Christmas Tree Decorating Party

Singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas

## Plot

Mr. Dressup is trying to keep warm out in the yard, and explains they are having a Christmas tree decorating party at his house today. Alyson arrives and Mr. Dressup tells her he’s got everything set up in the kitchen for her to make her cookies, as a tree decoration, before she heads inside. Mr. Dressup comments how much he likes the day out, first saying its warm, before realizing he means sunny rather than warm. Hisani arrives through the wooden gate. She wants to keep her decoration a surprise, but asks if there is anything she can help with, and Mr. Dressup asks her to shovel a path by the shed, and she’s happy to. Mr. Dressup heads inside taking off his winter stuff and comments on the nice smells as he happily shows off the Christmas tree. Casey tells Mr. Dressup he tidied up the den, and pulls up a candy garland he found. Mr. Dressup puts it on the tree as they begin singing ‘O Christmas Tree’. Casey comments on the good smell, and after thinking he meant the pine tree, Mr. Dressup tells Casey that Alyson is making cookies in the kitchen, so Casey heads that way. Mr. Dressup begins moving a few tree decorations so everyone at the party has space for theirs, as that’s what the party is for. He sings ‘Deck the Halls’ being joined by Hisani and Truffles when they come in from shoveling together. Truffles explains her pipe cleaner reindeer and then Hisani pulls out her pinecone person decoration which is a Christmas version of a craft Mr. Dressup had previously taught her how to make. Both are put on the tree before Hisani asks about the good smell and heads to the kitchen. Allison teaches Casey about making cookies, and Casey likes his ‘Christmas Tree with a red blob on it.’ Hisani arrives and Alyson asks if they want to help. Hisani says yes but Casey hasn’t made his decoration so he heads off. Hisani comments that the cherries are like Christmas lights. After Hisani asks, Alyson explains putting pipe cleaners through the holes in the cookies, allowing them to be hung on the tree. Allison shows off some cookies including the bells and they sing ‘Silver Bells’ together. By the tree Aunt Bird and Alligator Al greet Mr. Dressup who suggests they remove their outdoor clothes, but they explain they can’t stay, planning to return later, but wanted to drop off their decorations early. Aunt Bird drops off a snow bird flying, which Mr. Dressup sits at the top of the tree. Alligator Al drops off a magic elf, saying it will play the bells when its quiet. Al asks Mr. Dressup about his decoration, and Mr. Dressup realizes he hasn’t made one. They head out and Mr. Dressup explains to Truffles about how he makes a paper snowflake after she suggests it as an option. Casey calls Mr. Dressup over asking if he sees anything different on the tree, and Mr. Dressup says there will be when he hangs up his snowflake, then a slow zoom up eventually reveals a cardboard candy cane which Casey is proud of making himself, joking that you can’t eat it. Finnegan arrives followed by Alyson with the cookies for decorating. Mr. Dressup tells of the bird and elf and that its supposed to be magic which Casey finds interesting. Mr. Dressup suggests cleaning the kitchen, but Finnegan decides to watch the elf. He is surprised as it slowly plays ‘Jingle Bells’ on the tree. Finnegan whispers to Casey when he returns, and he thanks Finnegan for the story before telling Finnegan to come to the couch for a story. Hisani suggests a story about a forest mouse and Christmas elf from the storybook. Casey reminds everyone someone hasn’t done a decoration, eventually telling them its Finnegan, who presents a cardboard bone decoration. Everyone sings ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’ before saying and waving goodbye.

## Cast

* Ernie Coombs as Mr. Dressup
* Alyson Court as Alyson
* Hisani Clarke as Hisani
* Judith Lawrence as the puppeteer for Casey, Fineegan, Aunt Bird & Alligator Al
* Nina Keough as the puppeteer for Truffles

## Sources

* Episode on youtube posted by C Cucumber
* an episode on a home video in my family we watch every year
* the final song (shared by me) can be found on the Mr. Dressup The Magic of Make-Believe Documentary facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MrDressupDocumentary/videos/437411837269857