25 | Holiday traditions

Today you will learn 5 new English words related to "Holiday traditions"

Author

SEWT Team
April 28, 2025

“Holiday traditions” is a rich and culturally significant topic for ESL learners, like yourself. Sharing holiday experiences can foster conversations and cultural exchange. This topic can also help learners develop cultural awareness, empathy, and a deeper understanding of different traditions around the world. By learning the vocabulary associated with “holiday traditions”, you can effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and participate in celebrations with confidence. So, let’s jump right in!

5 TERMS

  1. Festivities (Noun): Events or activities that are organized to celebrate a holiday or special occasion.

  2. Caroling (Noun): The activity of singing Christmas songs, often door to door, as part of a holiday tradition.

  3. Feast (Noun): A large, elaborate meal, often served to celebrate a special occasion or holiday.

  4. Gift-giving (Noun): The act of presenting gifts to others, often a central tradition during holidays like Christmas.

  5. Decorating (Verb): The act of adorning a home, tree, or public space with holiday ornaments or symbols to celebrate a particular holiday.

EXAMPLE SENTENCES

  1. Festivities

    • The festivities for the New Year’s celebration included fireworks and a big parade.

    • Families gathered to enjoy the festivities of the Christmas season, including gift exchanges and festive meals.

    • Local festivities during the holiday season attract tourists from all over the world.

  2. Caroling

    • Every year, the neighbors gather for caroling around the neighborhood on Christmas Eve.

    • We went caroling and spread holiday cheer to everyone in our community.

    • The children loved caroling in the snow, singing songs of goodwill.

  3. Feast 

    • Our Thanksgiving feast included turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

    • During the holiday season, many families host a grand feast to bring everyone together.

    • A feast is a traditional part of many cultures’ holiday celebrations, symbolizing abundance and unity.

  4. Gift-giving

    • Gift-giving is a beloved part of the holiday season, expressing love and appreciation.

    • The children eagerly waited for gift-giving on Christmas morning.

    • Some cultures celebrate gift-giving on New Year’s Eve to bring good fortune for the coming year.

  5. Decorating

    • Every year, we start decorating the Christmas tree as soon as we can find the perfect tree.

    • Decorating the house with lights and wreaths is a fun holiday tradition for our family.

    • The town holds a decorating contest to see who has the most festive display of Christmas lights.

EXAMPLE PARAGRAPH

Holiday traditions vary widely across cultures, but often involve gift-giving, decorating homes and public spaces, and festive gatherings. Many traditions center around a special feast shared with family and friends. Caroling, the singing of Christmas carols, is a popular tradition in many Western countries. By understanding and participating in these traditions, we can connect with our cultural heritage and create lasting memories.

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