2017 is coming to an end. Tonight is New Year's Eve and the twelve chimes of the clock will finish a year that, at least for me, has been particularly good ! I have passed my public examinations once again and thanks to that I can get to live in Madrid with my significant other. Besides, my niece keeps growing and growing and she can walk and she's learning to do things quite fast ! Anyway, since I'm on holiday, this entry will be a compilation of some touching Christmas videos and carols. What better way of ending the year than with a bunch of optimistic songs of Christmas ?
Let's begin with Mog's Christmas. It's quite an entertaining advertisement about a clumsy -yet friendly cat that, much like the Grinch, ruined its owners' Christmas. Or didn't he ?
Let's continue with another catchy Christmas carol representing all the Christmas values.
You know today it's New Year's Eve. It's an important family celeberation in Spain where we will definitely try to eat the twelve grapes (one for every chime of the clock). However, in the English-speaking world it is not that important, Christmas Day being far more important for them. Anyway, the year is coming to an end, so to finish this post, here you have the trailer of a well-known film : New Year's Eve. Watch it because you will see some of the Christmas traditions, including New Year Resolutions. Here you have it :
Today I will show you some Christmas-related facts that are quite interesting, are you ready?
1. Jesus Christ wasn't actually born on December, 25th: There's no concensus on when exactly he was born, so from the third century onwards they chose that date to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It was close to some pagan festivals like Saturnalia, a festival in honour of God Saturn and to celebrate the winter solstice.
2. Christmas has its roots in Pagan rituals : It began to be celebrated as such from the eighth century onwards with wild parties. In fact, some Puritans opposed to Christmas celebrations due to its pagan origins.
3. In the past, during a brief period of time, you would be fined if you were caught celebrating Christmas : Yes, you had to pay 5 shillings to celebrate Christmas. Can you believe it ?
4. Our way of celebrating Christmas began in the nineteenth century when prince Albert of Germany started decorating the pine tree himself : To celebrate his marriage to Queen Victoria, he had a photo taken of the royal family. In that photo, you could see an enormous decorated pine tree. After this photo publication, this fashion caught on and was imitated in other parts of the US. This also gave wings to the tradition of sending Christmas cards as well.
5. The tradition of gift-giving is ancient, far more ancient than you can imagine, dating back to year 10 AD : At that time, the gift-giving ritual had a clear purpose: to remind people of the presents brought to Baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men.
6. Christmas became a consumerist party thanks to the advent of the industrial revolution and the rise in advertising : Yes, obviously, with innovative breakthroughs such as chain production and the advent of the media, people started to spend a great deal of money on Christmas presents...
7. Santa Claus was, in fact, a Christian saint who used to give presents to people. He was known as Sinterklass, hence the popular name that caught on until today.
8. Santa didn't officially dress in red and white until a Coca-Cola advert was released on TV. So, mass media and big companies have proved themselves outstandingly powerful. Santa wouldn't be the man we picture today, were it not for Coca-Cola or TV. Can you believe it ?
9. In 1990, very recently, a school board banned Christmas celebrations. Yes! Again due to ots pagan rituals. Parents opposed and the court decided that Christmas was independent from religion.
10. Christmasy plants like holly or mistletoe also date back to pagan origins...what a surprise! : People would place wreaths of holly top decorate places of worship in pagan rituals. Likewise, kissing under the mistletoe was a tradition first observed during Saturnalia on a night that involved alcohol and orgies...yap, you heard right. However, some people insist that holly has a religious meaning, its thorns representing Christ's crown at the cross and the red berries representing his blood.
So, nowadays many people are upset because Spain is a secular state and they associate Christmas celebration with religion. However, without the shade of a doubt, Christmas origins are pagan and although it has something to do with Christian religion, Christmas today has an own entity. It is not religious or secular; it's a celebration for all kinds of citizens, regardless of their beliefs. If you are interested in getting to know more, click on the link below. You'll be redirected to a three-minute video quickly summarizing everything I wrote. http://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas.
