Build up vocabulary for daily use (Topic 3): Christmas and New Year

Sleigh	Ball
Celebration - a special event that people organize in order to celebrate sth	Advent - the arrival of someone or something important
Calendar	Balloon
Festivities -  the activities that are organized to celebrate a special event	Invitation - a spoken or written request to sb to do sth or to go somewhere
Bell	Bow
Eve - the day or evening before an event, especially a religious festival or holiday: Christmas Eve(24 December), a New Year’s Eve party ( on 31 December)	Trimming the tree – decorating the tree
Candle	Candy cane
Turkey	Christmas ornaments - ornaments used to decorate the tree and placed around the house.
Carol singer	Chimney
Confetti - small pieces of coloured paper that people often throw at weddings over people who have just been married, or (in the US) at other special events	Champagne
Midnight - 12 o’clock at night	Bethlehem - the small town in the Middle East believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ
Angel	Manger a long open box that horses and cows can eat from
Christianity - the religion that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the belief that he was the son of God	Christian - a person who believes in Christianity
Holly	Reindeer
Firecrackers	Firework
Shepherd - a person whose job is to take care of sheep	Snowflake
Nativity - the birth of a person	The Nativity - the birth of Jesus Christ
Stocking	Snowman
Tuxedo	Fireplace
Auld lang syne - an old Scottish song expressing feelings of friendship, traditionally sung at midnight on New Year’s Eve	Countdown - the period of time just before sth important happens / the action of counting seconds backwards to zero
Wreath - an arrangement of flowers and/or leaves in the shape of a circle, traditionally hung on doors as a decoration at Christmas	Carol - a Christian religious song sung at Christmas
Eggnog - an alcoholic drink made by mixing beer, wine, etc. with eggs and milk	Chestnut
Hourglass	Parade
Sparkler	Toast
Poinsettias	Tinsel

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Xmas
This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ's name, "X" in place of the word Christ in Christmas as shorthand form of the word. Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ's name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook "Xmas" as a sign of disrespect.

What do people often to on Christmas?

• Triming the tree
• family gatherings
• going to church
• thank Jesus
• getting dinner
• giving gifts
• singing Christmas carols
• playing in the snow
• building a snowman
• waiting for Santa

Christmas expression

 Merry Christmas!

 Happy Christmas

 Happy New Year!

 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 Wishing you a prosperous New Year 

All the best for the coming year 

Seasons Greetings!

New Year around the world

Australia

As soon as the bells ring at midnight the Australians make noises with trumpets, orns, and drums. Sydney is one of the first important cities to anter the New Year (due to time zones).  More than 80,000 fireworks are set off from Harbour Bridge. Sydney has been said to have one of the most spectacular in the world.

USA

On New Year's Eve people gather in Times Square. At 11.59 pm a cystal ball begins its descent from the top of a pole. Millions of voices count down the last seconds of the year in a tradition that goes back to 102 years. On New Year's day, in Pasadena (California), flower-covered carriages travel down Colorado Avenue along with bands and equestrian groups. It's called the 'Rose Parade' 

China

The Chinese calendar has been used for centuries, long before the International Calendar (base on the Gregorian calendar). The Chinese calendar is based on the cycles of the moon. The Chinese year is the 2nd new moon after the beginning of winter. It is tradition that each family cleans its house to sweep away ill fortune. On the eve of Chinese New Year people have a great supper and they end the night with firecrackers to frighten evil spirits.

 

Related topic: Independence Day (topic 2)