HAVE A

SUSTAINABLE
CHRISTMAS!
1. Lead-in Ask and answer the questions with a partner.

1. Do you usually put up Christmas decorations in your house?

2. Is your Christmas tree a real or a plastic one?
3. How many Christmas presents do you usually receive? What do you do
with the presents you don't like?
4. How many presents do you usually give? What kinds of presents do you
like to give?
5. What's the best/the worst Christmas present you've ever received?
6. How has Christmas changed since you were a child in terms of
consumption? (think about the type and amount of gifts children and adults
receive, the amount of money spent, etc.)
7. In what ways does the Christmas period contribute to the most common
environmental issues?

The environmental impact of Christmas.

2. Quiz Do the quiz with a partner. After you've finished, your teacher
will give you the answers.

1. How many miles of wrapping paper are used each year in the UK?
A) 27,000 B) 127,000 C) 227,000

2. How many Christmas cards end up in the bin each year?

A) 1 million B) 1 billion C) 2 billion

3. How many tonnes of fairy lights are thrown away each year?
A) 100 tonnes B) 200 tonnes C) 500 tonnes

4. How much food is wasted around Christmas each year?

A) around 150 tonnes B) around 250,000 tonnes C) around 350 tonnes

5. How many unwanted presents are received each year?

A) 8100 B) 81,000 C) 81 million

Source: https://www.asustainablelife.co.uk/12-not-so-fun-festive-facts/

Did anything surprise you?

 For each aspect of Christmas below, talk about what the current
3. Speaking situation is and brainstorm ideas on how it can be more
sustainable.
ideas to make it
current situation
more sustainable

wrapping paper

Christmas gifts

Christmas tree

Christmas
decorations
3. Speaking

leftover food
 Read the sentences below and match the words in bold to
4. Vocabulary their definitions.

1. A survey conducted by the online second-hand marketplace 'Vinted'

found that one in six of us are committed to giving pre-loved gifts this
Christmas.
2. Try to give long-lasting, high-quality gifts that can be enjoyed for
years to come.
3. The most expensive gift is not necessarily the most meaningful one.
You can make your loved ones feel really special, even if you are on a
budget, with a small, but thoughtful gift.
4. Bring deeper meaning to your next gift-giving occasion with presents
that give back to charitable causes and efforts.
5. There are many eco-friendly swaps you can make, such as shopping
locally instead of online.

Definitions:
A) exchange one thing for another:
B) important or valuable:
C) second-hand:
D) carefully considered:
E) continuing for a long period of time:
F) help others, e.g. by sharing your time or money:

Complete the sentences with the correct word from

5. Practice activity 4.

1. This lipstick gives a rich colour.

2. You can to your community by shopping locally.
3. The shop sells furniture. Most items are still in great
condition and look barely used.

What's the most meaningful gift you've ever received?

Have you ever given or received a second-hand gift?
Do you do anything to give back to your community?
 You are going to watch a video: "14 tips on how to have a
6. Listening sustainable Christmas".
You can see a summary of the tips below. Before you watch,
discuss what each tip might be.
Watch the video once or twice and take notes about each
Video: tip.

1. Children's clothing:

2. Wrapping paper:

3. Local products:

4. Second hand:

5. Re-use:

6. Meaningful gifts:

7. Long-lasting:

8. Leftovers:

9. Recycle:

10. Be thoughtful:

11. Reducing:

12. Time:

13. Give back:

14. Small steps:

Were any of your ideas from activity 3 mentioned?

Are you already following any of the tips mentioned?
Which tip do you like the most?
Are there any tips you don't like?
What small step can you take this year to have a more sustainable
Christmas?
7. Word Complete the sentences with the correct form of the
formation word in CAPITALS.

1. I'm sick of getting Christmas gifts I have no use for. I'd

rather not get anything at all. WANT
2. I always reuse paper. WRAP
3. I like handmade gifts because I think they are quite . THINK
4. We usually eat food for a week after Christmas. LEAVE
5. I make my gifts more by personalising them. MEAN

Are the sentences true for you? Give examples.

8. Speaking Discuss the statements.

Children receive too many gifts and they don't appreciate them
anymore.
People focus too much on gifts when they should be focusing on
spending quality time with their loved ones.
9. Reflection What would you like to take from this lesson?
and feedback Complete the table below. After that your teacher will give
you some feedback

A) New vocabulary: B) Pronunciation: C) Error correction:

write 5 (or more!) write the words from write the mistakes your
words or expressions this lesson that you teacher corrected
from this lesson you find difficult to (e.g. expressions you
would like to pronounce. translate from your
remember and use in language that are actually
the future. different in English;
prepositions etc.)

Research one of the topics below.

10. Homework Report your findings to your teacher in the next class.

1. Sustainable gift ideas

2. DIY Christmas decorations
3. Environmental impact of Christmas

Keep learning outside of the classroom!

11. Keep To reinforce and enrich the vocabulary from this class, check the
1. Pre-
learning! "Additional resources" section (videos and articles) here:
listening.

LINK TO ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES