[South Park Elementary, morning. Everyone is milling around the hallway and getting ready. Butters is talking to Kenny by his locker as Pip walks up to them]
PIP: Good morning, gentlemen!
BUTTERS: Oh, hey there Pip.
KENNY: (Hi, Pip.)
PIP: You know, it's almost two weeks before Christmas. Aren't you all looking forward to the festive season this year? Because I am.
[Butters and Kenny exchange nervous glances and then back to Pip]
PIP: Um, Butters? Kenny? Is anything the matter?
BUTTERS: Well, uh… we're fine Pip, but… Christmas isn't what it used to be, if not at all.
PIP: What do you mean?
KENNY: (Well, it's hard to explain.)
[Kenny and Butters walk away, leaving Pip confused]
BUTTERS: Oh, uh, and merry Christmas. Yeah, of course.
PIP: That's odd. I thought they'd be enjoying this time of year? After all, Christmas is a time to be happy and enjoy everything around us.
[Moments later, Pip walks up to Craig who is at his locker]
PIP: Good morning, Craig.
CRAIG: What's so good about it?
PIP: Oh you know, it's only two days until Christmas.
CRAIG: Christmas? Oh god, not that time of year again.
PIP: Why would you say something like that? I don't see anything wrong with spending time with your family and friends for the holidays.
CRAIG: [sighs] You wouldn't know, Pip. I mean, it's been like, what? A year ago since you've came back to this crappy, redneck mountain town. You may be a smart guy Pip, but there are still a lot of things that you don't know or even care.
PIP: Of course I do care about many things and Christmas is one of them. Which reminds me, I wonder if Mr. Hankey is going to come to South Park this year?
CRAIG: [he freezes as Pip mentions Mr. Hankey's name]
PIP: Craig? Is anything the matter?
CRAIG: I can't believe it has come to this…
[He closes his locker and turns round to face Pip. Other students all gather around them to listen]
CRAIG: Pip… Mr. Hankey won't be coming back to South Park this year because he doesn't come here anymore.
PIP: [shocked] Wha- huh?! Impossible! I remember quite fondly that Mr. Hankey was such an iconic part to Christmas in South Park! I also remember he always visited here every Christmas to give presents to anyone who has enough fibre in their diet, isn't that right, Kyle?
KYLE: Well, yeah it was. Until, he… changed.
PIP: Changed? How so? He was always so bright and jolly, just like Father Christmas, no?
CRAIG: Yeah, I thought so too. But then he started putting up a bunch of offensive shit on Twitter and ended up going to court because of it. Everyone grew fed up of his crap and he was kicked out of the town for good.
PIP: That doesn't sound like the Mr. Hankey I remembered. Um, what sort of offensive things did he say? I hardly use Twitter myself, but still.
CRAIG: Well, a bunch of things like… he called the mayor a titless whore, said we're all a bunch of retarded homos that can't play music, and that the city council members are a bunch of pussy-licking Islamists.
PIP: He didn't!
CRAIG: Oh yes, he did. Apparently, it had to do with him getting high on something called Ambien, I think it's called which was what caused him to act out like that. And then it all went to shit when he went insane at a stage show and so the Mayor ended up saying fuck it to him and kicked him out. Santa doesn't like us anymore because Mr. Hankey isn't here anymore.
PIP: Oh dear, that's awful. But I'm sure it'll be okay, I mean he can still come back to our town for the holidays right? I mean, it has been like half a decade since he left.
CRAIG: No, Pip, he can't. The town completely kicked him out and will likely never let him back anyway. I'm sorry Pip, but it's the truth. Mr. Hankey has already past his prime, he said a lot of horrible shit on Twitter and that was that. [sighs] But I will admit, Christmas was never the same after that. Nowadays, it's just about people getting drunk and driving recklessly before they all crash. It's awful!
PIP: [he'd been silent for a while, until he finds his voice] But… all the same, we can still celebrate Christmas in South Park. Surely all these festivities can't be lost forever, could they?
CRAIG: Well, who knows. But right now, Christmas just sucks. That's how the world works now, Pip, so I'd say get used to it.
[He closes his locker and walks away, Pip watches as he leaves]
PIP: Well… I will admit a lot of things here had changed since the last time I was here, but I suppose not every good thing can last forever.
[School cafeteria. Pip is at a table with Clyde, Tweek, Craig, Kevin and Butters, still lost in thought]
BUTTERS: Hey Pip, what's the matter? Don't you feel hungry?
PIP: Oh no, it's not that Butters. It's just… of all the many things that have changed in this town, why would nobody want to celebrate Christmas anymore because of Mr. Hankey's departure? Sure, Santa might not come here anymore, but there's more to celebrating the season than just getting presents.
BUTTERS: I know that, Pip. But what can we do? We can't just go up to the Mayor and tell them that we should start celebrate Christmas again, that'd be too dang impossible.
PIP: Well, you're not wrong there chap. But there must be a way to bring back the magic, if you know what I mean.
CLYDE: Or how about you guys should stop talking about Christmas and focus on what's going on now. Besides, who even gives a crap about it now? It's just an excuse for people to go out to the bar, get wasted on eggnog or whiskey and cause a giant clusterfuck in the streets with their drunk driving and shoplifting. I can't even remember the last time I received any Christmas presents since my dad always comes home, drunk out of his godforsaken mind. [he then looks at Pip and Butters] Um, sorry, I went a bit too far with that again, didn't I?
CRAIG: Yeah, but that's the truth. I mean we do still celebrate Christmas in a way, but… it just sucks now.
CLYDE: Yeah, I agree.
BUTTERS: You know, what we could do is… hold our own Christmas party. You know, to relive the memory of what Christmas was during the day.
PIP: [gasps] Good lord! Butters, you are brilliant!
BUTTERS: I am?
PIP: Of course, that sounds like a excellent idea!
CRAIG: Oh god… what is it, Pip?
PIP: Well, we could all hold a big Christmas party for this year. You know, with every festive decoration you can think of like carols, decorations, a Christmas tree and all that? I know you lads aren't all in the festive spirit at the moment and I do see why, but this could bring back the magic of Christmas. Don't you think so?
CRAIG: Yeah, but Pip, there are a few problems with your idea: 1. Where are you gonna find a place big enough to throw such a party, and 2. I highly doubt you would afford all those decorations and beverages. I mean, you know how much a turkey costs now compared to last time? Like a lot more than a while back, can't explain it.
CLYDE: Yeah, and people are putting up their decorations earlier and earlier with each passing year, even if it's not December yet… or at least they did until they stopped giving a shit.
PIP: Well even so, we must try.
CRAIG: Yeah, but no one's interested in Christmas anymore dude. That's the problem. What's the point of hosting a party when no one seems to give a shit anymore? That's life now and it sucks.
PIP: [sternly] Well being miserable and complaining isn't going to help matters, Christmas is meant to be about enjoying yourself and spending time with family and the people you know! Can't you respect that?
CRAIG: Yeah, but… it's not gonna be easy, Pip.
BUTTERS: Quit being negative, Craig! Pip, does have a very good point. Christmas hasn't been the same after what happened with Mr. Hankey, but it's worth a shot to bring it back to what it was before.
CRAIG: Well again, that's gonna be easier said than done.
[Pip, Butters and Tweek all look at each other, concerned]
[School playground, moments later. Pip is walking by himself, thinking about what to get for a big Christmas party when he notices Wendy talking to Bebe by the roundabout and this gives him a thought]
PIP: I wonder if… [he walks slowly up to the girls] Um, excuse me Wendy. Hello.
WENDY: Oh, hi Pip. I haven't spoken to you for a while. How are you?
PIP: Oh, well I've been thinking, if I don't mean to be a bother to you…
WENDY: Not at all Pip, you could ask me anything.
BEBE: Well, I'd best leave you guys to it. I'll speak to you later, Wendy [she walks away]
PIP: Well, I've been thinking about holding a big Christmas party for everyone as we haven't been celebrating Christmas for a long time even before I came back here and it appears that people nowadays had forgotten on what the holidays are truly about.
