English with Ally

Hello and welcome to English with Ally! 

I'm Ally and this is the grand finale of our Christmas series! Over the past episodes, we’ve explored everything from cherished religious traditions to the more quirky, secular customs that many English-speaking communities follow during the festive season. As well as over-eating (unavoidable!), carol singing (absolutely!) and wearing those infamous ugly jumpers (why not!), we saw how Christmas pops up in the pop culture of movies and TV shows and also in high culture, inspiring some of the greatest poets and writers to retell the story through a fresh perspective.

Today, we’re wrapping things up with a light-hearted festive checklist - full of Xmas vocabulary - so you’ll be ready to celebrate in style, or at least sound like you are one of Santa's little helpers! 

There is a long vocabulary list in the show notes today (see below), so do check this out before you listen to help with the comprehension.

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Thank you for joining me on this journey to learn English and discover the traditions and culture behind Christmas. I’d love to hear what topics you’d like me to cover next, so please get in touch at helloenglishwithally[at]gmail.com

Share this podcast with a friend, grab your worksheet and have a wonderful Christmas filled with peace, joy and learning.

I am sure you join me in wishing for "Peace on earth, goodwill to men’ (Luke 2:14). Merry Christmas Everyone!   

Download the Christmas Activity worksheet Gift pdf

Vocabulary

• January clearance – big sales in January when prices are very low.
• To untangle – to separate things that are twisted or tied together.
• Bling – shiny, bright decorations or jewellery.
• Vibe – the feeling or mood of a place.
• Sorted – organized or finished; everything is ready.
• Prezzies – informal word for presents or gifts.
• To pass off – to make something seem like something else.
• To pop by – to visit quickly without planning.
• To dash – to go somewhere very quickly.
• Chocs – informal word for chocolates.
• To stock up on something – to buy a lot so you have enough later.
• To drop by – same as “pop by,” visit quickly.
• A cuppa – informal word for a cup of tea.
• To run out of – to have no more of something.
• To clutch – to hold something tightly.
• To take down – to remove something that was hanging.

Learn the language, discover the culture.

Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! I’m Ally, and this is episode 23, the second-to-last episode in special Christmas series. 

Today we’re diving into what happens on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of December—as these days can look different depending on where you are and what traditions you follow.

Listen out for these words:

• Eve - the evening (or time) before a special event e.g. New Year's Eve
• Catholic – related to the Roman Catholic Church
• Feast – a large, special meal
• Protestant – related to other Christian denominations
• (Turkey and) all the trimmings - refers to all the foods that accompany a roast dinner
• Stuffed - 110% full
• To drop by - come for a short, informal visit
• Martyr – someone who dies for their beliefs
• Alms – money donated to the poor

See if you can hear them in this episode!

So you may already know that the 24th of December is called Christmas Eve, Christmas Day is the 25th but what's the 26th December called? Is it Boxing Day or St Stephen’s Day? Well, the answer is both. Let's dive in! 

Did you know that in many Catholic countries, Christmas Eve is the main day of celebration. Families gather for a late-night feast, sometimes after attending Midnight Mass. In Italy, for example, the evening meal often features fish rather than meat. In contrast, in many Protestant traditions, the big celebration happens on Christmas Day, with gifts and a festive lunch. I'm currently in Ireland, and the main day is the 25th, Christmas Eve is not a special day here and we don't eat fish.

In my house, the day goes something like this - the children's presents which appear under the Christmas tree in the weeks before Christmas, are opened first thing on Christmas morning. The adults enjoy a late breakfast and then we open our presents when everyone is together. Our main meal — turkey and all the trimmings - is at around 2 or 3 p.m. Later, while we are digesting from over-eating, we often watch a musical on TV and sing along. Maybe about an hour or two after finishing lunch, we take out the Christmas pudding and set it on fire! We do this by heating up brandy and then pouring it over after lighting the hot liquid. We serve the pudding hot with brandy butter. Now we really need to loosen our clothes as we are stuffed. Sometimes aunts, uncles and cousins drop by, and by evening, we’re all ready for a nap! There might be mince pies and cups of tea in the late evening.

Now, what about the 26th? In Catholic tradition, it’s called St Stephen’s Day, that's honouring the first Christian martyr, Saint Stephen. He was known for helping the poor and speaking boldly about his faith. However, in the UK and some Commonwealth countries, it’s called Boxing Day, which gets its name from an old British tradition of giving boxes of gifts or money to  those in need on the day after Christmas. Historically, wealthy families would “box up” leftover food and small presents for their staff, and churches often opened their alms boxes to distribute donations to the poor. The 26th is a very relaxed day and is a public holiday in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the UK.

So that's it about the 3 days around Christmas Day. Have you got a favourite feast day or tradition? Do you celebrate on the 24th or the 25th December? Email me at helloenglishwithally[at]gmail.com—I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for listening to English with Ally! If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend and listen out for tomorrow's last episode as I have a special gift for all my listeners. Merry Christmas!

Learn the language, discover the culture.

Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! I’m Ally and you are listening to one of 24 episodes I'm making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a little listening practice.

Today, it's time for some Culture with capital "C": poetry and song that retell the story of the birth of Christ. Not everyone is a fan of poetry, I know, but poets have a way of making the familiar feel new, and I want to share one of my favourite poems with you in this episode.

Listen out for these words:

• Magi – wise men from the East 
• Journey – a long trip
• First-hand - told directly by the person
• Undertook - to undertake - to go on (a journey) 
• Blind faith - belief without any evidence
• To encounter - to meet
• Servants - people paid to serve a master

See if you can hear them in this episode!

Did you know some of the most famous British poets wrote about the birth of Christ?  John Milton, Christina Rossetti and more recently, T.S. Eliot have all offered a different perspective on the Christmas story—from a world filled with hope, to the quiet manger to a long, perilous journey. 

I'd like to share my personal favourite,  T.S. Eliot’s Journey of the Magi. Eliot wrote this after becoming a Christian. The poem retells the story of the birth of Christ from the point of view of one of the three wise men, or Magi.  He starts the poem by placing you right  in the middle of a description of their journey to see Jesus - it starts:

“A cold coming we had of it, just the worst time of the year…”

Almost immediately, we realise we are listening  to someone who undertook the journey and we find out that the journey was not a delightful, happy trip but it was freezing and difficult and required blind faith to undertake. 

The difficulties the Magi encounter continue  - the people they meet were hostile and unfriendly and even their own servants are full of doubt about what they were doing and run away. When they finally arrive, what they see changes them forever. Eliot describes this as both a birth and a death—the birth of a new world and the end of their old ways. 

Just to give some contrast, the very popular hymn “We Three Kings”, also recounts the  Magi’s journey.  It focuses on the star they followed and the significance of their gifts but the tone is completely different, it's quite jolly and upbeat and that is why I love T.S. Eliot's poem so much because it really makes you think about the sacrifice, faith and impact this baby's birth would have on the world. 

It's an amazing poem and you can hear the author read it online if you search for it. I've provided a link in the show notes.

Is there a poem or novel which made a big impact on you? Let me know by emailing helloenglishwithally[at]gmail.com—I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for listening to English with Ally! If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend and subscribe for more cultural insights. Merry Christmas!

'The Journey of the Magi' by T. S. Eliot (Poem: Season 4, Episode 15)

Learn the language, discover the culture.

Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! 

I’m Ally and you are listening to one of 24 episodes I'm making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a little listening practice.

This is part two retelling the story of the birth of Christ. In the first part, we talked about Mary, Joseph, their journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus. Today, we’ll meet some very special visitors.

Listen out for these words:

• shepherds – people who take care of sheep
• angels – messengers from God
• Saviour - a person who will save others
• Hurried - to hurry - to move quickly
• Wise men – important visitors who brought gifts
• Gold – a precious metal
• Frankincense  and Myrrh - expensive, perfumed resins from trees
• Worship - reverence for a deity

So we are back on the night Jesus was born: some shepherds were watching their sheep in the fields near Bethlehem. Suddenly, angels appeared and told them the good news: a Savior had been born! The angels sang about peace on earth and joy for all people.

Why did the angels visit shepherds? Christians believe this was to show that Jesus came for everyone, not just the rich or powerful. Shepherds were ordinary, humble people, even considered of low social standing in society. By choosing shepherds first, the message was clear—God’s gift of hope, forgiveness and salvation was for all people.

The shepherds hurried to see the baby in the manger, and they were filled with joy. This part of the story reminds Christians that Christmas is about hope, peace and good news for everyone.

