What you can’t have known about Xmas…

Task 1: Can you predict whether the following statements are TRUE OR FALSE?

1. According to Norwegian scientists, Rudolph’s nose may be red due to a disease. T/F
2. The Germans made the first Xmas tree. T/F
3. At least 3.000.000.000 Xmas cards are sent in the UK. T/F
4. Probably Santa’s reindeer were female. T/F
5. In B.C. 350, Pope Julius I stated that the birth of Jesus would be
celebrated on December 25th. T/F
6. The hugest put-up Xmas tree was displayed in the USA in 1950. T/F
7. The symbolic colours of Xmas are green, gold and red. Each colour has
a specific meaning. T/F
8. A fortnight before Christmas, break-ups are common among people. T/F
9. Sadly, many people kill themselves at Xmas. T/F
10. The largest stocking contained more than one thousand presents. T/F

Task 2: Read the Christmas-related facts and see the statements again. Were your
guesses O.K.? If not, correct your answers.

1. Norwegian scientists have hypothesized that Rudolph’s red nose is probably the result of
a parasitic infection of his respiratory system.
2. The Germans made the first artificial Christmas trees out of
dyed goose feathers.
3. Each year more than 3 billion Christmas cards are sent in the
U.S. alone.
4. Most of Santa’s reindeer have male-sounding names, such as
Blitzen, Comet, and Cupid. However, male reindeers shed
their antlers around Christmas, so the reindeer pulling
Santa’s sleigh are likely not male, but female or castrati.
5. In A.D. 350, Pope Julius I, bishop of Rome, proclaimed December 25 the official
celebration date for the birthday of Christ.
6. According to the Guinness world records, the tallest Christmas tree ever cut was a 221-
foot Douglas fir that was displayed in 1950 at the Northgate Shopping Center in Seattle,
Washington.
7. The traditional three colors of Christmas are green, red, and gold. Green has long been a
symbol of life and rebirth; red symbolizes the blood of Christ, and gold represents light
as well as wealth and royalty.
 8. According to data analyzed from Facebook posts, two weeks before Christmas is one of
the two most popular times for couples to break up. However, Christmas Day is the
least favorite day for breakups.
9. Contrary to popular belief, suicide rates
during the Christmas holiday are low.
The highest rates are during the spring.
10. The world’s largest Christmas stocking
measured 106 feet and 9 inches (32.56
m) long and 49 feet and 1 inch (14.97
m) wide. It weighed as much as five
reindeer and held almost 1,000
presents. It was made by the Children’s Society in London on December 14, 2007.
(Source: facts.randomhistory.com)

Task 3: Answer the following questions.

1) How do you celebrate Christmas?

2) Do you buy or make Xmas presents?
3) Do you decorate your house at Xmas? If
yes, with what? (Advent wreath,
candles, stars, bells, straw items, angels,
Xmas lights, holly, mistletoe, etc.)
4) How else do you prepare for Xmas?
5) Do you go to a Christmas mass on 25th December?
6) How do you feel about Christmas shopping? Do you like it? Why/why not? Isn’t
it all about consumption?
7) What do people eat in your country at Christmas?
8) What do British people consume at Xmas?
9) What is Boxing Day?
10) Do you have to work on Boxing Day?

Task 4: Circle those words/phrases that could NOT be used as Xmas decorations. Do
you understand all of the words?

Advent wreath gingerbread holly mistletoe

cradle nativity play Advent calendar garland
straw items Xmas bulbs paper-chain pine branch
snowflake stars bells angel
lights candles stockings Xmas crackers
ornaments cinnamon Xmas cards gift
fireplace Jesus the three Magi chimney
Virgin Mary golden ribbons hearts snowman
bank holiday mittens popcorn strings elves
frankincense chestnut carol gold
myrrh Xmas mass evergreen plants festive day
Santa Claus manger eggnog Xmas pudding

Task 5: Imagine you are Santa Claus. Write about your busiest days of the year (24 th
-25th December).

It’s 24th December today, so

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