WENDY: Ugh. Boy, you tell me.
PIP: But I need your help with something, where exactly should I hold the party at?
WENDY: [she hesitates for a bit] Well if it's gonna be for everyone in the town, then I suggest having it in somewhere big like… the school gymnasium or maybe Tolkien's mansion.
PIP: Oh well, I don't think I could be able to rent any of those places. Although, I was thinking about having the party over at my house. There's plenty of room for everyone in school to be invited, even you. Well, if you're not too busy that is.
WENDY: Well then, there you go. But… are you sure you're gonna have everything you need for your plan?
PIP: Oh… about that, well. I'll make sure I have enough for it. See you later, Wendy.
WENDY: Good luck, Pip. Though the only thing we'll have to worry about now are people getting drunk and causing havoc in the streets. Urgh… and the vomit.
[Red's house, moments later. Pip is in the living room, writing out a list on what to get for a Christmas party on his notebook as Red walks up towards him]
RED: Hey Pip? Uhh, what are you doing?
PIP: Oh, well I'm planning out everything I need to get for a big Christmas party for everyone.
RED: Why would you wanna do that? Nobody cares about Christmas anymore.
PIP: I know, but that's why I want to make that happen. Not many people have been celebrating it ever since the departure of Mr. Hankey…
RED: Oh god, don't remind me!
PIP: Yes, I know that now, it's awful what he did. But now it seems that Christmas in South Park has been long, but forgotten about. Back then, we used to enjoy spending time with our loved ones and having fun as that was what Christmas is all about, not just about getting presents.
RED: Right, but how exactly are you gonna throw a big party here if you don't have everything you need or even have?
PIP: Well, who knows. But I'm sure I'll think up some ideas for the party… [becomes unsure] if there will ever be one that is.
RED: Look Pip, maybe you don't have to make it too big. Like what do you think about when it comes to Christmas?
PIP: Well, spending time and having fun with your family and friends for one. Oh, and giving presents to people you know well to show how much you care for one another. That to me, is what it's really all about. It's meant to be about showing kindness to one another, not just the gift giving.
RED: You got that right, if only people weren't so needy at this time of year. That was how Christmas basically got ruined in the first place.
PIP: You're quite right there. Hold on, that reminds me; do we still have some of our Christmas decorations somewhere?
RED: Oh yeah, sure we do. I'm pretty sure they're in the basement somewhere.
PIP: Well then, I guess I'll have to go and find them.
[Pip leaves the living room and walks into the basement to find any Christmas decorations for the party]
PIP: There's sure to be some decorations somewhere…
[He then walks up to a box and looks inside. Sure enough, he finds several Christmas decorations]
PIP: Perfect! Just what I need to throw the best Christmas party in years. [he suddenly has a thought] Oh, but then again, it might a bit too early to put up the decorations now. I know, I'll send some inviations first, then I'll set up the decorations. Just in time for Christmas Eve.
[South Park Elementary hallway, next morning. Pip is handing out flyers to every student he comes across]
PIP: [he gives a flyer to Jimmy] Hello there, Jimmy. This here is for you. [he then gives one to Clyde] Hello Clyde, party will be held over at my place on Christmas Eve.
[Craig is at his locker when Pip walks up to him and gives him a flyer]
PIP: Oh good morning Craig. Here's a flyer for you, it's for my big Christmas party on the 24th.
CRAIG: [he looks at the flyer for a bit and then back to Pip] It's probably gonna suck ass.
PIP: What on Earth do you mean? Don't you want to get into the festive spirit once more?
CRAIG: You don't understand, dude. I've tried to enjoy Christmas to the best of my abilities, but now I just want to forget everything about it. Christmas in South Park has been dead since they kicked Mr. Hankey out and Santa has stopped coming. Hell, I can't remember the last time the school had set up a Christmas fair since then.
PIP: But even so, it would be nice of you to come round and enjoy the fun.
CRAIG: Yeah well you can enjoy the fun to yourself, I'm already done with Christmas and you can't convince me otherwise.
