You are on page 1of 140

Christmas Tongue Twisters .

1 1

Christmas Tongue Twisters!

Santa's sleigh slides on slick snow.

Bobby brings bright bells.

Running reindeer romp 'round red wreaths.

Tiny Timmy trims the tall tree with tinsel.

Chilly chipper children cheerfully chant.

Two trains travel together to Toyland.

Eleven elves licked eleven little licorice lollipops.

Santa's sack sags slightly.

Ten tiny tin trains toot ten times.

Santa stuffs Stephie's striped stocking.

Comet cuddles cute Christmas kittens carefully.

http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/7249/chtwisters.html?200619 19.12.2006
-1- -2- -4-
-3-
Do you enjoy Christmas
Did you enjoy last

H 7
START time? What do you
Christmas? Why?
usually do for
Christmas?

-6- -7-
-8-
-5- Do you ever go abroad -9-
Do you think that in during the Christmas How do you usually


general people spend holidays? If you could spend your spare time
far too much money at go anywhere, where during the Christmas
Christmas time? would you go? holidays?

-10- -14-
-11- -12- -13-
Do you ever make any
Does your family have
New Years
Resolutions? Give
examples.
 any special Christmas
traditions?

-15- -16-
What presents are you -18- -19-
-17-
planning to buy this Some people find
Who would you like to


year? Have you already Christmas depressing.
spend Christmas Day
started your Christmas In your opinion, how
with?
shopping? can this be?

-20- -22- -24-


-23-
-21-
Do you remember the
Do you get many

E <
day when you found out
Christmas cards? How
that Santa Claus wasnt
many do you send?
real? How did you feel?

-25- -26-
-27- -28-
Have you got a big
What do you enjoy the What would you like
FINISH

family? Do you all get
most about Christmas Santa to bring you for
together on Christmas
time? Christmas this year?
Day?

onestopenglish.com 2001 This page may be photocopied.


Christmas is coming!!
Carme Roig-Papiol
Teachers notes

LEVEL: intermediate and upper-intermediate

STUDENTS: young adults and adults

TYPE OF ACTIVITY: board game

AIM: to improve the students fluency by speaking in small groups and


to build their vocabulary

VOCABULARY: words connected with Christmas

TIMING: 25-30 minutes

PROCEDURE: 1. Students get into groups of three or four. Each student will
need a counter and each group will need a game board and a dice.

2. All the counters are put on the square marked START and the
first player to throw a six starts the game.

3. The students take turns to roll the dice and move along the
board according to the number on the dice. When a student lands
on a square, s/he will have to talk for two minutes without
stopping about the question on the square. If s/he cant keep
talking for two minutes s/he will have to go back three squares.
When the two minutes are over the other players in the group may
join in and also comment on the question.

4. The game continues until one of the players reaches the


FINISH square.

COMMENTS: The teacher should try and encourage all the members of the
group to say something about each question and not to limit the
speaking connected to each square to the person who landed
there.

onestopenglish.com 2001 This page may be photocopied.


2005 www.bogglesworld.com
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Christmas Games
Clare Lavery, British Council
Here are some games which we associate with parties and Christmas celebrations in
UK schools. These games can be adapted for language learners of all ages and levels.

Pass the parcel (Whole class/mixed ability groups)


Prepare 5-6 boxes or envelopes decorated or wrapped with Christmas paper. In
each parcel put a group activity with a Xmas theme for students to try e.g. a
word search, a dialogue to practice, a questionnaire to ask each other, a poem
to read aloud. Spread the boxes around the class and students can work
through each parcel, passing them around. Good for two lessons or a double
period as well.

Suggestions for parcel activities at different levels:

Younger learners

A Christmas card to colour in (by numbers, following


the instructions) or a kit to make one with the words
Happy Christmas from inside.

A dialogue with very simple words missing e.g. Santa


talking to a child (complete the dialogue and practice)
or a silly quiz e.g. Christmas colours: What colour is
Santas beard? White brown or black What colour are
Christmas trees? Etc.

A simple questionnaire: What would you like for


Christmas? Where do you spend Xmas? Whats your
favourite Christmas food?

Pictures of food, drink and other words to match to


word cards

Lower levels (teens):

A Christmas word search with a list of Christmas words


to find in the grid

A jumbled dialogue (between the innkeeper and Mary


and Joseph? Or in a shop buying Xmas presents)

Jumbled interview between famous person/pop star on


Xmas habits/likes/dislikes which can be reordered and
acted out.

Higher levels (teens and older)


Discussion cards to work through as a group (see
suggestions of topics in the Essential UK Christmas
special)

A gap fill Christmas pop song (give the words to match


to the gaps to make this easier)

Role cards to act out improvised conversations e.g You


are given an awful/strange present by a
relative/boyfriend. Student B is the relative who is
watching you open the gift. Act out your conversation.

Santas sack (whole class)


Prepare everyday objects of varying sizes and shapes. Wrap them up in Xmas
paper and put in a sack (a pillow case will do !). Students take turns to fish out
an object then win points if they can guess the object. It could be a mobile
phone.It might be a calculator etc. Lower levels can say I think its a..
or ask Is it a/an..?

Mystery pictures (whole class or small groups)


Another guessing game is to cover Christmas pictures with a black card and
leave a slim keyhole or peep hole in the centre of the card. Can they guess the
object that is half hidden? You can get your pictures from magazines, free
leaflets and catalogues from supermarkets or printed up from the net. Make a
keyhole template with one blank sheet of paper. Cover each picture and
photocopy. You will then have a series of pictures half hidden by black.
Students can also play this in small groups if you have enough pictures
photocopied. For groups write the solution in pencil on the back of each
hidden picture.

For lower levels (and kids): concentrate on 8 key items which they
know well (this can be Christmas presents hidden i.e a Harry Potter
book, a game boy, a favourite video).

For higher levels: pick objects associated with Christmas but still stick
to vocabulary they know e.g. a bottle of Champagne, a Christmas cake,
a parcel or gift, a ski slope, a reindeer, an angel Or cover Christmas
presents.

Pin the nose on the reindeer (whole class or small groups)


Prepare a picture of a reindeer with a small piece of velcro glued to the place
where the nose should be. Prepare a nose backed with velcro. Blindfold a
student from each team and their team have to shout directions to help them
get the nose on the reindeer e.g. Up a bit, down a bit, left, right etc. All ages
play this but beware of self conscious adolescents as it may cramp their style!
Xmas find someone who (whole class, small groups)
Prepare 8 festive sounding challenges suited to the language level of your
class and get them talking to find someone who went skiing / will be going
skiing, wrote a letter to Santa when they were small, has got a Xmas tree at
home, has done some Xmas shopping, can tell you how to cook a traditional
meal/dish.

Example challenges:

Lower levels: Find someone who is.. going to the mountains for
Christmas / Going to stay with cousins for Christmas / Staying
at home for Christmas.

Higher levels (use language they have studied this term) Find
someone who has never been away from home / has eaten
pizza on Christmas day / Would go to a hot country for
Christmas (if they could/had the opportunity) / Has already
bought some Christmas presents / a Christmas CD / Can
suggest an original dish/activity for Xmas day / can tell you a
special Xmas memory from childhood (this is a very open
conversation starter for a fairly fluent class).

Xmas colouring (whole class or pairs)


Make multiple copies of the same colouring picture (print up one from the
sites suggested in the Essential UK Xmas Special). Tell the whole class how to
colour it (best with lower levels and kids) or in pairs give each students a half
coloured picture (different parts coloured for each) and they ask questions to
finish the picture e.g. What colour is the present? fairy on the tree? Santas
sleigh?

Higher levels can have different pictures but do not give them
guidance on which objects are coloured in or not. Students therefore
have to ask and find out what needs colouring in. In some cases the
pictures have a few objects coloured in but the choice is more random
than half and half.

Make sure students know all the words for the objects. Put a glossary
down the side of their pictures and/or use one copy to review the words before they start the activity.
Christmas Chop Worksheet
Directions: The table below contains words that have been chopped in half. Find the pieces that fit
together and write them in the answer area below.

ent mney igh decor

sel ations pre egg

mist ath chi letoe

rein fire gar nog

land place adv sent

sle wre deer tin

Answers:

________________________ ________________________

________________________ ________________________

________________________ ________________________

________________________ ________________________

________________________ ________________________

________________________ ________________________

________________________ ________________________

________________________ ________________________

________________________
Christmas Games and Activities
Ho-Ho-Ho and Merry Christmas! 'Tis the season, and just one reason, to have a party
and play some festive holiday games. Decorations are easy when you have the children
make snowflakes (no two are alike, just as each child is unique and special) and hang
them from the ceiling.

Candy Cane Pass (relay race)


Supplies: 4 candy canes per team (have a few extras due to breakage)
How To Play: Player holds 4 candy canes between fingers and passes them down the
line, teammate to teammate, without dropping.

Pass the Ornament


Supplies: Straw for each child
Ornaments cut out of tissue paper (tree, bell, star, etc.)
How To Play: Pass the ornaments down the line, teammate to teammate, by inhaling
and exhaling on the straw to hang onto or release ornament. No hands!

Rudolph Dash
Supplies: Cut circles out of red construction paper Vaseline
How To Play: Have child put Vaseline on their nose and then put the red circles on
their nose. Relay race to the finish with each new person adding their red nose. If nose
falls, go back to bowl and add more Vaseline and reapply nose.

Santa Says
How To Play: Played similar to Simon Says. The player up is "Santa". Player will say
"Santa says hop on one foot". The children will hop on one foot. Player will say "Stop".
The children are to keep hopping on one foot until player says "Santa says stop".
Repeat for additional activities such as take one baby step forward, step backwards,
turn around, sit down. Sometimes Santa will say "Santa says" and sometimes he wont.
Its a fun game to play with young children.

Book Exchange
Supplies: Inexpensive book gift wrapped for each child
Book- The Gingerbread Man
How To Play: Children set in a circle, each one holding a wrapped book. A Room
Mother reads "The Gingerbread Man" story. Every time the word "ran" is spoken you
pass the book to the person on your right. Continue doing until the story is over. The
book on your lap at the end of the story is yours to keep and open.
Fill the Christmas Stocking
Supplies: Stocking for each team
Spoon for each team
Bowl for each team
Wrapped candy
How To Play: Divide into teams. Have children line up at one end of the room. At the
other end, hang a Christmas stocking for each team. Place a bowl of candy and a
spoon in front of each team. Each child takes a turn taking a candy from the bowl with
the spoon. They then carry the candy on the spoon to the stocking and drop the candy
in the stocking. Race back to the next person in line, give them the spoon. First team to
fill the stocking wins!

Santa Santa
Supplies: Santa sleigh
How To Play: Have children sit in a large circle and blindfold one child. Another child
will be given the sleigh and must say:
Santa Santa, wheres your sleigh
Someones come and taken it away
Guess who Guess who?
The blindfolded child gets three guesses. The child who has the sleigh is next to be
blindfolded.

Remember Christmas Game


Supplies: 18 items in box
How To Play: Show the items in the box to the children. Remove one or more items out
of the box (without children seeing you). Have the children guess what items are
missing. For older children put items on large tray or cookie sheet. Cover. Remove
cover for 20-30 seconds and then remove tray from room. On your mark the children
are to write down as many items that they can remember being on the tray before you
yell, "STOP". Most correct items wins.

Gift Unwrap Relay


Supplies: Empty boxes wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper
How To Play: Divide the class into teams. Put a stack of presents at the end of each
teams course. The first child in each team runs to the presents, unwraps one, and
races back to the next person in line. First team finished unwrapping wins! Note: To
make it easier on the Room Parents, you may wish to adapt this game to where the
child unwraps, throws away the paper, then runs back!

Word Find
Take a Christmas related word such as: Christmas, Poinsettia, Candy cane, etc. and
find as many little words as possible within before the timer runs out.
Example: Christmas
Words: sit, is, his, miss, rat, tar, this, math, chair, rim...
Example: Candy cane
Words: candy, cane, and, dance, day, nay, can, dye, an, any...

Christmas Twenty Questions


Teacher start by choosing a Christmas related person, place, or thing. The teacher
says, "I'm thinking of something". The children try to guess what it is by asking no more
than twenty questions that can be answered "YES", "NO", or I DON'T KNOW". The
student who guesses correctly is next up.
Clue
Teacher thinks of person, place, or thing. Teacher gives a clue. Begin at one end of the
room and work your way around allowing each student to take a turn guessing until one
student solves the case. The student who solves the case goes next.
Example: Frosty
Clue: I'm thinking of someone who wears a hat
Clue: He loves snow
Clue: He'll melt if it gets too warm outside
Clues should be appropriate for the knowledge of the children playing.

Freeze
Supplies: Christmas music
How To Play: Begin playing music, everyone moves and dances until the music stops
then they must "freeze" in whatever position they happen to be in.

Littlest Angel or Good Elf


How To Play: Challenge the children to do random acts of kindness for others for one
day. Tell them that they are not to reveal that they have done these nice things and if
someone should ask them, "did you make sisters bed"? they can reply, "Must have
been a good elf".
This game helps children realize we don't always have to be recognized and made over
when we do something for someone else. If playing with preschoolers or
kindergarteners you may want to send a note home with them explaining how parents
can help.

Feliz Navidad Party Ideas


Craft Activity/Supplies: Write Feliz Navidad on miniature sombreros with green paint
pens. Make tiny chile peppers to hang on them for memento shelf.
Food and Decor: Cactus juice- Any green punch
Nachos- Chips & salsa
Layered Mexican dip
Flour tortillas rolled with cream cheese & salsa
Sapodillas (bought from local Mexican restaurant)
Burritos cut in half
Mexican blanket for tablecloth
Pinata for decoration
Lots of balloons
Tissue flowers
Poinsettias big holiday flower in Mexico
Christmas matching Name: __________________

Match the words in the first column to the best available answer in the second column.

_____ sing
1) Christmas carols

_____ give
2) Christmas tree

_____ take a ride with


3) a reindeer

_____ see
4) Christmas presents

_____ decorate

5) Santa Claus

_____ make

6) Christmas cards

Copyright Futonge Kisito 2006 www.english-4kids.com & www.esl-galaxy.com


Christmas matching
Answer Key:

1 - sing
4 - give
3 - ride
5 - see
2 - decorate
6 - make

Copyright Futonge Kisito 2006 www.english-4kids.com & www.esl-galaxy.com


Copyright Futonge Kisito 2006 www.english-4kids.com & www.esl-galaxy.com
7. What do we sing at Christmas?
9. We decorate it and hang presents on it at Christmas.

1. An old man who comes at Christmas bringing gifts to children.


2. Something that jingles.
3. Something we put on a Christmas tree to decorate it.
4. This is the month of Christmas.
5. What does Santa Claus give children at Christmas?
6. This is something Santa Claus sits on and is pulled by
reindeers.
8. A red-nosed reindeer that pulls Santas sleigh.

Copyright Futonge Kisito 2006 www.esl-galaxy.com & www.english-4kids.com


1. 2 .

7.

3.

4.

9.

5. 6.

8.

Copyright Futonge Kisito 2006 www.esl-galaxy.com & www.english-4kids.com


1. When was Christmas first celebrated?
The year after Jesus was crucified
Around 100 AD
In the 4th Century
1935

2. Jesus was probably born during what season?


Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter

3. Why was December 25th chosen as Christmas Day?


That's when Jesus was born
To compete with a pagan celebration
That's when Christmas trees are in season
That's when the Bible says to celebrate it

4. How did the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe develop?


Eating it makes your mouth pucker
It was associated with the Scandinavian love goddess
The Druids used it in marriage ceremonies
It was used to make love potion in ancient times

5. What significance is holly in celebrating Christmas?


The pointed leaves represent the Star of Bethlehem
It was mistaken for mistletoe
The red berries are a Christmas color
The early church banned mistletoe, so holly was substituted

6. What country did poinsettias originally come from?


The U.S.
Cuba
Mexico
Brazil

7. Who probably was the first man to illuminate a Christmas tree with candles?
Alexander the Great
Pope John I
Martin Luther
Pope Bob II

8. How did Xmas originate as an abbreviation for Christmas?


Atheists refused to accept "Christ" as part of the word
The early popes were lazy so they tended to shorten everything
The Greek word for Christ is Xristos
From Latin terminology for any holy day

9. St. Nicholas was born in what country?


The North Pole
Holland
Germany
Turkey

10. Clement C. Moore's famous poem, "The Night Before Christmas" was originally titled...
"A Visit from St. Nick"
"Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer"
"A Night to Remember"
"St. Nick and His Reindeer"
Answers

1. c

2. a

3. b

4. b

5. d

6. c

7. c

8. c

9. d

10. a

Test Your Christmas Spirit Quotient


The elves at Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland have come up with the following quiz to test your
level of Christmas spirit. C'mon, let's see how you do! And remember, it's just for fun. The correct
answers will appear after you've submitted your answers.

1. What Asian country experienced a post-World War II boom by producing Christmas goods?

China
Japan
Thailand

2. What sidewalk gift popularized in California sold wildly and peaked at Christmas, 1965??
unicycle
skateboard
roller skates

3. Which of the 48 continental states was the last to declare Christmas a legal holiday?
Oklahoma
Oregon
New Hampshire

4. In Little Women, who gets slippers, handkerchiefs, cologne, and gloves for Christmas?
Beth
Jo
Marmee

5. In what film does a widowed musician return to Texas with his daughter?
Sunshine Christmas
Holiday
The Gathering

6. What author wrote the poem "Christmas at Sea"?


Stephen Crane
Robert Louis Stevenson
Clement C. Moore

7. What nut do Danish children look for in the rice pudding?


almond
walnut
pecan

8. What carol contains the line "Bearing gifts we traverse afar"?


"We Three Kings of Orient Are"
"While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night"
"O Come Let Us Adore Him"

9. What was the first gift my true love sent on the eighth day of Christmas?
swans a-swimming
geese a-laying
maids a-milking

10. What extremely popular carol was written by Josef Mohr and composed by Franz Gruber?
"Oh Holy Night"
"Silent Night"
"The First Noel"
BETHANY ROBERTS'
TWELVE DAYS OF TONGUE TWISTERS
copyright Bethany Roberts, 2001 Can you say these ten times fast?

Claire Kringle crunches candy canes.

Patsy picks pretty papered packages.

Mindy merrily mixes mincemeat.

Clever Carol carries crimson candles carefully.

Crafty Cliff cuts and crayons Christmas cards.

Tim trims the treetop, treetop, treetop!

Amidst the frost, chilly Christmas carolers catch cold.

Bakers bake bright, blue bells.

Short shoppers shop for soft, short shirts.

Roy bought toy boats.

Snow slows Santa's sleigh.

Santa stuffs six striped stockings.


www.handoutsonline.com Supplementary EFL Materials

2 3 4

6 7 8 9

10 11

12

.
.

Across Down
4. It has green leaves, and red berries. 1. Santa uses this to get in your house!
5. We wish you a _ _ _ _ _ Christmas! 2. Short version of Christmas.
6. You give these to friends and family. 3. You do this to the presents before giving
10. You decorate it with lights etc. them.
11. Santa puts the presents on this. 7. Animal used to deliver presents.
12. Some people eat this bird at Christmas. 8. You'll have this on a White Christmas.
9. You can put small presents in this.

www.handoutsonline.com Handouts Online


www.handoutsonline.com Supplementary EFL Materials

A Christmas Crossword: Teachers Notes

Target Structure: Vocabulary


Vocabulary: Christmas
Level: Any
Time: 20 minutes
Preparation: None

Suggested Teaching method

This quick filler is perfect for a Christmas lesson. The vocabulary has been kept simple, and there are just twelve
clues, meaning that this crossword shouldnt take too long.

Answer Grid

1
C
2 3 4
X W H O L L Y
5
M E R R Y I
A A M
6 7 8 9
S P R E S E N T S
E N E T
I O Y O
N W C
D K
10 11
T R E E S L E I G H
E N
12
T U R K E Y G

How are we doing?

Have you taught this lesson? Wed be pleased to hear some feedback on our worksheets. Let us know
what you think, by clicking on the Feedback link from www.handoutsonline.com. Alternatively, you can
email us as editor@handoutsonline.com.

If you would like the latest information on our worksheets, please subscribe to our newsletter.
Updated 12/04/2005

www.handoutsonline.com Handouts Online


1 2

4 5 6

7 8

10

Across
1. Jingle _____.
4. Send a Christmas ____.
5. Mr. Claus.
7. Stingy old man.
10. Animals that pull the
sleigh.

Down
2. Something to put at the top of the
tree.
3. It covers your window.
4. _____ cane.
5. It hangs above the fireplace.
6. Egg ___. A Christmas drink.
8. Santa's helper.
9. The presents are under the ____.

(c) 2002 www.bogglesworldesl.com


1 2

3
Across
1. Another word for
4 5 6 7
present.
8
4. Santa's door?
9 10 6. Animals that pull Santa's
11
sleigh.

12 13
9. What people put on their
Christmas tree.
11. Something on Santa's
14 15 face.
16 15. The day after
Christmas.
17 18 19
17. Santa's helpers.
18. The day before
20 21 22 Christmas.
23 24 20. A piece of snow.

25
25. What Santa gives to bad
girls and boys.
26 27
26. A sock that hangs by
28 29 the chimney.
30 28. People put these bright
things on there house.
30. A reindeer with a red
31 nose.
31. A jolly man in a red suit
Merry Christmas! with a beard.
Down 14. Look at a present before you should.
2. Something people decorate. 16. The color of Santa's suit.
3. What people give each other. 19. A common decoration for the top of
the tree.
5. Where Santa's workshop is located.
21. A famous snowman.
7. A striped Christmas treat.
22. The place where Santa makes toys.
8. Drink and food left for Santa.
23. Santa's car?
10. Something people send to each
other to say 'Merry Christmas'. 24. A common decoration for the top of
the tree.
12. The presents are usually _______
the tree. 27. A Christmas song.
13. The month of Christmas. 29. What Santa gives to good girls and
boys.

2005 www.bogglesworldesl.com
Answers:

Across: 1. Gift, 4. Chimney, 6. Reindeer, 9. Decorations, 11. Beard, 15. Boxing day, 17. Elves, 18. Christmas eve,
20. Snowflake, 25. Coal, 26. Stocking, 28. Lights, 30. Rudolph, 31. Santa Claus.
Down: 2. Tree, 3. Presents, 5. North pole, 7. Candy cane, 8. Milk and cookies, 10. Card, 12. Under, 13. December,
14. Peek, 16. Red, 19. Star, 21. Frosty, 22. Workshop, 23. Sleigh, 24. Angel, 27. Carol, 29. Toys.
Isabel's ESL Site http://www.isabelperez.com/

Questions about Christmas

1. When did you start your Christmas holidays?


2. Where have you been at Christmas?
3. How often did you see your friends last Christmas?
4. Did any members of your family come to visit you?
5. Since when hadnt you seen them?
6. What did you eat at Christmas Eve?
7. How much have you spent at Christmas?
8. Did you receive any presents?
9. How many and which presents did you receive?
10. Who have you given presents to?
11. What did you do on New Years Eve?
12. What did you wear on New Years Eve?
13. What colour was your New Years Eve dress?
14. Did you go to the disco?
15. How long did you stay at the disco on New Years Eve?
16. How far is the disco from your house?
17. What time did you get home on New Years Eve?
18. What time did you get up on New Years Day?
19. How many times have you been to mass last Christmas?
20. Did you attend any religious celebrations?
21. Did you spend any money on Charities?
22. Did you watch much TV last Christmas? Did you watch any good programmes?
23. Did you do any homework?
24. Did you spend much time with your family?
25. In General, Did you have a good time?
26. What was the best thing that happened to you last Christmas?
27. Did any special thing happen to you?
28. Did you meet any new friends? Where and when did you meet them?
29. What did you enjoy most?
30. Did you have any troubles?
www.handoutsonline.com Supplementary EFL Materials

1) What is December 26th sometimes called?

A) Boxing Day
B) Auld Lang Syne Day
C) Regents Day
D) Hangover Day

2) Santa Claus has lots of little helpers. What are they


called?

A) Reindeer
B) Mice
C) Elves
D) Elvis

3) Which of the following is NEVER eaten at Christmas?

A) Duck
B) Turkey
C) Swan

4) Mistletoe is a plant that is famous at Christmas. Why?

A) People sing carols under it.


B) People kiss under it.
C) People dance under it.
D) People drink Champagne under it.

5) What is inside a Mince Pie?

A) Dried fruit and spices


B) Spicy beef with onion
C) Mixed nuts with brown sugar
D) Chocolate

www.handoutsonline.com Photocopiable
www.handoutsonline.com Supplementary EFL Materials

6) Santa delivers presents to all the children. How does he


get in your house?

Answer: Through the

7) What does Santa say when he delivers presents?

A) Hee Hee Hee


B) Ha Ha Ha
C) Hi Hi Hi
D) Ho Ho Ho.

8) People sometimes leave a present for Santa. What do they leave?

A) Coffee and a map


B) Mince Pies and Sherry
C) Gloves and a wooly hat
D) Between 30 and 50 US Dollars

9) What is this Christmas plant called?

A) Bolly
B) Fally
C) Holly
D) Santas Berries

10) Which of these is not usually put on a Christmas tree?

A) A Rabbit
B) Tinsel
C) An Angel
D) Lights

11) True or False? In the UK, the Queen makes a speech on TV on Christmas Day.

12) What time do most people in the UK have


Christmas Dinner?

A) At Breakfast Time
B) At Lunch Time
C) At Dinner Time

www.handoutsonline.com Photocopiable
www.handoutsonline.com Supplementary EFL Materials

The Handouts Online


Christmas Quiz
Target Structure: None
Vocabulary: Christmas Vocabulary
Level: Any this isnt very serious
Time: As long as you wish
Preparation: Photocopy both sheets for each student

Suggested Teaching method

If Christmas is coming, this might be a good way to finish the year. Depending on the culture,
students may know much of this, or very little.

Teach it however you wish. We would advise putting students into groups of about three, and
getting them to read the questions and answers to each other.

Monitor, and go through the answers at the end. Go easy on grammar correctionits Christmas,
after all.

Answer Key (Other answers may be possible)

1) Boxing Day 7) Ho ho ho
2) Elves 8) Mince Pies and Sherry
3) Swan 9) Holly
4) People kiss under it 10) A rabbit
5) Dried fruit and spices 11) True
6) Chimney 12) At lunch time

Additional Ideas

Do you have any other questions that would be suitable for students at Christmas? If so, send them in.

How are we doing?

Wed be pleased to hear some feedback on our worksheets. You can do so anonymously, if you wish. Let
us know what you think, by clicking on the Feedback link from www.handoutsonline.com.

If you would like the latest information on our worksheets, please subscribe to our newsletter.
Updated 12/20/04

www.handoutsonline.com Photocopiable
Something you give that rhymes with lift.

Something you send that rhymes with hard.

A little helper that rhymes with shelf.

Something striped that rhymes with rain.

A famous reindeer that rhymes with golf.

Something you sing that rhymes with barrel.

Something you decorate that rhymes with bee.

Something you hang that rhymes with rocking.

This covers the window and rhymes with lost.

What you put on your roof that rhymes with fights.

What Santa drives that rhymes with hay.

This holds Santas presents and rhymes with back.

Something you ring that rhymes with well.

Green leaves that rhyme with golly.

