Christmas Student

Holidays & Events
Christmas
Pre-Reading
A. Warm-Up Questions
1. When is Christmas celebrated?
2. Is Christmas a religious holiday?
3. What Christian event does Christmas celebrate?
4. What are some symbols of Christmas?
B. Vocabulary Preview
Match up as many words and meanings as you can.

Check this exercise again after seeing the words in context on page 2.
1. secular a) to trade

2. statutory b) to come before
3. commemorate c) a mode of transportation in snow
4. gathering d) almost the same
5. decoration e) legal, according to the law
6. precede f) a large outdoor fire
7. originate g) hair on the chin (and sometimes also on the jaw)
8. disappear h) to show up, to come
9. bonfire i) cheerful, related to a holiday
10. exchange j) not religious
11. beard k) a get-together
12. sleigh l) to go out of sight, to not be seen
13. similar m) to honour the memory, to remember
14. appear n) an ornament, an object that makes a space look more beautiful
15. festive o) to come from
Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( H I G H I N T – A DV / V E R S I O N 4 . 0) 1
Christmas
Holidays & Events
Reading
1. C
hristmas, which is celebrated on December 25, is 4. P
robably the most recognizable non-religious
one of the biggest celebrations of the year in many symbol of Christmas is that of Santa Claus.
countries around the world. It is both a religious Pictures can be seen everywhere of the jolly old
and a secular holiday. In most countries where man with the long, white beard, big stomach,
Christmas is celebrated, it is a legal or statutory and red suit. Children in Canada and the United
holiday. Most workers receive at least one or two States believe that Santa Claus lives in the North
days off work, and children often have a two-week Pole where he makes toys with his helpful little
vacation at this time. Christmas is a very important elves. On Christmas Eve, December 24, he travels
day for members of the Christian religion because through the sky on a sleigh pulled by reindeer.
it commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. At He lands on the roof of people’s homes, enters
church services everywhere, Christians retell through the chimney, and leaves wonderful
the story of the birth of Jesus in the manger gifts for all the good little boys and girls. In
in Bethlehem. some countries, December 6 is known as Saint
Nicholas Day and is celebrated in a similar way as
2. A
lthough Christmas is celebrated on the 25th
Christmas. In the weeks before Christmas, Santa
of December, the Christmas season actually lasts
Claus often appears in many stores and shopping
for almost a month. In many countries, from
centres throughout the cities. Excited children
mid-November on, it is impossible to forget that
wait in long lines to sit on Santa’s lap, have their
Christmas is coming. Streets, homes, and shops
pictures taken with him, and tell him what
are filled with colourful Christmas lights and
presents they are hoping to receive at Christmas.
decorations. Shopping centres are full of people
doing their Christmas shopping. In fact, the weeks 5. B
esides being a religious celebration and a
preceding Christmas are the busiest shopping wonderful, exciting time for children, Christmas
weeks of the year. In most Western countries, is also an important time for family gatherings.
many retailers make up 70% of their annual People travel long distances to spend time with
sales in the month before Christmas. their families at this time of the year. Singing
Christmas carols, decorating the family Christmas
3. M
any of the present-day customs that we
tree, hanging stockings by the fire, and exchanging
associate with Christmas actually originated
cards and gifts are all part of the holiday season.
in pagan festivals long ago. Thousands of years
Of course, food is also a very important part of
ago, celebrations were often held around the
the Christmas celebration. Stuffed turkey with
time of the winter solstice. People were often
mashed potatoes remains the most traditional
afraid when the sun disappeared during the
meal served at Christmas dinners, but other
long, cold nights of winter. When the days finally
wonderful Christmas dishes, holiday baking,
began to grow longer, they celebrated the return
and special festive treats fill the homes of
of the sun by making great bonfires, serving
all who celebrate this season.
large, festive meals, and exchanging gifts. After
the birth of Christ, many of these traditions of
the old pagan festivals were combined with
the celebration of Christmas.
Christmas
Holidays & Events
Comprehension
ractise asking and answering the following questions with your partner.
P
Then write the answers in your notebook or on the back of this sheet.
Use full sentences.
1. D
o most people in North America work 6. Describe Santa Claus.
on December 25? Why or why not?
7. Where does Santa live? Who does he live with?
2. W
hat is the significance of Christmas
8. W
hen is Saint Nicholas Day
for members of the Christian religion?
celebrated in many countries?
3. W
hy is Christmas such an important
9. W
hat is the traditional meal
time for North American retailers?
served at Christmas dinners?
4. W
here did many of the modern-day
10. List six activities mentioned in the article
customs of Christmas originate?
that are associated with the Christmas season.
5. W
hy were many pagan festivals held
during the time of the winter solstice?
Vocabulary Review
A. Choose the Correct Word
Choose the correct words from the vocabulary