[he shuts his locker and walks away, leaving Pip lost in thought]
[School playground, moments later. Pip is sitting on his own until Butters comes along and sits next to him]
BUTTERS: Hey Pip, I've been thinking. You know, I really haven't been into this Christmas stuff for a good long while after you-know-what happened. But with the news about your party plan for next week, it's getting me back into the festive mood once more. Uh, even though nobody here celebrates Christmas anymore.
PIP: Oh, well I'm glad to hear that Butters, old chap. But…
BUTTERS: But what, Pip? Is something the matter?
PIP: Well, it's just… I never knew how hard it must be for some people to get into the festive spirit again. I mean, you're one of the exceptions, but I'm thinking more about Craig.
BUTTERS: Oh yeah? What about him?
PIP: No matter how much I try to convince him, he just doesn't want to do anything with Christmas anymore. I wonder why? I thought everyone enjoyed this time of year.
BUTTERS: Well Pip, not everyone here celebrates Christmas. I mean, Kyle and his family celebrate Hanukkah because they're all Jewish.
PIP: Yes, I know that, but… [sighs] I guess not everyone likes Christmas or wants to get into the festive spirit.
BUTTERS: Well, sure they won't, but who cares about these downers, right?
PIP: Well, I suppose so.
BUTTERS: Anyway, I was gonna ask you if you wanna go ice skating with me at Stark's Pond after school. Well, if you're not too busy with the party preparations that is.
PIP: Oh Butters, I would love to. After all, it's only a week's time before the holidays begin.
BUTTERS: Yeah, exactly. I'm sure you'll have plenty of time before you set everything up for the 24th.
PIP: Christmas Eve, you mean?
BUTTERS: Uh yeah, I mean that. [They stand up and walk away]
[Craig's house, after school. Craig walks into the living room and sits on the couch. Just then, he gets a phone call from someone]
CRAIG: Oh goddamnit, I was gonna watch some more Red Racer. [he gets his phone and answers the call] Hello? [beat] Oh hey Red.
RED: Hey Craig. Looking forward to Christmas break next week?
CRAIG: …No.
RED: What?! Why would you say that?
CRAIG: Because I don't care about this time of year anymore, it's just a waste of my time.
RED: Hey, at least you won't have to go to school until next year in January.
CRAIG: Well that's true I guess, but my mind still stands. [he then has a thought] This has got to do with Pip's party plan, right?
RED: Yeah! It's gonna be the best Christmas party we've had in a long while and you're all invited. Didn't he give you a flier this morning?
CRAIG: Yeah, but I'm not going.
RED: Huh?
CRAIG: I said I won't be going to that party if there ever will be one. I never cared for Christmas since the day they stopped giving a damn about it as a whole besides drinking and causing mayhem. And because of all this woke bullshit going on as well.
RED: Craig, why do you have to be so negative all the time? It's gonna be fun.
CRAIG: Red, my cousin, face it; Christmas is all but a shadow of what it was back in the day. And I don't care how much everyone is excited about this, I am through with this godforsaken, cash grab season as a whole and no one can convince me otherwise.
RED: [annoyed] Well fine, have it your own way. I hope you're happy being alone and miserable at Christmas time when everyone else will be enjoying themselves. Seriously, why can't you just lighten up and look on the positive side of things for once since you rarely do?
CRAIG: Because shit happens. See you Red, and have fun embarrassing yourself in that stupid Christmas party of yours. [he hangs up and hesitates for a bit before going upstairs to his room]
[Stark's Pond, meanwhile. Butters and Pip are already ice skating in the pond and are enjoying themselves]
BUTTERS: [laughing] Hey Pip, this is fun!
PIP: [chuckles] It certainly is! Oh Butters, do you want to see me try a figure-8? I have been practicing.
BUTTERS: Yeah, yeah! Do it, please!
PIP: Alright then, here we go! [He begins skating across the middle of the pond and does a perfect figure-8]
BUTTERS: Whoa! Pip, that was excellent! Even I can't perfect a move like that.