This will be the last entry of the year, so Happy New Year everyone!
Another nice Christmas carol for you to practise your listening skill. It won't be challenging for you because it's a piece of cake (very easy!)Here you can listen to another famous Christmas carol by Michael Bubble and, at the same time, do this questionnaire. I hope you like it !
How is your Christmas season going ? Are you eating tons and tons of food and arguing with your family ? I hope so ! Those are the best Christmas traditions ! Now I am writing posts about Christmas. In my previous entry, you could get to know about the different Christmas traditions in the US, the UK and Spain. Now, to sugar-coat your Christmas, I thought it would be a very good idea to write a blog about the best Christmas carols for me. I hope you appreciate it and sing them with your family :
10. Silent night : In the past, Christmas carols had a slow pace and a solemn rhythm. This is why I like this song. Enjoy it :
9. Jingle Bells : One of the most traditional ones. Its joy music makes us hum it and hum it again :
8. White Christmas : This Christmas carol reminds me of the snow. This year, it does not make any sense, though. Anyway, enjoy it :
7. So This is Christmas (John Lennon): This carol sung by John Lennon oozes Christmas happiness and peace.
6. Last Chritsmas I Gave You My Heart : Another yet very famous modern carol.
5. Text me Merry Christmas : A modern Christmas carol about what Christmas is unfortunately becoming. Children and teenagers hooked on their mobile phones instead of enjoying Christmas fully. In this link, you can sing it ans dee a good animation
4. Santa Claus is Coming to Town : A short, catchy town about one of our favourite present-bringer character.
3. Merry Christmas (I don't Want to Fight Tonight) by the Ramones : At least, some rock in this list ! Listen to the song in video one and become familiar with the rhythm. Then sing it using video 2.
2. All I Want for Christmas is You : Who on Earth doesn't know this song ? It has everything a good Christmas carol must have. On top of that, it is sung by Mariah Carey.
1. Christmas in Killarney : Top 1 in my list, an Irish carol. Why do I like it ? Well, it is different from all the rest of carols and it reminds me of my stay in Ireland. Plus, if you sing it too much you end up like the folks in the second video. Don't miss thesecond video, please !
BONUS : Here you have some other famous Chrismas carols which, despite not being in my list, are also jolly and singable. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer :
Silver Bells
Oh, Christmas Tree
12 days of Christmas : A good carol to exercise your memory. Let's listen to it :
I Believe in Father Christmas
Christmas is All Around
Let it Snow
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Did you enjoy my selection of carols ? Do you agree with my ranking ? You know, it's Christmas, so know what you have to do is to sing them over and over again. You can also do some exercises. Just like the last Christmas carol in my bonus says, merry Christmas and a happy New Year !
As you know most of the Christmas carols, I thought it would be a good idea for you to get to know some Irish carols. Indeed. One fun Christmas carol is "Christmas in Killarney." To fully enjoy this carol, follow these steps.
Maybe on Christmas Eve or on New Year's EVe you could get to sing as the folks in the video.
1) First of all, listen to the first video to catch the rhythm and the lyrics.
2) Secondly, have a look at the second video. It is the carol sung and danced by some drunken friends. It is a funny, amazing video. Don't miss it !
3) Finally, KARAOKE ! sing yourself following the third video. (Remember the second video and go banana!)
Quite an interesting and new Christmas carol, don't you think ?
Can you hear the bells and see the lights ? Yes, finally Christmas has arrived in town. What a better opportunity to write about the Christmas traditions in different countries ? Let's begin :
1. Christmas dinner :
a) The UK : the typical dinner consists of roast turkey (or goose) with gravy, cranberry sauce and stuffing or dressing, brussel sprouts, roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in bacon, among other things
b) United States : In America, people usually have roast turkey (or roast goose, or baked ham), gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing or dressing made of bread, yams or sweet potato and green beans.
c) Spain : In Spain, people usually have cold cuts (or cold meats) as a starter. Others prefer some hot seafood soup. After this, people will have some langoustines with mayonnaise. Then, roast pork or lamb casserole are popular. Some people prefer fish.