list on page 2 to complete the following sentences.
1. November 11 is a day to all the people who died in both World Wars.
2. January February on the calendar.
3. She put red and green on the Christmas cake.
4. Many children in elementary schools cards on Valentine’s Day.
5. The twin sisters look so . I don’t know who is who.
6. When my dad retired, he stopped shaving and grew a big, bushy .
7. We have a big family every Thanksgiving.
8. Santa Claus travels through the sky on a pulled by reindeer.
9. When we went camping last summer, we sat around the

every evening and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows.
10. Thanksgiving is a holiday in Canada and the United States.
Christmas
Holidays & Events
Vocabulary Review cont.

B. C
hoose the Closest Meaning
Circle the word or phrase with the closest meaning to the underlined word.
1. carol 4. retailer 7. festive 10. pagan
a) box a) receiver a) tiring a) new

b) tree b) seller b) celebratory b) paper
c) song c) do again c) messy c) festival
d) gift d) someone who sews d) honourable d) non-religious
2. gift 5. stuffed 8. annual
a) custom a) always a) always

b) show b) fat b) daily
c) cake c) full c) apple
d) present d) turkey d) yearly
3. jolly 6. custom 9. merry
a) happy a) tradition a) girl

b) fat b) gift b) happy
c) big c) feast c) a lot
d) kind d) meal d) funny
C. Odd One Out
Circle the word or phrase that does not belong.
1. a) fear 3. a) solstice 5. a) lap

b) be afraid b) December 21 b) leg
c) believe c) June 21 c) arm
d) be scared d) October 31 d) seat
2. a) chimney 4. a) Santa Claus 6. a) recognizable

b) basement b) reindeer b) easy to notice
c) roof c) South Pole c) easy to know
d) fireplace d) elves d) believable
Christmas
Holidays & Events
Survey
Complete the chart below by asking your partners questions about
their favourite holiday. Why is your favourite holiday your favourite?
Me
What’s your favourite holiday?
What time of year is it?
Is it a statutory holiday?
Is it religious or secular?
What are its symbols,

traditions, and customs?
What is the traditional clothing?
What are the special foods?
How do you decorate?
What do you give as gifts?
Do you give cards?
Christmas
Holidays & Events
Pair Work (Student A)

A. Sharing Information
You and your partner each have two short readings about some of
the symbols of Christmas. Share your information with your partner.
Symbols of Christmas
At Christmastime, many people like to decorate their doors with

Christmas wreaths. A wreath is a bunch of flowers or leaves that have
been twisted together to make a circle. The Christmas wreath is a symbol
of everlasting life because the shape is an unbroken circle, and the
branches come from an evergreen tree, which remains green all winter.
Mistletoe is an evergreen plant with small white berries. It has been used
as a decoration for thousands of years. In ancient times, people believed
that the plant had special magical powers, and they often used it in their
special ceremonies. In Scandinavia, mistletoe was associated with their
goddess of love and peace, Frigga. This connection between mistletoe and
love probably explains our custom of kissing whenever we meet someone
under the mistletoe. In the early years of Christianity, the church did not
allow people to use mistletoe because of its pagan origins. Instead, the
church priests suggested the use of holly as a decoration. Holly is also an
evergreen plant. It has sharp, shiny, pointed leaves and red berries. The
pointed leaves represent the thorns in Christ’s crown and the red berries
represent his drops of blood. Because of this, red and green have become
the traditional colours of Christmas. Holly is used as a common decoration
throughout the Christmas season and remains an important symbol of
Christmas today.
The poinsettia is a tropical plant with large red leaves. In 1828, Dr. Joel
Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico, saw the beautiful
Mexican plant and decided to bring it from Mexico to his own country.
Since then, the poinsettia has become a traditional Christmas plant that
can be found in homes, offices, and shops throughout North America
during the Christmas season.
Christmas
Holidays & Events
Pair Work (Student B)

