Christmas – VoCabulary and speaking

1) Match the expressions with their definitions.

Advent crackers bauble wreath Boxing Day

manger wafer gingerbread Nativity play shepherd
Christmas pudding tinsel Three Wise Men Nativity scene Midnight Mass
Christmas greetings Nativity Advent calendar Epiphany Noel

1. the birth of Jesus Christ

2. a heavy sweet cake or a biscuit with ginger in it
3. a special religious Christmas ceremony held on Christmas Eve
4. a long open container that horses or cattle eat from
5. thin strings of shiny paper used as decorations, especially at Christmas
6. the traditional three kings who visited Christ at his birth
7. a play telling the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, performed by children at Christmas
8. the traditional image of Jesus Christ’s birth (in a stable with various visitors)
9. Christmas, used especially in songs and on cards
10. a thin round piece of bread eaten with wine in the Christian communion ceremony
11. someone whose job is to take care of sheep
12. a circle of leaves or flowers that people use to decorate their houses at Christmas
13. a picture on thick paper which has parts like doors with smaller pictures behind them; you open one door each
day in December until Christmas
14. a special sweet food that contains a lot of dried fruit and is eaten in Britain at the end of the main meal on
Christmas Day
15. a brightly coloured decoration that looks like a ball and is used to decorate a Christmas tree
16. the period of four weeks before Christmas in the Christian religion
17. the day after Christmas Day
18. colourful card or paper tubes that people pull apart with a loud snap or bang; usually containing a joke, a gift
and a paper crown
19. Three Kings’ Day
20. a message saying that you hope someone will be happy and healthy at Christmas

2) Discuss the questions below.

Christmas customs and traditions

1. How is Christmas traditionally celebrated in Poland? What customs are associated with Christmas?
2. Is celebrating Christmas important in your family?
3. Do you agree with the general saying that Christmas is a magical time of the year?
4. What are your first memories of Christmas?
5. Was Christmas more important to you when you were a child than it is now? Why/Why not?
6. What are your three favourite things about the Christmas time?
7. Is there anything that annoys you in Christmas?

Presents
1. Do you enjoy giving presents? Why/Why not?
2. Do you enjoy receiving gifts? Why/Why not?
3. What is the best Christmas present you have ever received?
4. What is the worst Christmas present you have ever received?
5. What things do you keep in mind when buying a gift for someone?
6. Should giving presents only be limited to special occasions e.g. Christmas or birthdays?
7. Do presents have to cost a lot to be appreciated?