Holidays

Suggested Topics:

The U.S. has secular and religious holidays, as well as federal holidays. A secular holiday (or secular tradition) is one that is not associated with any particular religion or set of spiritual beliefs.  Does your country have secular holidays?

What is considered one of the most important holidays in your country? Why?

Activity

Match the tradition below to its appropriate holiday or event.  Some traditions might match more than one holiday!

Dyeing eggs                                                                                        April Fool’s Day

Going shopping                                                                                Kentucky Derby

Watching the ball drop                                                                  the Superbowl

Decorating a tree                                                                             The 4th of July

Dressing in costumes                                                                     Thanksgiving

Splitting a wishbone                                                                       Halloween

Watching fireworks                                                                         New Year’s Eve

Watching football

Making gingerbread houses

Receiving candy

Betting money

Wearing fancy hats

Playing pranks

Additional Resources:

 

Which phrases go with which holidays?

Season’s Greetings                                         Trick or treat!                                     Be mine

Which activities go with which holidays or popular events? There might be more than one holiday for some traditions, and some holidays are not listed here. There are even a couple unofficial holidays listed here.

 

Painting eggs

Eating a huge family meal

Waking up very early to go shopping

Using noisemakers

Having a barbecue

Watching a parade

Receiving gifts

Costume parties

Eating unleavened bread

Hosting a Star Wars marathon (watching all of the Star Wars movies in a single day)

Playing a prank (joke) on someon

 

 

Vocabulary List:  Popular Holidays

Holiday Why is it important? How do we celebrate?
January 1st: 

New Year’s Eve

 Americans celebrate with family and friends and make New Year’s resolutions.  Resolutions are things we promise to do in the upcoming year (for example, lose weight or quit smoking). Americans usually have a big party and watch the ball drop.  Every year, a large ball drops in Times Square in New York City.  Right before midnight, there is a “count down” of the last ten or fifteen seconds.  Many people also drink champagne.
February 14th:  

Valentine’s Day

 Although this is not a federal (government recognized) holiday, many people celebrate this day of love by doing something romantic. A couple usually goes out to a nice dinner or exchanges gifts.  Children also celebrate by exchanging Valentines, or small cards, with their friends and classmates.
Last Monday of May:

Memorial Day

 This day commemorates the lives of men and women who died serving the U.S. military.  It first honored the lives of soldiers from the Civil War, but now recognizes soldiers from any war fought by the U.S. Americans might go visit a cemetery or war memorial on this day.  They also usually go to a barbeque outside with family and friends.  They might go swimming, go to a park, or watch a parade.
July 4th: 

Fourth of July or Independence Day

 This is the official day when the United States recognizes its independence from Great Britain. Americans will go watch fireworks outside or watch a parade.  There are a lot of festivals with food and outdoor games too.
October 31st:  Halloween Like Valentine’s Day, Halloween is not a federal holiday.  It is widely popular in American culture, especially with children.  The holiday is a combination of many other traditions, but most Americans today celebrate it just to have fun. Americans will dress up in costumes.  A costume can be scary or funny, and some people even make their own costumes.  Children walk around their neighborhoods and knock on doors to ask for candy.  This is called “trick or treating.” Adults might go to parties dressed in their costumes, but usually don’t go trick or treating.  Black and orange are considered Halloween colors.
Third Thursday of November:  Thanksgiving Day This day represents a historical event when pilgrims and Native Americans ate and celebrated the fall harvest together.  Now, the holiday is a time for family and friends to eat a big dinner and give thanks. Americans might watch a parade and then go eat a large dinner that includes turkey, potatoes, stuffing (bread inside the turkey), cranberry sauce, and squash.  A typical dessert is pumpkin pie.
December 25th:  Christmas Day Many Americans view Christmas as both a religious and secular (commercial) holiday.  Sometimes, people of different cultures or religions celebrate Christmas too. The secular parts of Christmas include:

·         A Christmas tree inside the house with decorations

·         Red and green colors

·         Carols (special music)

·         Opening presents

·         Baking cookies
Expressions    
Hallmark holiday Hallmark is a well-known card company in the United States.  Many people refer to a commercial holiday as a “Hallmark holiday” because they think it is a holiday just for companies to get more business and make more money. Valentine’s Day is often called a Hallmark holiday.
Holiday spirit Have some enthusiasm for the traditions or beliefs of the holiday.

 

 Let’s decorate the tree to get into the holiday spirit.