Later, three wise men came from the East. They followed a bright star that led them to Bethlehem. When they found Jesus, they gave him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts had special meaning: gold for a king, frankincense for worship, and myrrh for suffering. Christians believe these gifts show who Jesus is and what his life would mean.

It's an amazing image to think of a baby surrounded by animals in a stable while shepherds and Kings worship him - you may have seen a nativity scene which depicts this. The story of Jesus's birth  has inspired some wonderful poetry - that's is the topic of tomorrow's episode.

Thanks for listening to English with Ally! If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend and subscribe! Let me know what you would like to hear next by emailing me at helloenglishwithally[at]gmail.com—I’d love to hear from you, and Merry Christmas!

Learn the language, discover the culture.

Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! I’m Ally, you are listening to one of 24 episodes I'm making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a little listening practice.

This is part one of a special two-part episode.  We’ve been talking about secular Christmas customs—sending cards, buying presents, decorating your home, and of course spending time with friends and family. 

We've seen how Christmas has inspired many stories told through music, TV & movies and books. But behind all of the those traditions and tales lies one story—a story about one family. That family's story is at the heart of Christmas. So, for the next two episodes,  I'll be telling the story of the birth of Jesus —an event that has brought millions of people to share the same traditions for over two thousand years.

Listen out for these words:

• Nazareth – the town where Mary and Joseph lived
• Divine - Godly
• Bethlehem – the town where Jesus was born
• Census – an official count of people
• Inn - hotel
• Stable – a simple building for animals
• Manger – a wooden box for animal food

Listen out for those.

Mary was a young woman from Nazareth. Christians believe she was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus through a virgin birth, meaning she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit, not through a human father. This is a central belief in Christianity because it shows Jesus was divine.

Joseph was Mary’s husband. He was a carpenter and a kind man. When he learned Mary was expecting a baby, he became worried, but an angel told him the child was from God. So Joseph stayed with Mary and cared for her.

They had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem because of a census ordered by the Roman emperor. It was a long journey, and when they arrived, there was no room in the inn. They stayed in a stable, and that night, Jesus was born. Mary placed him in a manger because there was no cradle. Jesus, the son of God, was born in this humble setting, among sheep and cows. 

So that's the first part of the story and I mentioned music inspired by the story of the birth of Christ, and some hymns which are sung at Christmas focus on the journey to Bethlehem, and the birth itself; if you listen to them you'll hear the story told - you might even recognise some of the vocabulary we've covered today. You can find them in the show notes.

At Christmas time, many people journey home to be with their family, nowadays long-distance travel is not as difficult or as expensive compared to just a few years ago. I remember traveling at all hours of the night to get home to see my family for Christmas—it was so tiring but special! What about you - have you ever had to take a long journey to get home for a special celebration? You can let me know by emailing me at helloenglishwithally[at]gmail.com—I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for listening to English with Ally! If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend, listen out for tomorrow's episode and subscribe! Merry Christmas!

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Hymns - try to find them on YouTube with the lyrics

1. Once in Royal David’s City – Highlights the humble birth and Mary’s role.
2. Silent Night – Emphasizes the peaceful night when Jesus was born.
3. Away in a Manger – Focuses on the manger scene and the simplicity of Jesus’ birth.

Learn the language, discover the culture.

Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! 

I’m Ally, and you’re listening to one of 24 episodes I’m making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a little listening practice.

Today we’re talking about something that makes Christmas truly special: lending a helping hand to people in need. For many people the holiday season is not just a time to celebrate, but to consider others—through charity, volunteering, and acts of kindness.

Listen out for these words:

• Charity – giving money, food, or help to people in need.
• Volunteer – to work without pay to help a cause.
• Donate – to give something, like money or clothes, to help others.
• Fundraiser – an event to collect money for charity.
• Aid - help

See if you can hear them in this episode.

Christmas is often called the season of giving, and for many, that means more than exchanging gifts with family and friends. People donate money to charities, give food to food banks, and collect toys for children who might not receive presents. There might be special fundraisers during December, like charity concerts or Christmas markets where profits go to good causes. 

One of the most famous examples of a charitable initiative started with a song: “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure and recorded by Band Aid in November 1984. Lots on British musicians and singers were involved, and the single raised millions for famine relief in Ethiopia.  It inspired an even bigger event—the Live Aid concert, held on 13 July 1985 in London and Philadelphia - you might have heard about it.

