Santa Claus Gets His Wish: A Christmas Play in One Act For Young Children

In Short

This charming, one-act play follows Santa Claus on Christmas Eve as he grapples with an existential crisis: do children today still dream of him, or has he been replaced by modern trifles? Through a series of interactions with magical entities like the Sand-Man and a melancholy Wish-Bone, Santa discovers that his legacy relies on the enduring power of faith. Originally written for young children to perform, the work remains a sweet, nostalgic artifact of early twentieth-century holiday theater, emphasizing the simple, timeless connection between the gift-giver and the dreamer.

The Story

On Christmas Eve, inside his cozy home, Santa Claus is preparing for his nightly journey. He is assisted by two mischievous, energetic Imps whose task is to polish the harness bells. As they work, a playful disagreement arises: the Imps debate whether their bells sound like twinkling stars or the songs of spring birds. Santa enters, seeking comfort, and asks a profound question that has been troubling him: what do children dream about on Christmas Eve? When the Sand-Man arrives, he delivers the disappointing news that times have changed and children’s minds are filled with many other interests.

Dejected, Santa is left alone by the fireplace to ponder his future. His solitude is interrupted by the arrival of a Wish-Bone, a gloomy, stiff-jointed character who laments his own fragile fate. The Wish-Bone explains that his purpose is to help people achieve their dreams through belief, but he is currently too weak to assist Santa. After the Wish-Bone leaves, the Sand-Man returns, mentioning a little girl who has refused to sleep because she is desperate to see Santa in person. Fearing he might be discovered, Santa settles into his armchair to wait for her to drift off, accidentally falling asleep himself.

The two Imps, seeing their master resting, decide to have some fun. They sprinkle magical sand into his eyes and open the "dream-bag," releasing visions into the room. A lollipop dances by, followed by an ice-cream cone performing a jig. The Imps marvel at these fleeting figures, realizing that, like the dreams they represent, these delights vanish quickly. The scene is interrupted by the arrival of the actual little girl, who enters the room carrying a lantern. She is overjoyed to find Santa and gently wakes him.

When Santa admits he feels forgotten in favor of such temporary pleasures as lollipops, the girl offers a heartfelt correction. She insists that children cherish Santa far more than transient treats because he is a lasting, stable part of their lives. Reassured by her sincerity, Santa realizes he is still needed. He gathers his harness, calls the Imps to duty, and prepares to depart. The play concludes with the little girl realizing she no longer needs her lantern, as the brilliance of Santa’s bells illuminates the way. The Imps and the girl agree that the ringing bells will sound to sleeping children like the joyful music of Christmas carols, signaling the start of a magical night.

How It Unfolds

The bells are polished The two Imps busily prepare for the night's journey while debating the nature of their work. They try to impress Santa with their dedication, but their excitement only masks his growing anxiety about his place in the children’s hearts.

The Sand-Man’s news Santa seeks confirmation from the Sand-Man that children still dream of him, but is met with a sobering reality check. The Sand-Man explains that modern children have many interests, leaving Santa uncertain of his own importance.

The visitor in pain A stiff and melancholy Wish-Bone appears, representing the fragility of human desires. Though he is too weak to help, his insistence that belief makes wishes come true plants a seed of hope in Santa’s mind.

The vision of treats While Santa naps, the Imps accidentally release dreams of lollipops and ice-cream cones into the room. These figures dance briefly before vanishing, illustrating the fleeting nature of material desires compared to the enduring spirit of the season.

The girl’s arrival A determined little girl enters, searching for the man she refuses to forget. Her simple declaration of love and loyalty provides the validation Santa needs to overcome his doubt.

The journey begins Santa embraces his role once more and prepares to leave with the Imps. The ringing of the bells transforms from mere noise into a symbol of carols and hope, ending the play on a note of warm, festive promise.

The People

Santa Claus The central figure, he is a man of great age who is experiencing a moment of profound self-doubt. He fears that his long service to children has been rendered obsolete by new distractions. By the end, he is restored by a child’s simple, honest affection.

The Two Imps These energetic helpers represent the playful, slightly mischievous side of Santa’s workshop. They are eager to please, though they are prone to causing lighthearted trouble when left to their own devices. They serve as the audience’s link to the magical happenings in the room.

The Sand-Man A keeper of dreams, he provides the necessary exposition about the state of the world. He is a pragmatic character, grounded in the reality of his trade, but he is kind enough to facilitate the meeting between Santa and the little girl.

The Wish-Bone A symbol of fragile hope, this character is intentionally comical yet sad. He represents the tradition of wishing, reminding the audience that wishes require belief to come to fruition.

The Little Girl The catalyst for the play's resolution, she represents the pure, unwavering faith of childhood. She is the only character who does not need the "magic" of the dream-bag to know Santa is real; her conviction is internal and unshakable.

In Its Own Voice

"It seems to me that the more I shine them the sweeter their tone is."

The Second Imp expresses his pride in his work while preparing the harness bells for the long night ahead.

"Once make people believe they'll get what they wish for, and somehow it always comes in the end."

The Wish-Bone offers this piece of wisdom to Santa, explaining the underlying mechanics of how desires manifest.

"We love you much more than we do the lollipops and the ice-cream cones, for they just melt away and don't last at all."

The little girl reassures Santa of his lasting importance in the hearts of children everywhere.

What It's Really About

At its core, this play is an exploration of the tension between the temporary and the eternal. It asks whether the "new" and the "shiny"—represented by lollipops and ice-cream cones—can ever truly replace the deep, foundational traditions that define the holiday season. The argument is that while material interests are fleeting and prone to "melting away," the spirit of Christmas and the connection it fosters between generations are resilient. It suggests that as long as there is a single child who believes, the need for the gift-giver remains. The play ultimately validates the importance of keeping faith in one’s purpose, even when that purpose feels threatened by a changing world.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy vintage holiday literature or are looking for simple, earnest material for school performances will find much to admire here. There is a sweet, uncomplicated sincerity to the dialogue that feels like a window into a different era. The play does not rely on complex plot twists or irony; instead, it offers a gentle, rhythmic quality that makes it easy to visualize on a small, candlelit stage.

Modern readers should be aware that the play reflects the sensibilities of 1921, meaning the language is formal and the characterizations are stylized rather than deeply psychological. The "Imps" and "Wish-Bone" are archetypal figures, serving the function of a fairy tale rather than a modern realistic story. However, this simplicity is precisely what gives the book its charm. It feels like a piece of a lost, quiet Christmas. It is a brief, heartwarming read that captures the anxiety of being forgotten and the profound relief of being remembered. Those who cherish the aesthetic of early twentieth-century holiday specials will find it a delightful, low-stakes encounter with the past—a reminder that the most essential things in life often require only our belief to endure.