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)?
