Scenes of Christmas

Scenes of Christmas is a vignette play for children featuring eleven funny and heartwarming scenes about Christmas. Each scene stands alone, but when woven together, they become a charming holiday play that will delight audiences of all ages. Flexible casting in both number and gender makes this a perfect choice for elementary and middle school performances.

About the playwright:

Jennifer Reif has taught, directed, and performed around the Pacific Northwest for decades. Her shelves are lined with children’s books, and her happy place is in the woods. She loves devising creative theatre projects with kids and sharing ideas with teachers. Jennifer holds her BA in Theatre from Morningside University and also studied at Oxford University in England.

Excerpt from the play:

Considerations

• 11 scenes, for either 2-3 actors
• Roles for as few as 7 or as many as 25 actors.
• Perform scenes together as a full play or use them individually.
• When performing all scenes, the running time will be 20-30 minutes.
• Make an effort not to have the same actors play scenes back to back.
• This play is timeless and can be set in any period.
• All characters are kids.
• Very few set/costume/prop requirements.
• Consider weaving scenes together with music and/or dancing.
• Consider adding ornaments to a tree between each scene so the tree is fully decorated by the end.

SCENE BREAKDOWN

1. Practicing Christmas (a scene for two actors)
2. Sweets (a scene for two actors)
3. The System (a scene for three actors)
4. Gift of the Magi-Part 1 (a scene for two actors-same as Gift of Magi Part 2)
5. When Was Jesus Born? (a scene for two actors)
6. Twas the Night (This poem can be performed by one or more actors.)
7. Empty Cup (a scene for two actors)
8. Paper Chains (a scene for three actors)
9. Gift of the Magi-Part 2 (a scene for two actors-same as Gift of Magi Part 1)
10. Letters to Santa (a scene for two actors)
11. It’s Finally Christmas (a scene for two actors who are then joined by the full cast. It’s best to use the same two actors as in scene 1)

Practicing Christmas

A and B are siblings. The stage is set very simply-perhaps a Christmas tree with lights but no decorations or gifts. Character A sneaks on stage very quietly. A arrives at center stage near the tree and imagines seeing gifts under the tree. They are visibly excited and do a silent, happy dance. Character A does a tip-toe run towards the exit but then does a pantomime gesture, beckoning B to come on stage too. B enters, pretends to be sleepy-eyed, yawning, and then sees the tree, and they both do a happy dance.

A. That was pretty good, but we should try it again.

B. This time, can I go first?

A. No. I’m the oldest, which makes me the director and the star.

B. What’s my job?

A. To do what I say.

B. Okay. But I still don’t understand why we have to practice Christmas.

A. Because practice makes perfect. And because it’s fun.

B. You’re right. It is fun. Let’s do it again.

A. Okay. This time, we need to tiptoe in unison, point to the presents, do the surprise look, and then hold hands and jump.

B. Got it. Tiptoe. Point. Surprise. Jump.

A. Right.

B. Just think. We have 12 whole days before Christmas. We are gonna be so good at this.

A. Places! (B runs off stage. Character A beckons to B. B enters in the same way, sleepy, yawns, and they tiptoe to the tree. Point to the invisible presents, do the “Home Alone” surprise look with hands to face, hold hands, and jump in a circle.)

B. How did I do?

A. Pretty good. Now it’s time for costumes.

B. Costumes?

A. Yeah. We have to get into our pajamas, so it seems totally real.

B. Let’s go.

END SCENE

The Gift of the Magi-Part 1

(A and B are siblings. A is sitting at the table [or on the floor] painting a picture of the ocean. B is lying on the floor reading a book. Instrumental Christmas music is playing. After a few minutes, B closes their book and begins the scene. Music fades. The same actors will also perform The Gift of the Magi-Part 2)

A. (Closes the book dramatically. Reeling in the joy of finishing.) Done! (Exhales loudly.) I’m speechless.

B. How can you be speechless if you have the words to say you’re speechless?

A. Good point. I’m not speechless. Actually, I have a lot to say about this book.

B. Was it good?

A. So good! This series is the best thing ever written.

B. Ever?

A. Ever! I stand by that.

B. Which book in the series is your favorite?

A. How can I choose a favorite? They are all so good. But if I had to, I would say this one. But there is still the elusive #7.

B. Elusive?

A. Yeah, it’s the final book in the series. I don’t have it.

B. Maybe you can get it for Christmas.

A. That would be a Christmas miracle. The whole series is pretty rare. Plus, they are really expensive.

B. Well, maybe when you become a famous author someday, you’ll write something even better.

A. It doesn’t get better than this.

B. Why do you love this series so much?

A. Because it has it all… adventure, magic, mystery… There’s this one part where these three guys are on a journey to bring special gifts to a king. They follow the stars through the desert. (He is quite animated and has now risen to a level where he can see the painting lying flat on the table.)

B. That sounds vaguely familiar.

A. (Seeing B’s painting on the table.) Hey, that is really good.

B. Thanks. I’m going to give it to Grandma for Christmas. You know how much she loves the ocean.

A. Yeah. Remember when we were little, and she would help us build those drizzle sandcastles?

B. Those were the best. I thought we were the only people in the world who knew how to mix sand and water to make them look drizzly like that. I think I’ll add one of those castles to my painting.

A. Grandma’s gonna love it. It will make her feel like she’s at the beach every time she sees it.

B. Ugh… will you hand me that towel? I got some paint on the table (or floor if painting on the ground.) It would be so much easier if I didn’t have paint on this flat surface.

A. You could tape it to the wall.

B. Then I’d get paint all over the wall. What I really want is an easel.

A. Like they have in art studios?

B. Yeah, someday. (Dreamy and visualizing.) When I’m a real artist, I’ll have an easel and a space to really create. I’ll have somewhere to put my paintbrushes and paints. And I’ll be able to work right in front of me and then step back to really take it in.

A. You really are a good artist. And I’m not just saying that because you’re my sibling.

B. Thanks, I hope Grandma likes this painting.

A. Of course, she will. Hey, maybe I’ll write her a poem about the ocean for Christmas.

B. I’m sensing a theme here.

A. If we can’t go to the ocean, let’s bring the ocean to her.

B. That’s a great idea. We might not be able to go on fancy trips or buy expensive presents, but we sure know how to use our imaginations.

A. Yeah, we do.

END SCENE
(The Gift of the Magi Part 2 comes later in the play.)