Do You Remember?
Match the words to the pictures.
This item ...
- is something you can eat.
- is a plant.
- is where presents are put.
- is something you can decorate your Christmas tree with.
What other Christmas-related words can you add to these categories? Complete the list with your partner.
Christmas Is in the Air!
Candy canes and the Christmas season go hand (0) in hand. In fact, this sweet treat is so popular nowadays it exists in all kinds colours and flavours. For example, if you are not fan of peppermint, how about trying fruit- or Oreo-flavoured candy canes?
It is believed that the first candy canes made in the 17th century in Cologne, Germany. A church choirmaster[annotation: choirmaster [ˈkwaɪəˌmɑːstə(r)] - koorijuht] gave them the children in his choir to keep them quiet during church services. first, the sweets were straight and white. The sticks were bent into crooks to help the kids remember the shepherds[annotation: shepherd [ˈʃepəd] – karjane] visited Baby Jesus. The red stripes appeared only the early 1900s.
Adapted from history.com, candyhistory.net and Candy Bites: The Science of Sweets
Pairwork
Discuss with your partner.
- Have you ever tried a candy cane? If so, did you like it? Why/Why not?
- What is your favourite Christmas sweet treat? Why?
Think about the following:
How do you decorate your home for Christmas? | |
What are some of your family Christmas traditions? | |
What do you usually do on Christmas Eve? | |
What is the best Christmas gift you have ever received? | |
What do you think is the best thing about the holiday season? |
Quiz Time!
Take the quiz. Use the Internet to help you.
When did the Christian Church begin celebrating Christmas?
- in the 1st century
- in the 4th century
- in the 17th century
What do Icelandic people exchange at Christmas?
- new books
- woolly socks
- homemade candy
How do the people of Venezuela go to church on Christmas Eve?
- They ride electric scooters.
- They roller-skate.
- They ride bicycles.
Which country started the tradition of decorating Christmas trees?
- Spain
- Norway
- Germany
Which ballet is set at Christmas?
- The Sleeping Beauty
- The Nutcracker
- Giselle
In Italy, this traditional Christmas dessert is called ...
- panettone.
- risalamande.
- povitica.
Continue this line from a popular Christmas carol: “Deck the halls with boughs of ...”
- lolly
- dolly
- holly
