The History of Christmas Decorations

 

The History of Christmas Decorations

I Lead-in.

A)  Look at the photos below. Which photos show traditional American Christmas decorations? Discuss your ideas with other students.

A)  Watch the video and check your answers.  Match the names of Christmas decorations from the list below to the pictures (there are words in the list that you don’t need to use).

mistletoe

chocolate bunny

 tinsel

Jack-o'-Lantern

wreath

poinsettia plant

maypole

 

II Vocabulary focus. Match the words to their definitions. Use three words in your sentences.

1.	wreath	A.	long pieces of thin shine material used as decoration
2.	evergreen	B.	a strong column
3.	continuous	C.	without pause
4.	candle	D.	an arrangement of flowers and leaves in a circle used as a decoration
5.	tinsel	E.	easy to break or damage
6.	shredded	F.	an important  diplomat who is a representative of his or her state in a foreign country
7.	fragile	G.	wooden or metal bar at the side of the stairs
8.	affordable	H.	having green leaves the whole year
9.	pillar	I.	not expensive
10.	banister	J.	torn or cut into small pieces
11.	ambassador	K.	a block of wax  which produces light as it burns

 

III   Watch the video and choose the correct words to complete the sentences. 

 

1.    One of the most popular Christmas decorations is the wreath; its origins are found in ____ folk practices.

           A. Spanish

 B.  Irish

 C.  German

2.    During the cold months of winter, people would create ____wreaths as a symbol of continued life.

           A. endless

 B. orange and green

 C.  evergreen

3.    The circle shape of the wreath represented the continuous _____.  

 A. cycle of the changing seasons

 B. cold and snow

 C. winter season

4.    In some regions, the wreath was placed on a flat surface, such as a table, with candles placed in it (usually __________ in the centre).

           A. two candles with a third

 B. forty candles with a forty first

 C.  four candles with a fifth

5.    Mistletoe is also commonly used as a Christmas ____.  

 A. dish

 B. decoration

 C. game

6.    According to the tradition, people who meet under the mistletoe are required to ___.  

 A. dance

 B. sing

 C. kiss

7.    It was also a tradition to leave the mistletoe hanging in the home throughout the year, as many believed the plant could bring ____.  

 A. health and happiness

 B. good luck

 C. money

 

IV Comprehension check. Mark the sentences as True (T) or False (F). Correct the false statements.

 

1. Very few people today know that it is possible use wreaths as their Christmas decorations.  

2. In the past evergreen wreaths symbolized continued life.  

3. The shape of the wreath is oval.  

4. The wreath symbolizes the cycle of the changing seasons.  

5. People placed wreaths with candles on tables.  

6. According to the tradition, before people can buy the mistletoe for their house they are required to kiss.  

7. Sometimes people leave the mistletoe in the home after Christmas.  

 

V Watch the video and put the sentences from the talk in order (for example 1-f).

a) The metallic tinsel was fragile and very expensive.

b) Today tinsel is one of the most widely used decorations; it appears on Christmas trees, tinsel is wrapped around pillars, and draped across banisters.

c) Only the wealthiest of families could afford to use tinsel to decorate their homes.

d) During the 1900s tinsel became more affordable.

e) The first tinsel was made in 1610 from shredded silver.

f) Tinsel is also used in many different ways to decorate homes around Christmas time.

 

VI Watch the video and choose the correct words to complete the sentences. 

1. Another common decoration hit the scene in ____.

           A. 805

 B.  2005

 C.  1825

2. That year, the U.S. ______, Joel Poinsett, brought a plant back to the United States.

           A. Ambassador to Mexico

 B.  tourist

 C.  athlete

3 The poinsettia plant is named after _____.

     A. a Mexican poet

     B.  a city in Mexico

     C.  Joel Poinsett

4 Poinsettias can be found in ________, and many other places that decorate at Christmas time.

          A. homes, churches

          B. cakes and puddings

          C. the wealthiest families

 

VII OVER TO YOU.

A)Which Christmas decorations described in the video had the most unusual and interesting history?

B) Which decorations are similar to the traditions in your country (even if you don’t have a holiday like Christmas)?