Celebrate and Learn: Christmas Holiday Words and Story You Should Know
Christmas is around the corner! It’s a magical time of the year, filled with joy and warmth. Today, let’s celebrate and enjoy this holiday while learning its history, customs, words and phrases in English.
The History
Christmas originated from the church calendar and was established by Christians to commemorate and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Most countries set Christmas on December 25 of the Gregorian calendar. This date was already widely recognized between the 1st and 4th centuries. In modern times, many areas also celebrate it together with the Gregorian New Year (January 1 each year). Holidays become the Christmas and New Year season especially common in Western countries.
Characteristics and Customs of Christmas
Christmas Decoration
Christmas wouldn’t be complete without its festive decorations! You’ll see Christmas trees, Santa Claus, sleighs, and stacked gift boxes standing everywhere. There must be Christmas scenes that everyone is very familiar with! The lighting effects and installation atmosphere make the festive atmosphere more intense. These decorations turn cities, homes, and shops into magical holiday scenes.
Have Christmas Dinner
Gathering Christmas dinner with your family is the highlight of Christmas Day. In many countries, turkey is seen as one of the most common and classic dishes. It is not only the main dish, but also the most appropriate decoration on the table. Other popular dishes include roast potatoes, stuffing, and desserts like Christmas pudding.
Write Christmas Cards
Christmas cards originated in Britain in the 19th century. It is said that when Queen Victoria spent Christmas at Windsor Castle, she also wrote a letter inviting the children of the nobles to attend the banquet and some blessing words on the invitation card. Later, everyone followed suit. However, in some countries, like France, Canada, America and Finland, they even have a “Santa Claus” service where children can send letters to Santa and receive replies. It’s a wonderful time for kids to practice writing a letter for Santa Claus in English.
Hang Christmas Stockings and Receive Gifts from Santa Claus
One of the most exciting parts of Christmas for children is hanging Christmas stockings on the fireplace, bedposts, or walls. Before Christmas, kids will hang Christmas stockings at somethere at home. On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus will come down the chimney and place gifts inside the stockings.On Christmas morning, children wake up eager to see what Santa brought for them.
Christmas Holiday Words You Should Know
- Christmas stockings: a large sock that children leave out when they go to bed the night before Christmas so that it can be filled with presents
EX: Come here! Help me decorate the Christmas tree.
- sleigh: a type of sledge pulled by animals, especially horses or dogs
EX: Children dreamed of Santa Claus riding his sleigh across the sky.
- chimney: a hollow structure that allows the smoke from a fire inside a building to escape to the air outside
EX: He believes Santa Claus comes in through the chimney.
- decorate: to add something to an object or place, especially in order to make it more attractive
EX: Come here! Help me decorate the Christmas tree.
- reindeer: a type of deer that lives in the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and North America
EX: Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, is a popular character in Christmas stories.
- Christmas carols: a traditional or religious song that people sing at Christmas
EX: Every time I hear children sing Christmas carols, I couldn’t help but sing along to the songs.
- wreath: an arrangement of flowers and leaves in a circular shape, used as a decoration
EX: A beautiful wreath hung on the front door, welcoming guests.
Christmas Holiday Sentences You Should Know
- Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
conversation example:
A: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”
B: “Thank you, you too!”
- I’m looking forward to the Christmas dinner.
conversation example:
A: I’m looking forward to the Christmas dinner.
B: “Me too, I can’t wait to try the roast turkey!”
- Have you put up your Christmas tree yet?
A: Have you put up your Christmas tree yet?
B: Yes, we just decorated it last night. It looks beautiful!
- I love the festive atmosphere in the city.
A: I love the festive atmosphere in the city.
B: Me too, the Christmas lights and decorations are so beautiful.
- Let’s exchange gifts on Christmas Eve.
A: Let’s exchange gifts on Christmas Eve.
B: That sounds like a great idea. I’ve already got something special for you!
Christmas is a beautiful time to celebrate traditions, spend time with loved ones, and spread joy. I hope you’ve learned something new today about this magical holiday. Whether it’s decorating a Christmas tree, writing cards, or enjoying a festive dinner, let’s celebrate together and keep practicing English with these holiday words and phrases.