Listed below you will find the Production Notes, Character Descriptions, and Prop List for “Christmas Presence.” I have included three excerpts of the play for you to view. If you would like to order the play, please see instructions at bottom of page. I hope you enjoy what you are about to read because I enjoyed writing it for you (and especially for Him!)
Cheryl Taylor
Christmas Presence
By Cheryl Taylor
Copyright - Taylor Made Productions – 2005
Production Notes:
Synopsis: This play is about Christmas presents that talk. Each of them feels like they are the greatest present have anyone could ever give or receive. Then, after reading the Christmas story, they realize that Jesus is the best gift ever given and they do not even compare with Him. This play - even though the concept sounds "child-like" (dressing up as presents)- it is for older teens and/or adults and really has a good lesson about Jesus being the true meaning of Christmas. If you would like to include smaller children, you could incorporate a manger scene as the Christmas scripture is being read.
Cast of Characters:
As stated in the synopsis, this play is about presents that talk. To accomplish this, the characters need to look like Christmas presents, only with heads, arms and legs! (See the description for this in the Props listing below.) The presents are distinguished by the color of the bow on their package and therefore, there names will match their bows. Example: The package with the big red bow is called “Red Bow.” (Easy? I thought so, too!)
I will list the characters and their descriptions. Most of the characters can be either male or female except when designated. There are roles for 2 children, ages approximately 8 – 12, one male, one female. For the sake of simplicity, I use “he or him” for most characters. If you use a female for this role, just change the words accordingly to “she or her”. All other characters should be teenagers or adults.
Narrator – He opens up the program and explains that that the presents will be coming to life. This could be a man, woman, or older teen. He needs to have a good speaking voice as he interacts with the audience, and tries to make them laugh. Should be able to be serious and comedic – at the same time!
Blue Bow – This present has one of the leading roles. He should be male - man or older teen. Needs to be dramatic, sarcastic, and at times sweet.
Green Bow – Leading role. Very dramatic, laughs and cries hysterically at times. Preferably female, but male could easily be adapted.
Red Bow – This character could be male or female. Leading Role. Red bow is naïve and has to be taught about gift giving. Should be able to sound timid, sweet.
Pink Bow - This character should be female. Several lines – supporting role. Her box should be wrapped in a different kind of paper. I left this up to you as the director. It should stand out as being cheap, as they talk about getting the paper from a dollar store (even though I must say I have gotten beautiful paper at the inexpensive stores!) See page 4.
Yellow Bow – Male or Female. Several lines – supporting role.
Striped Bow – Male or Female. Several lines – supporting role.
Silver Bow - Male or Female. Few lines – supporting role.
White Bow - Male or Female. Few lines – supporting role.
Mike – The father of the Wolford family. Man (of course!) or older teen male.
Sherry – The Wolford family mother. Woman or older teen female.
Jared – Wolford son – approximately 10-13 years old.
Bethany – Wolford daughter – approximately 8-11 years old.
Props:
The play is a one act play that takes place in the Wolford family living room on Christmas Eve. The stage should look as much like a living room as possible with possibly a couch or a couple of chairs, etc. The following props can be used for the play:
Christmas tree – I realize that some people don’t believe in having Christmas trees, so you can leave out any mention of the tree in the script and delete the tree from this prop list
Television - a TV is mentioned in the script, but it really doesn’t have to be seen
Costumes
Narrator – Regular clothes.
Wolford Family - The family has just arrived home so they should just have on regular clothes, nothing special
The Presents - Each character should be wrapped to look like a present. To accomplish this, you could use a large appliance box and cut and glue, tape, staple the cardboard to look like a box – only you will need to have a whole for the head and arms (don’t make a bottom to the box as it would be hard to walk around. I would also leave out the back of the box to make moving easier, but this is your decision. Be creative! The box will then be covered to look like a present. Now, the bow on the top of the present should be very large so the audience can distinguish the presents apart. You can have someone make a large bow in the necessary color or buy packages of pre-made bows and put several together to make your own. You can be creative in this aspect, too. The option of using plain boxes or elaborately decorated boxes is solely up to you. Just remember, the bow should be large enough to be seen in the back of the church. (I definitely want pictures for my website and suggestions on making the boxes and decorating ideas. Thanks!)
Christmas Presence
Excerpt #1 – Beginning of Play
Narrator: Christmas… Ah, the time of year when we give and give and give.. And, of course, we also like to get and get and get, don’t we? Well, I would like to introduce you to a group of presents - Yes, I said “introduce” you! - These are presents that the Wolford Family will be giving – and getting – on Christmas day. Now, I know what you are thinking… “That is one nutty, naïve, neurotic, nonsensical – yet handsome (or pretty) – narrator!” Let me explain. We look at objects as inanimate – not moving. In other words, they have no life of their own. But what if they did? What if they could walk and talk – carry on conversations with each other? Interesting to say the least.
Now, getting back to the presents, let’s just imagine that they could walk and talk (closes eyes and as if he is meditating – Hums) HHMMMMM… (Opens one eye – looks around) I thought I said, LET’s imagine! Don’t you people know how to imagine? You have to close your eyes and think about whatever I tell you to. Let’s try it again. Close your eyes and say HhhhMMMMM! (While they are humming, the presents should come in and be placed around or near the Christmas tree, some standing, some sitting.)
