Sabrina Carpenter’s A Nonsense Christmas has become a standout holiday special of 2024, blending musical performances, comedy sketches, and festive cheer into one dazzling Netflix production. From duets with Chappell Roan to surprise appearances by Shania Twain and Quinta Brunson, the special delivers equal parts humor and holiday spirit.
But how did this cheeky Christmas extravaganza come together so quickly? I had the chance to speak with the special’s production designer, Jason Sherwood, who spilled some behind-the-scenes details about its whirlwind creation.
From Summer Heat to Holiday Magic
Sherwood was brought onto the project in late July 2024, just one month before filming began in August—while Carpenter was riding high on the success of her No. 1 album Short n’ Sweet. Despite the tight schedule, Carpenter made time to squeeze the special into her already packed calendar.
“We were making a holiday show in the dead of summer, so we had a really interesting relationship to time,” Sherwood joked.
Incredibly, Carpenter shot the entire 50-minute special in just three days, balancing rehearsals and performances before heading straight to the VMAs and then launching her Short n’ Sweet Tour.
Designing Christmas Cheer in Record Time
Sherwood described the set design process as “collaborative and communicative,” with the team working at lightning speed to bring Carpenter’s festive vision to life.
“The biggest challenge on a project like this is the schedule,” he said. “Making something like that big tiered stage in the opening number takes two to three weeks of custom welding metal work.”
That dazzling tiered stage, where Carpenter channels Marilyn Monroe, was one of the set’s most ambitious builds. Sherwood also crafted the sitcom-inspired pink living room—a nod to Friends and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
Balancing Comedy and Christmas Classics
The Nonsense Christmas special juggles musical numbers, comedy sketches, and guest appearances. From Tyla’s surprise performance to Kyle Mooney’s SNL-style sketches, the production aimed to capture a mix of modern holiday fun and nostalgic charm.
Sherwood emphasized how the quick turnaround actually helped fuel creativity:
“There wasn’t much time to sit around with our pencils. We had to dive in and make ideas happen fast.”
The result? A polished, vibrant spectacle that feels as effortless as it was chaotic behind the scenes.
Carpenter’s Nonstop Year
The special highlights just how unstoppable Carpenter has been in 2024. After releasing Short n’ Sweet on August 23, she immediately dove into filming A Nonsense Christmas. Sherwood recalled:
“Our first day of shooting was the day her album was announced as No. 1. Then Sabrina performed at the VMAs just days later and launched her tour shortly after that.”
Her espresso-fueled schedule clearly paid off, cementing her as a multi-talented performer who can seamlessly switch between pop princess, comedy queen, and Christmas icon.
Watch It Again—With an Eye for Detail
If you haven’t already streamed A Nonsense Christmas (or even if you have), now’s the perfect time to rewatch it with an eye on Jason Sherwood’s brilliant production design. From the intricate stage builds to sitcom-inspired sets, there’s plenty of holiday magic in the details.
The special is now streaming exclusively on Netflix—and it’s a holiday treat that’s worth unwrapping more than once.
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