand in hand. It’s almost a right of passage for dads to try and watch football after Thanksgiving dinner. Pete tries to do the same thing but is stopped in his tracks when his wife tells him that she got rid of the television.

6. Averse to Fees

Dads often can be averse to paying fees when they don’t need to. If there is a way to avoid them, they will go out of their way to make it happen. Pete does the same when he finds out that his life insurance will only cover a fraction of his medical bills.

7. Competitive

Competitiveness is a trait that can be found in not just dads but in a lot of men. Pete’s competitive nature arises after Jack, a family friend, makes a pass at his estranged wife. In a small moment, Pete and Jack struggle over who will light the fireplace.

8. Oblivious To What’s Happening Around Them

Pete has been out of his wife and daughter’s lives for some time and there is a lot that he has missed in their lives. Although having an estranged dad isn’t something everyone will relate to, obliviousness to what’s happening around them is much more common. At one point, Pete is confused as to why his daughter is pregnant not knowing one of his daughters is a surrogate.

9. Not So Good With Words

Some dads are great with words while others are not. Pete falls into the latter category as he creates many awkward moments by not articulating what he is trying to say well. Much of his fatherly advice falls flat because of this and a prayer at Thanksgiving dinner also goes wrong.

A Story About Family Dysfunction and Reconciliation

On the surface, Holiday Baggage is about a pediatrician who invites her estranged husband back home for the Holidays on the condition that he reconciles with their daughters. However, beneath that is a story about family dysfunction and reconciliation.

Pete’s far from the ideal father; he struggles to connect with his family or provide them the guidance they need, and his family certainly doesn’t need him. But Pete being a dad isn’t about being needed, rather it is about Pete being there for them and trying his best. If you are in the mood for a light-hearted holiday drama with a happy ending, then check out Holiday Baggage now streaming on Reveel.