Summary: A simple sketch in which a woman helps a friend frazzled with Christmas preparations how to simplify, and to understand the true meaning of the season.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 4min
Actors: 2F, 1N
Script
(Scene opens with Harassed woman, sitting on her own, with long list in her hand)
Narrator–Some people find Christmas an enormous pressure, and so they can’t really enjoy it. I wonder if you know anyone like that?
A: (talking to herself and scrolling down her list) I HATE Christmas! This list gets longer and longer! Cards – look at the cost of stamps now – and presents – it is so hard to find something that people like and I can afford –I really don’t know what they would like – I never see most of them now. Then I need to get the decorations up…… - and the food – I need to buy all that. I don’t know why we have to buy so much food for Christmas –It is a pity so much gets wasted. It is all so expensive! I really HATE Christmas. (Knock on the door)
A: (loudly) Come in.
B: Hello. How are you? I came to see if you wanted to come out for a coffee.
A: Oh I’m alright, but just so busy – I can’t possibly spare the time to come out for a coffee – Sorry.
B: Why not? What’s up?
A: It’s Christmas – I just don’t know how I am going to get it all done – cards, presents, decorations, food - - it all takes time – AND it has got so expensive – I just HATE Christmas.
B: Then why do it?
A: What! Not DO Christmas?
B: Yes – just don’t do Christmas – at least not the way you are doing it!
A: What other way is there?
B: There is a better way. Just stop and think what Christmas is really about !
A: I do – it’s about cards, presents…Oh, and of course family.
B: (interrupting) No! It is not !
A: It’s not? Then what is it about?
B: It is about the birth of a baby – a special baby!
A: What baby?
B: It sounds as if you have missed it, because the baby is what Christmas is really about. And if you’ve missed out the baby, you have missed the real Christmas.
A: Oh dear – what can I do?
B: Let’s start with cards. How many do you receive?
A: Oh about 20, but I send out nearly 100! Though come to think of it, I haven’t heard from a lot of them for a long time ..(pause) Do you think some of them could have moved house … or even …….passed on?
B: Quite probably. Why don’t you just send them to the people you receive cards from – and maybe a few you know who live on their own ? You could keep the rest of the cards you have bought for next year!
A: That is a good idea
B: …and presents. Who do you really want to send presents to?
A: Just the children and grandchildren really – and even they say I shouldn’t bother – and one or two friends like you.
B: So cross out all the other names on your list…. And, as far as I am concerned, just treat me to coffee sometime. It’s your company I Iike . I don’t need a present. And the decorations – just put up a few – and food – make a list and only buy what you know you will eat – unless you are giving a party!
A: But is it really Christmas without all that?
B: Of course it is. I told you. Christmas is really about a baby, a special Baby – Jesus Christ.
A: I know about Jesus – but what has he got to do with Christmas?
B: The word “Christmas” means “Christ’s birth”. Don’t you remember singing carols when you were young– “Away in a manger” and all the others.
A: (sounding surprised) Yes, I do. Christmas was much simpler then.
B: And it can be again. Christmas is about Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago, and lived and died for us so we can go to heaven. My Christmas present to you is to take you out to tea and on to the Carol service at church.
A: That sounds lovely.
B: Just think what Christmas is really about. Come out to coffee and I tell you more about what it means.
A: Yes, I will. (tears up the list)
(Both get up and leave.)
....................................................................................
© Copyright Jean Herrick, all rights reserved. The script may not be reproduced, translated or copied in any medium, including books, CDs and on the Internet, without written permission of the author.
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed. She may be contacted at: