Christmas Celebration

Rahul's family decorates a small Christmas tree, bakes plum cake, and joins neighbours for carol singing on Christmas Eve.

Meanings in Rahul, Family, Neighbours, Santa Claus

Key words and phrases

Christmas treea decorated tree used as part of Christmas celebrationsWe put fairy lights on the Christmas tree.

carolstraditional songs sung during ChristmasThe children sang carols outside every house.

plum cakea rich fruit cake traditionally baked for ChristmasMother baked a plum cake with dried fruits.

Santa Clausa legendary figure who gives gifts to children at ChristmasThe kids left cookies out for Santa Claus.

midnight massa church service held late on Christmas EveThey attended midnight mass at the local church.

decorationsitems used to make something look festiveColourful decorations covered the whole street.

gift wrappingcovering a present in decorative paperShe spent an hour on gift wrapping.

Christmas Evethe evening or day before Christmas DayWe gather at grandma's house every Christmas Eve.

star lanterna star-shaped lantern hung outside homes during ChristmasA star lantern glowed outside their balcony.

feasta large, special meal shared with family or friendsThe whole family sat down for a Christmas feast.

stockinga large sock hung up to be filled with small giftsEach child hung a stocking by the fireplace.

wreatha circular arrangement of leaves or flowers hung as decorationA green wreath hung on their front door.

nativity scenea display showing the birth of JesusThey set up a small nativity scene under the tree.

candy canea hard, cane-shaped, striped peppermint candyThe kids hung candy canes on the tree.

fairy lightssmall decorative string lights used at celebrationsFairy lights twinkled all along the balcony.

advent calendara calendar with a small gift or treat for each day before ChristmasShe opened a chocolate from the advent calendar every morning.

gingerbreada spiced cookie or cake often shaped like a house or personThey baked a gingerbread house together.

ornamenta small decorative object hung on a Christmas treeEach ornament on the tree had a special story.

sleigha vehicle pulled over snow, associated with Santa ClausThe story tells of Santa's sleigh flying through the sky.

toastraising a glass and speaking wishes before drinkingFather raised a toast to a happy new year.

Useful sentences

Ask Have you decorated the Christmas tree yet?
Answer Yes, we put it up last weekend.
Ask Are you going for midnight mass tonight?
Answer Yes, the whole family is going together.
Ask Did you bake the plum cake this year?
Answer Of course, it's a family tradition.
Ask What did Santa bring the kids this year?
Answer Books, toys, and a lot of chocolates.
Ask Can you help me with the gift wrapping?
Answer Sure, pass me the ribbon and tape.
Ask Did you hang the stockings by the fireplace?
Answer Yes, one for every child in the house.
Ask Where did you buy the wreath for the door?
Answer We made it ourselves with pine leaves.
Ask Are the kids opening the advent calendar every day?
Answer Yes, they get so excited each morning.
Ask Did you bake the gingerbread house this year?
Answer Yes, the whole family helped decorate it.
Ask Will you make a toast at dinner tonight?
Answer Of course, to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Dialogue

RahulLet's hang the star lantern before the guests arrive.

NeighbourIt looks beautiful already! Are you joining the carol singing?

RahulYes, we'll start from your street at seven.

NeighbourWonderful. I'll bring some plum cake for everyone.

RahulThank you. After the carols, come home for the feast.

NeighbourWe wouldn't miss it. Merry Christmas!

RahulMerry Christmas! Oh, and don't forget to bring your kids for the gingerbread house.

NeighbourThey've been asking about it all week! They love the candy canes too.

RahulWe have plenty. I'll also hang some fairy lights on your side of the fence.

NeighbourThat's so kind of you, Rahul. See you at seven then.

Common mistakes

Saying "Christmas festival" instead of just "Christmas" — in English, "Christmas" already implies a festival.
Saying "cut the cake" for the plum cake tradition instead of "bake the cake," which refers to preparing it beforehand.
Saying "Santa gave" instead of "Santa brought" when talking about gifts left overnight.
Saying "make a wreath" instead of "hang a wreath" when the wreath is already made and placed on a door.
Saying "stocking full with gifts" instead of "stocking full of gifts."
Saying "give a toast" instead of the more natural "make a toast" or "propose a toast."

Quick quiz

1. What is "carols"?

2. A church service held late on Christmas Eve is called ___.

3. Complete: "She spent an hour on gift ___."

4. What is hung by the fireplace to be filled with small gifts?

5. What is a display showing the birth of Jesus called?

6. Complete: "He raised a ___ to a happy new year."

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