Along with collecting money for charity, volunteering is also popular around Christmas time with many people spend time helping at shelters, serving meals to the homeless, or visiting elderly people who might be alone. These acts of kindness remind us that a true spirit of Christmas looks beyond the people you may know to caring for the wider community and others who need a hand.

Do you do something to help others at Christmas? Maybe donate, volunteer, or support a charity? I used to sing in a community choir and we collected money for charity by singing in in public places. You can let me know about how you help others by emailing me at helloenglishwithally[at]gmail.com — I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for listening to English with Ally! If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend and subscribe for more cultural insights. Merry Christmas!

Learn the language, discover the culture.

Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! 

I'm Ally, and you are listening to one of 24 episodes I'm making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a little listening practice.

Today we’re heading Down Under to explore how Christmas is celebrated in Australia and New Zealand. Santa in shades? You bet as the Southern hemisphere is full on summer for Christmas - completely different from my Northern experience.

Listen out for these words:

• Down Under - an informal term for Australia and sometimes New Zealand in included, too
• Aussies - (informal) Australians
• Kiwis - (informal) People from New Zealand
• Barbies (Australian slang)= barbecue – cooking food outdoors over a grill.
• Backyard - outdoor space at the back of the house
• To bloom - to flower
• Odd - strange

See if you can hear them in this episode.

First, let’s talk about the biggest difference: the season. In both Australia and New Zealand, Christmas falls in the middle of summer. That means no snow, no frosty windows — just sunshine, beaches and barbies! Instead of cozy fires, people often spend Christmas outdoors, enjoying the warm weather.

So, what does Christmas day look like? In Australia, a classic way to celebrate might include a barbecue in the backyard or even a picnic at the beach. Seafood is very popular—think prawns, oysters and fresh fish. And yes, some families still cook a roast turkey, even in the heat! Australians also love pavlova, a dessert made with meringue, cream and fresh fruit. Mmm delicious!

Now, in New Zealand, you’ll find many of the same traditions but there is a special native tree with bright red flowers that bloom in December, and this tree is often called New Zealand’s Christmas tree*. You’ll see it in decorations and even in their Christmas cards.

Both countries follow the usual gift-giving tradition, and Santa still wears his red suit—though sometimes you’ll see him in shorts and sunglasses for a local touch! 

So, are traditions very different? Well, the core customs—family gatherings, gift exchanges, and festive meals—are still at the heart of Christmas down under. But perhaps what really stands out in Australia and New Zealand is how strongly the holiday is centred on family time. Many shops and businesses close completely, giving people the chance to be at home and celebrate with their loved ones. 

Overall, the summer setting adds a relaxed, outdoor feel but the focus remains the same: coming together with family and friends to share the day.

Have you ever spent Christmas in the sun? I have once, it was odd to be on the beach sunbathing with Christmas decorations around. While it was fun to go for a swim after lunch, it just didn't feel like Christmas for me! If you have had an odd Christmas, let me know by emailing helloenglishwithally[at]gmail.com, I'd love to hear from you. 

Thanks for listening to English with Ally! If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend and subscribe for more cultural insights.  Merry Christmas!

*It's the Pōhutukawa tree.

Learn the language, discover the culture.

Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! 

I’m Ally, and you’re listening to one of 24 episodes I’m making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a little listening practice.

Today we’re talking about something creative and increasingly popular: Christmas crafts! Making your own decorations or gifts is really on trend, and it’s a wonderful way to add a personal touch to the holiday season.

Here are some words you'll hear in this episode:

• Crafts – activities where you make things by hand.
• On Trend – something that is popular.
• Personal touch – something that shows your own style or effort.
• Handmade – made by hand, not by a machine.
• Ornaments – small decorations for a Christmas tree or your home
• DIY – short for “Do It Yourself,” making or fixing things without buying ready-made.

Listen out for these words in this episode.

Christmas crafts are all about creativity. Instead of buying everything from a shop or online, more and more people are choosing to make their own decorations and gifts. Why? Because it feels personal, unique and often more sustainable.

Popular crafts include handmade ornaments for the tree, like paper stars or salt dough shapes, or even knitted decorations. People also make DIY wreaths using natural materials like pine branches and ribbons. And for gifts, homemade candles, soaps or baked treats are really thoughtful and special.

