The March sisters prepare for what is expected to be a disappointing Christmas. Jo meets a new comrade, and Beth gets a beautiful gift from a surprising friend.
Pickled limes lead to a sticky situation at Amy's school. Meg attends a fine party, Jo and Amy's rivalry leads to disaster, and the girls form a secret society, complete with mustaches and capital fake accents.
Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy must learn to take care of themselves during their mother's absence. Amy must stay with her stern Aunt March, Laurie gives the Marches a Christmas surprise for the ages, and Meg faces a question she is not ready for.
Three years have past and a wedding gives the March family reason to celebrate. Jo and Amy both receive exciting news and depart on new adventures to face the world leaving Marmee and Beth at home, keeping in touch through their letters.
Jo returns home from New York, only to find herself head to head with Laurie. After falling out with Jo, Laurie heads off to Europe where he runs into Amy. Beth confesses a secret she has been holding for quite some time.
The March family reunites in the wake of their dear sister's parting, mourning and remembering with fondness. Amy and Laurie return from Europe with some exciting news and Jo gets a visit from one of her friends from New York.