Something is enchanting about decorating a Christmas tree. Since we were small children, we’ve found ways to turn the same ornaments, lights, and strands of tinsel into something new and magical each year. Even knowing exactly what’s inside those dusty decoration boxes doesn’t diminish the excitement of rediscovery. Somehow, the tree never feels like just a decoration—it becomes a reflection of the thought, care, and vision of the person who brings it to life.
This year, as I placed the final ornament on the tree, it struck me how much this ritual mirrors the process of me writing a role-play.
It is filled with intention, creativity, and balance. It’s about finding the right foundation, illuminating it with thoughtful themes, adding characters that bring personality, layering in complexity, and crowning it with a purpose that ties everything together.
And through it all, it’s about trusting the process and embracing the magic of what you’re building.
So, let’s unpack those boxes and begin.
You Can’t Have Christmas Without the Tree
The tree is the centerpiece – the starting point for everything else. Without it, there’s no framework for the magic to unfold, no structure to hold the lights, ornaments, or tinsel. In role-play writing, the tree is your foundation. It sets the tone and purpose for everything to come.
Choosing the tree is where the real deliberation begins. Will it be tall and grand, or small and cozy? Artificial for reliability or fresh for that unmistakable pine scent? These decisions shape the kind of tree – and the kind of role-play – you’ll create. A coaching scenario will look very different from one designed for conflict resolution, and getting this right is key to setting the stage.
But selecting a tree isn’t a one-person job. You might think you’ve found the perfect one, but a second opinion often reveals sparse branches or an over-ambitious height. Role-play writing is no different. While it may feel like a solitary creative act, input from others – clients, facilitators, or team members – ground your vision in reality. The scenario must fit its purpose, just as the tree must fit its space. Whether for a development center or an assessment, the role-play needs to align with the client’s goals and provide the right challenges for participants.
Then comes preparation. Trimming branches or fluffing an artificial tree transforms it into something ready to shine. In role-play writing, this is where you define the scenario’s background: the setting, stakes, and characters. A solid base ensures your story is stable and ready to hold everything you’re about to add. Without this foundation, the role-play risks collapsing under the weight of its complexity.
Shining Lights Through the Branches
Stringing lights onto a tree is where the transformation begins. It’s no longer just a tree – it’s alive with magic. In role-play writing, the lights are the themes and connections that guide participants through the scenario, turning a static framework into a dynamic experience.
Themes, like strands of light, need careful placement. They illuminate the characters and challenges, helping participants see the full picture. But just as lights can’t be thrown on randomly, themes must be thoughtfully woven into the story. They should connect naturally, creating a seamless flow that keeps the narrative cohesive and engaging.
For the writer, this process can be both joyful and frustrating. Untangling the “ball of lights” is a challenge: What’s the core idea? How do the details tie together? But there’s joy in seeing it all come to life and discovering connections you hadn’t noticed before. It’s the moment when the lights switch on and the tree sparkles – when your themes align and the role-play takes shape. This step requires patience and a willingness to adjust until everything feels just right.
And then comes the moment of truth: stepping back and plugging in the lights.
Are there dark spots where the themes don’t connect? Or do the lights shine evenly, guiding participants naturally through the scenario? When done well, the lights bring vibrancy to your role-play, making it both coherent and captivating.
Little Sparkly Ornaments, A Lot of Personality
Ornaments bring character to the tree, making it unique. Each piece tells a story – some cherished, others quirky, but all essential. In a role-play, ornaments are the characters and details that give the scenario its soul.
Crafting these characters is a delicate balance. While participants can interpret their roles, the facilitator must have a strong foundation. The character’s motives, reasoning, and humanity must feel real. It’s not about creating obstacles but about designing someone who challenges participants to empathize, persuade, and understand. What drives the character? What might change their mind? These details bring the scenario to life.
Placing these details is like decorating a tree: too sparse, and the character feels flat. Too overwhelming, and the story risks losing focus. The right balance ensures characters feel relatable and grounded. Whether it’s a stakeholder balancing priorities, a team member navigating development, or a leader facing self-doubt, the best characters reflect the real world – and sometimes even the participants themselves.
When thoughtfully placed, these ornaments turn the role-play into more than just an exercise. They create a story that lingers, offering participants lessons and insights they’ll carry with them long after the tree (or the role-play) is packed away.
Shiny Tinsel Threads of Complexity
Ah, tinsel – the most debated of Christmas decorations. To some, it’s the perfect finishing touch. To others, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. In role-play writing, tinsel represents complexity – the subtle threads that make the scenario dynamic and rewarding.
Complexity adds layers to a role-play. It’s the dilemmas, competing priorities, and subtle tensions that push participants to think critically. Like placing tinsel, weaving in complexity involves finding balance. Too little, and the scenario feels shallow. Too much, and the story becomes chaotic. The strands must be deliberate and purposeful, complementing the role-play without overpowering it.
Writing these threads is where the art of role-play design shines. It’s not about piling on problems but about creating a web of interconnections that feel authentic. Perhaps a character is torn between personal values and organizational goals. Maybe a participant must navigate conflicting expectations. These elements add tension but also provide opportunities for growth and insight.
When the tinsel is placed just right, it enhances the tree’s sparkle, tying everything together. Similarly, the right amount of complexity turns a role-play into an engaging experience, helping participants explore real-world scenarios and develop meaningful skills.
Let Your Role-Play Shine Bright
Overall, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree is never just a collection of parts. It’s not just the lights, the ornaments, the tinsel, or even the star. It’s the way everything comes together, each piece enhancing the others, creating something greater than the sum of its parts.
Writing a role-play is no different.
Each element – the foundation, the themes, the characters, the complexity, and the purpose – has its role, but it’s only when they’re carefully woven together that the magic happens.
At atrain, we understand the importance of this thoughtful and meticulous process. Crafting role-plays for our customers is not just a task – it’s a responsibility we take seriously. Every scenario is designed with care, ensuring it reflects the unique needs of our clients and the developmental goals of their participants. We value the careful balance required to make each role-play impactful, weaving together authenticity, challenge, and opportunity for growth. For us, this process is a cornerstone of our business, a testament to the value we place on precision and creativity in everything we do.
But perhaps the most important takeaway is how this metaphor holds true far beyond role-play writing or Christmas trees.
Life itself is about bringing together many moving parts – relationships, work, aspirations – and finding a way to make them shine as a whole.
It’s about trusting the process, asking for help when you need it, and remembering that collaboration and care can transform even the most challenging tasks into something meaningful. Whether it’s decorating a tree, leading a team, or navigating change, the same principles apply: start with purpose, build thoughtfully, and believe in the magic of the end result.
As the year comes to a close, I wish you the brightest of holidays. May your trees be dazzling and your lives filled with moments that inspire and connect. Here’s to a season of joy, reflection, and growth – and to carrying that spirit into the new year ahead. Happy holidays!
About the author
Outside of work, Margarita remains a creative soul. A board game enthusiast, film lover, and avid foodie, she finds joy in exploring how stories and experiences connect people. Whether behind a camera, on the tennis court, or in an engaging dinner conversation, Margarita brings curiosity and creativity into every aspect of her life.
About the author
Outside of work, Margarita remains a creative soul. A board game enthusiast, film lover, and avid foodie, she finds joy in exploring how stories and experiences connect people. Whether behind a camera, on the tennis court, or in an engaging dinner conversation, Margarita brings curiosity and creativity into every aspect of her life.
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