The Christmas Carpet

The Christmas Carpet is a touching, funny, and convicting Christmas drama that follows Edna, a perfectionist preparing for her “important” guest. But as her sister in crisis, neighborhood children, and even a clumsy vacuum salesman show up at her door, Edna’s heart—and carpet—are tested.

What begins as a frantic attempt to impress turns into a humbling encounter with the true Guest of Christmas. Inspired by Matthew 25:34-45, this story reminds us that Christ often arrives in the people we overlook.

Perfect for dinner theatre or a multi-act production with music breaks, this 45-minute play weaves laughter, tension, and spiritual transformation into one unforgettable holiday performance.

Themes: Hospitality, compassion, humility, spiritual blindness, family restoration, service to others.

Use: Ideal for church productions, dinner theatre, or seasonal outreach events.

Cast:   7 (m or f)

• 6 plus voice Edna, middle age spinster
• Margie, likely mid 20’s
• Tom, 20’s or older
• 3 Conroy children
  • C1,
  • C2,
  • C3 all could be male or female, with some changes, ages (except for children) not critical
• VOG, (Voice of God) offstage should be a deep and expressive voice

Bible Reference: Matthew 25:34-45

Set:  bare

Lighting:  standard

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song:  none

SFX: none

Costumes:  standard

Props:  vacuum cleaner,  briefcase, coffee table, plastic bag (supposedly holding watermelon), small plastic bag full of dirt. Note that care should be taken with what is used for dirt. Flour, corn starch, and baby powder are very heavy inhalants, and also flammable when in their dust state. However, they have been used for years and are still in use, on a limited basis. Likely best to use Ben Nye makeup products, either Ash Powder (whitish) Charcoal (greyish) or Plains Dust (brownish). The actors should still try to avoid a large inhalation of the "dust."

Special Instructions:   can be played as a dinner theatre or multi-act drama with appropriate songs or meal in between segments

Time: 45

Sample of script:

Act I

Edna enters, wearing an apron, duster in hand, a smudge of flour on her face. She looks at her watch and reacts.

EDNA:
Oh will you look at the time! I simply will never be ready in time!
You know, much as I try to plan and get things done on time, it seems like it always comes down to a last minute rush getting ready for Christmas and Christmas visitors.
And this year especially! Like I mean talk about a special guest!

My sister Nancy, she always says, “Edna, you shall simply never guess who is going to be my dinner guest!”
See, Nancy—well, love her like crazy—but she is a bit of a card-carrying snob, facts be told! Seems like she always does better, cooks better, speaks more intelligently on all kinds of subjects. What can I say, guess I was destined to be the sister in the background.

Well, not in the background to my sister Margie—I mean, Margie never did have much, what with all those children and all.

Now don’t you go and get me wrong about me and my sister Nancy. It's not that I feel like I am competing with my dear sister Nancy, it's just that . . . .
Well, I may as well come on out and admit that not only am I competing . . . I am constantly losing out in the competition!

You know, for as long as I can remember, I got to feeling like . . . if only, just one time I could somehow . . . well . . . outdo Nancy . . just one single time!
(shakes head, throws up hands)
What is the use? Nancy is the wonder worker and I am . . . well . . . I am . . . me, is all.

(moves downstage, smiles as though sharing a secret with the audience, beckons them to come near)
Hey, but listen! That was like yesterday! That was like in another lifetime!
I want to tell you, I have this major, blow-you-out-of-the-water kinda news! News about . . . come close, listen . . . news about my Christmas guest!

(struts around, self-important, smirk on face, pauses, looks into audience as though listening, then breaks into uncontrollable laughter)
I knew you would be dying to find out about my Christmas guest! I flat out knew it!

But before I lay the name on you, hey, how be we make us a small wager? Come on, what do you have to lose—I mean we aren’t going to bet real money or anything.
(laughing, pointing out into the audience)
Fine, see, the wager is this! I will bet you the spot of honour at my Christmas celebration table that you shall not be able to keep secret the name of my honoured guest!