2. After dinner :
In the United States, Christmas treats are popular after dinner. People usually have fruit cake, pumpkin pie or Pecan pie as well. In the UK, the Christmas pudding is a common 'dessert' filled with nuts and alcohol, whereas in Spain we have different types of sweets and pastries, including nougat, sugared almonds (peladillas), shortbreads (polvorones), and marzipans. We also have nuts.
America England
Spain
In the UK, just before the dinner, families will come together to crack their Christmas crackers. Christmas crackers are filled with a paper hat that must be worn after the dinner and a bad joke.
3. Drinks
Eggnog is a very popular drink both in the UK and America. It is a drink consisting of milk, cream, whipped eggs, sugar and spirits. It is usually homemade but you can buy cartons in supermarkets and stores. In the UK, and in other countries such as Germany, they have a very curious drink, mulled wine (it's hot wine with spices).
In Spain, we tend to drink champagne or sparkling wine or other spirits.
UK / USA Spain
Mulled wine (the UK)
4. Presents :
In the UK, it is Father Christmas who brings children some presents on Christmas Eve. Children usually write letters to Father Christmas but they do not send them. They toss them into the fireplace.
Father Christmas and his elves will prepare the presents and then he will transport them in his sleigh pulled by reindeer. Father Christmas will get into the houses through the chimney and will deposit the presents under the Christmas tree. In addition, he will fill in the stockings next to your bed with small presents. What do children leave for Father Christmas ? Well, some brandy (because he is thirsty) and mince pie.
In the United States, it is Santa Claus (Santa or Saint Nick) the person in charge of the Christmas gifts. Here children usually write the letters and post them or email them to the North Pole. In the past, Santa Claus was dressed in green. It was the Coca-Cola advertisement that changed him into red.
Santa will place the presents under the Christmas tree (next to other presents bought by the rest of the members in the family) and will fill in the stockings placed by the fireplace with presents. What do people children leave for Santa Claus ? Some milk and cookies, of course.
In Spain, it is the Three Wise Men (or the Magi): Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, the Kings of Orient, who bring the presents to the children. They do not use a sleigh to transport them. They transport them in camels. They will place them under the Christmas tree (next to the people's shoes). We have no stockings.In Spain, Santa has become popular as well. Some children open their presents twice: on the twenty-fifth of December (Santa Claus), and on the Twelfth Night after Christmas, 5th January (The Three Wise Men). The Three Wise Men are starving, so people often leave them some milk and cookies and some sweets and some water for the camels.
However, there are some similarities: in the three countries, the presents are left under the Christmas tree and naughty children receive a piece of coal (although in Spain, the Three Wise Men sometimes use sweet coal instead of a real piece of coal:
5. Decorations :
In all these countries, the houses, the streets and the stores are decorated. What are the typical Christmas decorations ? Well, the Christmas lights, bells, snowmen, snowflakes, angels, wreathes of holly on the doors and some mistletoe over the doorway (you know two people under the mistletoe must kiss, right ?). However, there are some differences between Spain and the English-speaking countries. Normally, in the UK and the United States, people like buying real trees or even going to cut-your-own-tree farms. They will cut part of a pine tree and take them home. Some shopping centres will often have enormous Christmas trees. In addition, people's houses usually glisten with so many Christmas lights, more than in Spain. However, in Spain, people often buy fake plastic trees. I guess we are less original, aren't we ?
Nevertheless, in Spain we have quite original ornaments : nativity scenes. Houses are often decorated with nativity scenes of all types, with a lot of realistic figures depicting the birth of baby Jesus. You can also see nativity scenes in squares, museums, churches... It's an elements that clearly defines our Christmas.
In the UK, people are superstitious : they must remove the tree and all decorations before the Twelfth Night (5th January), while in America some Christmas decorations may remain until...summer !
