Holidays

Nick : Hey Ann, where are you going to?

Ann : I’m going shopping for Christmas. I’m elevated, because this holiday means a lot to me.
Nick : Wow cool! And why do you value it so much?
Ann : Well, I feel especially happy during this time. I prepare every detail with love and try to do my best.
Nick : And how do you prepare?
Ann : As you see, I start preparing very early. As a rule I go shopping at the beginning of December. I buy
Christmas accessories, lights, Christmas door wreath, candles, Christmas socks, Christmas pyjamas,
Christmas themed napkins and Christmas cards. When I come back home I decorate the house and the
Christmas tree. After decoration is ready, I usually bake cookies and deliver neighbors and friends. I
always donate money and food for poor people. During December I listen to Christmas Carol, watch
Christmas films with my family and friends, build a snowman, walk and drive in the snow and prepare
presents for everyone. I want to feel this holiday all the time, that’s why I do everything that is
connected with it.
Nick : Oh, you’re really mad about this holiday. And how do you celebrate it?
Ann : On the Christmas Eve our family gathers early at our home. We play some games together and
share stories. My mom prepares the most delicious dish in which the main ingredient is turkey. At night
we give presents to each other and open them. Then we pour the wine and raise a toast. We always lit
up candles and thank and pray to god. Then we listen to music, dance and talk about everything. This
period is the most important for me, because I spend the day with people I love.
Nick : It was pleasant listening this story from you. I hope you’ll have the best Christmas ever. I love
Christmas so much, however my favorite holiday is the New Year. I spend the best time during New
Year’s time.
Ann : Really? How do you spend it?
Nick : Well, My friends and I always organize a party for the New Year’s Eve. We rent a beautiful house
with pool and balcony. We decorate whole house and garden. We buy a lot of food and drink. We wear
special clothes, have DJ for music, a photographer and a barman. We always have an enormous
Christmas tree in yard and a huge cake where is written the numbers of the year that’s coming. At
twelve we countdown and shout ‘’Happy New Year’’ loudly. After we raise a toast and tell the best
wishes to each other. Then we take things easy and let our hair down. We feel extremely happy and
excited during this night. We are full of emotions and happiness. It is the day that I wait for whole day.
Ann : Wow, it’s unbelievable. I want this kind of New Year, too.
Nick : Yes, It’s just half of the story. I’ll invite you.
 Vocabulary

Napkins – tissues
Christmas Carol – Christmas song
Donate – to give away
Turkey – a large domesticated bird
Pray – to thank or ask something to god
Countdown – to count backwards
Take things easy – to relax
Half of the story – not complete
 Answer the questions.

1. Was the last year a good year for you? What were some of its highlights?
2. What wasn't good about this year for you?
3. What good or bad events happened in the world during the past year?
4. Did you achieve any goals in the past year? Did you keep resolutions that you made at the
beginning of the year?
5. When does the new year start for you? From January 1st, or from a different day?
6. How do people in your culture celebrate the New Year? Is it usually a family celebration or more
of a party with friends?
7. What is usually on television on New Year's Eve? On New Year's Day? Do you enjoy watching TV
around this time of year?
8. In your culture, do people give cards or gifts at the New Year? If so, to whom do you send cards
or give gifts?
9. Do you associate any special foods with the end or the beginning of the year? What are they?
10. What are your plans for New Year's Eve? Who will you spend the time with?
11. At the end of the year, are there public holidays in your country? How much time do people
usually get off from work?
12. What are your plans for the year ahead?
13. Will you make any New Year's resolutions? What do you intend on doing differently next year?
14. How do you make your New Year's resolutions? Do you write them down? Do you tell other
people about your intentions?
15. What is the biggest challenge facing humanity? Do you think the next year will bring us closer to
solving this problem?
16. Do you have a good feeling about the future? Are you optimistic or pessimistic?
17. Which year has been the best of your life so far? What made it so good?
18. Can you make any predictions about the upcoming year? What significant events will happen?
What products or companies will be successful? What trends or fashions will be popular?
 New Year wishes for friends
Have a sparkling, fabulous New Year!
I'm so thankful to have you in my life. Happy New Year, friend!
Wishing you health and happiness in the new year. May all your dreams come true in 2023!
Happy New Year! Here's to living life to the fullest in 2023... and every year after that!
Wishing for the happiest new year for you! May our friendship only grow stronge in 2023.
You've done so much for me in 2022. I hope to return the favor and more in 2023. Happy New Year!
Our friendship made it another year around the sun. Here's to another great one, and hopefully
many, many more.
I couldn't have made it through the past year without your incredible support. Thank you for
everything!
To unforgettable memories with an unforgettable friend...and many more to come. Happy New Year!
Here's to more laughs and good times in 2023. Wishing you a restful, wonderful New Year's Day!
I’m so proud of all that you accomplished in the last 365 days. Can’t wait to see what you do in
2023!
 Past perfect simple (had + past participle)

Use
1) Actions and states before a moment in the past
2) Finished actions and states where the important thing is the a result at a moment in the past

For example:

I had finished my homework a few minutes before the lesson started.

We were happy because we had all done our homework.
Answer the questions.

1. What had you already done by the time you left home today?
2. What book had you already read before you saw the film version?
3. What had you already done before midday yesterday?
4. What languages had you learnt before you were ten years old?
5. When you ate dinner last night, did you thank the person who had cooked it?
6. Tell me about something someone else had owned, that they gave to you.
7. Tell me about a friend you had made before you were eight years old.
8. How many pets had you had before you were twelve years old?
 Listening

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-TTCypCyvc