2. Three words about Christmas

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David (UK/Romania): Friends, cold, hot drinks.

Chris (France): Festive, merry and fun.

Sally (Spain): Fun, festive and full after Christmas dinner.

George (Korea): Family, games, food.

Ruth (Spain): Family, cosy ... laughter? Laughing?

Tamara (Ukraine): Snow, Christmas lights and Glühwein.

Kerstin (Portugal): Markets, goose, Christmas trees.

Kate (France): The first word is preparation because you've got to put the time into preparing your presents and especially your food. The second one is conviviality, and the third one is food.

Emilia (Poland): Family, Christmas tree, singing carols.

Tina (UK): Family, friends, food.

Susy (Colombia): Joy, love and family.

 

Christmas Day is celebrated on 25 December, and for many people it's a very important festival. In this video, our British Council colleagues from around the world say what Christmas means to them – but using just three words! Here are some of the most common things mentioned in the video.

Family

Christmas is a time when people get back together with their families, sometimes travelling long distances to do so. For many people, it's reuniting with loved ones that really makes Christmas special.

Festive

Festive is an adjective that means enjoyable or celebratory, and it's often used to talk about Christmas. For example, we talk about the festive season (the period around Christmas), a festive atmosphere or being in a festive mood.

Full

Christmas also makes a lot of people think of delicious Christmas food, and often we eat a bit too much and feel really full! You'll learn more about some of the special things people eat in the next step.

Now it's your turn

  • What three words describe Christmas for you?
  • Can you describe your favourite celebration or event, using just three words?

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Average: 4.2 (12 votes)

Submitted by Tagga on Sat, 06/12/2025 - 07:52

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These are the three words I associate with Christmas:

  • Decorations (on buildings and in public places)
  • Carols (like Last Christmas)
  • Food (especially Christmas biscuits)
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Submitted by rauldrolett on Tue, 02/12/2025 - 20:54

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Hi! My three words that identify Christmas in my life are food (because in Chile we eat a lot when we are in a festive mood), gifts because is a form to express love (well, the cost of gift is not important), and the last one is family. We celebrate with our loved people, but remember who aren't here with us.

Submitted by 24.hafsa on Tue, 02/12/2025 - 10:17

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My three words are snow, shopping and Christmas' movies with family 

Submitted by jieunLEE on Mon, 01/12/2025 - 15:39

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Snow, warmth and Christmas card

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Submitted by Guilherme Souza on Wed, 08/01/2025 - 07:24

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The word for Christmas to me is Redemption. Christmas represents that the world cannot be saved on its own. Humanity was falled and we need a redeemer! His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He came to us, became incarnate and lived here without sin and died for our sins on the cross and on the third day rose from the dead.

Submitted by aartik001 on Sun, 05/01/2025 - 18:20

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Hi guys

I from Indian,in India  we celebrate Diwali with family,friends and food.it's a festival of light,on the ocasion of diwali we share sweets and joy with our relatives and friends.it is not a single day festival ,we celebrate it for 2 days with lots of fun.After this festival we have another festivals on next day onwards so Diwali brings more festivals for us.We travel across india to meet our families to celebrate these festival.

Submitted by Zafarbek12 on Sun, 29/12/2024 - 05:46

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 I am from uzbekistan, in Uzbekistan we celebrate New Year with festive lights, decorated trees, and family gatherings. In cities like Tashkent, events feature music, gourmet dinners, and rooftop parties. Many people celebrate at home with traditional dishes, waiting for the midnight countdown. Snow, if present, adds charm. Public holidays run from December 31 to January 3, making it a time for relaxation and joy.

Thank you so much for telling us about your New Year in Uzbekistan, it does sound lovely. Could you tell us a little more about the sort of things you like to eat while celebrating on New Year's eve Zafarbek12?
This year I went to Bologna in Italy to celebrate the New Year with some good friends. We had such a fabulous time. The city is very old and was decortated with lots of lights and beautiful decorations on the shop fronts. Fireworks lite up the sky at 12. It was a night to remember especially being with my husband♡

~ Tinaツ
LearnEnglish team

Submitted by AzGulnara on Mon, 23/12/2024 - 07:20

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The most important Christmas words are Family, atmosphere, gifts

Submitted by nicoleta.colesnic on Tue, 17/12/2024 - 17:58

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Hello,

For me three words that would describe Christmas are:

  1. Kindness. I feel how the world becomes a safer and warmer place when Christmas is coming. People are kinder and help each other more than the rest of the year.
  2. Joy. There is a mixture of feelings (happiness, excitement, overwhelmingness) that I feel at each part of the  Christmas season: decorating the Christmas Tree, buying the presents, decorating the house, window shopping, visiting the Christmas markets etc.
  3. Magic. For me this is the time when every wish could come true.

Hi Nicoleta❣

I love your three words and explanations you have given. Thank you jor sharing them with us!

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

~ Tina ツ
LearnEnglish team

Submitted by PresidentKS on Mon, 09/12/2024 - 17:12

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to me, in three words i would say FAMILY, LIVE TOGETHER, JOY

 

Submitted by teacher01 on Mon, 09/12/2024 - 11:21

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Hi everyone,

As for me the most "Christmas" words are family, christmas tree and snow.