Modern Christmas

Modern Christmas

Let's start with some fun questions and find out what you know about Christmas!

Multiple Choice

Which of these is NOT traditionally associated with Christmas?

• Mistletoe

• Reindeer

• Fireworks

• Carol singing

Multiple Choice

"Scrooge" is commonly used to describe someone who is:

• Extremely generous

• Bad at cooking

• Mean or miserly

• Very religious

Multiple Choice

Which country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree?

• England

• Germany

• Norway

• United States

Multiple Choice

Which Victorian tradition, popularised in the UK, often contains a paper hat, a joke, and a small toy?

• Yule Log

• Christmas Cracker

• Mince Pie

• Eggnog

Multiple Choice

Which term refers to the hot, spiced wine that is traditionally drunk during the festive season?

• Mulled Cider

• Brandy Butter

• Wassail

• Mulled Wine

Multiple Choice

What is the day after Christmas Day called in the UK and many Commonwealth countries?

• Feast Day

• Boxing Day

• St. Stephen's Day

• Christmas

  After-Eve

Multiple Choice

The period of four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day is known as...

• Christmas tide

• Yule tide

• Advent

• Epiphany

Multiple Choice

Which plant is traditionally associated with kissing when standing underneath it?

• Holly

• Ivy

• Mistletoe

• Poinsettia

Multiple Choice

What word is used to describe the large group of singers performing traditional Christmas songs?

• Choir

• Carollers

• Band

• Ensemble

Multiple Choice

In which country is it traditional to eat KFC for Christmas dinner?

• China

• Japan

• South Korea

• Thailand

Multiple Choice

Which of these is NOT a traditional name for Santa Claus around the world?

• Father Christmas

• Sinterklaas

• Papa Noel

• Grandfather Winter

Multiple Choice

What does the phrase "Christmas creep” refer to?

• Feeling lonely during Christmas

• Decorating too much

• Christmas starting earlier every year

• Spending too much money

Multiple Choice

Which phrase means to relax and enjoy yourself during the holidays?

• Let your hair down

• Tighten your belt

• Bite the bullet

• Hit the sack

Multiple Choice

What is a white Christmas?

• A luxury Christmas

• A snowy Christmas

• A traditional Christmas

• A quiet Christmas

Discuss the following questions
1 When do stores start selling Christmas items? Do you find it useful or annoying?
2 Does Christmas consumerism actually boost the economy?

3 Does the expectation of expensive gifts put too much financial pressure on families?

4 Is the modern Christmas a secular celebration dressed-up as a religious one?

5 To what extent are we victims of marketing gimmicks?

Discuss the following questions

1 During Christmas, what do people usually spend the most money on?

2 Do you think Christmas shopping is more about need or desire?

3 Why do people often buy more than they originally planned at Christmas?

4 How do emotions like stress, excitement, or nostalgia affect spending decisions?

Watch the clip and discuss the tips on how to avoid impulse buying.
Do you use any of the tips in your life?

Discuss the following questions
1 Apart from shopping, in what other ways do people tend to overdo things during holidays?

2 Would you say Christmas encourages self-control or indulgence? Why?

3 Why do we often think, “It’s Christmas, so it doesn’t count”?

4 Do you think the mindset behind impulse buying is similar to the mindset behind overeating?
5 Why is food such a central part of holiday celebration??

6 How difficult is it to say no to food during family gatherings?

7 Do you think refusing food at Christmas can be seen as rude? Why?

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Finish off the sentence


At Christmas people overconsume because ...