A. Sharing Information
You and your partner each have two short readings about some of
the symbols of Christmas. Share your information with your partner.
Symbols of Christmas
Thousands of years ago, people believed that evergreen trees were

magical because they stayed strong and green during the winter
when other trees became brown and bare. The evergreen tree became
a symbol of life, hope, and joy. The tradition of decorating a Christmas
tree originated in Germany around the 16th century. It became common
for German people to decorate fir trees with candles, fruit, or coloured
paper. This custom spread to England in the 19th century when Queen
Victoria married a German prince named Albert. Albert put up a Christmas
tree in the royal palace to remind him of his homeland. Later the tradition
spread from England to North America. Nowadays, Christmas trees are
decorated with fancy ornaments, coloured lights, shiny paper, candy canes,
stars, and angels.
Candy sticks have been around for hundreds of years, but it wasn’t until
the late 1800s that they were decorated with red stripes and bent into
the shape of a cane. A candymaker in the United States wanted to make
a candy that would represent Christmas. Candy canes represent the
staffs or sticks used by the shepherds who travelled to Bethlehem to
see the baby Jesus. If you turn a candy cane upside down, it looks like
the letter J. This shape symbolizes the first letter of Jesus’s name. The
red in a candy cane represents the blood of Christ.
The custom of sending Christmas cards to family and friends originated

in England. The first Christmas card was made by Sir Henry Cole in 1843.
At about the same time, the public mail delivery system first started. The
original Christmas cards were handmade and very expensive. As printing
methods and mail delivery improved, Christmas cards became more and
more popular. Nowadays, millions of Christmas cards are sent all over the
world each year.
Christmas
Holidays & Events
Pair Work cont.

B. Ask & Answer
Practise asking and answering the following questions with your partner.
1. Why is the Christmas wreath a symbol of everlasting life?
2. What are the traditional colours of Christmas?
3. Where did the custom of kissing under the mistletoe come from?
4. Why did ancient people often use mistletoe in their special celebrations?
5. Why is holly used as a Christmas decoration?
6. Why did people long ago believe that evergreen trees were magical?
7. Where did the custom of decorating Christmas trees originate?
8. How did the custom of decorating a tree spread to England?
9. What does the shape of a candy cane represent?
10. When were candy canes first made?
11. When and where did the custom of sending Christmas cards originate?
12. List six common symbols of Christmas.
C. Symbols Review
Read your partner’s reading on page 6 or 7 on the 1. Sir Henry Cole

symbols of Christmas. Then write the correct symbol
2. Goddess of Love, Frigga
that is associated with each of the following. You will
use some of the words more than once. 3. Prince Albert
4. 1843
Symbols: 5. Mexico
• wreath • Christmas card • holly
• mistletoe • Christmas tree • candy cane 6. kiss under it
• poinsettia
7. place it on your door
8. shepherd’s staff
9. Germany
10. red and green
Christmas
Holidays & Events
Pair Work cont.

D. Complete the Story
Fill in the blanks with the correct word from

the list below to complete the story of Santa Claus.
The of Santa Claus or Father Christmas began

1. Word List:
with a real person named Saint Nicholas. He was born in Turkey in the 4th • jolly
• appearance
. Saint Nicholas was a very
2. 3. • century
• kind
and generous man. He liked to help poor people by giving them money,
• climbed
but he didn’t want them to know about his . • dry
4. • red
According to one story, Saint Nicholas once • spread
5. • tradition
up on the roof of a house and dropped a bag of money down the • chimney
• generosity
. The money landed in a • stocking
6. 7. • sleigh
that a young girl had placed by the fire to .
8.
The legend of Saint Nicholas to many countries.
9.
For many years after Saint Nicholas’s death, children in Holland left out
their wooden shoes in the hopes that Saint Nicholas would fill them with
treats. The Dutch called Saint Nicholas Sinterklaas. In English, the name
became Santa Claus. Over the years, the of

10.
Santa Claus changed, too. In early pictures, he often appeared tall and
thin, dressed in a brown or green suit. In 1822, a man named Clement
Moore wrote a famous poem called The Night Before Christmas. In this
poem, Moore described Santa as a old man

11.
in a suit riding in a
12. 13.
pulled by reindeer. Gradually, this image of Santa became very popular.
Nowadays, children hang stockings by the fire on Christmas Eve and wait
for Santa to come and fill them with treats and toys.
Christmas
Holidays & Events
Vocabulary, Idioms & Expressions