Where Santa lives that rhymes with hole.

An old miser who rhymes with stooge.

www.bogglesworldesl.com
Name: ___________________________

Unscramble the snowmen to find clues to


solve the snowmen riddles at the bottom of
the sheet.

Riddle 1: What do vampires get when they attack snowmen?

Riddle 2: What do snowmen eat for breakfast?

2004 www.bogglesworldesl.com
Find These Words: December North Pole sleigh
bells decoration present snowflake
candy cane frost reindeer snowman
card holly Rudolph star
carol hot chocolate Santa stocking
cookies and milk icicle Scrooge tree

This Christmas I want _____________________________


______________________________________________

(c) 2002 www.bogglesworldesl.com


Something we
Two things we put on a
Something we
put on a Christmas tree
Start
give and get at
Christmas tree
Christmas from
Santa

An old man who


brings presents
What do we at
celebrate at Christmas
Christmas?

When is
Christmas?
How many reindeer
pull Santas sleigh?

A famous
Christmas
Something reindeer
we decorate at
Christmas

Songs that
people sing at What are ten things
Christmas we do at Christmas?

Something
that Some words we
say to people Something we
jingles make or buy to
at Christmas
send to others Finish
at Christmas

Copyright Futonge Kisito 2006 www.english-4kids.com & www.esl-galaxy.com


Lesson plan and game rules.
Level: Medium-high beginner kids
Language focus: Christmas vocabulary practice
Vocabulary focus: Santa, presents etc.
Requirements: coins, markers
How to play.

1. Let each group have two students. Give them a coin and two markers of
different colours.
2. Students do rocks, paper, scissors, to see who flips the coin first. If the
winner chooses say TAILS, the other student is automatically HEADS.
3. The student flips the coin to see the side that shows up. If its HEADS, the
student who chose that moves his marker from Start into the first dialogue box
and vice- versa.
4. The student uses the prompts in the box to make a full sentence or answer questions.
5. If the other player cant answer the question the student can move to the
next dialogue box without flipping a coin- so the other loses a turn to flip.
6. The other student must answer or lose a turn.
7. When a student gets to the reindeer picture, s/he has to do what the
reindeer says. If s/he cant do what the croc says, the other player can have a
try. If the other player can do it, s/he gains a free turn- s/he then advances
into the next dialogue box.
8. When a student gets to Santa Claus, s/he has to do what the santa says. If s/he
cant do what Santa says, the other player can have a try. If the other player can
do it, s/he gains a free turn- s/he then advances into the next dialogue box.
9. The first player to get to finish wins the game.

Designed by Futonge
Kisito
Teacher/Webmaster
www.english-
4kids.com

Copyright 2006 Futonge Kisito www.english-4kids.com & www.esl-galaxy.com

Copyright Futonge Kisito 2006 www.english-4kids.com & www.esl-galaxy.com


Across
1 How is old Saint
Nicholas's mood? (5)
5 What is the only thing I
want for Christmas?
(3,5,5)
7 How many days of
Christmas are there? (6)
10 What kind of rock? (6,4)
11 What kind of reindeer
was Rudolph? (3,5)
12 What should we do to the
halls? (4)

Across Continued Down


13 What do the herald angels do? (4) 2 What kind of town was Bethlehem?
(6)
14 What color are the bells? (6)
3 Where is Santa Claus coming to? (4)
15 What do we wish you? (5,9)
4 Who should come? (8)
18 What color was Christmas? (5)
6 How many kings were there? (5)
19 What did Grandma get run over by? (8)
8 What did we hear on high? (6)
20 How was the night? (6)
9 Oh what tree? (9)
12 What was the little boy's job? (7)
16 What three things did I see? (5)
17 What was Frosty? (7)
18 Joy to who? (5)

2004 www.bogglesworldesl.com
Christmas Cloze
Fill in the blanks with words from the box:
checks nice sing fills
naughty beard Boxing Eve
North Pole decorate elves workshop
lap baked turkey lights
cards presents under chimney
sleigh holiday reindeer family
coal toys merry spirit

Christmas:
Christmas is a _________________ when people get together with
_________________. People give _______________ to each other or send
____________________ wishing each other a _________________ Christmas. At
Christmas, people ____________ carols to get into the Christmas _______________.
As well, people ______________ Christmas trees and put up ________________
around the house. A common Christmas dinner is ______________. There are also lots
of ________________ goodies for the kids. Christmas begins on the day before
Christmas, or Christmas _________________ and continues until _______________
Day, when many people go shopping for sales.

Santa Claus:
Santa Claus is an old man with a white _________________ that lives at the
__________________. Children sit on Santas _________________ and tell him
what they want for Christmas. Santa _________________ his list to see if the
children have been _________________ or _________________. If the children
are bad Santa brings them __________________. If the children are good Santa
brings them ____________________. The toys are made in Santas
___________________ by _________________.
Santa travels around the world in his
_________________, which is pulled by flying
___________________. When he stops at a house, he
goes down the __________________ and puts presents
_________________ the tree and then he
_________________ the stockings.

2005 www.bogglesworldesl.com
Connect the dots by following your ABCs

2004 www.bogglesworldesl.com
Connect the dots by following your ABCs

2004 www.bogglesworldesl.com
A R D M Z Y H E E P O L L K G N I S H
L W R A X S P V C W T S J E S Y Z I Q
Q R A K L L L J H I R S Q I F W O Y W
San____ V I C E C E O S R P R E S E N T S L W
C_____ K O S D O I D D I C X P J Z S S N S D
K Y A D N G U O S E L Q E A I W E L V
W E M E D H R W T Y U D O W I Q L S W
I L T C U X Z G M S L D T U Z J B A R
V G S E C M A D A N S E E R U R A X E
V N I M T I N N S E T C L V V Y T I E
T I R B O O T M T X A O T F K G S V D
Z J H E R A P H R O R R S N N N Z P N
N Y C R C L B C E H J A I I F I A G I
H Z G L W A E X E X C T M O I K P R E
L M A E R Z L T V P Q E W P M C R H R
D U S D M Z L A J U V F X Y Q O F E T
S P M P J A S H C A R O L L U T J J P
E C A L P E R I F N A M W O N S C S D Con_____
I D I O G N I D D U P M J A Q W Q V E

B________
Ca________ P____________ S________

Christmas Verbs

M_ke
J_ngle
St_______ S_ng
M________ D_cor_te Ch_______ t_____

P_______ F_________
S__________ R__________

Copyright Futonge Kisito 2006 www.esl-galaxy.com & www.english-4kids.com


Christmas tree

Decorations

Presents

Turkey

Santa Claus

onestopenglish 2002
Taken from the eaching Children section in www.onestopenglish.com
Holly

Reindeer

Robin

onestopenglish 2002
Taken from the eaching Children section in www.onestopenglish.com
How many words can you make out of
Christmas tree?

C H R I S T M A S T R E E
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________

Did you find?


Something you wear. A place where you sit.
Something you drink. A place where you drive.
Something you drive. A place where you go up.
Something you breathe. Another word for clever.
Something to put on the tree. The opposite of stand.
A number. Mix milk in your coffee.
A planet. Three of your senses.
A subject in school. A small river.
A month of the year. A group of athletes.
What a teacher does. Bonus: Can you find four verbs with
Someone who paints. both past and present tenses?

www.bogglesworldesl.com
Try to think of as many verbs as you can that could fit in the blanks.

(1) Santa Claus _________________ his list to see if children have been
naughty or nice.

(2) Santa Claus _________________ presents to good girls and boys.

(3) Children ________________ up their stockings on the chimney.

(4) Santa ________________ the stockings with treats and gifts.

(5) People _________________ carols at Christmas time.

(6) Before you give a present, usually you ___________ it and put a ribbon on it.

(7) Children _________________ their presents on Christmas morning.

(8) You shouldnt _______________ at your present before Christmas morning.

(9) Children ________________ letters to Santa.

(9) Children ________________ Santa for presents.

(10) Many moms ________________ cookies and treats for kids.

(11) People ____________________ Christmas on the 25th of December.

(12) People __________________


Christmas cards in the mail.

(13) Families ___________________


Christmas trees.

(14) Many people _________________ their


relatives on Christmas.

(15) People ________________ under the


mistletoe.

2005 www.bogglesworldesl.com
1) Christmas t_ _ _ 2) Pr _s_ n_ 3) r _ d _ lp_ 4) b _ _ _

5. C_ r_ l 6. c_nd_ ct_ r 7) sn _ w_ _ n 8) S _ n_ a C _ a _ s

11) b_ _ ts 12. St_ c_ i_g


9) m_ t _ e _ 10) h _ t

16.Christmas C _ r _
14. s t _ _
13. f_ r_ p_ a_ e 15. sl _ _ g_

Copyright Futonge Kisito 2006 www.esl-galaxy.com & www.english-4kids.com


ESL Conversation Questions - Christmas (I-TESL-J) . 1 3

Conversation Questions
Christmas
A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom.

z Did it snow last year at Christmas?


z Did you believe in Santa Claus when you were a child?
z Did you enjoy last Christmas?
z Do people behave differently during Christmas?
{ Do they try to be better?
{ Do you donate something (money, clothes...) to charities?
{ Do you give something to homeless people?
z Do you attend any special religious ceremonies during the Christmas season?
z Do you celebrate Chrismas in your country?
z Do you celebrate Christmas in a special way?
z Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional way?
{ Do you have a traditional Christmas?
z Do you decorate the outside of your house for Christmas?
z Do you eat a turkey dinner for your Christmas dinner?
z Do you enjoy Christmas time?
z Do you enjoy singing Christmas songs?
z Do you exchange presents with your friends at school?
z Do you go to church on Christmas day?
z Do you hang up a stocking?
z Do you have a Christmas party at school?
z Do you have a Christmas Tree?
{ If so, how do you decorate it?
{ When do you put it up?
{ When do you take it down?
{ Is it real or artificial?
z Do you have a part-time job during Christmas vacation?
z Do you have any plans to go to a Christmas party?
z Do you know why Christmas is celebrated around the world?
z Do you remember when you found out that Santa Claus wasn't real/ or when your children
found out? What was your/their reaction like?
z Do you see your relatives at Christmas time?
z Do you think Christmas is depressing? (There is a high suicide rate at this time of year.)
z Do you think we will have a white Christmas this year?
z Do you usually put up Christmas decorations in your house? (Do you usually decorate your
home?)
{ How about at your school of the place where you work?
{ Does you school have a Christmas play?
{ Does your family have any special Christmas traditions?
{ Does your town get decorated at Christmas?
What kind of decorations?
{ Have you already finished your Christmas shopping?
{ Have you ever celebrated Christmas in a foreign country?
{ Have you ever made your own Christmas cards?
If so, how did you make them?
{ How do you usually spend New Year's Eve? How about New Year's Day?
{ How long do you keep your Christmas tree up after Christmas?
{ How long is your Christmas vacation?
{ How many Christmas cards did you receive last year?
{ How many Christmas cards do you send?

file://C:\Documents and Settings\Andrew\ \Chrismas worksheets\Conver... 20.12.2006


ESL Conversation Questions - Christmas (I-TESL-J) . 2 3

{ How many presents do you usually give?


{ If you are not a Christian, does the intense focus on Christmas in the U.S. make you feel
bad in any way (e.g., ignored, dismissed, angry, etc.)?
{ If you could go anywhere during Christmas vacation, where would you go?
{ In how many languages did you write Christmas cards?
{ Is there a holiday similar to Christmas in your home country?
{ Is your Christmas tree a real tree or an artificial tree?
{ What are some popular foods for the Christmas season?
{ What are you going to buy your boyfriend/girlfriend for their Christmas present?
{ What did you do last year on Christmas Day?
{ What do you eat on Chrismas Day?
{ What do you usually do for Christmas?
{ What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?
{ What does your family eat for Christmas dinner?
{ What is Christmas like in your hometown?
What is Christmas like in your country?
{ What is the best Christmas present you have ever gotten?
{ What is the most expensive Christmas present you plan to buy?
{ What is the typical menu for a Christmas meal in your family? (... in your country?)
{ What is the weather like in your country around Christmas time?
{ What is your attitude toward the commercialization of the Christmas season?
Is Christmas becoming too commercialized?
{ What is your favourite Christmas carol?
{ What is your favourite Christmas song?
Are there any special songs in your country that you don't hear here?
{ What kind of intersting things do you do for Christmas in your home country?
{ What kind of presents do you expect to get this Christmas?
{ What time do you wake up on Christmas day?
{ What time does your family open the presents?
{ What traditions do you have during the Christmas season?
{ What was the best present your received last Christmas?
{ What will you buy your parents?
{ What will you do on Christmas day?
{ What will you eat on Christmass Day?
{ What would you like to get for your Christmas present?
{ What's your favorite Christmas song?
{ When do you do your Christmas shopping?
What kind of presents do you buy?
Who do you buy them for?
About how much do you spend per person?
{ When do you give Christmas presents? (On what day? At what time?)
{ When do you open Christmas presents? (On what day? At what time?)
{ When do you put up a Christmas tree?
If you don't put up a Christmas tree, do you put up other decorations?
{ When does your family decorate the Christmas tree?
{ Where are you going for Christmas vacation?
{ Where do you think Santa Claus is from?
{ Where will you go on Christmas Day?
{ Who do you expect to receive presents from?
{ Who is Santa Claus?
Do you know the history of Santa Claus?
At what age did you begin not believing in Santa Claus?
{ Who was at your house last Christmas?
{ Who will you give presents to this year?
{ Who would you like to be with on Christmas?

file://C:\Documents and Settings\Andrew\ \Chrismas worksheets\Conver... 20.12.2006


ESL Conversation Questions - Christmas (I-TESL-J) . 3 3

{ Will you go skiing during the Christmas vacation?


{ Will you have a Christmas party at your home?
{ Will you spend Christmas vacation with your family or your friends?
{ Will you travel abroad during the Christmas vacation?
{ Would you like to go skating during Christmas vacation?
{ Why do people give out Christmas cards with gifts and presents at Christmas time?
{ Do people behave differently during Christmas? Do they try to be better?
{ Do you donate something (money, clothes...) to charities?
{ Do you give something to homeless people?
{ How long do Christmas trees last?
Do you use an artificial tree?
{ What do you usually do on Christmas day?
{ What people usually do on Christmas day??
{ Trivia: In what 1942 movie was the song 'White Christmas" first sung?
{ Do you ever think about the real meaning of Christmas?
{ Do you go skiing at Christmas time?
{ Whose birthday is celebrated on Christmas?
{ Which comes first, Christmas or New Year's Day?
{ What is the significance of a Christmas tree?
What does it represent for you?

End of the Year


{ How was this year?
{ Was this year better or worse than last year? How come?
{ What was the happiest thing for you this year?
{ What was the saddest thing for you this year?
{ What was the toughest thing for you this year?
{ What was the best movie for you this year?
{ What was the best music for you this year?
{ What was the best TV show for you this year?
{ What was the best place you visited this year?
{ What was the best food you had this year?
{ What was the best restaurant you went to this year?
{ What was the most useful thing you bought this year?
{ What was the most expensive thing you bought this year?
{ What was the best item of clothing you bought this year?
{ What was the biggest waste of money this year?
{ What was something you lost this year?
{ Do you have any regrets about this year?
{ Did you make a New Year's Resolution this year?
{ Do people in your country usually make New Year's Resolutions?

If you can think of another good question for this list, please add it.

http://iteslj.org/questions/
Many of these questions come from textbooks Copyright (C) 1982-2000 by Charles Kelly & Lawrence Kelly (Used by Permission)
Copyright (C) 1997-2004 by The Internet TESL Journal

file://C:\Documents and Settings\Andrew\ \Chrismas worksheets\Conver... 20.12.2006


Dear Santa Claus,

Christmas is coming and I am looking forward to your visit. This

year, I would like many things for Christmas:

First of all, ______________________________________

As well, __________________________________________

Finally, __________________________________________

I have been a good ________ this year, so I think I deserve

these presents. Three good things I have done are:

(1) ______________________________________________

(2) _____________________________________________

(3) _____________________________________________

When you come down the chimney, please look in the kitchen. I

am going to leave ________ and ________ on the table for you

to have. Thank you Santa, I am very excited.

Signed _________________
www.bogglesworldesl.com
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2002 34 This page may be photocopied for use in class
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Christmas Board Game
More information about this book >

WINTER Christmas [December 25th]

Giant Christmas Crossword


Across 1````2`3`4`567
1.
`~~~~`~`~`~8``
(5, 9)

9`~0````~`~`~`
`~~`~`~~-`````
8. `~=````q~`~`~~
(3)

`~~`~`~`~`~w`e
r`t~~y``u`~~~`
9. Shall we dress up as reindeer
for the Christmas party?

`~`~i~~o`~p```
....., lets dress up as elves. (2)

[]```~\````~~`
10.
(5)

~`~~a````~`~s`
d`fg`~`~~h~j``
11. (6)

~~k``l````;~`~
~'~`~`~~~z`x``
c`````v`~b```~
12. (6)

`~~~~~`~~~~`~n
m``~,```~./`!`
14. Lets ..... up at 4 oclock on
Christmas morning to open

`~~@`~`~#``~`~
our presents. (3)

$`~~`~%``~~^`~
16. (3)

`~&``*`~~(````
This game is for 2-4 players.

`~`~~`~)~`~~`~
18. You need a dice and (5)
counters. The first player to

~_````````````
throw a six starts. You must
not land on the same square
as your opponent

25. (5) 32. (3)


21. (2)

26. (5)
33. (9)
22. Anagram of AWNE 27. Why dont ..... go carol
(boys name). (4) singing? 37. How about playing some .....
Thats a good idea. (2) after Christmas dinner? (5)

23.
28. (5) 39. (8)
.....
Claus (5)

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL DAYS IN BRITAIN MARY GLASGOW MAGAZINES, AN IMPRINT OF SCHOLASTIC INC.

http://www.link2english.com
WINTER Christmas [December 25th]

41.
Do you want
to .... the
Christmas cake?
(4) 4. 34. 10 (3)
35.
Carol ..... (7)

5. What shall we do now?


43. The 25th of December is How about ..... the At Christmas, people ..... a
Christmas ..... (3) Christmas cake? (6) lot. (3)

44. Ducks quack, horses neigh 36. Would you like a mince pie .....
and dogs ..... (4) 6. a slice of Christmas cake? (2)

45. Shall we ..... the film on This is ..... angel. (2) 38. (4)
television now? (5)

48. David is very happy. ..... loves 7. (4)


his Christmas presents. (2) 39. Christmas
..... (7)
49. 10. (4)
40. (6)

13. The colour of 7 down. (6)


The three wise ..... (3) 42. ....., dear. I dont like any of
my Christmas presents. (2)
50. Christmas ..... a very happy 15. (6)
time of year. (2) 44. (4)

51. The day before Christmas Day 17. Japanese money. (3)
is Christmas ..... (3) 45. Lets go to church on
19. I want to ..... lots of money Christmas morning. ..... all
to buy Christmas presents. like singing carols. (2)
52. Why dont you do some
babysitting? (4) 46. I always get ..... apple and a
tangerine in my Christmas
The snowman is ..... the 20. (5) stocking. (2)
table. (2)
47. (6)
53. (5)
22. (3)
49. My mum and dad are
24. In my family, we ..... love giving ..... a new bike for
55. (5) Christmas. (3) Christmas. (2)

25. (4) 52. On Christmas Eve, shall we


watch television ..... play
57. (8, 5) games? (2)

53. Sandra is going to stay


27. (5) with ..... Grandma for
This ribbon Christmas. (3)
is .... than
Down that one.
54. (3)
1. (5, 4) 29. I ..... really looking forwar d
to Christmas. (2) 55. (3)

30. My teachers name is .....


2. (7) Lloyd. (4)
56. The turkey
31. (4) is ..... the
3. A kind of music. (3) oven. (2)

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL DAYS IN BRITAIN MARY GLASGOW MAGAZINES, AN IMPRINT OF SCHOLASTIC INC.

http://www.link2english.com
FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL DAYS IN BRITAIN ANSWERS

pages 36 and 37
Giant Christmas Crossword
MERRYCHRISTMAS
I~~~~R~A~I~ANT
NO~STAMP~N~K~A
C~~N~C~~UGLIER
E~DONKEY~E~N~~
P~~W~E~E~R~GET
IVY~~RULES~~~I
E~E~L~~LA~EWAN
SANTA~SORRY~~S
~L~~CROWN~E~WE
FLAME~I~~L~OIL
~~MISTLETOE~D~
~O~S~E~~~GAMES
PRESENTS~STIR~
U~~~~~U~~~~N~O
DAY~BARK~WATCH
D~~HE~K~MEN~A~
IS~~L~EVE~~ON~
N~HOLLY~~CARDS
G~E~~I~I~U~~L~
~WRAPPINGPAPER

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL DAYS IN BRITAIN MARY GLASGOW MAGAZINES, AN IMPRINT OF SCHOLASTIC INC.

http://www.link2english.com
How many words can you make out of
Happy New Year?

H A P P Y N E W Y E A R
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________

Did you find?


A delicious fruit.
A small green vegetable.
A bears foot.
A horses lunch.
The opposite of there.
The opposite of far.
A bird that lays eggs.
Your sisters son.
A short sleep during the day.
Something to write with.
Something to cook with.
Something to hear with.
Bonus: Can you find three words that begin questions?
How many words can you make out of
hot chocolate?

H O T C H O C O L A T E
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________

Did you find?


Something you wear.
Something you drink.
A snowmans eye.
Someones pet.
What a teacher does.
What a doctor does.
The opposite of like.
A verb both past and present.
The sound of a horn.
A talk on the web.
Better hurry! Dont be ________.

www.bogglesworld.com
. 1 2

Name ________________________ Date ____________________

Christmas Word Search Worksheet

Directions: All words are positioned left to right.

Z B J H M C L T E I Q M F I R E P L A C E X G
T M X E I Y E I M J R W V K R R X K R M R B P
G G R G S K T N Y M I W G O W X A D E R K S Q
T R K G T U S S C R I P B M Q P M W I X C G Q
M J D N L N U E Q S O L I E X T H W N J N G U
A V G O E S V L B I S I Q M R H A E D S U Q A
P N X G T B E Z S Q L K R H I I C Y E N K U D
J G D W O X T X S W G D X S Z X C X E D D G L
C A J F E J A R F M C O C K W Y B A R L X R X
G R R M T M H U O T L G R G V Z E U C U W O P
N L K B X W R E A T H O J X R C X B G X U P V
R A D E C O R A T I O N S M V X R P V K F A S
O N Z V C U E T S U U K I N C M R Y B J A H G
W D P Q U S L E I G H S K T B U V E M D A R G
F K O M T I L S D T C Y E X O H G J S W X T Q
C C C A T X P Q L S A D V E N T D G U A G T J
C N W O C H I M N E Y P R E S E N T R V B J L
C X R P E M X T O Z S P B K Y U X Q K Z X M K

DECORATIONS TINSEL GARLAND WREATH

REINDEER MISTLETOE ADVENT CHIMNEY

EGGNOG PRESENT SLEIGH FIREPLACE

http://www.teach-nology.com/test_parser/html_parser.php 18.12.2006
. 2 2

Powered by: The Web Portal For Educators (www.teach-nology.com)

2006 Teachnology, Inc. All rights reserved.

http://www.teach-nology.com/test_parser/html_parser.php 18.12.2006
. 1 2

Name _______________ Date _____________

Bank On It! Worksheet


Christmas

Work Bank
354 baptism of January Church the word old of
not accepted Magi), Mass. December our In
traditional the

The ____________ Christmas comes from the old English


"Cristes maesse" meaning Christ's ____________ The
Holiday celebrates the birth ____________ Jesus Christ.
The actual birthday of Jesus is ____________ known;
therefore, the early ____________ Fathers in the 4th century
fixed the day around the ____________ Roman Saturnalia
festival (17 - 21 December), a ____________ pagan
festivity. The first mention of the birthday of Jesus is from
the year ____________ AD. Gradually all Christian
churches, except Armenians who celebrate Christmas on
____________ 6 (the date of the ____________ of Jesus as
well as the day of ____________ three ____________
____________ the date of ____________ 25th.
____________ American/English tradition, Christmas Day
itself is the day for opening gifts brought by jolly old St.
Nick. Many ____________ ____________ current
American ideals about the way Christmas ought to be,
derive from the English Victorian Christmas, such as that
described in Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."

http://www.teach-nology.com/test_parser/html_parser.php 18.12.2006
. 2 2

The caroling, ____________ gifts, the feast, and the wishing


of good cheer to all - these ingredients came together to
create that special Christmas atmosphere.
Powered by: The Web Portal For Educators (www.teach-nology.com)

2006 Teachnology, Inc. All rights reserved.

http://www.teach-nology.com/test_parser/html_parser.php 18.12.2006
. 1 2

Name ________________________ Date ____________________

Santa Claus
------------------------------------------------------
--

http://www.teach-nology.com/test_parser/html_parser.php 19.12.2006
. 2 2

Powered by: The Web Portal For Educators (www.teach-nology.com)

2006 Teachnology, Inc. All rights reserved.

http://www.teach-nology.com/test_parser/html_parser.php 19.12.2006
Christmas Crossword Puzzle Worksheet . 1 2

Name ________________________ Date ____________________

Christmas Crossword Puzzle


Worksheet

Across
1. inhabited or visited by ghosts. Down

http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/misc/christmas/cross/ 18.12.2006
Christmas Crossword Puzzle Worksheet . 2 2

3. a parasitic plant, species of which are 2. something given as a gift.


found in Europe, Asia, and North America,
having evergreen leaves and bearing white 4. a wreath, chain, or string made to be worn
berries and small, yellow flowers. Often used for celebration or decoration, esp. one made
as a Christmas decoration. of flowers, leaves, vines, or the like.

6. Claus in folklore, a fat, bearded old man in 5. any of several related large deer found in
a red suit who lives at the North Pole and the colder regions of Europe, Asia, and
brings children presents at Christmas; St. Greenland, both sexes of which have
Nicholas; St. Nick; Kriss Kringle. branching antlers. Thought to pull Santa's
sleigh.
7. a glittering material with a metallic
appearance that is produced in strips, sheets, 10. a hollow, vertical structure of masonry,
or the like and used for its decorative effect, which allows smoke and gases to escape
esp. at Christmas. from a furnace, fireplace, or stove; flue.

8. a light horse-drawn cart on runners that is 13. a traditional Christmas drink made of
used to carry people over snow and ice. beaten eggs, milk or cream, and sugar.

9. the arrival or coming to exist, esp. of


something important.

11. a circular band, usu. of flowers or foliage


woven or twisted together, used as a symbol
or decoration.

12. something serving to beautify;


embellishment; ornament.

http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/misc/christmas/cross/ 18.12.2006
Christmas Cryptogram Worksheet . 1 2

Name ________________________ Date ____________________

Christmas Cryptogram
Directions: Unscramble the words by placing the correct letter in the shaded
boxes. Use the numbered boxes to complete the answer to the riddle.

RIDDLE:

Where was the first Christmas celebrated on December 25, 336


A.D.?

ESERTPN RDIEENER IHGSEL


_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _
4 1

OTNCSAOEDIR OGGNGE TVNDEA


_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
2

EFICLAPRE ARNLDAG IMHNYEC


_ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3

http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/misc/christmas/cry/ 18.12.2006
Christmas Cryptogram Worksheet . 2 2

ANSWER:
_ _ _ _
1 2 3 4

http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/misc/christmas/cry/ 18.12.2006
Christmas Group Creative Writing Activity Worksheet . 1 1

Name ________________________ Date _____________

Christmas Group Creative Writing

Directions: As a group, you have 25 minutes to write a brief story using the words or variatio
words below.

advent fireplace tinsel presen

chimney garland wreath reindee

decorations mistletoe present sleigh

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
Powered by: The Web Portal For Educators (www.teach-nology.com)

2006 Teachnology, Inc. All rights reserved.

http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/misc/christmas/gwrite/ 18.12.2006
1. Oh what ________ it is to ride on a
one horse
3. ___________ all the way
4. Jingle ______
5. Making spirits ______
8. Dashing through the __________

1. Over _______ we go
2. Riding one horse open ________
6. Bells and bobtails __________
7. What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song ________
9. Jingle all ________

Copyright Futonge Kisito 2006 www.english-kids.com & www.esl-galaxy.com


3. I thought I'd take a ______
5. ______ seemed his lot
7. A _____ two ago

1. The ______ was lean and lank.


2. And soon miss Fanny_______
4. He got into a drifted ________
6. Was seated by my ________

Copyright Futonge Kisito 2006 www.english-kids.com & www.esl-galaxy.com


http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish
LearnEnglish Kids
Christmas Tips
There are lots of Christmas activities on LearnEnglish Kids which you can use with your child or students during
the festive season. (See: http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-topics-christmas). Here are some ideas for using the
Christmas activities on LearnEnglish Kids:

Song: Santa, Santa, High in the Sky


http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-songs-santa
Tell your child/learners theyre going to listen to a song about Santa. Ask them to tell you what they know about
Santa, for example, what does he look like? What does he wear? Where does he live? What does he do during
the year? What does he do the night before Christmas? How does he travel? What does he like eating and
drinking?
Play the song without any volume. What can your child/learners see in the pictures? What colour are
they? How many are there? Whats Santa doing? Play the song again and mime the actions together-fly
through the sky, come down the chimney, put a present in a stocking, drink a glass of sherry, eat a mince
pie, the winds blowing, the stars are shining! Then give your child/learners an action in turn and ask them to
mime the action. Now guess-what are they doing? Play the song again and sing along!

Practise Christmas words from the song with this online game:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-games-pelmanism-xmas.htm
When youve finished listening and singing to the song you could download and print off the words to the
song, or download and print an activity to do related to the song:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-songs-santa-activity.pdf
Finally, your child/learner might like to illustrate the song with his/her own drawings or to draw a picture of
Santa arriving at his/her house.
Santa Claus,
If youd like to develop the topic further, another idea
North Pole
might be to prepare a menu for Santa and his reindeer- Dear Santa,
what would your child/learners give Santa to eat and drink?
What would you give his reindeer?! How are you? I hope you are well!
My names ________ and Im a very good
You could also ask your child/learners to write a letter to student. Santa. What
Santa-what would they like for Christmas? See also: This Christmas I would like a ________ and
http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-games-reordering-santa-letter a ________.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-print-santa-letter.pdf Thank you very much and Merry
Christmas! Say hello to the reindeer from
Here are some Christmas games to try: me.

Tell your child/learners theyre going to play a Christmas word game. What Christmas words do they
already know in English? Play Hangman with the words or make a Christmas picture dictionary.

Start drawing a picture of a word related to Christmas, for example, a snowflake. Your child/learners must
guess what it is before youve finished the drawing. Alternatively, if your home or classroom has been
decorated for Christmas, play I-Spy. For example, if theres a present in the room you could say, I spy with
my little eye something beginning with p. Your child/learners then have to guess what you can see.

When your child/learners have finished playing the word games, they could draw and colour their own
Christmas picture/word cards and play with a friend. All the cards should be placed on the table, face down.
The first player turns over a picture card and a word card. If they match, they play again. If they dont match,
the cards are turned face down again and the next player turns over another two cards. Players must try and
remember where the cards are. The player with most pairs is the winner.

Christmas greetings
If you have a selection of old or new Christmas cards you could talk about the pictures, pointing to and describing
the different objects. Your child/learners could then design their own Christmas card or make a Christmas collage
with the pictures. They could also make some Christmas decorations to hang on the Christmas tree. All you
need is a little card, glue, tissue paper and/or felt-tip pens, crayons, glitter and cotton wool. Dont forget
that your child or students can send Christmas ecards too:
http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/kidsecards_frame.html

The British Council/ Spring Gardens 2003

The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish
LearnEnglish Kids
Christmas Tips
Christmas words and messages
Practise words related to Christmas using this worksheet:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-print-christmas.pdf
Can your child or learners also decode the message? Why not ask learners to write their own Christmas
messages (or any other messages) using this code, or a code theyve invented. Can you or others work out what
the message is?

Christmas customs
Read and listen to the story My Favourite Day and find out about Christmas customs in the UK:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-stories-favourite-day-christmas
Your child or students could write about their own Christmas customs, or their own favourite days:

What do people usually do at Christmas in your country? What do they do in other parts of the world? For
example, do they put lights in their houses? Do they decorate a Christmas tree? Do they get presents at
Christmas? When do they open their presents? Write a short description of Christmas in your country.
Whats your favourite day of the year? What do people wear, eat, drink? What do people do? Why do
people celebrate this day? Do you give and receive presents?

Also find online and printable quizzes about Christmas around the world:
http://www.britishcocunil.org/kids-games-quiz-christmas.htm
http://www.britishcocunil.org/kids-print-xmas-quiz.pdf

Have a look at the first exercise on the printable worksheet. How do you say Merry Christmas in your
language? Do you know how to say Merry Christmas in any other language? What about Happy New Year?
Next, the quiz! You could try the quiz without any online help first of all. If your child/learners find this too
difficult, you could give them 2 or 3 multiple-choice options (including the correct answer from the answer key!)
Once theyve finished, they can check their answers by searching the 2 websites suggested.
For more advanced learners, ask them to research Christmas in a country of their choice and make a
poster of their findings and/or make up their own Christmas quiz to test your Christmas knowledge!
Story: The Snowman
http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-stories-snowman
Before reading the story The Snowman, you could introduce the topic by asking your child/learners
about snow and winter, for example, does it snow in your country? When does it snow? What do children
like doing when it snows? Do you know how to make a snowman? Have you ever made one?
Draw a picture of a girl and a boy to introduce the characters of Katie and Eddie. Then draw some
snow. Ask your child/learners what they think is going to happen in the story. Now read and listen to each
page of the story online. Dont worry if your child/learners dont understand every word-the pictures will help
them make sense of whats happening.
After listening to the story, act it out! Start by miming the actions together-wake up, shout, run outside,
dance in the snow, make a snowman, wave Hello, put on a scarf and a hat. Then take different roles of
Katie, Eddie and the snowman in turn and add the dialogue. If youve got a digital camera and/or video
camera you could record your childs/learners play and then make it into a slide show. Alternatively, you
could ask them to draw their own version of the story and add captions to describe whats happening. Make
the snowman 3-dimensional with cotton wool for his head and body, some wool or coloured thread for his
scarf and hat and some orange tissue paper for his nose!
Learners can print and make their own snowman:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-print-snowman.pdf

Finally, wrap up a present in Christmas paper. Make sure there are plenty of layers, with a Christmas forfeit in
between each layer, for example, Name something we eat at Christmas. Now play the game Pass the parcel to
some background Christmas music. When the music stops, the child holding the parcel carries out the forfeit. The
child who opens the final layer wins the present! A very Merry Christmas to you all!

The British Council/ Spring Gardens 2003

The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish
LearnEnglish Kids
Christmas

presents
K E I I H O L L Y

S C T U R K E Y V
holly
T P R E S E N T S

Santa A J I A O Z B N N

R S T O C K I N G

Christmas B E L L S K U U M

tree T R E E D R E Z K

S N O W M A N R X
turkey F F S A N T A M S

bells Find the secret


Message in the
Christmas card!
crackers

snowman 23 5 23 9 19 8 25 15 21 1
W e w.
13 5 18 18 25
stocking
3 8 18 9 19 20 13 1 19

1 14 4 1 8 1 16 16 25
star
14 5 23 25 5 1 18
____________________
Clue:A = 1; B = 2; C = 3 etc

Sue Clarke /The British Council Spring Gardens 2002

The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Registered in England as a charity.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish
LearnEnglish Kids
Letters to Santa

Part 1
Can you read this message to Santa? Draw lines like this
to separate the words:

Dear Santa,
DearFatherChristmas,Howareyou?Ihop For Christmas can I
have a cat and some
eyouarewell.ForChristmasthisyearIwoul sweets, please?
dlikeanewcoatandascarfbecauseitsvery I promise Ill be
good all year!
cold.Idalsolikeabigcarrotandsomechocol Thanks!
Love,
ates.Thankyou.LotsoflovefromRudolph.
Snowman.

Part 2
Can you complete this letter to Santa?

Dear _________________,

I m writing to tell you what a good / _________________ I am.

I always clean my _______________ and make my _______________.

I often help my family with the ________________ and I walk the

________________ every morning.

At school Im a perfect ________________ and Im very nice to my

________________. I always do my ________________ and I never get into any

________________.

For Christmas may I have a ________________ and a ______________?

Thank you very much and Happy Christmas! Say Hello! to ________________ from me.

Best wishes, Robin.

The British Council/ Spring Gardens 2005


The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish
LearnEnglish Kids
Letters to Santa key

Part 1
Can you read this message to Santa?

Dear Father Christmas,


How are you? I hope you are well. For Christmas this
year I would like a new coat and a scarf because its
very cold. Id also like a big carrot and some chocolates.
Thank you.
Lots of love from Rudolph.

Part 2
Can you complete this letter to Santa?

Dear Santa/Father Christmas,

I m writing to tell you what a good girl/boy I am. I always clean my teeth and make my bed.

I often help my family with the shopping/shopping bags and I walk the dog every morning.

At school Im a perfect pupil/student and Im very nice to my teacher. I always do my

work/homework and I never get into any fights/quarrels/arguments/trouble.

For Christmas may I have a (tennis) racquet and a bike/bicycle?

Thank you very much and Merry Christmas! Say Hello! to Rudolph/the reindeer from me.

Best wishes, Robin.

The British Council/ Spring Gardens 2005


The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish/
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish
LearnEnglish Kids
Winter Festivals

What do you know about Winter Festivals around the world? Try this
quiz!
This is a useful website to help you: www.geocities.com/carolmdieter/xmas.htm

True or False?
1.Christmas has always been celebrated on December 25th.

2. In Holland children put out their shoes to receive Christmas presents.

3. The Winter Solstice is celebrated on the longest day of the year.

4. A Yule Log was burnt on a huge bonfire to celebrate the Winter


Solstice.

5. In Tibet there is a 4 day festival to celebrate the dying year, where


people dance around a magic pole.

6. In Italy the kind witch delivers presents to good children and coal to
bad children on the 1st January.

7. In Pakistan the Winter Solstice is celebrated with a festival of singing,


dancing, bonfires and feasting.

8. In Ethiopia a special game called Ganna is played with sticks at


Christmas.

9. In England a game called Snap Dragon (eating raisins on fire!) is still


popular.

10. In Oaxaca, Mexico on December 23rd there is a Festival of Radishes,


where people carve pictures into radishes.

Sue Clarke/ The British Council, Spring Gardens 2002

The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Registered in England as a charity.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish
LearnEnglish Kids
Winter Festivals
This is a useful website to help you: www.geocities.com/carolmdieter/xmas.htm

True or False?
1.Christmas has always been celebrated on December 25th.
False. The date of the feast of Christmas originally moved to coincide with Winter Solstice or return
of the Sun.
2. In Holland children put out their shoes to receive Christmas presents.
True.
3. The Winter Solstice is celebrated on the longest day of the year.
False. It is the shortest day of the year.
4. A Yule Log was burnt on a huge bonfire to celebrate the Winter
Solstice.
True. The noise and celebrations were to wake the Sun up.
5. In Tibet there is a 4 day festival to celebrate the dying year, where
people dance around a magic pole.
False. The festival in Tibet lasts for five days.
6. In Italy the kind witch delivers presents to good children and coal to
bad children on the 1st January.
False. Children hang up their stockings on January 5th.
7. In Pakistan the Winter Solstice is celebrated with a festival of singing,
dancing, bonfires and feasting.
True.
8. In Ethiopia a special game called Ganna is played with sticks at
Christmas.
True.
9. In England a game called Snap Dragon (eating raisins on fire!) is still
popular.
False. This was a popular game in the 1800s!
10. In Oaxaca, Mexico on December 23rd there is a Festival of Radishes,
where people carve pictures into radishes.
True.

Sue Clarke/ The British Council, Spring Gardens 2002

The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Registered in England as a charity.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish
LearnEnglish Kids
Christmas crafts

Christmas paperchains
Materials: Christmas wrapping paper, scissors, glue
1. Cut the wrapping paper into strips, (approximately 20cm 3cm).
2. Bend each strip into a circle and glue the ends together.
3. Thread the next strip through the first and glue the ends.
4. Continue to thread each strip through the next to make a long,
colourful chain to decorate your walls, windows or doorways.
Alternatively,
1. Take 2 long strips of paper. Place one at a right angle to the other. Glue the ends together.
2. Fold the strips over each other until you reach the end of the paper. Glue the ends together.
3. Gently extend your paperchain.

Snowflakes
Materials: Paper, scissors
1. Place a round object such as a dish or saucer on a piece of paper.
2. Draw around the object. Remove the object and cut out the circle.
3. Fold the paper in half three times.
4. Now cut small shapes out of the sides.
5. Open out the paper and decorate your window with your snowflake.
To make snowflakes of different shapes try cutting out squares as well as circles!

