Santa's Dilemma

Intro: Santa is in trouble

During the last couple of years, Christmas presents have become increasingly expensive and this year, there’s no chance everyone can get what they want for Christmas. Santa and other guests are invited to a talk show to discuss this problem.

The host

You lead the talk show about the Christmas present problem. You have invited several guests who have a different view of the problem and different solutions to it. They are:
• Santa Claus: he’s very confused and wants everyone to have everything they wish for.
• Mrs Claus: she wants those who have sent in their wish lists to get what they want.
• Sam the elf: thinks everyone can get something cheap.
• Santa’s accountant Ted: thinks that the money from this year should be saved until next year and then everyone can get something.
• Rudolf the reindeer: thinks that only those who live close to The North Pole should get presents this year.
• Parents Anna and Henry: think small children should get presents first. Older kids can get presents if there’s any money left.
• Abigail from the “Abolition of Christmas Network”: thinks all of Christmas and especially presents should be abolished.
• Andrew from Australia: loves Christmas and especially presents. He thinks he should get presents.

Prepare:

• Prepare questions for the guests

• Think of the order the guests will appear on the show.
Remember:

• Welcome the audience and explain what the show is about.

• Ask the audience for questions during the show (they have prepared questions).

• Make sure everyone gets to speak their mind.

• Make sure Santa gets the last word, and try to make sure he really does have a plan to solve the problem.

Santa Claus

You are in trouble. During the last couple of years, Christmas presents have become increasingly expensive and this year, there’s no chance everyone can get what they want for Christmas. You and other guests are invited to a talk show to discuss this problem.

You are very confused and you just want everyone to have everything they wish for as it has been every year. You know there are more and more children on earth but you still don’t get more money. You are very kind hearted and you agree with almost everything everyone says. The rest you have to make up as you go along.
You will get the last word in the show and you should have decided how to solve the problem and you must be able to argue your case.

Mrs Claus

Santa is in trouble. During the last couple of years, Christmas presents have become increasingly expensive and this year, there’s no chance everyone can get what they want for Christmas. You and other guests are invited to a talk show to discuss this problem.

You want those who have sent in their wish lists to get their presents first. That’s the most methodical and fair way of doing it. Santa should follow the list to the letter. Very small children will have to get help from their parents, that’s the way it’s always been.

You think it’s better that some people get a fantastic Christmas rather than everyone having one just half decent.

Sam the Elf

You think everyone should get something cheap. It’s better that everyone gets a little something rather than having some people get all when other are left without. You might also be open for a compromise where children with rich parents get less than children with poor parents.

You also know that cheap presents are easier to make in the workshop. You imagine an easier December where you don’t have to work so hard.

Rudolf the Reindeer

You think those who live closest to The North Pole should get presents first. You see this as a chance to not have to run all over the world delivering presents. You don’t like to admit it, but you really are getting pretty lazy. You work really hard to get your will and you’ll try almost any argument to make people do it your way. You have no problems attacking people personally (NOT physically) by saying mean things to get your will.

Santa’s accountant Ted

Normally you love Christmas and would work really hard to make the money last as long as possible, but this year it’s all different. Your wife left you and now you wish there was no Christmas at all. You are too embarrassed to admit this however and have a very sound and dry way of covering up – you suggest that Christmas, or at least the presents, should be cancelled this year and then next year, everyone can celebrate as usual. You must try really hard to keep up the façade but you crack every now and then.

Anna the mom

You just had your first baby (Martin) with your husband Henry. You are pretty well off financially, but you still think Santa should be the one who deals with all the presents.

You think that young children should get presents before older children. You know that you forgot to send in Martin’s list and but you claim that it was lost in the mail and that Martin shouldn’t have to suffer because the post office messed up.

Henry the dad

You just had your first baby (Martin) with your wife Anna. You are pretty well off financially, but you still think Santa should be in charge of presents on Christmas. Even if Anna forgot to send the list, that still doesn’t matter. This is Martin’s first Christmas and all you can think of is making it perfect for him. You are very stubborn and you are pretty loud during the show.

Abigail from the “Abolition of Christmas Network”

You think Christmas and especially presents should be abolished. You think that Christmas is just about greed and jealousy and that nothing good ever comes out of Christmas. You have only negative memories about Christmas and you don’t mind sharing those with the world. You find it incredibly suspicious that anyone actually enjoys Christmas and you can’t help but think that they are close to brainwashed.

Andrew from Australia

You think Christmas and especially presents are incredibly important. You are 16 years old and you live in Australia, as far from the North Pole as is possible. You have also forgotten to send in your list early (as you do every year) since you can’t decide until the very last minute.

You don’t think there’s much point in giving small children presents. They’re too young to appreciate it. Besides, you are used to Christmas presents. It would be cruel if you had to go without now. You are very eager and you agree with what other people say if it benefits you, and most of all – you like to modify suggestions to suit you!