6. TV
- In the UK, people usually watch Christmas movies or special Christmas episodes of TV series. One of the most popular TV series during Christmas is Downton Abbey and this Christmas, people will surely watch the Christmas special of Sherlock.
- In America, Christmas movies are very popular, in special, Frosty the Snowman or A Christmas Carol. People also watch American football on TV (yes, football never comes to an end, I imagine).
- In Spain, however, things are different. Viewers prefer variety shows with music, jokes and comedy. One of the most popular programmes is the Christmas special of La Hora de José Mota. We also like to celebrate the end of the year. Every New Year's Eve, to say goodbye to the year, we watch TV with our favourite presenters and at midnight, we eat twelve grapes : one grape for each chime of the clock in Puerta del Sol, in Madrid. If we eat the twelve grapes, it will mean we will be lucky that year.
7. Important dates
a) In the UK: 24th December (Christmas Eve): It's the day when families come together, they have dinner and all the presents are put under the tree. At night, Father Christmas will leave presents under the tree and inside the stockings. The presents will be opened on Christmas Day (25th December). The next day, it is Boxing Day (26th December). It is a bank holiday and shops and stores offer dramatic discounts, so most people spend this day shopping ! The last day of the year, New Year's Eve, is also important. There is an impressive fireworks display. The next day, New Year's Day is the beginning of the year. Finally, The Twelfth Night (5th January) is the day to remove all Christmas decorations to avoid bad luck.
b) In the United States, the dates aremore or less the same as in England, but they don't celebrate Boxing Day and they are not superstitious, so they don't feel the need to remove all the Christmas decorations on the Twelfth Night.
c) In Spain : There are a lot of important dates at Christmas in Spain. First of all, on Christmas Eve, families come together and have a big dinner. On Christmas Day, families will have lunch together and in some houses they will receive Santa's presents. Then, 28th December is The Innocent's Day. This day is similar to April's Fools Day. People will pull pranks on other people and newspapers will publish some fake news. On New Year's Eve, families will have dinner together again. At midnight, people will eat twelve grapes, one for each chime of the clock. After this, families usually have a toast to celebrate this new year. Then, youngster will go clubbing to celebrate the first day of the year. There are special parties organized by discos where you can dance and eat everything you want. They are called 'cotillones'. People must dress smartly, pay a ticket, and they will spend the whole night at a disco, dancing, eating and drinking. On New Year's Day, some families come together again to have lunch. On January, 5th, the Twelfth Night, there is a big parade where the Three Wise Men say hello to all the children before going to all the children's houses. The Three Wise Men and their assistants throw sweets from the carriages for the children to catch them. At night, the Three Wise Men visit all the houses to leave children some presents.
On January, 6th, more known in Spain as The Day of the Three Wise Men, the children will open their presents (left next to their shoes). That day, families come together to eat a traditional cake filled with cream "Roscón de Reyes". This sweet is also filled with two things : one surprise and one bean. The person finding the bean must pay the whole cake. Yummy yummy !
8. Other traditions.
In the United States and England, people will go door to door singing carols, the tradition of carolling. In the past, children did this in Spain but in exchange for money or sweets. However is a traditions that is being lost here.
So, what is your favourite Christmas tradition ? Where would you like to spend your Christmas ? No matter the tradition, remember, the most important thing is to miss your families and have a nice time. To finish this long post I include a video showing the differences between British and American Christmases. I hope you like it ! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for you all !
What can you smell in the air ? Well, the Christmasy atmosphere, of course. Everywhere you look, all you see is Christmas related : the Christmas decorations and ornaments, the bells jingling, a wreath of holly on every door, Santa climbing all the people's windows and the streets of your cities overcrowded. What about your belly ? Do you feel stuffed like a turkey ? Have you eaten more than you can really digest ? Worry not ! In the UK, you'll continue eating tomorrow. The UK is celebrating an important public holiday tomorrow : Boxing Day.
