Take Away English-Christmas traditions 圣诞节传统

Turkey and all the trimmings

There are many ways to celebrate Christmas, and some British people like to go on holiday, go out for lunch to a restaurant, or spend the day with friends. But most people’s idea of a traditional Christmas involves spending a few days with their family - sometimes their extended family.

The day is the most exciting for the children. They may have spent weeks or even months dreaming of the presents they want most. Since the beginning of December, they may have opened their advent¹ calendars, finding a new festive² picture, chocolate, or small gift, to count down each day until 25th December.

On Christmas Eve, they hang up stockings, ready to be filled with presents by Santa Claus. Often a thank you gift of a mince³ pie and a glass of sherry will be left, as well as a carrot for those hungry reindeer⁴.

Christmas Day itself will be spent eating lots of goodies, opening presents from loved ones, which have been waiting under the Christmas tree, and for most adults, drinking plenty of booze.

A Christmas lunch of roast turkey with all the trimmings is the main event, complete with crackers⁵, and paper party hats. The meal will finish off with Christmas pudding, a steamed fruit pudding.

For some, a church service, or the Queen’s speech on television will be part of the family custom. For most, the afternoon and evening will be spent playing board games, or perhaps watching a family film on TV.

After the excitement of the big day, most families are happy to spend Boxing Day quietly enjoying their presents, and eating the Christmas leftovers, for example a turkey curry⁷.

Then we can all forget about Christmas until next year… well until next September.

GLOSSARY 词汇表

extended family 亲戚 stockings （用来装圣诞礼物的）长筒袜 sherry 雪利酒 goodies 好吃的东西，糖果，点心等 Boxing Day 节礼日（圣诞节后的第一天） the main event （圣诞节当天）最主要的事情 advent calendar 日历（从圣诞节前24起一个倒数的日历，每天打开上面的一个小门，门里有时候有巧克力，有时候只有一张图片） church service 教堂礼拜 custom 习俗 booze 含酒精的饮料（习语）

festive 节日气氛浓厚的 Christmas Eve 圣诞前夜 a mince pie （圣诞节吃的）百果馅饼 reindeer 驯鹿 loved ones 爱人 （通常指家人，亲近的人） all the trimmings （与火鸡一起吃的）配菜 crackers 彩包爆竹（圣诞节时的娱乐用品，是一个硬的纸筒，内装小礼品，纸帽等，用纸包裹好，两端一拉即噼里啪啦作响） the Queen's speech 女王的演讲 board games 期盼游戏 leftovers6 剩饭剩菜

1 advent   

n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临

参考例句：

• Swallows come by groups at the advent of spring. 春天来临时燕子成群飞来。
• The advent of the Euro will redefine Europe.欧元的出现将重新定义欧洲。

2 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。

3 mince   

n.切碎物；v.切碎，矫揉做作地说

参考例句：

• Would you like me to mince the meat for you?你要我替你把肉切碎吗？
• Don't mince matters,but speak plainly.不要含糊其词，有话就直说吧。

4 reindeer   

n.驯鹿

参考例句：

• The herd of reindeer was being trailed by a pack of wolves.那群驯鹿被一只狼群寻踪追赶上来。
• The life of the Reindeer men was a frontier life.驯鹿时代人的生活是一种边区生活。

5 crackers   

adj.精神错乱的，癫狂的n.爆竹( cracker的名词复数 )；薄脆饼干；（认为）十分愉快的事；迷人的姑娘

参考例句：

• That noise is driving me crackers. 那噪声闹得我简直要疯了。
• We served some crackers and cheese as an appetiser. 我们上了些饼干和奶酪作为开胃品。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 leftovers   

n.剩余物，残留物，剩菜

参考例句：

• He can do miracles with a few kitchen leftovers.他能用厨房里几样剩饭做出一顿美餐。
• She made supper from leftovers she had thrown together.她用吃剩的食物拼凑成一顿晚饭。

7 curry   

n.咖哩粉，咖哩饭菜；v.用咖哩粉调味，用马栉梳，制革

参考例句：

• Rice makes an excellent complement to a curry dish.有咖喱的菜配米饭最棒。
• Add a teaspoonful of curry powder.加一茶匙咖喱粉。