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Cover of Telephoning to Santa Claus

Telephoning to Santa Claus

Written by John D. MacDonald

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Christmas plays

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About this book

"Telephoning to Santa Claus" by John D. MacDonald is a charming dialogue play intended for children, written in the early 20th century. This short script is designed for two young girls, typically aged ten to twelve, and revolves around the whimsical idea of communicating with Santa Claus via telephone on Christmas Eve. The play captures the innocent excitement and anticipation of the holiday season, centered around the theme of children reaching out to Santa with their wishes. In the play, two girls, Esther and Mabel, excitedly discuss the possibility of telephoning Santa Claus to let him know what they want for Christmas. They imagine a scenario where they contact "Mrs. Santa Claus," sharing their desires for a muff, skates, and candy canes. As they go back and forth in their conversation, they engage in playful antics with their make-believe phone setup, ultimately bringing their wishes to life as the beloved items magically appear. The light-hearted narrative celebrates childhood wonder and the spirit of Christmas, effectively inviting audiences to indulge in the delightful innocence and imaginative nature of young minds during this festive season.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Telephoning to Santa Claus, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 1 hours
  • beginner
  • Whimsical
  • Uplifting
  • Joyful

John D. MacDonald's "Telephoning to Santa Claus" is an enchanting early 20th-century dialogue play for children, featuring two young girls, Esther and Mabel, on Christmas Eve. The script captures their innocent excitement as they playfully imagine telephoning Santa Claus to convey their Christmas wishes for a muff, skates, and candy canes. Through their make-believe conversation with 'Mrs. Santa Claus' and their imaginative antics, their desires magically materialize, culminating in a celebration of childhood wonder. The play beautifully encapsulates the festive spirit and the profound power of a child's imagination during the holiday season, inviting audiences into a delightful world of belief.

“Do you think Santa Claus has a telephone, Esther?”

Key themes

Childhood Imagination
The central theme of the play, exploring how children use their imagination to create vivid worlds and experiences. The entire premise revolves around Esther and Mabel constructing a reality where they can directly communicate with Santa, showcasing the boundless nature and power of a child's mind.
The Magic of Christmas
This theme encapsulates the wonder, excitement, and enchantment associated with the Christmas season, particularly from a child's perspective. The play evokes the unique atmosphere of anticipation and belief in the fantastical that defines the holiday.
Wish Fulfillment
The desire for specific items and the satisfaction of having those desires met. In the play, the girls' wishes for a muff, skates, and candy canes are central to their imaginative exercise, and the narrative culminates in these wishes 'magically' appearing.

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How does the play celebrate the power of a child's imagination?

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