I would like you now to open your eyes and imagine that the gifts in the Wolford living room around the beautiful Christmas tree have come to life.
Presents: (All yell and move their arms in excitement – thrilled to have come to life!)
Narrator: I said ”come to life” - not act like you’re at a professional football game!
Blue: Blue: Well, pardon us Mr. Annoying, Aggravating, Atrocious, Acrimonious, Appaling Artist of Alliteration! (Other presents give him high five or say “way to go!)
Narrator: Narrator: Now, as I was saying…Look at this wonderful array of gifts. They all look different, don’t they? It is true that there is not one gift here that is identical to another one. Hmmm. Sort of like people, isn’t it? I’d better move on before you folks say I am trying to be a fundamental, phlegmatic, reflecting – yet handsome (or pretty) – narrator! Yes, the gifts are all different – each with their own personality and traits. Let’s take a few moments and imagine what it would be like if the presents in the Wolford living room were really “alive”….
(Red Bow is pacing back and forth, wringing his hands.)
Blue: Blue: (Stands up) Red Bow, what is your problem today? You just arrived here yesterday and you have been running around here like a chicken with his head cut off!
Yellow: What’s a chicken?
Blue: I don’t know. I just heard that on the TV the other day. (points to the TV)
Red: I can’t help it. Tomorrow is the big day and I am so nervous!
Silver: Nervous? Why? Christmas is a wonderful holiday!
Red: I know that, but this is my first time being a present!
Pink: Most of us here are “first time presents!”
Red: (surprised) Really?! I guess I don’t understand this Holiday.
Pink: You see, people spend thousands…
Striped: Millions…
Yellow: Billions…
Pink: Pink: Yes, they are right! People spend billions of dollars each year on presents just like us. They buy gifts for their friends, co-workers, families,
Striped: children, employees, neighbors…
Blue: (with a rhythm) Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief, doctor..
All: What?!
Blue: Oh, sorry – got carried away, didn’t I?
(End of Excerpt #1)
Excerpt #2:
Mike: (Offstage) Honey, if you take the kids in, I will feed the dog and get the rest of the gifts out of the van.
Sherry: OK. Come on, kids.
Striped: They’re back! We’d better get back in place!
Red: Will they know we have been up and talking?
Green: Humans can’t see our bodies – just our wrappers – and they can’t hear us- unless we move and rattle our paper.
Blue: But they can tell if you are in the wrong place! Believe me – that boy – what’s his name?
Pink: Jared.
Blue: Yeah, Jared. He sure knows where I am! He picks me up and shakes me about 4 times a day! (shakes head and arms wildly)
Yellow: Here they come! We’d better hop to it!
The children and Mommy walk into the room and it is obvious that the children are upset.
Daddy then comes in.
Jared: But Daddy, do we have to go to bed now? All our friends get to stay up until midnight on Christmas Eve!
Beth: Yeah, its only 9:30! Can’t we look at all our presents one more time before we go to bed? Please?!
Mike: All your friends stay up late, huh? What have I told you about wanting to do everything your friends do? If…
Sherry: (interrupting) If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?
Mike: Hey, that’s what I was going to say…
Sherry: I know – for once I thought I’d beat you to it! (laughing- pulls Daddy aside so the children won’t hear.) Mike, it is Christmas Eve. Why don’t we let them stay up a little while longer? What do you think?
Mike: (To Sherry) I guess it won’t hurt anything, my sweet little Pumpkin (pinches cheek) (To kids) Well, your Mom and I have talked it over and it seems like your old Dad is getting to be an old softy in his old age. How about 30 more minutes?
Beth: Oh, Daddy – You are the bestest Daddy in the world!
Jared: Bethany, you know there is no such word as “bestest” –
Bethany: Well, maybe not, but he is gooder than any of the Daddies I know!
(Jared, Mom and Dad laugh – Bethany just tilts her head wondering what she said wrong.)
Sherry: Oh, I forgot that gift for Mother in the van. Mike, since you are the most “wonderfulest” husband in the universe, would you go out to the garage and get it for me? Please, Honey, Dear, Darling.
Mike: I think you are all pushing it a bit now, don’t you? But, since you put it that way – let me get my keys. (leaves the room)
(End of Excerpt #2)
Excerpt #3:
Blue: Yeah, I know. I like him, too, and we will probably spend many years together. Being the greatest gift he has ever had – I know he will be crazy about me!
Striped: How do you know you are so great? We all think we’re the best present ever given!
Yellow: Is that the truth? I know I think I’m pretty special, but I didn’t know every gift felt that way!
Striped: Let’s take a vote. Who, I mean, what present in this room right now thinks he or she is the best present of all? (all raise their hands except Green Bow)
Pink: Oh, Green Bow – we’re sorry. We forgot about you.
Green: It’s okay. Now that you all have told me I am the wisest and the most experienced, I no longer feel like I should join the RGPP.
Red: RGPP?
Yellow: Re-Gifted Protection Program.
Red: Oh, I heard about that on Law and Order the last night on TV.
Blue: No, sweetie, that’s the Witness Protection Program, but it’s about the same concept. (in very dramatic voice) They change your identity, your name, and your Bow.
All: Your Bow?
Yellow: Yes – even your Bow. And no one ever Re-gifts you again!
Red: Oh my. How sad.
Blue: Ah, don’t worry. We would always recognize Green Bow.
Red: Why?
(End of Excerpt #3)