December 25th • Tradition & Consumerism

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25th as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. Today, we debate the evolution of Christmas from a religious holiday to a global consumer event, the pressure of achieving the perfect Christmas, and whether the holiday has lost its original meaning. Is Christmas still a time for family, or has it become a time for debt?

A beautifully decorated Christmas tree with glowing lights and presents

Speaking Discussion

How does your culture or family typically celebrate Christmas (or the winter holidays)? What are your favourite traditions?
In your opinion, has Christmas become too commercialised? How much of an impact does the giving culture have on our social and financial lives?
What is the biggest pressure you feel during the holiday season (e.g., buying the right gifts, hosting the perfect meal, family dynamics)?
Do you think that the secular version of Christmas (Santa Claus, trees, shopping) is overshadowing the religious meaning of the holiday?
How can we make Christmas more sustainable and less focused on waste and overconsumption?
If you could spend Christmas anywhere in the world, doing anything you wanted, where would you go and what would you do?

Activity 1: The perfect gift Pitch

The Task: You are a Personal Shopper. You need to pitch the perfect gift for someone who has everything.

What is the gift, and why is it more meaningful than something expensive?

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Sentences

Complete the sentence and justify it in 20 seconds.

"The true meaning of Christmas is..."
"I think holiday pressure is..."
"In my opinion, the best tradition is..."

Key Vocabulary

Commemorate (V) Recall and show respect for (someone or something).
Consumerism (N) The protection or promotion of the interests of consumers; the preoccupation of society with the acquisition of consumer goods.
Tradition (N) The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation.
Secular (Adj) Not connected with religious or spiritual matters.
Sustainable (Adj) Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level; conserving an ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources.

Fluency Catalyst

The "Gift" Phrases: When talking about generosity, use: "To give from the heart," or "It's the thought that counts."

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