PIP: Oh, it was nothing really. I've done ice skating before back in England, so I know all the moves by heart.
BUTTERS: Oh, that's cool! [sighs] This was we always loved doing during Christmas. It's so nice to relive the memory again. Don't you think so, Pip?
PIP: Oh yes, I quite agree on that!
BUTTERS: You know, things just weren't the same when people started forcing all this woke nonsense in our faces and getting hooked onto social media and AI. But then again, that's all people talk about nowadays; always about negative topics and what's happening in the world right now, never about the good side of things.
PIP: Which is a shame. I thought it'd be a good time for us to have some fun once more, which is why I'm planning that Christmas party to begin with.
BUTTERS: Only one more week to go before school break begins. Maybe then, you can focus on setting up the party for Christmas.
PIP: Yes, you're absolutely right Butters. But it's a pity that some people would rather live in the negative side of things rather than enjoying themselves.
BUTTERS: Yeah, it's about Craig, isn't it? I just don't understand why he'd be so negative and pessimistic about the whole thing. If anything, he should be excited to be celebrating Christmas again.
PIP: I agree. But then again, you can't force everyone to like something. If only there was a way to make Craig see the positive side of Christmas, I remember he used to enjoy this time of year as did the rest of us.
BUTTERS: Hey, don't think about it too much, pal. He's Craig; he'll learn the true spirit of Christmas eventually. Maybe then, he could lighten up a bit, you know?
PIP: You're right Butters. He'll come round to it, everyone does. Well, almost everyone.
BUTTERS: [chuckles] Yeah. Well, I- I'd best be going back Pip. Because if I come home late, I'd-
PIP: Be grounded?
BUTTERS: Yes? How did you know all that?
PIP: Oh well, we have been close friends for as long as I can remember. Anyway, I'd best be going home too. See you later Butters.
BUTTERS: You too Pip. Oh, it was so much fun skating with you.
[The two boys part ways and walk back home]
[South Park, downtown. Pip is still walking back home when he passes by a fallen pine tree lying on the ground. He stops for a few seconds, then walks back to the tree out of curiosity]
PIP: That's odd. What's that tree doing on the ground? It must've fallen over by a strong wind. [he examines the tree closer and then notices that it's a pine tree] Hold on a minute, this is a pine tree. It's perfect! [he begins to lift the tree upright] Hm, this shouldn't be too difficult.
[Pip manages to stand the fallen tree upright and slowly takes it back to his house. Along the way, he meets up with Craig by the comic book store]
PIP: Oh hello there, Craig.
CRAIG: What are you doing with that tree?
PIP: Oh, just taking it back to my house. I found it lying in a field. What do you think of it? Magnificent, isn't it?
CRAIG: It's just a tree dude, nothing too "magnificent" about it.
PIP: Yes, I think it would look nice for my party.
CRAIG: Pfft, who cares? I've got better things to do than waste my time thinking over some dumb party about something that's already a thing in the past. [he walks away from Pip before turning around again] And besides, people don't bring real trees inside their homes anymore, it's not good for the environment apparently. You're better taking it back where you found it.
PIP: But Craig, wait! [but he got no answer] Oh… oh dear. [he becomes annoyed by his cynicism] You know what, let him. He can learn the true spirit of Christmas for himself. [he then continues his way back home, still carrying the pine tree]
[Craig's house, moments later. Craig walks into his room and goes over to his desk to go on his computer to play Minecraft]
CRAIG: Well, back to work Minecraft. So where did I get up to again? Oh yeah, that giant fort I was working on. Hm, I should really add some more bricks or whatever inside and… maybe some furniture as well.
[Craig's avatar walks around the area to find any furniture, but after a while he still hasn't found anything yet and becomes frustrated]
CRAIG: You know what, forget Minecraft. [he saves the game and closes it] Maybe I'll just read one of my Doctor Who comics or something, I don't know.
[He leaves his desk and walks over to his bookshelf to find which comic book to read. He grabs one of them off the middle shelf and begins walking over to his bed until he notices something slip off the shelf and fall onto the floor]
CRAIG: Hey, what's this?
