It’s that time of year where we’re counting the days until Christmas so of course I’m going to give you some nice, natural English Christmas vocabulary!
Basically I’m going to describe how my family spends Christmas so that you can see all of the vocabulary in context.
You can watch the video to hear the pronunciation or scroll down to see the spellings 👇
English Christmas Vocabulary
So it all starts at the beginning of December when the shops start playing Christmas music!
THE TREE
My family (and lot of other English families) put up the Christmas tree and decorate it in the first week of December. We decorate it with baubles and fairy lights and put a star on the top. Although some people prefer an angel at the top.
FATHER CHRISTMAS
At some point in December, my son writes a letter to Father Christmas asking for a few gifts he’d like. By the way, Father Christmas is sometimes referred to as Santa Claus but that’s generally more American so we tend to say Father Christmas.
PRESENTS
We take some presents to the post office for family members we won’t see and we wrap the rest of the presents and put them under the tree. Then we hang my son’s stocking near the fireplace for Father Christmas to put his gifts in.
CHRISTMAS EVE
On the 24th (Christmas Eve), we put a drink and a snack near the fireplace for Father Christmas and something for the reindeers to eat, usually a carrot or an apple. In our house, Father Christmas likes chocolate and a small whiskey 😉
Children all over England go to bed and try to get to sleep quickly so they don’t see the reindeer flying through the air with the sleigh or Father Christmas coming down the chimney into the fireplace!
CHRISTMAS DAY
On the 25th (Christmas Day), my son rushes downstairs to see if his stocking is full and he can open those gifts straight away!
THE MEAL
Then we get ready and start cooking lunch. Most people have roast turkey with all the trimmings! All the trimmings means roast potatoes, lots of vegetables (including sprouts which most people hate but you have to eat them anyway!), stuffing, pigs in blankets (sausages wrapped in bacon) and gravy!
CRACKERS
Just before we eat, we pull the crackers (you can see me doing that in the video above!). The crackers usually have a party hat, a terrible joke and a tiny gift or magic trick inside.
Then we start eating. It’s important to stuff yourself with food until you can hardly breathe!
ACTIVITIES
Often we go for a walk after lunch to walk off the meal! There’s a nice friendly atmosphere outside and families wish each other a nice Christmas.
After that, we sit by the Christmas tree, put on some Christmas music and unwrap our presents to each other. It’s a really lovely moment.
We spend the rest of the day chatting, playing board games, enjoying our presents, watching Christmas films and eating chocolate or cheese!
BOXING DAY
The 26th is called Boxing Day. (Don’t ask me why because there are lots of theories about that!) Boxing Day is usually just a time to relax with the family. We might go for another walk and the kids all play with their Christmas toys. Sometimes we cook fish, but sometimes we just eat turkey sandwiches!
And that’s it, the celebrations are over until New Year’s Eve! We start tidying up the house and we start our diets 😉
Over to you…
Which of this English Christmas vocabulary or traditions was new or interesting to you? Let me know in the comments below OR tell me about your Christmas 👇😊
12 Responses
Thank you for this great Christmas lesson Nicki! I liked the vocabulary about the meal. I didn’t know pigs in blankets before, I would like to try them but sprouts sound not so nice!
Haha, yes I can’t stand sprouts but I highly recommend pigs in blankets – that’s my favourite bit of the meal!
I’m really pleased you enjoyed this lesson George, thanks for your comment!
How lovely 💕💕
Thank you for the beautiful video 🎅
Marry Christmas and very best wishes,
Ulrike
Ah, I’m so pleased you enjoyed it!
Wishing you a very merry Christmas too 🎄😊
What a lovely and joyful video. Thanks a lot.
Boxing day…very known for people who watch Premier League. But quite strange for others.
Merry Christmas!
Oh you’re right Eric, I’d forgotten there are always lots of football matches on Boxing Day!
So pleased you enjoyed the video. Thanks for the lovely feedback.
Have a fantastic Christmas 😊
Hi Father/ Mother Christmas!
Amazing video! An extremely useful lesson as usual, with many interesting customs.
We usually get presents through the chimney but this year we got vaccines?!
What are pigs in blankets and how is it prepared, please?
I understood the gravy which is from chicken.
I liked “pull the cracker ” and next party I’ll apply it.
Thanks for the thematic lesson the brilliant explanation of Christmas days.
Haha – Yes vaccines are the present everyone wants right now!
Pigs in blankets are mini sausages wrapped in bacon. Very simple to prepare and absolutely delicious!
I’m glad you enjoyed the lesson Kalinka and have fun with the crackers at your next party!! 😊
Nicki, this lesson was very interesting. Thank you very much to you.
My pleasure! I’m glad you enjoyed it 🧡
Yes, a very nice lesson about english celebrations ! It sounds very early to put up the Christmas tree on november…!I You’ll have to wait for a long time…But I understand the impatience of Josef..
As for us, we are used to prepare the base of the tree and of the nativity creche and to end them when our grandchildren are home. What a happy mess on this day !
Let’s hope the nasty virus doesn’t spoil this time so good and necessary for everyone nowdays ! See you, Nicki !
Ah, I love how you describe it as ‘a happy mess’ Françoise! That’s exactly what Christmas is all about 😁
Yes please to Covid free festivities for everyone this year. Enjoy!