Social media has helped this trend grow—platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are full of ideas for easy Christmas crafts. It’s not just about saving money; it’s about creating something with love and enjoying the process.

Are you good at making things by hand? Have you ever made a Christmas decoration or gift yourself?  You can let me know by emailing helloenglishwithally[at]gmail.com — I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for listening to English with Ally! If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend and subscribe for more cultural insights. Merry Christmas!

Learn the language, discover the culture.

Hello everyone, and welcome back to English with Ally!

 I'm Ally, and you are listening to one of 24 episodes I'm making this December to explain different Christmas customs. Like an advent calendar, I'm releasing one episode a day to offer English language learners a little culture and a little listening practice over the holiday season - you're welcome!.

Christmas is the season of joy and one of the ways we make it feel special is by decorating our homes, workplaces and of course, shops.  Today on English with Ally, we’ll explore two contrasting styles of Christmas décor: bright and glittery versus natural and timeless.

Before we start, here are some useful words to listen out for:

• Over the top - too much, exaggerated
• Tinsel - plastic strings of different colours (often on a Christmas tree.)
• Baubles: Round ornaments for a Christmas tree.
• Fairy lights: Small decorative lights, often on a Christmas tree.
• Brash: Loud and showy, not subtle.
• Wreath: A circle of greenery hung on doors as decoration.
• Ribbons - long, colourful strips of cloth
• Holly and mistletoe: Green plants with berries, used for Christmas décor.

Listen out for those words!

Modern Christmas décor often means sparkle and shine – but sometimes doesn't it just feel a little over the top. Think plastic ornaments, tinsel, baubles and strings of fairy lights flashing in every colour. Add a spray of fake snow on the windows and you’ve got a look that’s brash, bright and completely artificial. It’s fun and festive but not exactly subtle.

On the other hand, you could use the charm of nature: a wreath made from evergreen branches and ribbons at your front door; a real Christmas tree with its fresh pine scent, sprigs of holly with its bright, red berries, and some mistletoe to hang over a doorway - this brings a calm elegance to your home - even though it is still festive. (Did you know that if you stand under the mistletoe, someone will kiss you! That's a tradition.) These natural decorations have a quiet beauty – simple, traditional and connected to the season itself. No batteries, no plastic – just greenery and a sense of timeless tradition. 

Christmas decorations make everything feel magical. Which style of décor do you prefer? You can get in touch by emailing helloenglishwithally[at]gmail.com, I'd love to hear from you.

Well, that's all for today, do listen to my previous episodes to find out more about Christmas traditions while practicing your listening skills.

Thanks for listening - merry Christmas!

Learn the language, discover the culture.

Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! 

I’m Ally, and you’re listening to one of 24 episodes I’m making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a little listening practice.

Today I'm talking about something that brings laughter and fun to Christmas celebrations: Christmas games! These are activities families and friends play together during the holidays, and they’re a great way to make memories.

Vocabulary for Today

Listen out for these words:

• Charades – a game where you act out a word or phrase without speaking, and others guess what it is.
• To guess – to try to give the right answer without being sure.
• Trivia – questions about facts, often used in quiz games.
• Board game – a game played on a flat surface with pieces or cards.

See if you can hear them in this episode.

Christmas isn’t just about food and gifts—it’s about friends, family and fun! Many families play games after lunch or dinner to keep the festive spirit going. One popular game is charades, where you act out a song, book or movie title without speaking, and everyone tries to guess. It’s simple, and you don’t need any equipment—just imagination!

Another favourite is Christmas trivia. People prepare questions about holiday traditions, songs or history, and teams compete to see who knows the most. It’s a great way to learn something new while having fun.

Board games are also common. Classics like Monopoly or Scrabble often appear at Christmas because they bring everyone together around the table. 

If you look on social media you'll see lots of ideas to have some competitive fun! These games aren’t just to pass the time —they’re a way to connect, laugh, and make Christmas feel special.

Do you play games at Christmas? Which one is your favourite? I love any silly team games, like pass the balloon!

You can get in touch by emailing helloenglishwithally[at]gmail.com—I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for listening to English with Ally! If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend and subscribe for more cultural insights. Merry Christmas!

Learn the language, discover the culture.