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December
It’s almost December and “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!” so our activities focus
on this festive topic. Our B2 First and C1 Advanced students will practise their speaking and
reading skills while they find out more about some Christmas traditions and symbols. B1
Preliminary and B2 First learners can travel around Europe to discover the most popular
Christmas markets. The youngest ones can have some fun while they learn typical Christmas
vocabulary. Happy teaching!
1. Christmas symbols and traditions......................................................................................2
2. Christmas markets ............................................................................................................6
3. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… ..................................................................... 10
4. References .....................................................................................................................14

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1. Christmas symbols and traditions
Level: B2 First / C1 Advanced
Skills: reading and speaking
Interaction: whole class, group and individual activity
Time: 50 minutes
Warm up (10’) – whole class activity
• What symbols and traditions come to mind when you think of Christmas?
• Do you know their origin?
• Do you have a favourite one? Why is it your favourite?
• Do you have a special tradition that you follow with your friends or family?
• Can you tell us about it?
Reading (10’) – individual activity
For questions 1 – 8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each
gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example
0 A stay B put C hang D keep
Christmas Trees
According to the American Christmas Tree Association, about 95
million households in the U.S. will (0) put up a Christmas tree (or two)
this year. The tradition of decorated trees can be traced back to
Germany in the 16th century. It's said that Protestant reformer Martin
Luther first thought to add candles to decorate the branches with light
after being inspired by the sight of stars twinkling through the
evergreens while walking home one winter's night. Queen Victoria
and her husband Prince Albert popularized the Christmas tree with
their own displays in the 1840s and the tradition found its (1) ______
to the U.S., too. The first Christmas tree lot popped up in 1851 in New York and the first tree
appeared in the White House in 1889.

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Wreaths
Wreaths have been used by different cultures for various reasons over the centuries: the
Greeks handed out wreaths to athletes, much
(2) ______ medals today, and the Romans
wore them as crowns. Christmas wreaths were
originally believed to be a bi-product of
the Christmas tree tradition begun by northern
Europeans in the 16th century. As the
evergreens were trimmed into triangles (the
three points meant to represent the holy
trinity), the discarded branches would be then shaped, by hand, (3) ______ a ring and hung
back on the tree as decoration. The circular shape, one without an end, also came to
symbolize eternity and the Christian concept of everlasting life.
Candy Canes
Kids have always loved candy, and legend (4) ______ it that candy canes got their start in
1670 when a choir master at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany
handed out peppermint sticks to keep children quiet during the
Living Creche performance. He asked a local candy maker to
shape the sticks into hooks resembling a shepherd's crook, a
reference to Jesus as the "good shepherd" who tends his flock.
The first person credited with placing candy canes on a tree was
August Imgard, a German-Swedish immigrant in Wooster, Ohio,
(5) ______ decorated a blue spruce tree with sugar canes and
paper ornaments in 1847 and displayed it on a revolving platform
people traveled for miles to see. Originally only available in white,
the candy cane's classic red stripes were added around 1900
according to the National Confectioners Association, which also says that 58% of people
prefer to eat the straight end first, 30% the curved end, and 12% break the cane (6) ______
pieces.

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4
Mistletoe
The tradition of kissing beneath mistletoe dates back
thousands of years. The plant's connection with romance
began with the Celtic Druids who saw mistletoe as a
symbol of fertility. Some think the Ancient Greeks were
the first to kiss beneath it during the festival of Kronia,
while others point (7) ______ a Nordic myth in which the
goddess of love, Frigga, was so happy after reviving her
son beneath a tree with mistletoe she declared anyone who stood beneath it would receive a
kiss. No one's exactly sure how mistletoe started being used at Christmas celebrations, but
by the Victorian Era it was included in "kissing balls," holiday decorations hung from the
ceilings and said to bring good fortune to anyone who had a smooch beneath them.
Advent Calendars
German publisher Gerhard Lang is most often credited as
the creator of the printed advent calendar (8) _______ the
early 1900s, inspired by a box of 24 sweets given to him by
his mother when he was a boy (little Gerhard was allowed
to eat one a day until Christmas). Commercial paper
calendars became popular by 1920 and were soon followed
by versions with chocolates. Nowadays, there's an advent calendar for just about everyone—
even dogs!
Adapted from Donvito (2021) and Crandall (2021)
1. A path B route C way D line
2. A as B for C like D how
3. A as B like C in D into
4. A says B tells C has D shows
5. A who B that C which D where
6. A into B in C on D like
7. A towards B to C into D across
8. A in B on C at D along