[He leaves the comic on his chair, walks over to the photo, picks it up and looks at it. The picture shows Craig celebrating Christmas with his and Red's family before Mr. Hankey's departure. He then notices how happy he was back then and begins to think over Red's words to him from before]
RED: [voiceover] I hope you're happy being alone and miserable at Christmas time when everyone else will be enjoying themselves. Seriously, why can't you just lighten up and look on the positive side of things for once since you rarely do?
CRAIG: [he takes another look at the photo and sighs] I guess I was being a bit too pessimistic about the whole Christmas thing. I mean, I do still think everyone's been taking this whole thing for granted in recent years or just don't care about it anymore, but then again… I can see why it means so much to some people who still give a damn about this season. It's really about having a great time and… spending time with people you really give a damn about. God, maybe Red did have a point about looking on the positive side of things. [he then takes another look at himself in the photo] I… I think I know what I must do.
[Red's house, meanwhile. Red is in the living room, playing a video game when she hears someone ringing on the doorbell. She leaves the coach and answers the door, revealing Pip with his tree]
PIP: Hello, Red.
RED: Hey, Pi- [she then notices the tree] Oh my god! Pip, what is that you're carrying?!
PIP: Oh, this? Why, it's a Christmas tree; a real one actually.
RED: Uh, wh-where did you get that?
PIP: I found it lying on the ground at the park, I thought it'd be perfect for my party. What do you think?
RED: Well, it looks great I guess. Though where exactly are you gonna put it?
PIP: Same place as we had before with our old tree.
RED: What, you mean in the middle of the living room?
PIP: Exactly! But we still have a few more days left before the holidays, so I might hang up the decorations maybe later or tomorrow if we have time.
[Pip walks into the living room and he then remembers something]
PIP: Oh botheration, I forgot.
RED: What is it?
PIP: We still have that stand for our old tree, right?
RED: Oh sure we do, it's in the basement.
PIP: Oh of course, thank you Red.
[He carefully leaves the tree by the bookshelf and goes to the basement to find the tree stand. He later returns to the living room, carrying the stand in his arms and places it next to the TV]
RED: Hey Pip, you want me to help you with that tree?
PIP: Uh, no thank you, Red. I'm sure I've got the hang of it.
[He picks up the tree slowly and carefully places it in the stand with very little trouble. He stands back next to Red to admire his new tree]
PIP: There! Looks wonderful, doesn't it?
RED: It sure does. [sighs] Just like when people still gave a damn about Christmas. Too bad some people just don't wanna get into the festive spirit like Craig.
PIP: Oh, I wouldn't worry about him. We can't force everyone to get into the festive spirit I suppose, it's their choice after all and should just accept that.
RED: Well I guess so, but Craig used to enjoy celebrating Christmas with us. He was always so happy during this time of day before all that crap happened with Mr. Hankey. But then he left and just stopped caring about it.
PIP: Yes, I know that and I can understand why he wouldn't care for it anymore as it has been quite a long time since this town last celebrated Christmas. But all the same, it would be nice for everyone to get back into the festive spirit again just like in the good old days. After all, it has been a year since I came back.
RED: Yep.
[Just then, Red's dad comes downstairs and finds the pine tree in the living room]
RED'S DAD: Hey, do you two know why there is a giant tree in the middle of our living room?
RED: Well, uh… [she points to Pip] It was Pip's idea, he wanted to throw a Christmas party because we haven't celebrated Christmas in ages. I mean, it has been a long while since Mr. Hankey left and everyone stopped giving a crap about it, but…
PIP: But we can still make it happen, with Mr. Hankey or not. Um, if you and mum let us have the party that is. Please? It would be nice to celebrate this time of year again.
RED'S DAD: [he hesitates for a bit] Well… well sure, go right ahead!
RED: You serious?
RED'S DAD: Well yeah, absolutely!
RED'S MOM: [comes into the living room] Mike, what's going on?
RED'S DAD: Pip was thinking about holding a Christmas party for all the other kids in his school, like we haven't really celebrated it for a really long time at that point and I think we should start doing it again like how we did before.
