Tis The Season

In the rush of the holiday season, a weary “store Santa” discovers that the greatest gifts can’t be bought. Tis the Season weaves humor and heart into a sidewalk encounter between a frustrated Santa and a stressed-out shopper — revealing how quickly judgment can turn into grace. A simple act of kindness transforms two lives, reminding us that generosity still changes hearts.

Perfect for Christmas outreach services or community performances where faith meets real life.

Beautifully written by former DramaShare member Randy Harding

Cast: 4+ m or f

• Store Santa, adult male 30-50
• Harried Shopper, either gender, 30-50
• Shopper #1, any age, gender
• Shopper #2, any age, gender
• more shoppers would be preferable

Bible Reference: Luke 3:11
Set:

• Store exterior: table or tripod with donations bucket, sign/decorations related to Christmas.

Sound: wireless mics if possible
Song: none
Lighting: standard
SFX: none
Props:

• Hand bell, Christmas-wrapped packages, shopping bags.

Costumes:

• “Santa” wears ill-fitting/shabby costume & beard.  Others wear normal street

Special Instructions:

• In order to properly perform this piece there is a need for pausing between lines to allow the interaction to happen between Santa and the individual shoppers. DO NOT rush this. The spoken words are short but the actual run time is 8 minutes or more. The key to the success of this script is the shopers with no spoken lines but ESSENTIAL geatures and reactions, practice this very carefully!

Time: 10

Sample script:

xterior: A department store entrance. A SANTA stands beside a donations bucket, ringing a handbell. Shoppers rush past, arms full of bags.

SANTA (monotone):
Ho, ho, ho. Merry Christmas.
(to Shopper #1)
Thank you, friend, God bless you.
(to Shopper #2)
Merry Christmas. Ho, ho, ho.

A HARRIED SHOPPER exits the store, juggling several packages, and walks right past without noticing.

SANTA: Ho, ho, ho!
(sotto voice, sarcastic)
Thanks for your generosity, pal.

SHOPPER (stopping, startled):
I’m sorry, what did you say?

SANTA (feigning innocence):
Who, me? I said ho, ho, ho.

SHOPPER (perturbed):
Actually, I think you said something else—and it sounded pretty surly.

SANTA: I don’t know what you’re talking about, friend. Merry Christmas, okay?
(continues ringing bell) Ho, ho, ho!

SHOPPER: You know, I don’t think this store would appreciate their Santas being sarcastic. Not that it’s any of your business, but I happen to be in a hurry, and I just don’t have any change for your bucket. Is that a crime?

SANTA (uneasy):
Sure, friend, sure. No problem. You have a nice day and a Merry Christmas. Ho, ho, ho!

SHOPPER: I’d like an apology.

SANTA (stops ringing, incredulous):
An apology?

SHOPPER: You heard me. The last thing I need today is a guilt trip from a five-dollar-an-hour Santa. You either apologize or I report you to the manager.

The two stare at each other for several tense seconds.

SANTA (deflated):
You’re right, I’m sorry. It was stupid. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.

SHOPPER: Take what out?

SANTA: Christmas.

Shopper, puzzled: Christmas?

Santa:  Well, Christmas rage, I guess.  Frustration.  (a beat)  Look, all day long I watch people come in and out of this store loaded down with packages.  I mean, this is supposed to be such a tough economy, right?  But they're carrying computers, video games, even plasma TV's.  I'm trying to raise money for people who can barely afford to feed their kids, let along give them these kind of presents, yet what do I get? An embarrassed smile, if they even bother to look me in the eye, and then every once in a while, somebody'll toss in the change from their frappuccino. Great, huh? Merry Christmas. (RINGS bell)

Shopper, after a beat:
How long have you been out of work?

Santa, angry at first, then slowly resigned:
Long enough.

Want to see how the story unfolds? DramaShare members get this complete script— and access to our entire library—free! Not a member? You can still grab this individual script and bring it to life.