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Speaking (10’) – whole class activity
• Were you familiar with the information above?
• What did you find most surprising? Why?
• What is your opinion about traditions? Why?
• Do you like following traditions or do you prefer to innovate?
Follow up (20’) – in groups of 3 or 4
Work in teams and think about the contents you have covered in class along the last months.
Create an advent calendar with a question for each day you come to class before Christmas.
Then, assign the calendar to a group. That group will have to answer a question every time
they come to class. There will be a present for the team(s) that get all their answers right.
KEY
1. A path B route C way D line
2. A as B for C like D how
3. A as B like C in D into
4. A says B tells C has D shows
5. A who B that C which D where
6. A into B in C on D like
7. A towards B to C into D across
8. A in B on C at D during

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2. Christmas markets
Level: B1 Preliminary / B2 First
Skills: reading and speaking
Interaction: whole class and individual activity
Time: 35 minutes
Warm up (10’) – whole class activity
• Have you ever been to a Christmas market? If so, which one?
• If you’ve been to a Christmas market, what did you like the most? And the least?
Why?
• What do you think are the typical aspects of a Christmas market?
Reading (15’) – individual activity
Read the description of five Christmas markets in Europe and the questions below. For each
question choose the best answer.
Five Of The UK's Best Christmas Markets For
Chocolate and Bratwurst Lovers
When it comes to Christmas, nothing has the power to get you in the festive spirit quite like a
traditional market in the heart of your nearest city centre.
Taking inspiration from the original, traditional and authentic Yuletide Markets in Germany, the
UK is bursting with stalls offering visitors an abundance of foodie treats, souvenirs and
cheer.
Here are the best Christmas markets in the UK that are guaranteed to give you that warm,
fuzzy festive feeling:
A. York
Soak up medieval charm at York’s award-winning Christmas fair. Alpine-style chalets take
pride of place at the centre of Parliament Street, offering up an array of festive decorations,
foodie treats and traditional Christmas gifts. For local Yorkshire produce, head for the Make
in Yorkshire Yuletide Village, and for all the fun of the fair, fly down the Victorian-style Helter
Skelter at Kings Square. After all that excitement you’ll be in need of something to eat, so stop
by the rustic barn in St Sampson’s Square for some great food and a cup of hot chestnuts.

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B. Cardiff
Cardiff's Christmas Market is your hotspot for tracking down locally produced, hand-crafted
gifts. Located in the centre of the city, chocolate is a winning theme (don't leave without trying
Sarah Bunton's handmade goods), plus there's a great range of artwork on sale – from collage
and photographic prints to posters and cards. If you find yourself all shopped out, there's also
a funfair, an ice rink and Santa will at some point ride through town in his sleigh.
C. Nottingham
Offering plenty of Bavarian-style stalls and fun rides, Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland is
perfect for a festive trip away.
You can even take in the market from above thanks to the observation wheel overlooking the
stalls. The market will be spread out across the city so it’s ideal for getting all of your Christmas
shopping done. It will open on November 18 and close on January 3.
D. Bath
Bath is arguably one of the prettiest festival markets in the UK. Spread around the floodlit
abbey you'll find over 150 festive huts, with 70 or so of the featured traders hailing from the
south-west, so you'll find nothing but locally made food and handmade gifts. If the endless
seasonal jolliness is leaving you slightly numb, there's always the Bath Artisan Christmas
Market, which takes over Green Park station every second Sunday of the month. No cheap
Santa hats, but plenty of up-cycled furniture, vintage clothes, art and food stalls.
E. London
Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland is a glittering slice of Disney-esque Christmas. Cruise around
the light-bedecked stalls with a mulled wine or hot chocolate, catch one of the live acts or party
late into the night in the Bavarian style wooden chalets lit with over 200 fairy-lights. Aside from
the market's stalls, bars and restaurants, you can hit the fairground, ice skate, watch a circus
or check out some ice sculptures.
Adapted from O’Malley (2021) & Clarke (2021)

