Christmas Connotations

Santa Claus is a legendary character originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts to the homes of well-behaved children on the night of Christmas Eve.

The myth of Santa Claus has a _____________ connotation.

• Positive

• Negative

Children who are naughty get coal in their stockings from Santa Claus.

In this situation, coal has a _________ connotation.

• Positive

• Negative

Writing in Mothering, author Carol Jean-Swanson notes that the original figure of St. Nicholas gave only to those who were needy and that today Santa Claus seems to be more about conspicuous consumption: "Our jolly old Saint Nicholas reflects our culture to a T, for he is fanciful, exuberant, bountiful, over-weight, and highly commercial."

What overall connotation do the emphasized words have when used in this context?

• Positive

• Negative

The classic story A Christmas Carol recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a mean spirited businessman who is visited by the ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.

The name Scrooge typically has a __________ connotation.

• Positive

• Negative

In the story A Christmas Carol, Tiny Tim is known for the statement, "God bless us, every one!" which he offers as a blessing at Christmas dinner.

A blessing has a ____________ connotation.

• Positive

• Negative

Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol, shares the message of the importance of charity and goodwill towards all humankind.

In this example, the word charity has a ___________ connotation.

• Positive

• Negative

In Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch concocts a plan to crush the Whos' Christmas spirit by stealing all of their presents, decorations and food while they're sleeping.

Calling someone a Grinch has a ________________ connotation.

• Positive

• Negative

The phrase "Merry Christmas" has a ________________ connotation.

• Positive

• Negative

The phrase "Bah! Humbug!" has a _____________ connotation.

• Positive

• Negative

"Frosty the Snowman was a jolly happy soul

With a corncob pipe and a button nose

And two eyes made out of coal"

This description of Frosty the Snowman connotates a ____________ character.

• Positive

• Negative