Christmas baubles
Materials: Tissue paper, silver foil, cotton, scissors, glue
1. Cut a piece of cotton about 18cm long.
2. Fold the cotton in half.
3. Wrap a small strip of silver foil around the ends of the cotton and squeeze tight.
4. Continue wrapping silver foil around the cotton until you have a good-sized, round ball.
5. Brush the ball with glue and cover with bright tissue paper. Decorate with glitter or
stickers.
6. Hang the baubles on your Christmas tree!
Alternatively, make Christmas tree decorations from old Christmas cards or gift tags! Just cut
out the different shapes, punch a hole in the top with a hole punch, thread a piece of cotton or
ribbon through and your decorations are ready to hang on your tree!

Christmas cards
Materials: Card or paper, scissors, glue, cotton wool,
glitter, silver foil
1. Fold a piece of card or paper in half.
2. Draw a tree on the card or paper.
3. Cut out half of the tree and decorate.
Alternatively,
1. Draw a picture of a snowman or Santa Claus.
2. Glue cotton wool on the body or moustache and beard. Decorate with glitter.

The British Council/ Spring Gardens 2005


The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish
LearnEnglish Kids
Christmas crafts

Christmas crackers
Materials: A cardboard tube (e.g. from the inside of a toilet or kitchen roll), tissue/crepe paper,
ribbon, glue, glitter, scissors
1. Roll the paper around the cardboard tube and glue the edges together.
2. Tie one end with ribbon.
3. Now drop a small packet of sweets or other treats inside the tube. You could also add a
paper hat and a message-perhaps a joke, a riddle or a tongue twister!
4. Tie the end with ribbon.
5. Decorate your cracker with a festive picture, stars, stickers or glitter glue.

Fingerprint robins
Materials: Card or paper, liquid paints, paintbrush
1. Pour some brown paint into a small dish.
2. Dip your thumb into the paint.
3. Press your thumb onto a piece of card or paper to make the body of a robin.
4. Now pour some red paint into a dish and dip a finger into the paint.
5. Press your finger onto the body to give the robin a red breast.
6. Leave to dry for a few minutes.
7. Add legs, a beak and eyes with a paintbrush or felt-tip pen.
Alternatively, try making a snowman with white paint, or a penguin with black and white paints!
You could use your print designs on Christmas cards or gift tags, too!

Festive potato prints


Materials: Card or paper, potato, knife, festive biscuit cutters, liquid paints, sponge
1. Cut a potato in half.
2. Using either the knife or biscuit cutters, cut out the shape of a Christmas tree.
3. Pour some paint into a small dish. Put some paint on the sponge and paint onto the potato.
4. Now press the potato onto card or paper and leave to dry.

Santa Claus mobile


Materials: Card, cotton, scissors, sellotape
1. Draw and colour Santas hat.
2. Draw and colour 2 round eyes and a round nose.
3. Draw and colour a moustache and a beard.
4. Cut out the eyes, nose, moustache, beard and hat.
5. Cut a piece of cotton (about 30 cm long).
6. Sellotape the hat to the middle of the cotton.
Make the
7. Sellotape the nose below the hat.
snowmans body
8. Sellotape the moustache below the nose. with a potato, and
9. Sellotape the beard below the moustache. the head with a
piece of carrot!
10. Cut 2 short pieces of cotton of equal length.
11. Sellotape them to the hat.
12. Sellotape the eyes to the other end of the cotton.
Your Santa Claus mobile is now ready!

The British Council/ Spring Gardens 2005


The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish
LearnEnglish Kids
Christmas around the world

How do you say Merry Christmas round the world?


Match the countries to their languages:
CHINA SPAIN
FRANCE GERMANY

JAPAN ITALY

PORTUGAL CZECH REPUBLIC

CHRISTMAS QUIZ

Try this Christmas quiz. You can find some help on these websites:-
www.christmas.com/worldview and www.northpole.net/world.htm
In which country..
1. is Santa Claus supposed to live?
2. do people have an advent wreath with four candles?
3. does a good witch bring presents to good children the day
after Christmas?
4. does Father Frost visit children in a sleigh pulled by 3
reindeer?
5. do they put paper swans on the Christmas tree as a symbol of
peace?
6. do they decorate mango and banana trees?
7. do they celebrate with a picnic on the beach?
8. do children leave hay and sugar for Santas horse?
9. do children rollerskate to church?
10.do they eat a meal of codfish and boiled potatoes at
midnight?

Sue Clarke/The British Council, Spring Gardens 2002

The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Registered in England as a charity.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish
LearnEnglish Kids
Christmas around the world - Key

How do you say Merry Christmas round the world?

FRANCE GERMANY

CHINA ITALY

SPAIN PORTUGAL

JAPAN CZECH REPUBLIC

CHRISTMAS QUIZ

Try this Christmas quiz. You can find some help on these websites:-
www.christmas.com/worldview and www.northpole.net/world.htm
In which country..
1. is Santa Claus supposed to live? Finland
2. do people have an advent wreath with four candles? Germany
3. does a good witch bring presents to good children the day after
Christmas? Italy
4. does Father Frost visit children in a sleigh pulled by 3 reindeer?
Ukraine
5. do they put paper swans on the Christmas tree as a symbol of peace?
Japan
6. do they decorate mango and banana trees? India
7. do they celebrate with a picnic on the beach? Australia
8. do children leave hay and sugar for Santas horse? Netherlands
9. do children rollerskate to church? Venezuela
10.do they eat a meal of codfish and boiled potatoes at
midnight? Portugal

Sue Clarke/The British Council, Spring Gardens 2002

The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Registered in England as a charity.
Christmas Maze Worksheet . 1 2

Gold: 11,000+ Teacher Worksheets, Lesson Plans, Teacher Templates, Web Quests. Samples

Platinum: Worksheet Makers: Math, Lang. Arts, Puzzles, Rubric Makers, Graphic Organizers. S

Silver: Your instant online classroom for students. Samples

Supreme: Get the power of all of our available resources at a huge discount! Samples

Name _______________ Date _____________

Christmas Maze Worksheet


Directions:

Help Santa find his way to the Christmas tree.

mhtml:file://C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Andrew\%20\Chrismas... 20.12.2006
Christmas Maze Worksheet . 2 2

Powered by: The Web Portal For Educators (http://www.teach-nology.com/)

2006 Teachnology, Inc. All rights reserved.

mhtml:file://C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Andrew\%20\Chrismas... 20.12.2006
www.engl i sh-test.net Learn Engl i sh Grammar!

Here Comes the New Year...


by Alan Townend

What word would you use to describe somebody who never gives up, is
decisive and continues doing what they want despite comments from
other people?
This is an adjective incidentally that is used very often to name a warship
with, the sort that ploughs through the waves and cannot be stopped. It
also describes someone who could in some circumstances be regarded as
obstinate, depending of course on the way you regard them. The word
begins with the letter r any ideas? Well, the word I'm thinking of is
resolute.

So, generals and political leaders want to take resolute actions They act
resolutely to show just how determined they are. And now we come to
the verb resolve, which is where it all starts. Imagine that there is an
argument about the spelling of a word say between two people playing the
game of scrabble as there often is and the one that's losing usually likes
to question the correctness of the word presented by someone who's
winning!
There is invariably only one way to settle this and that's to look the word
up in a dictionary and here in the UK it's got to be an Oxford dictionary.
Once the word has been checked in the dictionary then the matter is
settled or the matter is resolved and peace is restored to the game. On
a more serious level we could be looking at an industrial dispute
concerning working conditions, pay and hours of work, which looks as if it
could result in a strike. There is an organisation whose function is to listen
to both sides of any argument and then hope to find a solution so that
there is no strike and in that way resolve the dispute. Interestingly
enough the verb resolve can be used with and without an object. Look
at this sentence: The trade union resolved (were determined) to go on
strike although the management tried hard to resolve (find an answer
to) the conflict.

You may well be asking now what any of this has got to do with 2009 but
my earnest request to you is to ask for your patience but you may well
guess the connection when I give you the next word from this family
descended from resolve. The word this time is a noun resolution.
Back to our imaginary strike. Suppose it is settled and everyone goes back
to work. In that case we could say: The resolution (solving) of the
strike was greeted enthusiastically by the management. Committees and
councils hold meetings and decide certain measures that should be
undertaken. They pass resolutions. In other words they make
decisions about what should be done and when this should take place.

www.engl i sh-test.net Learn Engl i sh Grammar! 1


www.engl i sh-test.net Learn Engl i sh Grammar!

Here Comes the New Year...


by Alan Townend

Another meaning of the word resolution could be used in connection


with how you read this newsletter on the screen. It is used in the
description of the clarity of the images you see on the screen and also the
quality of the printing from your printer. Obviously if you have a computer
screen that has a high resolution the quality and clarity are good
because the tiny little dots are very close together.

And now if you're still with me, we come to the final use from the
resolve family the NEW YEAR RESOLUTION. This is an attempt to
decide that you will definitely do something in the following year or that
you will definitely not do something in the new year. You could for
example decide that you will try and lose weight, change your job, go
jogging every day. You could make a resolution to stop smoking, to eat
less, to watch less television. And as for me? Well, I really can't decide
and over the years I've made resolutions and with the best will in the
world I've broken them within a matter of weeks and so now I simply
dither and hesitate because I can't make up my mind what to choose in
the way of resolutions. I know I could make mine to be positive
throughout the whole of 2009 and make decisions quickly and furthermore
to stick to them. Yes, that will do nicely. I'm feeling more positive right
now as I sit here writing this letter. On the other hand I

www.engl i sh-test.net Learn Engl i sh Grammar! 2


Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2002 35 This page may be photocopied for use in class
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2002 36 This page may be photocopied for use in class
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2002 37 This page may be photocopied for use in class
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2002 38 This page may be photocopied for use in class
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2002 39 This page may be photocopied for use in class
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2002 40 This page may be photocopied for use in class
Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2002 41 This page may be photocopied for use in class
More information about this book >

Thank You Letters

Language Focus
writing practice

Materials
a copy of CH/11 for each pupil

Procedure
1 Ask pupils what presents they got for
Christmas and who they were from.

2 Explain that they are now going to write a


thank you letter for one of their presents
and give out the worksheets.

3 Go through it with the class eliciting


possible ways to complete the blank spaces
(in some cases they choose one of 3
options, in others they have to make up the
answer themselves).

4 Pupils can now complete their own letter


and read it out to the class or another
pupil. Let them send their letters out.

Follow-up
Play a version of the consequences game:

1 Give each pupil a long strip of paper and


ask them to write Dear (+ persons name)
on the first line. Then fold it over so that Note: Encourage pupils to make this as
the writing is hidden. amusing as possible e.g. by using names of
famous people, unusual presents and
2 They pass this on to the person on their places, etc. It may help to show them an
right. Then on the next line write Thank you example (see example).
for the (+ a present) and fold it over again
before passing it on. Continue like this with 3 Let pupils read out the results to the class.
the following lines:
3rd line = Its (adjective) and (adjective).
4th line = I take it to (place) every day.
5th line = I hope you are (adjective) but not
(adjective).
6th line = With love from (name).

JET PRIMARY TEACHERS RESOURCE BOOK 1 MARY GLASGOW MAGAZINES, AN IMPRINT OF SCHOLASTIC INC.

http://www.link2english.com
Name .................................................................................... Class ...............................................................

Dear ...........................................................................................................................

Thank you for the ............................................................................

........................................................... you gave me for Christmas.

.............................................................................................................. (Its very


nice/I like it very much/Its just what I wanted).
I am ............................................................................................... (playing
with it/wearing it/looking at it) now.
I got some other lovely presents too.

My favourite was .........................................................................................

which I got from ...................................................................................... .

Its ..............................................................................................................................

and ...................................................................................................................... .

I hope you had a ..............................................................................

..................................................................... (good Christmas/happy


holiday/great festive season).
Love from

....................................................................................................................

JET PRIMARY TEACHERS RESOURCE BOOK 1 MARY GLASGOW MAGAZINES, AN IMPRINT OF SCHOLASTIC INC.

http://www.link2english.com
Vocabulaire anglais autour de Nol, jeu de recherche de mots en anglais . 1 3

Retour notre page spciale Nol...

Tous niveaux

Bonjour,

A quelques jours de cette grande fte familiale, nous vous proposons d'apprendre quelques
termes lis Nol.
Retrouvez dans cette grille les mots en lettres majuscules, puis, avec les lettres qui restent,
recomposez une phrase trs clbre en rapport avec le dessin. Les mots dcouvrir peuvent se
cacher de haut en bas, de bas en haut, de gauche droite, de droite gauche et en diagonales.
Un bon moyen d'apprendre du vocabulaire tout en s'amusant! Bonne chance!

Merry Xm

S E L G N I J N O B B I R P C L F

S N E T A R B E L E C I R A I Y E

T L O F R I E N D S H E N G L R S

S G O I R E T N I W S D H I E I T

N L M R T E K A B E L T M E P I I

F I E I A A K I N E S A D O N N V

R T R I S C R T S S F N I S S E A

U T R T G T S O M H I N E A G R L

I E Y A H H L U C E S L E M N D S

http://www.anglaisfacile.com/free/news/printvocxmasf.php 19.12.2006
Vocabulaire anglais autour de Nol, jeu de recherche de mots en anglais . 2 3

T R V D T I L E R E H A C T I L E

C V A E E P B E T A D O A S K I L

A Y T W R E A T H O O E E I C H C

K N T A L G I O O K E M P R O C I

E U G L C A R H I C H O C H T O C

S U S E J T N E M A N R O C S L I

S H O L L Y S A E S H O P P I N G

G A R L A N D T E N H P L O D U R

Retrouvez ce que dit le


(Partez du coin en haut gauche jusqu'au coin en bas droite, puis rassemblez D
phrase du Pre Nol)

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ _

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

SOLUTION

Pour utiliser cette solution, nous vous recommandons de numroter les colonnes et les
lignes de 1 17.
Comment lire cette grille de solution? Le premier chiffre indique le numro de la colonne
de la 1re lettre du mot recherch; le 2e chiffre indique le numro de la ligne. Ensuite, la
lettre indique la direction dans laquelle chercher: N= North = nord (vers le haut) | S =
South = sud (vers le bas) | E = East = est (vers la droite), W = West = ouest (vers la gauche)

Par exemple, BAKE(9,5,W) indique que le dbut du mot se trouve dans la 9e colonne, 5e ligne et
que le reste du mot se trouve de droite gauche.