A. Reference
IDIOM OR EXPRESSION DEFINITION EX AMPLE
losing money, She’s in the red this month because she

in the red
showing a financial loss spent so much on Christmas presents.
to be caught while He was caught red-handed when the

caught red-handed
doing something bad clerk saw him put candy into his pocket.
difficult government There is a lot of red tape when you’re

red tape
forms and procedures trying to immigrate to a new country.
roll/lay out give a special welcome and special I felt really special when my friends
the red carpet treatment to a special person rolled out the red carpet for my birthday.
to give/get the okay or Her parents gave her the green light
give/get the green light
approval to do something to use their car for the weekend.
The vegetables from your garden are

have a green thumb to be good at gardening
so tasty! You must have a green thumb.
feel/be stuffed to feel very full from eating a lot I can’t believe I ate so much. I’m stuffed!
to quit a habit all at They were proud of their son when

quit cold turkey
once, not gradually he quit smoking cold turkey.
B. Practice
Choose one of the words or expressions above to complete the sentences.
1. I ’m sick of all the that’s involved with applying for a passport.
2. When the queen comes to our city, we will for her.
3. I can’t eat another thing! I’m .
4. Mary’s flowers are beautiful. She must have a .
5. The robber was with his hand full of money.
6. Last night she threw her full package of cigarettes in the garbage. She decided to .
7. I think that business will have to close soon. It has been for several years.
8. You shouldn’t start the project until the boss gives you .
Christmas
Holidays & Events
Class Activity
Walk around the classroom and ask your classmates questions.
Write the questions in the spaces provided below, and write
your classmate’s name on the right if he/she answers “yes.”
# Find someone... Question Classmate
1 who has a Christmas tree.
who has sent Christmas

2
cards this year.
who has rolled out the red

3
carpet for someone.
4 who has a green thumb.
who goes to church on

5
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
who is planning to have a turkey

6
for Christmas dinner.
7 who quit smoking cold turkey.
who has a lot of

8
Christmas shopping to do.
whose favourite
9
holiday is Christmas.
who has decorated his/her

10
house with Christmas lights.
Christmas
Holidays & Events
Listening
 http://blog.esllibrary.com/2011/12/14/podcast-christmas/
Fill in the blanks as you listen to the recording.
1. Christmas, which is celebrated on December 25, is one of the biggest

celebrations of the year in many countries around the world. It is both
a religious and a holiday. In most countries
where Christmas is celebrated, it is a legal or statutory holiday. Most
workers receive at least one or two days off work, and children often
have a two-week at this time. Christmas is
a very important day for members of the Christian religion because
it commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. At church services
everywhere, Christians retell the story of the birth of Jesus in the
manger in Bethlehem.
2. A
lthough Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December, the
Christmas season actually lasts for almost a month. In many countries,
from mid-November on, it is to forget
that Christmas is coming. Streets, homes, and shops are filled
with colourful Christmas lights and .
Shopping centres are full of people doing their Christmas shopping.
In fact, the weeks preceding Christmas are the busiest shopping
weeks of the year. In most Western countries, many retailers make
up of their annual sales in the month
before Christmas.
3. M
any of the present-day customs that we associate with Christmas
actually originated in pagan festivals long ago. Thousands of years
ago, celebrations were often held around the time of the winter
solstice. People were often afraid when the sun disappeared
during the long, cold nights of winter. When the days finally began
to , they celebrated the return of the sun by
making great bonfires, serving large, meals,
and exchanging gifts. After the birth of Christ, many of these traditions
of the old pagan festivals were combined with the celebration
of Christmas.
Christmas
Holidays & Events
Listening cont.
4. P
robably the most recognizable non-religious symbol of Christmas
is that of Santa Claus. Pictures can be seen everywhere of the jolly
old man with the long, white beard, big stomach, and red suit.
Children in Canada and the United States believe that Santa Claus
lives in the North Pole where he makes toys with his helpful little
elves. On Christmas Eve, December 24, he travels through the sky
on a sleigh pulled by reindeer. He lands of
people’s homes, enters through the chimney, and leaves wonderful
gifts for all the good little boys and girls. In some countries, December
6 is known as Saint Nicholas Day and is celebrated in a similar way
as Christmas. In the weeks before Christmas, Santa Claus often
appears in many stores and shopping centres throughout the cities.
Excited children wait in to sit on Santa’s lap,
have their pictures taken with him, and tell him what presents they
are hoping to receive at Christmas.
5. B
esides being a religious celebration and a wonderful,
exciting time for children, Christmas is also an important
time for family . People travel long
distances to spend time with their families at this time of the
year. Singing Christmas carols, decorating the family Christmas
tree, stockings by the fire, and exchanging
cards and gifts are all part of the holiday season. Of course, food
is also a very important part of the Christmas celebration. Stuffed
turkey with mashed potatoes remains the most traditional meal
served at Christmas dinners, but other wonderful Christmas
dishes, holiday baking, and special festive treats fill the homes
of all who celebrate this season.