RED'S MOM: Is he now? Oh, Pip, that's so sweet of you.
PIP: Well, it was nothing really. Just wanted to relive old times I suppose.
RED: Well actually, this party is for us kids only though I guess you could have your own fun with Christmas. Just not do anything stupid, okay? It's just embarrassing!
RED'S DAD: Of course I won't, honey. What else would I do this time of year? Get wasted on eggnog and drive drunk along the roads?
RED: Umm… yes? [She begins to laugh and Pip joins her]
RED'S MOM: Well, I leave you two to it then.
[She and Mike leave the living room]
RED: Hey Pip, you sure kids would come to our place? You know how much they all rip on you and stuff.
PIP: Yes, I am aware of that Red, but I know they've been longing to celebrate Christmas and enjoy the fun again. I'm quite sure of it.
RED: Okay, well if you say so I guess.
[Just then, the doorbell rings]
PIP: Who could that be? We haven't even set everything up yet.
[He walks over to the door and opens it, revealing Butters with a box in his hands]
PIP: Oh, hello there Butters. What are you doing here?
BUTTERS: Oh, uh hey Pip. I know it's a few more days until the holidays begin and you're still setting up your party so I… [he trails off as he notices Pip's new tree] holy Jesus, is that your new Christmas tree, Pip? It's so… big and beautiful!
PIP: I thought it would look nice in our living room after our old one was tossed out a while ago. I found it lying in the park after I left Stark's Pond.
BUTTERS: Woah, did you? [he then remembers why he came here in the first place] Oh, I forgot. I wanted to give you this for your party.
[He gives Pip the box and he opens it, revealing a golden star]
BUTTERS: So do you like it? I made it myself yesterday after school.
PIP: Butters, this is wonderful! Just what I need for my tree!
BUTTERS: Well, I'm glad you love it Pip. Looking forward to… uh, when does the school term finish?
PIP: Around next week on Friday.
BUTTERS: Next week? Oh jeez, I- I better get everything ready 'till then!
PIP: No need to rush, old chap. Besides, I haven't got everything set up yet.
BUTTERS: Oh yeah, of course. Well, see ya at the party. [he leaves the house]
PIP: Now… where was I? [he looks at the star] Oh of course, how silly of me! I should be getting all the decorations set up. [he walks into the basement to get them] Now where should I hang each one?
[South Park basketball court, meanwhile. Clyde, Tweek, Tolkien and Jimmy are busy playing basketball when Craig walks in, now in thought]
CLYDE: [he notices Craig] Oh hey Craig, buddy. What's up?
CRAIG: Huh? Oh, uh nothing I guess.
CLYDE: Well, it doesn't really look like nothing.
CRAIG: Alright fine, I'll tell you. [beat] You know how we hardly celebrate Christmas after what happened with Mr. Hankey and the whole thing going down to shit and all that? Well, I guess I've been acting like a cynical asshole about this whole thing and completely forgetting about all the positive aspects of it before everything went down in recent times.
TWEEK: Wh- What are you saying?
CRAIG: What I'm saying is that… I think we should all start celebrating Christmas again like we used to.
TOLKIEN: Huh, that's odd. A few days or so ago, I thought you said that you don't give a damn about Christmas anymore. What changed your mind now?
CRAIG: [he hesitates for a bit] I saw an old photograph that was lying on the floor in my room, it was of me at a Christmas party with my family and I forgot how happy I was back then.
TWEEK: Yeah… yeah, I know how you feel. We used to celebrate Christmas together, no? We had some much fun during the last party we went to.
CRAIG: Yeah, we did. You all know this by now, but Pip was right about something.
CLYDE: Really? That's a new one. About what?
CRAIG: About what Christmas is really all about; it's not about the dangers of drunk driving or getting the best presents, it's all about spending time with your loved ones and enjoying yourselves and now that I think about it, he has a really good point. Who cares if Mr. Hankey's not around anymore or if Santa doesn't come here as much as he used to if not at all. Am I right?