In this post, I will summarize some of its more important traditions :
1) Families come together to eat Christmas leftovers
From : http://www.solihull.towntalk.co.uk/events/d/56009/boxing-day-lunch
2) Britons buy presents to thank other people : close friends, waiters... : Christmas and consumerism are closely associated. That's why Boxing Day exists ! In the past, it was an opportunity to buy presents and distribute them to the poor, but now it is only buying presents for spending's sake ! Something similiar to the tradition of Secret Santa in America.
3) Shopping centres offer outrageous discounts, making boxing day one of the busiest days of the year (much like Black Friday in America). Some stores may knock-off prices up to 80%, so it is really a good opportunity to get some bargains ! Finders keepers !
4) Football is watched once again : Local football and rugby leagues are broadcast on TV. These competitions add up a lot of viewers (much like football on Thanksgiving). As you can see in the picture, football fans will dress up in a Christmasy mode.
Here you have a video summarising all the traditions of Boxing Day :
If you want to keep learning more about this day or about Christmas traditions in the English-speaking world, click on the following links :
This year, I propose some very short readings involving Christmas. Here you have a fine selection of Christmasy short stories : a) "The Gift of the Magi" It's a good story about generosity including: Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar (the Three Wise Men).
Dear students, To finish with this term, I'd like you to answer some very short questions about the teaching process. Please, do this anonymous questionnaire. You only have to write your course (no names or surnames) and answer the questions. I really appreciate your opinion. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for everyone.
“The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” is set in a Nazi concentration camp in Poland (called Out-With) and
tells the story of the Holocaust
drama through the eyes of a
nine-year-old boy named Bruno. It was released in 2008 in the United Kingdom.
It is an adaptation of a book of the same
name (2006), which is brilliantly written by the Irish novelist John Boyne. The
film has received several awards.
The role of Bruno, the commander’s son, is played to perfection by Assa
Buttefield. Jack Scalon is absolutly stunning in
the role of Shmuel, who is a Jew boy sent to this concentration camp together
with his family.
Bruno has to leave his comfortable and luxurious home in Berlin during
the World War II when his father is promoted and has to move to a German nazi
concentration camp located in Poland. Although Bruno has a sister (Gretel), he
hates his new house in a desolate area and he misses his friends. From the house, Bruno sees a
camp. Bruno disobeys his parents and decides to explore the strange wire fence.
There, he meets a boy of his own age named Shmuel, who is a Jew who was sent to the camp with his family. Bruno thinks that Shmuel is wearing
striped pyjamas when he is actually wearing a prisoner’s suit. Bruno starts meeting Shmuel
regularly, sneaking him food and playing board games with him. Bruno and Shmuel
talk and become very good friends, although Bruno still does not fully understand what actually happens at the other side of the fence.
One day, Shmuel has problems because his father is missing and has not
returned to the camp. Bruno decides to help Shmuel find his father. Shmuel
brings a set of prisoner clothes and Bruno leaves his own clothes outside the
fence and puts on a striped pyjamas. Afterwards, he digs a big whole under the fence to join
Shmuel in the search and secretly sneaks in the concentration camp without being noticed. In the house, his family discovers
Bruno's disappearance. Led by a dog tracking Bruno's scent, they find his clothes
outside the fence. They enter the camp, looking for Bruno, butit’s already too late : Bruno,
Shmuel and many other innocent Jews have already been gassed. The film ends with a climatic, yet touching
scene showing
the closed door of the now-silent gas chamber, hinting that all prisoners, including Bruno, are dead.
In conclusion, the film is masterfully directed by Mark
Herman, and the scenes and the camerawork are really exquisite. The film
appeals to adults who want more than Hollywood entertainment. What is most
memorable about “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” is the extraordinary
friendship between two innocent boys and the capacity to explore the horrors of
war through the eyes of a little boy. Likewise, the script is really interesting
and gripping for cinema-goers. Despite the fact that it is a dramatic film, I
would highly recommend it to you. The writer has succeeded in creating a
riveting and accurately plausible plot related to a particular and dreadful historical
moment. It’s a true masterpiece.
Here you have the trailer in case you are interested in watching the film.
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