BAKE(9,5,W) BELLS(7,11,SW) BIRTHDAY(9,5,SW) CANDLES(15,1,SW) CAROLS


(6,7,NW) CELEBRATE(11,2,W) CHILDREN(16,13,N) CHRISTMAS(14,15,N) COOKIES
(13,10,SW) DECORATIONS(11,11,NW) EVERGREEN(2,9,SE) FAMILY(11,7,NE)
FESTIVAL(17,1,S) FRIENDS(4,3,E) FRUITCAKE(1,6,S) GARLAND(1,17,E) GLITTER
(2,4,S) HOLLY(2,16,E) ICICLES(17,15,N) JESUS(5,15,W) JINGLE(7,1,W) LIGHTS(16,1,SW)
MERRY(3,5,S) MISTLETOE(3,5,SE) ORNAMENT(13,15,W) PEACE(13,13,N) POINSETTIA
(15,5,SW) PRESENTS(14,1,SW) REINDEER(9,10,NE) RIBBON(13,1,W) RUDOLPH
(17,17,W) SHOPPING(10,16,E) SLEIGH(1,4,SE) STOCKINGS(15,15,N) SUGARPLUMS
(1,16,NE) TINSEL(17,4,SW) WINTER(10,4,W) WREATH(4,12,E)

http://www.anglaisfacile.com/free/news/printvocxmasf.php 19.12.2006
Vocabulaire anglais autour de Nol, jeu de recherche de mots en anglais . 3 3

La phrase secrte: I think that I have eaten too much chocolate!


Je pense que j'ai mang trop de chocolat!

En haut

z Apprendre l'anglais
z Allemand
z Espagnol
z Franais
z Maths
z Autres thmes
z TousLesCours
z Outils
z Tous nos sites

Sites pour professeurs | Produits gratuits | Sites pour parents | Sites de professeurs | Sites ducatifs | Cours anglais Assimil | Cours
mathmatiques | Test niveau anglais gratuit | Cours d'espagnol | Cours d'allemand | Cours de franais | Cours de maths | Outils utiles |
Bac d'anglais | Learn French | Learn English | Crez des exercices

Copyright Laurent Camus (Professeur d'anglais) ... En savoir plus / Aide [Conditions
d'utilisation] [WAP]
Reproduction interdite sur tout support

http://www.anglaisfacile.com/free/news/printvocxmasf.php 19.12.2006
How many words can you make out of
Rudolphs Red Nose?

R U D O L P H S

R E D N O S E
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________

Did you find?


A place that sells things.
A place to swim.
A place to live.
Yours and mine.
The opposite of he.
The opposite of over.
Animals that live in a flock.
Something to write with.
Something to eat soup with.
Something to measure with.
A great person.
A long, skinny fish.
A long, thick string
Something you plant.

www.bogglesworld.com
1 2

4 5 6 7 8

9 10

11
Across
12
1. What Santa gives naughty
13 kids.
4. What Santa wears on his
feet.
14 15 16
6. Good.
8. The color of Santa's suit.
9. Santa's animals.
10. Santa's last name.
17 11. Santa's laugh.
12. Santa's helper
18 13. What children hang on the
fireplace.
14. What Santa gives people.
Merry Christmas! 17. Place where Santa enters
your house.
18. Happy.
Down
2. What Santa checks. 9. Place where Santa parks his sleigh.
3. Where Santa's elves make the toys. 10. What Santa eats and drinks.
5. Place where children sit and tell 13. Santa's car.
Santa about their Christmas wishes.
15. Bad.
6. Where Santa lives.
16. You ________ not cry.
7. Something on Santa's face.

2005 www.bogglesworld.com
Connect the dots by following your ABCs

2004 www.bogglesworldesl.com
Connect the dots by following your ABCs

2004 www.bogglesworldesl.com
How many words can you make out
of Santas sleigh?

S A N T A S S L E I G H
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________
___________ ___________

Did you find?


An insect.
A place to sit.
What you wear on your head.
Peppers companion.
A body of water.
Fuel for your car.
A bees bite.
Two numbers.
The opposite of like.
The opposite of thick.
Snake talk.
A female chicken.
A part of your body.
A place where actors perform.

www.bogglesworld.com
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Yahoo! GeoCities . 1 1

http://www.geocities.com/js_source/tab04.html 19.12.2006
The Christmas Song (changed lyrics)

Chipmunks roasting on an open fire


Jackie Chan hitting at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos

Everybody knows: a bottle and some food to eat


Help to make the party bright
Tiny tots with their ears all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep this week

They know that Putin's on his way


He's loaded lots of boys and cookies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna cry
To see if reindeer really know how to spy

And so I'm offering this simple phrase


To kids from one two three
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Happy Easter
Happy Easter
Happy Easter to you

And every mother's child is gonna cry


To see if reindeer
Really know how to spy

And so I'm offering this simple phrase


To kids from one two three
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Happy Easter
Happy Easter
Happy Easter to you
Winter

Do you prefer winter or summer? Why?


What are your favorite winter activities?
Can you tell me about a time you went skiing
or skating?
What do you usually wear in winter?
When does your winter vacation usually
start and end?
Can you think of three holidays in winter?
How do you make a snow angel?
How do you make a snowman?
Is your house cold?
Do you have a fireplace in your house?
What do you usually do to keep warm in the winter?
Can you think of any animals that hibernate for the winter?
Can you think of any animals that migrate for the winter?
Have you ever gone hiking in the snow?
Tell me about a snowball fight you had.
In winter, we see a lot of frozen water. Can you tell me the difference
between frost, snow, hail, and slush?
Have you ever looked at a snowflake carefully?
Do you know what packing snow is?
Do you have a sled? Have you been sledding?
What do you usually do after a big snowfall?
Whats the best thing about winter?
Whats the worst thing about winter?
Have you ever been in a blizzard?
What are the dangers of winter?
Can you describe ice for me?
Have you ever slipped on ice and hurt
yourself?
How do people keep safe on the roads in
winter?
Can you tell me how people prevent
avalanches in mountains?
Have you ever had to shovel snow?
www.bogglesworld.com
Vocabulary for Winter
Please write the meaning of the following expressions and then write
a sentence using the expression:

hibernate: ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________

migrate: _______________________________________________
______________________________________________________

frost: _________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

slush: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

blizzard: _______________________________________________
______________________________________________________

snowflake: _____________________________________________
______________________________________________________

snow angel: ____________________________________________


______________________________________________________

slip: __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

packing snow: __________________________________________


______________________________________________________

prevent: _______________________________________________
______________________________________________________

avalanche: ____________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Make a title for each group of words and
then find all of the words in the grid below _____________ _____________
freezing ski
Winter snow skate
ice sled
frost snowboard
blizzard snowman
snowflake snow angel
icicle snowball
cold
_____________ _____________
December hot chocolate
January fire
February heater

_____________
hat
scarf
gloves
boots
mittens
coat
sweater

______________
hibernate
migrate

2005 www.bogglesworld.com
Unscramble these snowflakes to figure out the hidden message:

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
4 11 6 1 2

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
3 7 12 10

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
5 9 15 14
Winter Riddle: Use the numbers above to fill in the riddle.
When you look out, you see it, but when you see it, you cant look out. What
is it? __ __ __ __ __ __ __ T __ __ __ __ N __ __ W

www.bogglesworld.com
Verse 1

3. We wish you a _____ Christmas


4. and a _______ New year.
6. a merry ________
7. ______ tidings we bring

1. we _____ you
2. happy ______ ________
5. good tidings we ________

Copyright Futonge Kisito 2006 www.english-4kids.com & www.esl-galaxy.com


1. Christmas (New Years Day)
Brainstorm the words associated with this holiday. Choose a long word, make up as many words as
possible. The winner gets the prize.

2. What is New Years Day for you? Group activity.


Read the following quotes about Xmas and New Year:

a) Christmas is time to give and to forgive.


b) Christmas is a winter dreamland.
c) New Year's Day is every man's birthday.
d) New Year's Day is a new start on old habits.
e) New Year's Day is a book with blank pages.

Express your own idea in one sentence. The group with the most original idea gets the prize.

3. Christmas quiz (1)


Answer key: 1 c; 2 b; 3 c; 4 a; 5 b; 6 c; 7 a; 8 b; 9 b; 10 c; 11 a; 12 c.

4. Pass the parcel


Prepare 5-6 boxes or envelopes decorated or wrapped with Christmas paper. In each parcel put a group
activity with a Xmas theme for students to try:

- a jumbled dialogue (between the shop-assistant and a customer in a shop buying Xmas presents; OR
an interview between famous person/pop star on Xmas habits/likes/dislikes which can be reordered and
acted out);

- discussion cards (3) to work through as a group;

- a gap fill Christmas pop song;

- role cards to act out improvised conversations (e.g. You are given an awful/strange present by a
relative/boyfriend. Student B is the relative who is watching you open the gift. Act out your
conversation);

- a Christmas word search with a list of Christmas words to find in the grid.

5. Santas sack
Prepare presents of varying sizes and shapes. Put them in a sack (or a pillow case). Students take turns to
fish out an object and try to guess what it is. It could be a mobile phone.It might be a calculator
etc. Lower levels can say I think its a.. or ask Is it a/an..?

6. Mystery pictures (small groups)


A guessing game: cover Christmas pictures with a black card and leave a slim keyhole in the centre of the
card. Can they guess the object that is half hidden? You can get your pictures from magazines, free
leaflets and catalogues from supermarkets or printed up from the net. For lower levels (and kids):
concentrate on 8 key items which they know well (this can be Christmas presents hidden i.e a Harry
Potter book, a game boy, a favourite video).
For higher levels: pick objects associated with Christmas but still stick to vocabulary they know e.g. a
bottle of Champagne, a Christmas cake, a parcel or gift, a ski slope, a reindeer, an angel or cover
Christmas presents.

7. Christmas around the world! (2)


Read 6 short texts about Xmas traditions in different countries. Guess the country.
Answer key: 1 Australia; 2 Finland; 3 Greece; 4 Japan; 5 Russia; 6 Poland.
Option: check students memory by asking comprehension questions OR they call out the things they
remember.

8. Integrating Music
Have students choose a favorite holiday song and write new words to it.

9. Christmas Wishing Tree


1. Using green paper, have students trace around the outline of their hand.
2. Cut out the hands.
3. Holding their handprint so that the fingers point downwards, ask each student to write a Christmas wish
on their hand. They can write their own wish, or one for a friend or family member.
4. Collect all the handprints and, on a separate large piece of card, arrange the hands into the shape of a
Christmas tree and fix with staples or glue. Ensure the fingers all point downwards. The fingers look like
branches and leaves and the finished "wish tree" looks fantastic. Students will love reading each other's
wishes.
Christmas Quiz
1. A traditional Christmas pudding is made
a) a week before Christmas
b) on Christmas morning
c) up to 3 months before Christmas

2. In Britain, Santa Claus enters houses


a) by climbing through the window
b) by coming down the chimney
c) through the front door.

3. Which of these would you NOT see on top of a British Christmas tree?
a) a star
b) a fairy
c) Santa Claus.

4. For Christmas dinner British families usually have


a) turkey
b) beef
c) chicken

5. "Tinsel" is
a) a kind of cake.
b) a type of decoration.
c) the name of one of Santa's reindeer.

6. Christmas Eve is
a) after 6pm on 25th December.
b) after 6pm on 24th December.
c) all day on 24th December.

7. Which is unlucky?
a) Leaving your decorations up after 6th January.
b) Not kissing everyone in the house on Christmas Day.
c) Forgetting to say "Christmas Christmas Christmas" when you wake up on 25th December.

8. A 'carol' is
a) a pie traditionally eaten on Christmas day
b) a religious Christmas song
c) a Christmas party with dancing

9. The 26th December is called


a) After Day
b) Boxing Day
c) Twelfth Night
10. Which days are official public holidays in Britain?
a) 24th, 25th and 26th December
b) 24th and 25th December
c) 25th and 26th December

11. A 'robin' is
a) a bird with a red breast
b) a Christmas letter to a friend
c) a Christmas song for children.

12. In the old Christmas Song, there are 12 days of Christmas. The first day of Christmas
is
a) 6th December
b) 15th December
c) 25th December
Christmas around the world!

_________________

Happy Christmas!
The traditional turkey dinner sometimes ends with a Christmas pudding for dessert. Christmas puddings include a
coin baked inside, and whoever finds it knows to expect good luck. Because of the climate, flowers are one of the
most important Christmas decorations. Santa Claus leaves presents for children in pillowcases on children's beds,
or at the breakfast table.

__________________

Hauskaa Joulua!
Legend says that Santa lives here in a village called Ear Mountain, covered in ice and snow. In this country families
usually bring Christmas trees into the house the day before Christmas and decorate them with national flags. On
Christmas Eve Santa Claus comes to children with a basket filled with presents. He gives the presents only after
the children sing a Christmas song.