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Questions
1. Which Christmas market offers street performances?
2. In which Christmas market can visitors “time-travel”?
3. In which Christmas market does the whole city become part of the Christmas
market?
4. Which Christmas market gives you the opportunity to admire the views from a high
point?
5. In which Christmas market is it possible to bump into a famous character?
6. Which Christmas market also offers second-hand products every fortnight?
Follow up (10’) – individual activity
Looking at the context. Can you predict the meaning of this vocabulary?
• burst with stalls
• array
• hotspot
• check out
Check with your partner. Do you have similar ideas? What aspects give you hints about the
meaning of the vocabulary?
Now check a dictionary. Were you right? Can you pronounce these words?
KEY
Five Of The UK's Best Christmas Markets For
Chocolate and Bratwurst Lovers
When it comes to Christmas, nothing has the power to get you in the festive spirit quite like a
traditional market in the heart of your nearest city centre.
Taking inspiration from the original, traditional and authentic Yuletide Markets in Germany, the
UK is bursting with stalls offering visitors an abundance of foodie treats, souvenirs and cheer.
Here are the best Christmas markets in the UK that are guaranteed to give you that warm,
fuzzy festive feeling:
A. York
(2) Soak up medieval charm at York’s award-winning Christmas fair. Alpine-style chalets take
pride of place at the centre of Parliament Street, offering up an array of festive decorations,
foodie treats and traditional Christmas gifts. For local Yorkshire produce, head for the Make

9.
9
in Yorkshire Yuletide Village, and for all the fun of the fair, fly down the Victorian-style Helter
Skelter at Kings Square. After all that excitement you’ll be in need of something to eat, so stop
by the rustic barn in St Sampson’s Square for some great food and a cup of hot chestnuts.
B. Cardiff
Cardiff's Christmas Market is your hotspot for tracking down locally produced, hand-crafted
gifts. Located in the centre of the city, chocolate is a winning theme (don't leave without trying
Sarah Bunton's handmade goods), plus there's a great range of artwork on sale – from collage
and photographic prints to posters and cards. If you find yourself all shopped out, there's also
a funfair, an ice rink and (5) Santa will at some point ride through town in his sleigh.
C. Nottingham
Offering plenty of Bavarian-style stalls and fun rides, Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland is
perfect for a festive trip away.
(4) You can even take in the market from above thanks to the observation wheel overlooking
the stalls. (3) The market will be spread out across the city so it’s ideal for getting all of your
Christmas shopping done. It will open on November 18 and close on January 3.
D. Bath
Bath is arguably one of the prettiest festival markets in the UK. Spread around the floodlit
abbey you'll find over 150 festive huts, with 70 or so of the featured traders hailing from the
south-west, so you'll find nothing but locally made food and handmade gifts. If the endless
seasonal jolliness is leaving you slightly numb, (6) there's always the Bath Artisan Christmas
Market, which takes over Green Park station every second Sunday of the month. No cheap
Santa hats, but plenty of up-cycled furniture, vintage clothes, art and food stalls.
E. London
Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland is a glittering slice of Disney-esque Christmas. Cruise around
the light-bedecked stalls with a mulled wine or hot chocolate, (1) catch one of the live acts or
party late into the night in the Bavarian style wooden chalets lit with over 200 fairy-lights. Aside
from the market's stalls, bars and restaurants, you can hit the fairground, ice skate, watch a
circus or check out some ice sculptures.

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10
3. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…
Level: Pre-A1 Starters / A1 Movers / A2 Flyers
Skills: speaking, writing and reading
Interaction: in pairs, whole class, individual activity
Equipment and materials: digital board
Time: 35 minutes
Warm up! (10’) – whole class activity
Stick the flashcards on the walls. Ask students to spin the Christmas wheel and find the right
flashcard for the word they get.

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Follow up questions – whole class activity
• What colour are the elves’ clothes?
• How many presents are there?
• What can you see on the bells?
• How is the snowman feeling?
• What colour is the stocking?
• How many stars are there?
• What colour is the reindeer’s nose?
• What can you see under the candy canes?
Reading (5’) – whole class / individually / in pairs
Look at the pictures and the words. Can you find the matching tile?

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Writing (10’) – whole class / individually / in pairs
Can you spell this Christmas vocabulary?
Reading (10’) – in teams
Can you find 15 words related to Christmas in this wordsearch?