[The other boys all look at each other in bewilderment over Craig's change of attitude and look back at him]
CRAIG: So, what do you say, you guys? You wanna go and celebrate Christmas again like old times?
CLYDE: Sure!
TWEEK: Yeah, definitely!
JIMMY: C-Count me in!
TOLKIEN: Yeah, totally!
[McArthur residence, moments later. Pip had just finished adding the last decoration to the living room. Red comes shortly later]
PIP: So, what do you think?
RED: Looks great, Pip. [sighs] Too bad Craig isn't gonna come and join us, he probably wouldn't even want to anyway.
PIP: Don't let what Craig thinks get you down. If he doesn't want to come, then that's fine with me.
RED: Well, you do have a point I guess. But still, I just wish he'd lighten up for once. He was always so happy during those times.
PIP: Well, only time will tell.
[Just then the doorbell rings]
PIP: It's alright, I'll get it.
[He walks over to the door and opens it to reveal Craig and many other kids there]
PIP: [surprised] Oh, Craig? But I thought you weren't interested in Christmas anymore.
CRAIG: Well, yeah I was. I thought Christmas had just become a shell of its former self and an excuse for our parents to get drunk and drive aimlessly on the roads. But then I remember how happy I was during those days when people still gave a damn about Christmas and I guess I realized how much of a negative prick I was being about the whole thing.
RED: [walks up beside Pip] Well, you definitely were.
CRAIG: Oh, hey Red. But yeah, you did have a really good point about it, Pip. Christmas is meant to be about spending time with your loved ones and enjoying yourself while putting all the negative crap behind us, rather than the other way around.
PIP: That's exactly true, Craig. After all, it has been a long while since we last truly celebrated Christmas, so what do you say; shall we get the fun started?
KIDS: Yeah!
CARTMAN: Wait, Pip's hosting this? Oh well, count me out. I'm going back to my place. [he walks away from the crowd]
KYLE: Yeah, well who needs you, fatass.
CARTMAN: Jew.
[Red's house, living room, moments later. Everyone is enjoying the party as music plays during the whole thing. Pip, Red, Craig and Kevin are all sitting on the couch]
CRAIG: I don't know how you managed all this Pip, but this whole thing is top-notch.
KEVIN: Yeah, this is like the best Christmas party I ever went to in ages. So where did you put the stormtroopers?
[They all look at each other for a bit and then begin to chuckle]
KEVIN: No, but seriously; where are they?
RED: Kevin, please. We can talk about Star Trek later.
KEVIN: Sorry.
PIP: Well, it has been a pleasure Craig, old chap.
CRAIG: Old chap?
PIP: Oh uh, I didn't mean to offend you with that. It's just a-
CRAIG: Nah, it's fine Pip. I'm not too bothered by it. Well, actually I have been thinking…
PIP: Oh, what would that be?
CRAIG: It has been a few months since you came back to South Park and I've been trying to find someone to fill in Tolkien's place in my friend group now that he's living on a farm with Stan. [quietly] God forbid… [clearly again] And I'm now wondering if… oh my god… if you'd like to hang out with me and Tweek more often, when you have the time that is?
PIP: Oh, Craig. I'd be delighted with the offer, thank you so much!
CRAIG: Um, i-it's fine dude. Besides I do some company every once in a while rather than just be with Tweek 24/7.
[There's a brief silence, until…]
CRAIG: So I wonder what our parents are gonna be doing since we're here?
PIP: Well, I think what they'll be doing on Christmas is self-explanatory.
[Skeeter's Wine Bar, meanwhile. Everyone is inside, dancing and completely drunk]
RANDY: Man, this party is fucking ripped!
GERALD: Yeah, tell me about it!
JIMBO: Hey, who's up for another drinking contest?
VARIOUS MEN: Yeah! Alright! Fucking do it!
NED: Mmmm, I'm so happy we're celebrating Christmas again.
JIMBO: Yeah, it's been a very- very long while. Don't you think Mike?
MIKE: Oh yeah. Definitely! Best Christmas is forever!
[end of story]