The Home For The Holidays

When college student Nancy finds herself far from home, broke, and abandoned by the friends she once tried so hard to impress, her family is left wondering whether she'll make it back in time for Christmas—or at all. As tensions rise at home and regrets mount on the road, God’s love becomes the anchor this family desperately needs.

Set across three stages, this touching and humorous Christmas play weaves together the lives of a modern family dealing with real struggles: strained relationships, poor choices, and the longing to be reunited. But through it all, a beautiful message emerges—home isn’t just a place. It’s being surrounded by family, forgiveness, and God’s unshakable love.

• Cast: 7 characters (Mom, Dad, Gramps, Nancy, Spike, Becky, and Donna)
• Set: Divided into three acting spaces for seamless scene transitions
• Theme Song: “The Home for the Holidays” – lyrics by DramaShare, based on the classic tune
• Run Time: Approx. 30–40 minutes
• Perfect for: Church Christmas programs, youth theatre, family services
• Bible Theme: John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world…”

Sample script:

Stage 1 – Nancy and Spike’s Dorm Room

Spike:
Well, if it isn’t my favorite roommate! How’s things, Nancy—did you get the stuff?

Nancy:
Hey, it’s as good as got, ok?

Spike:
“As good as got”? Why do I get the idea that the translation on that is “nope, didn’t get the stuff like I said, like I promised the guys”?

Nancy:
Seems like there’s a problem with my debit card. I couldn’t get money out of the machine. I’ll call the bank in the morning—must be a problem in the computer system.

Spike:
Ya, likely that’s it! Or maybe the poor little rich kid’s folks haven’t topped up your bank account like you said they would. Maybe poor Nancy is outta green, d’ya think?

Nancy:
I have lots of money in my account—always do, don’t I? Like I said, I’ll call the bank in the morning. I’ll get this straightened out.

Spike (slaps head):
Whatever am I thinking of? Why would I worry? Little Nancy will go out, get the booze tomorrow morning, right? (very angry) Only reason for me to worry is that maybe the party is... (very loud) TONIGHT!

Nancy:
Look, I’m sorry. What do you want me to do? I can’t do anything until the banks open in the morning.

Spike:
This is the second time you’ve let the guys down! We want you to be a part of the group, but you gotta hold up your end. You know very well the guys expect you to come up with the booze—we counted on you. And what have you done to repay us? Let us down. Again.

Nancy:
Look, I said...

Spike:
...I know what you said. But let me tell you, the guys are more than a little ticked over being let down time after time like this. Look, I gotta go—the guys are meeting at Gerry’s in ten minutes.

Nancy:
I’ll change, be right with you.

Spike:
You, go to the party? I don’t think so, Loser! The guys would likely tear you apart if you showed up without booze. Can’t see them ever letting you back in the gang the way you’ve treated us. Man, I thought you were a friend! Guess you never really know about a person, do you? I feel like you stabbed me in the back—me, almost begging the guys to let you in the gang in the first place!

(Spike storms out. Nancy watches as she exits.)

Lights down on Stage 1. Lights up on Stage 2 – Living Room. Family decorating the Christmas tree.

Becky:
Mom, when is Nancy gonna be coming home for Christmas?

Mom:
Miss your big sister since she went off to college, don’t you?

Donna:
If she brings those—(emphasize) friends—she brought home with her for Thanksgiving, I would much prefer she didn’t bother coming home!

Dad:
Donna! That’s no way to speak about your sister! Nancy is part of this family, and there is simply no way we would have Christmas without her!

Donna:
Those so-called friends of hers are just using Nancy—just ‘cause you were foolish enough to give her money. She’s buying friends, is all!

Mom:
Donna! That’s no way to talk to your father! I will not have that kind of disrespect in this house!

Donna:
Mother, you know it’s true! I overheard you and Dad talking about that one girl—Spike. You said you were worried about her influence on Nancy. And I also know that you had to send more money to Nancy because she had overspent her allowance for the year!

Dad:
Yes, dear, that’s true. We do have concerns about some of Nancy’s friends. And I want to tell you—we’ve done more than a little praying about that situation. But Nancy is a good kid, and I don’t think she would do anything foolish.

Lights down on Stage 2. Lights up on Stage 1 – Nancy alone.

Nancy:
Now what do I do? I don’t have a penny in my bank account, and somehow I have to get home for Christmas. Dad put the extra money in my account so I could buy a plane ticket home. I lied to him. I said I could get a better price on a flight if I bought the ticket here through the college. All I was doing was showing off in front of my friends. Some friends! All I am to them is someone to provide money for booze and parties. How could I have been so blind? Some Christmas this will be.

---

Lights down on Stage 1. Lights up on Stage 2 – Family still talking.

Donna:
Face it! If I blew my money, I wouldn’t get a penny until next month!

Dad:
Donna, you know that we would never leave you needing anything. Everything your mother and I have, we’d give to you kids if you ever needed it. You know that! But Nancy’s away from home—it’s tough trying to get along and make friends in a new and strange environment.

Donna:
It’s a double standard is what it is! Maybe you’ll remember last week when I wanted some money to buy something I really needed? And what did you tell me?

Mom:
Sweetheart, I think we try to be fair, but...

Donna:
...Oh forget it! No one ever cares about me around here, just so long as Nancy gets all the money she wants!

(Donna runs offstage to Stage 3. Lights down on Stage 2. Lights up on Stage 1.)

Nancy:
It all started so innocently. I was so lonely when I first came to college. Everyone seemed so—I don’t know—so all-together! Here I was, not one person I knew, and everyone seemed to be having so much fun.
I started going to a little church just down the street from where I live. But when I met Spike and her friends, well—they just seemed so “in”! They made me feel like I was somebody.

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