(suddenly serious, frowns, becomes angry)
What are you saying? “Am I serious about this wager?”
Edna Sloan doesn’t go around throwing out wagers like penny candy at the Kiwanis parade, I tell you.
Most certainly I am serious!

OK, now then, down to brass tacks, I always say . . . Ready for me to lay the name of my guest on you?
(laughs uncontrollably, slaps hands together above head, dances a jig, walks downstage as though sharing a secret)
It is none other than . . . .

(doorbell rings; Edna pauses)

EDNA:
Wonder who that could be?
(walking to door at side of stage)
It’s too early for the mail—besides, the mailman wouldn’t ring the doorbell.
(suddenly a big smile, excited)
I know! It is . . . my special guest!

(She rushes to the door, throws it open, and speaks as she pulls Tom inside. Tom struggles, hauling in a big briefcase and vacuum cleaner.)

EDNA:
You have come! You are here! You are a bit early, but no matter, you will just have to put up with dust if you happen to find any around while I am . . .

(Edna frowns, trying to figure out what is going on.)

EDNA:
What is this? Why the vacuum cleaner? What is happening . . .?

TOM (nervous):
Well, ma’am, I am like—this is a new job for me, just started this morning.
(holds out hand)
Sorry, I was supposed to shake hands when I first came in, tell you my name—you’ll have to forgive me, this is my first call on this new job and I . .
(slaps his temple)
Where is my mind! Supposed to tell you—my name is Tom. Tom Wright. I would give you a business card, but see, this is my first day on the job, my cards aren’t printed yet . . . They are ordered, for sure. I saw the order with my own eyes.

James Warden—he’s my new boss—he ordered my business cards, said it can take up to two weeks to get them.
James Warden, like I say, he’s my boss, gave me some of his business cards, said I could use those until mine come back. Would you like one of James Warden’s business cards? I got them right here in my pocket . . .
(searches one pocket, worried look on face, tries another pocket, smiles in relief)
Ahh, here they are—I knew that . . .

(Business cards spill all over the floor. Tom and Edna both bend down to pick them up; they bump heads.)

TOM:
Oh I am so sorry ma’am—I just bent over and like—you bent over and . . .
Did I tell you this is my first day on the job?

EDNA:
Yes. . . yes, you did. And here—I will get your business cards while . . .

TOM: (starts to reach down)
Oh, no ma’am, I couldn’t let you go and . . .

EDNA: (puts up her hand, palm out)
Stay. Do not move.
(rubs her forehead)
My forehead can’t take any more of your helpfulness!
(picks up business cards and hands them to him)
There. Here are your cards. Now I am very busy—am expecting a very important guest—so if you will . . .

TOM:
Ma’am, have you heard and seen the features of the revolutionary new Electrolux Turbocell Floor Management System?

EDNA:
Electrolux Turbo . . .

TOM:
Fifteen minutes of your time is all, ma’am, and you will thank me for introducing you to this wonderful new product.

EDNA:
I am sorry but I have no . . .

TOM:
The revolutionary new Electrolux Turbocell Floor Management System can take care of every floor in your home, ma’am. From the deepest pile carpet to your hard-to-clean hardwood flooring . . .

EDNA:
I don’t need any . . .

TOM:
Dog, ma’am?

EDNA (indignant):
I beg your pardon?

TOM:
Do you have a dog, ma’am?

EDNA:
No, I do not!

TOM:
Cat?

EDNA:
No, I have no pets . . . Well, a fish, but that’s . . .

TOM:
Fish don’t shed like dogs or cats . . . but if you ever do get a dog or a cat, why, the revolutionary new Electrolux Turbocell Floor Management System will . . .

EDNA:
Sir, I have absolutely no intention of ever getting a . . .

TOM:
Married?

EDNA:
No, I am not married, I never have been married and I . . .

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