__________________

Eftihismena Christougenna!
At Christmas a lot of small fishing boats are decorated with blue and white lights - these are also the colors of the
flag. As family and friends come for the Christmas Day dinner, they greet one another by saying, "Eftihismena
Christougenna ", or "Marry Christmas". The table has roast turkey stuffed with chestnuts or rice, there are a lot of
vegetables too. Before the meal begins, the sign of the cross is made over the bread, and the table is lifted three
times. Christmas trees are not commonly used there.

___________________

Merii Kurisumasu!
The legend of this country says that Santa Claus has eyes in the back of his head! The holiday has become
popular because of all of the Christmas products that this nationality makes for other countries.

___________________

S Rozdjestvom Hristovim!
Santa Claus is called here Grandfather Frost. Religious traditions to celebrate Christmas in this country were
suppressed during the communist era. With the fall of Communism, Christmas can be celebrated on January 7th.
However New Year is more important holiday in this country so Christmas trees are called "New Year's" trees
there.

___________________

Wesolych Swiat!
The traditional Christmas dinner consists of twelve dishes representing the twelve months of the year. No meat is
served during the dinner, only fish. Other traditional dishes on the table include red borscht, mushroom or fish soup
and dried fruit compote.
Discussion Cards

Christmas

Did it snow last year at Christmas?


Did you believe in Santa Claus when you were a child?
Did you enjoy last Christmas?
Do people behave differently during Christmas?
Do people try to be better during Christmas?
Do you donate something (money, clothes...) to charities?
Do you give something to homeless people?
Do you attend any special religious ceremonies during the Christmas season?
Do you celebrate Christmas in your country?
Do you celebrate Christmas in a special way?
Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional way?
Do you have a traditional Christmas?
Do you decorate the outside of your house for Christmas?
Do you eat a turkey dinner for your Christmas dinner?
Do you enjoy Christmas time?
Do you enjoy singing Christmas songs?
Do you exchange presents with your friends at school?
Do you go to church on Christmas day?
Do you hang up a stocking?
Do you have a Christmas party at school?
Do you have a Christmas tree?
If so, how do you decorate it?
When do you put it up?
When do you take it down?
Is it real or artificial?
Do you have a part-time job during Christmas vacation?
Do you have any plans to go to a Christmas party?
Do you know why Christmas is celebrated around the world?
Do you know the history of Christmas?
Do you remember when you found out that Santa Claus wasn't real/ or when your children found out?
What was your/their reaction like?
Do you see your relatives at Christmas time?
Do you think Christmas is depressing? (There is a high suicide rate at this time of year.)
Do you think we will have a white Christmas this year?
Do you usually put up Christmas decorations in your house? (Do you usually decorate your home?)
How about at your school of the place where you work?
Does you school have a Christmas play?
Does your family have any special Christmas traditions?
Does your town get decorated at Christmas?
What kind of decorations?
Have you already finished your Christmas shopping?
Have you ever celebrated Christmas in a foreign country?
Have you ever made your own Christmas cards?
If so, how did you make them?
How do you usually spend New Year's Eve? How about New Year's Day?
How long do you keep your Christmas tree up after Christmas?
How long is your Christmas vacation?
How many Christmas cards did you receive last year?
How many Christmas cards do you send?
How many presents do you usually give?
If you are not a Christian, does the intense focus on Christmas in the U.S. make you feel bad in any way
(e.g., ignored, dismissed, angry, etc.)?
If you could go anywhere during Christmas vacation, where would you go?
In how many languages did you write Christmas cards?
Is there a holiday similar to Christmas in your home country?
Is your Christmas tree a real tree or an artificial tree?
What are some popular foods for the Christmas season?
What are you going to buy your boyfriend/girlfriend for their Christmas present?
What did you do last year on Christmas Day?
How did you celebrate Christmas last year?
What do you eat on Christmas Day?
What do you usually do for Christmas?
What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?
What does your family eat for Christmas dinner?
What is Christmas like in your hometown?
What is Christmas like in your country?
What is the best Christmas present you have ever gotten?
What is the most expensive Christmas present you plan to buy?
What is the typical menu for a Christmas meal in your family? (... in your country?)
What is the weather like in your country around Christmas time?
What is your attitude toward the commercialization of the Christmas season?
Is Christmas becoming too commercialized?
What is your favorite Christmas carol?
What is your favorite Christmas song?
Are there any special songs in your country that you don't hear here?
What kind of interesting things do you do for Christmas in your home country?
What kind of presents do you expect to get this Christmas?
What time do you wake up on Christmas day?
What time does your family open the presents?
What traditions do you have during the Christmas season?
What was the best present your received last Christmas?
What will you buy your parents?
What will you do on Christmas day?
What will you eat on Christmas Day?
What would you like to get for your Christmas present?
What's your favorite Christmas song?
When do you do your Christmas shopping?
What kind of presents do you buy?
Who do you buy them for?
About how much do you spend per person?
When do you give Christmas presents? (On what day? At what time?)
When do you open Christmas presents? (On what day? At what time?)
When do you put up a Christmas tree?
If you don't put up a Christmas tree, do you put up other decorations?
When does your family decorate the Christmas tree?
Where are you going for Christmas vacation?
Where do you think Santa Claus is from?
Where will you go on Christmas Day?
Who do you expect to receive presents from?
Who is Santa Claus?
Do you know the history of Santa Claus?
At what age did you begin not believing in Santa Claus?
Who was at your house last Christmas?
Who will you give presents to this year?
Who would you like to be with on Christmas?
Will you go skiing during the Christmas vacation?
Will you have a Christmas party at your home?
Will you spend Christmas vacation with your family or your friends?
Will you travel abroad during the Christmas vacation?
Would you like to go skating during Christmas vacation?
Why do people give out Christmas cards with gifts and presents at Christmas time?
Why some people do not like Christmas?
Do people behave differently during Christmas? Do they try to be better?
Do you donate something (money, clothes...) to charities?
Do you give something to homeless people?
How long do Christmas trees last?
Do you use an artificial tree?
What do you usually do on Christmas day?
What people usually do on Christmas day?
Why do people sometimes write "Christmas" with an "X"? (Xmas
Do you have a big and delicious dinner on Christmas day?
Trivia: In what 1942 movie was the song 'White Christmas" first sung?
Do you ever think about the real meaning of Christmas?
Do you go skiing at Christmas time?
Whose birthday is celebrated on Christmas?
Which comes first, Christmas or New Year's Day?
What is the significance of a Christmas tree?
What does it represent for you?

End of the Year

How was this year?


Was this year better or worse than last year? How come?
What was the happiest thing for you this year?
What was the saddest thing for you this year?
What was the toughest thing for you this year?
What was the best movie for you this year?
What was the best music for you this year?
What was the best TV show for you this year?
What was the best place you visited this year?
What was the best food you had this year?
What was the best restaurant you went to this year?
What was the most useful thing you bought this year?
What was the most expensive thing you bought this year?
What was the best item of clothing you bought this year?
What was the biggest waste of money this year?
What was something you lost this year?
Do you have any regrets about this year?
Did you make a New Year's Resolution this year?
Do people in your country usually make New Year's Resolutions?
Christmas Spot The Difference . 1 2

Christmas Spot The Difference


Spot the 25 differences in these two pictures.

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/xmas.htm 19.12.2006
Christmas Spot The Difference . 2 2

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/xmas.htm 19.12.2006
www.handoutsonline.com Photocopiable

Getting Ready for Christmas

n Warm Up Work with a partner.

Have you bought any Christmas presents yet?

o Conversation Practice with a partner.

Scene: Jackie is talking to Bob about Christmas

Jackie: So - its almost Christmas!


Bob: Yeah - but I havent started preparing yet
Jackie: Youre kidding! Have you bought any presents?
Bob: Well, no. I havent bought anything yet. I might go this weekend.
Jackie: Have you bought a tree? I bought one a few days ago.
Bob: Well, I have last years. But I havent decorated it yet. Ive been
so busy!
Jackie: You need to hurry! Ive finished almost everything!

p Comprehension Are these statements true or false? Correct the false ones.

1. Bob / start preparing Bob hasnt started preparing yet.


2. Bob / buy presents
3. Jackie / buy a Christmas Tree
4. Bob / decorate his Christmas Tree
5. Jackie / finish almost everything

q Role-playing #1 Use the cues below and have a conversation with your partner.

Christmas Preparation List


Done Not Yet Done Not Yet
1) Buy a turkey ; 4) Decorate the house ;
2) Send Christmas cards ; 5) Buy some presents ;
3) Make a Christmas cake ; 6) Wrap the presents ;

r Role-playing #2 Practice again with a partner. This time, give true answers!

www.handoutsonline.com Handouts Online


www.handoutsonline.com Photocopiable

Getting Ready for Christmas: Teachers Notes


Target Structure: Theme Lesson: Present Perfect with Yet & Already
Vocabulary: Christmas
Level: Elementary
Time: 30 minutes
Preparation: None

Suggested Teaching Method

Students need lots of practice with the Present Perfect. This lesson looks at Yet & Already
with a Christmas theme.

n The opening question is a warm up, which help to introduce the topic. Students should work in pairs. Elicit some
answers, but dont correct mistakes at this stage. The short discussion will give you an idea of how well the
students can use the target language.

o Follow the instructions. Students should practice once, and then change roles. Encourage the students to look
up and make eye-contact with each other when speaking.

p To make this more challenging, students can cover the conversation before writing the answers. Students
should work alone and then check in pairs.
To build confidence in using the Present Perfect with questions, set up a speaking drill. Student A can ask a
question using the cues in this exercise. Student B can give answers.
e.g. A: Has Bob starting preparing yet?
B No, he hasnt.
This is also a good practice of the third person for students who like to say Yes, he have!

q This is a controlled exercise: the answers are fixed. Demonstrate with a confident student. Place students in
new pairs, and have them change roles. Encourage eye contact and intonation when speaking.

r Students can now personalize the language. Encourage students to use their own ideas. If imagination is
somewhat lacking, they can use the cues given in exercise four.
Depending on the nationality of your students, New Year preparations can make for a better topic for this
exercise.

Answer Key (Other answers are possible, including using already in positive statements.)

n 2) Bob hasnt bought (any) presents yet.


3 Jackie has bought a Christmas Tree.
4) Bob hasnt decorated his Christmas Tree yet.
5) Jackie has finished almost everything.

How are we doing?

Handouts Online has other worksheets with a Christmas Theme. Try our Christmas Quiz, a crossword,
or a theme lesson on Christmas and New Year plans.
Updated 12/03/2005

www.handoutsonline.com Handouts Online


The Christmas Stocking Game

Instructions
Play this game in groups of three or four.
Toss a coin. If you get HEADS, go forward one space. If
you get TAILS go forward two spaces.
If you land on a square with a question, answer the
question. Talk for at least 30 seconds.
If you land on a square with a stocking, do a special task
the teacher gives you.

Teachers Notes

Level: Intermediate +

Aims: a speaking activity with emphasis on oral fluency; this activity could also be used
as a review class before a mid term test.

Materials: One copy of the game board and a coin for each group of 3-4 Ss; a large
sock (preferably a Christmas stocking), a collection of different objects or a series of
revision questions for an upcoming test. The game board looks better if it is enlarged
and copied onto A3 size paper.

Warmer: Draw a picture of a Christmas stocking on the board. Ask Ss What is this?
Explain the difference between a sock and a stocking. Tell the Ss about the English
Christmas tradition of stockings (traditionally stockings are hung above the fireplace,
and Father Christmas leaves gifts inside them; if you get left a piece of coal it means
you were bad this year). Ask Ss if they have any similar kind of tradition where they
come from.

Play the Game: Tell the students that in this class they are going to talk about different
aspects of the Christmas Season. Divide the class into groups of three or four and give
each group a board and a coin. Give them a copy of the instructions (above) and let
them start. Monitor and help where necessary.

The Stocking Squares Two options:


(1) If you are playing with a very small class (and maybe have only two games
going at the same time), heres a nice activity you can do using the stocking
and a series of small, everyday objects (pen, calculator, mobile phone,
cassette, piece of clothing etc.). Every time somebody lands on a stocking
square, they must try to guess what is in the stocking (so you have to slip the
object in the stocking without Ss seeing you!). Tell them to use language of
speculation and sensations when they do this e.g. It might be It could be It
must be It feels (adj) It feels like a (noun)

onestopenglish 2002
Taken from the speaking skills section in www.onestopenglish.com
(2) Prepare a series of revision questions on little pieces of paper (taken from your
coursebook). Every time someone lands on a stocking square, they must
answer a revision question correctly. Another variant on this would be to have
the students make their own revision questions and put them all in the stocking.

Another possibility that is compatible with the two above is to have a little Christmas
treat for each time someone answers a stocking question correctly. This involves the
teacher buying a bag of sweets for the class though!

onestopenglish 2002
Taken from the speaking skills section in www.onestopenglish.com
onestopenglish 2002 - photocopiable for use in class

. / !
&

"#$% &'(%%
)( * &' &'%
,%&&%(*-

' ( *& " # *

"#$% &'(%%
)( *+()"
&'% ,%&&%(*-

" *& ,% & ) %


Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2004 - photocopiable for use in class

The Christmas Stocking Game


Do you think that
In your opinion, Christmas is too
START whats the best thing
about the holiday
commercial these
days? Do people
season? waste a lot of money?

In your opinion,
whats the worst thing
about the holiday
season?

When was the first Who do you spend


time you spent an What was the last If you could spend During your holidays, Christmas with? What
important holiday perfect gift you New Years with what will you do to are some of your
away from home? gave someone? The anyone and anywhere, pass the time? family Christmas
What happened? last one you received? what would you do? traditions?

MAKE THREE
WORDS WITH THE
LETTERS:

CHRISTMAS

MAKE THREE
What three events WORDS FROM What is your favourite
from the past year are THE LETTERS: holiday song? What is
most memorable for your favourite holiday
you? MISTLETOE movie?

You might also like