How the 'A' Stole Christmas

How the 'A' Stole Christmas is the thirteenth episode of Season 5 of Pretty Little Liars. It will air on December 9, 2014 as the series first Christmas episode.

Synopsis
Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer look to clear Spencer’s name and prove a connection between Alison and Bethany, while Alison gets a glimpse at the past, present and future by a ghostly presence.

Spoilers/Notes

 * This episode will be set about a month after the Summer Finale. Source
 * Marlene describes this episode as a horror with epic romance. Source
 * Raw thoughts on the episode - "Sweeping shot into the room, camera finds lit up gazebo. Magical feel. The PLLs slowly turn to us, looking - revealing their beautiful dresses".
 * There will be an Ice Ball. Source
 * More than one PLL boyfriend may be wearing Santa boxers in the episode. Source
 * There will be a "Little Alison" flashback. Source
 * There will be a Jessica flashback, which may be with "Little Alison".
 * On July 18, Marlene tweeted - "A certain PLL wants her bed buddy to wear sexy santa boxers for Christmas. She gets what she asked for x 4!"
 * On July 18, Marlene tweeted - "Let it snow let it snow. There's nowhere to go. Family is far. But friends are near. Table for eight my dear. #PLLChristmas"
 * On July 18, Marlene tweeted "Hark the herald angels sing. Glory to the newborn queen. #MajorPllHolidayClue"
 * CeCe will be back for this episode. Source
 * Mona will appear as the ghost of Christmas past, present and future. Source
 * Either in this episode or the next, we will find out how Mona was killed and see her death scene. Source
 * Mona will leave something for the liars, to help them figure out what happened. Source
 * There will be a romantic kiss under some mistletoe. Source
 * Marlene tweeted - "I've seen it [the episode] about 20 times. The "dinner scene" still makes me laugh and cry." Source

Title and Background

 * Marlene King revealed the title in her Reddit interview.
 * The title refers to the 1957 Dr Seuss' book, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".

Main Cast

 * Troian Bellisario as Spencer Hastings
 * Ashley Benson as Hanna Marin
 * Lucy Hale as Aria Montgomery
 * Shay Mitchell as Emily Fields
 * Janel Parrish as Mona Vanderwaal
 * Sasha Pieterse as Alison DiLaurentis

Supporting Cast

 * Ian Harding as Ezra Fitz
 * Keegan Allen as Toby Cavanaugh
 * Tyler Blackburn as Caleb Rivers
 * Lindsey Shaw as Paige McCullers
 * Tammin Sursok as Jenna Marshall
 * Sean Faris as Gabriel Holbrook
 * Andrea Parker as Jessica DiLaurentis
 * Brendan Robinson as Lucas Gottesman
 * Vanessa Ray as CeCe Drake
 * Cody Allen Christian as Mike Montgomery
 * Chloe Bridges as Sydney Driscoll
 * Isabella Rice as Little Alison

Trivia

 * The table read was on July 14, 2014.
 * Filming began July 16, 2014 and wrapped July 25, 2014.
 * The episode will air December 19 in Australia.