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14.
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4. References
Beliaikin, A. (2020) Green Pine Tree with White Snow [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-pine-tree-with-white-snow-3626215/ [Accessed
28th
October 2021].
Clarke, L. (2021). 11 Of the UK's Best Christmas Markets For Chocolate, Mulled Wine And
Bratwurst Lovers. Elle [online]. Available at: https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-
culture/travel/a21691/best-christmas-markets-uk/ [Accessed 25th
October 2021].
Crandall, L. (2021). Favourite Christmas Symbols and the Meanings behind them.
CountryLiving [online]. Available at:
https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g33822089/christmas-symbols-meaning/
[Accessed 25th
October 2021].
Dach, M. (2018) Crowded People and Ferris Wheel Painting [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/crowded-people-and-ferris-wheel-painting-1674432/
[Accessed 28th
October 2021].
Danilyuk, P. (2020) Christmas Cookies and Decors on Beige Background [image/jpeg].
Available at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/christmas-cookies-and-decors-on-beige-
backgrounnd-5618043/ [Accessed 28th
October 2021].
Donvito, T. (2021). The Fascinating History behind these 24 Christmas Symbols. Reader’s
Digest [online]. Available at: https://www.rd.com/list/history-of-christmas-traditions/
[Accessed 25th
October 2021].
Freepik (2014). No title. [image/jpeg]. Available at: https://www.freepik.es/vector-gratis/dibujo-
cara-santa-
claus_760879.htm#page=1&query=santa%20claus%20hat&position=40&from_view=
search [Accessed 27th
October 2021].
Freepik (2017). No title. [image/jpeg]. Available at: https://www.freepik.es/vector-gratis/renos-
santa-hat-peeping-
out_1430479.htm#page=1&query=reindeer&position=3&from_view=search
[Accessed 27th
October 2021].
Freepik (2018). No title. [image/jpeg]. Available at: https://www.freepik.es/vector-
gratis/comienzo_2900814.htm#page=1&query=star&position=1&from_view=search
[Accessed 27th
October 2021].
Freepik (2019). No title. [image/jpeg]. Available at: https://www.freepik.es/vector-
gratis/diseno-tarjeta-dibujos-animados-feliz-
navidad_6052282.htm#page=1&query=elf&position=12&from_view=search
[Accessed 27th
October 2021].

15.
15
Freepik (2019). No title. [image/jpeg]. Available at: https://www.freepik.es/vector-
gratis/campana-
navidad_6051622.htm#page=1&query=bell&position=15&from_view=search
[Accessed 27th
October 2021].
Freepik (2019). No title. [image/jpeg]. Available at: https://www.freepik.es/vector-gratis/vector-
dibujos-animados-interior-seccion-transversal-casa-dos-pisos-amplio-
salon_4393915.htm#page=1&query=fireplace&position=0&from_view=search
[Accessed 27th
October 2021].
Freepik (2021). No title. [image/jpeg]. Available at: https://www.freepik.es/vector-
gratis/plantilla-pegatina-baston-caramelo-cruzado-
aislado_16459927.htm#page=1&query=candy%20cane&position=35&from_view=se
arch [Accessed 27th
October 2021].
Freepik (2021). No title. [image/jpeg]. Available at: https://www.freepik.es/iconos-
gratis/calcetin-
navidad_15505169.htm#page=1&query=stocking&position=41&from_view=search
[Accessed 27th
October 2021].
Grabowska, K. (2020) Simple Christmas Tree [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/simple-christmas-tree-5914065/ [Accessed 28th
October 2021].
Lovegood, L. (2018) Green Wreath [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-wreath-1718031/ [Accessed 28th
October 2021].
Lum3N. (2016) Red Berry Plant [image/jpeg]. Available at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-
berry-plant-235311/ [Accessed 28th
October 2021].
Michalou, N. (2020) Family Celebrating Christmas while Holding Burning Sparkles
[image/jpeg]. Available at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/family-celebrating-
christmas-while-holding-burning-sparklers-5779173/ [Accessed 28th
October 2021].
Mozhvilo, E. (2020) Red Berry Plant [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://unsplash.com/photos/CwIOnANQW-A [Accessed 28th
October 2021].
O’Malley, K. (2021). Five of the best UK Christmas Markets returning in 2021. Manchester
Evening News [online]. Available at:
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/five-best-uk-
christmas-markets-21671117 [Accessed 25th
October 2021].
Paukshtite, K. (2019) Red Volkswagen Beetle Scale Model [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-volkswagen-beetle-scale-model-3444345/
[Accessed 28th
October 2021].

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16
Wellington, J. (2019). Top view of gingerbread cookies laid flat on a wooden table.
[image/jpeg]. Available at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/top-view-of-gingerbread-
cookies-laid-flat-on-a-wooden-table-3309805/ [Accessed 27th
October 2021].
Wordwall (2020). Christmas matching tiles [online]. Available at:
https://wordwall.net/resource/24082970/christmas [Accessed 27th
November 2020].
Wordwall (2020). Christmas spelling game [online]. Available at:
https://wordwall.net/resource/24083410/christmas-pelling-game [Accessed 27th
November 2020].
Wordwall (nd.d). Christmas wheel [online]. Available at:
https://wordwall.net/resource/24081488/christmas-wheel [Accessed 27th
November
2020].