Genre: Inspirational / Modern Christmas Drama

Length: ~60 minutes 

Cast: 10–14 teens & adults (flexible ensemble)

Theme: The true exchange of Christmas is grace.

Product Summary

The Gift Exchange (Parts 1 & 2) is a one-hour modern Christmas drama set in a high school that’s obsessed with appearances, trends, and outdoing each other at the annual holiday gift swap. Designer headphones, smartwatches, and expensive tech rule the day—until one quiet student, Grace, opens a plain shoebox and changes everything.

Instead of flashy presents, Grace introduces “gifts of love” written on simple cards: forgiveness, honest conversations, secret kindness, time with lonely classmates, prayer for enemies, choosing someone else’s joy over your own. One by one, students begin to “trade in” their bitterness, pride, and hurt for something deeper. Bullies soften, friendships mend, teachers find freedom from old grudges, and even the most popular kids discover the joy of giving instead of grabbing.

Across Part 1 & Part 2, your audience watches as the gift swap becomes a living parable of the Gospel: we bring our mess, and Jesus gives us His grace. The play gently, clearly points to Christ as the ultimate “Gift Exchange” — the One who took our sin and gave us His righteousness, love, and new life.

Why Your Church or School Will Love It

• Relatable setting: A modern public-school gift exchange that teens instantly connect with.

• Grace-centered message: Shows how Jesus’ grace changes real attitudes, relationships, and choices.

• Flexible casting: 10–14 roles, easily expanded with extra students, teachers, or background characters.

• Easy to stage: Simple sets (gym, classroom, hallway) and everyday costumes—no complex builds needed.

• Perfect for outreach: Ideal for youth groups, schools, family services, and Christmas evangelistic events.

By the curtain call, students and adults alike will see that the best exchange at Christmas isn’t what you get, but what you give—and ultimately, what Christ has already given for you.

THE GIFT EXCHANGE

A Modern Christmas Drama about Grace

Genre: Inspirational / Modern Christmas Drama

Length: ~60 minutes

Cast: 10–14 (teens and adults)

CAST OF CHARACTERS

• GRACE MILLER – 15–16. Quiet, thoughtful, creative. A follower of Jesus, but not pushy about it. Brings the “shoebox of gifts” that changes everything.

• JAYDEN COLE – 16–17. Popular, athletic, confident, comes from money. Loves competition and “winning” the gift swap.

• BRIELLE PARK – 16. Social media queen, obsessed with aesthetics and trends. Worries a lot about what others think.

• MALIK RIVERA – 15–16. Class clown, always joking to hide his own insecurities. Good heart under the sarcasm.

• LEXI HARRIS – 15–16. Smart, artistic, caught between the popular crowd and quieter kids. Feels pulled both directions.

• ETHAN WONG – 15–16. Gamer/techie, quietly kind, usually overlooked. Notices more than people realize.

• SOPHIA RAMOS – 15–16. Sensitive, easily hurt. Used to be close friends with Brielle, but there’s tension between them.

• MR. REED – 30s–40s. Homeroom teacher in charge of the gift swap. Well-meaning, a little overwhelmed, spiritually curious but not sure what he believes.

• MS. DIAZ – 30s–40s. School counselor or youth leader helping with the event. Warm, wise, sees through the surface.

• MRS. MILLER – 40s. Grace’s mom, working hard to make ends meet, strong faith and gentle sense of humor.

• COACH HARRIS – 40s–50s. PE teacher/coach, LEXI’s parent. Tough but fair, secretly soft-hearted.

• MR. CARTER – 50s–60s. School custodian, easy to overlook, but sees everything. A quiet believer.

• EXTRAS / STUDENTS – As many as needed for class vibe, background at the gift exchange, and small speaking bits.

SETTING NOTES

• School Multipurpose Room / Classroom – Tables, folding chairs, simple Christmas decorations, paper snowflakes, string lights. A table or tree where the gifts will be placed.

• Hallway – Lockers, posters, maybe a “Holiday Gift Swap!” sign.

• Grace’s Home – Small kitchen or living room, simple décor, a small tree or nativity.

• Misc. Corners – Benches, doorways, “outside” steps suggested by lighting shifts.

Flexible staging: A few blocks, chairs, and light shifts can handle most changes.