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Holidays & Events

1. When is Christmas celebrated?

2. Is Christmas a religious holiday?

3. What Christian event does Christmas celebrate?

4. What are some symbols of Christmas?

Match up as many words and meanings as you can.

1. secular a) to trade

Choose the correct words from the vocabulary

2. January February on the calendar.

3. She put red and green on the Christmas cake.

4. Many children in elementary schools cards on Valentine’s Day.

5. The twin sisters look so . I don’t know who is who.

6. When my dad retired, he stopped shaving and grew a big, bushy .

7. We have a big family every Thanksgiving.

8. Santa Claus travels through the sky on a pulled by reindeer.

9. When we went camping last summer, we sat around the

10. Thanksgiving is a holiday in Canada and the United States.

Vocabulary Review cont.

1. carol 4. retailer 7. festive 10. pagan

a) box a) receiver a) tiring a) new

2. gift 5. stuffed 8. annual

a) custom a) always a) always

3. jolly 6. custom 9. merry

a) happy a) tradition a) girl

C. Odd One Out

Circle the word or phrase that does not belong.

1. a) fear 3. a) solstice 5. a) lap

2. a) chimney 4. a) Santa Claus 6. a) recognizable

What’s your favourite holiday?

What time of year is it?

What are its symbols,

What is the traditional clothing?

What are the special foods?

How do you decorate?

What do you give as gifts?

Do you give cards?

Pair Work (Student A)

At Christmastime, many people like to decorate their doors with

Pair Work (Student B)

Thousands of years ago, people believed that evergreen trees were

The custom of sending Christmas cards to family and friends originated

Pair Work cont.

1. Why is the Christmas wreath a symbol of everlasting life?

2. What are the traditional colours of Christmas?

5. Why is holly used as a Christmas decoration?

7. Where did the custom of decorating Christmas trees originate?

8. How did the custom of decorating a tree spread to England?

9. What does the shape of a candy cane represent?

10. When were candy canes first made?

12. List six common symbols of Christmas.

Read your partner’s reading on page 6 or 7 on the 1. Sir Henry Cole

10. red and green

Pair Work cont.

Fill in the blanks with the correct word from

The of Santa Claus or Father Christmas began

became Santa Claus. Over the years, the of

thin, dressed in a brown or green suit. In 1822, a man named Clement

poem, Moore described Santa as a old man

Vocabulary, Idioms & Expressions

IDIOM OR EXPRESSION DEFINITION EX AMPLE

losing money, She’s in the red this month because she

to be caught while He was caught red-handed when the

difficult government There is a lot of red tape when you’re

3. What Christian event does Christmas celebrate?

2. January February on the calendar.

3. She put red and green on the Christmas cake.

4. Many children in elementary schools cards on Valentine’s Day.

5. The twin sisters look so . I don’t know who is who.

6. When my dad retired, he stopped shaving and grew a big, bushy .

7. We have a big family every Thanksgiving.

8. Santa Claus travels through the sky on a pulled by reindeer.

9. When we went camping last summer, we sat around the

1. Why is the Christmas wreath a symbol of everlasting life?

2. What are the traditional colours of Christmas?

5. Why is holly used as a Christmas decoration?

7. Where did the custom of decorating Christmas trees originate?

8. How did the custom of decorating a tree spread to England?

9. What does the shape of a candy cane represent?

10. When were candy canes first made?

12. List six common symbols of Christmas.

3. I can’t eat another thing! I’m .

4. Mary’s flowers are beautiful. She must have a .

5. The robber was with his hand full of money.