Countdown to Christmas: 10 Fun things to do before the big day!

Christmas is coming soon! The weeks before Christmas are full of excitement, lights, and happy moments. This is the perfect time to prepare, celebrate traditions, and enjoy the festive season. Whether you love decorating, baking, or learning new words, there is something for everyone. Let’s explore some cheerful ideas to make the lead-up to Christmas magical!

1. Decorate Your Space

Nothing says “Christmas” like a sparkling tree with colourful lights, so why not put up a Christmas tree, hang shiny ornaments, and add a touch of green and red to your home. Even if you have a small space, a few decorations can make it feel warm and festive and it doesn't need to cost a fortune. Why not make your own decorations? Use paper, ribbons, and glitter to create stars or snowflakes. It’s creative, fun, and a great way to practice English words like “star,” “snowflake,” and “ornament.”

2. Listen to Christmas Music

Honestly, this is one of my favourite traditions. Music brings joy and helps you feel the holiday spirit. I love playing Christmas songs in my car on the way to my students' classes. Why not play your favourite Christmas songs while you work, cook, or relax. Singing along is a wonderful way to practice pronunciation and learn new vocabulary. You can even make a playlist and share it with friends. Try learning the meaning of words in the songs – it’s fun and educational!

3. Bake Something Sweet

Christmas is the season for tasty treats! I can't remember a Christmas where someone in my family wasn't in the kitchen at some point. Baking biscuits or a simple cake is a great activity for families and friends. You can follow an easy recipe and learn cooking words like “mix,” “stir,” and “bake.” When the delicious smell fills your home, you’ll feel the magic of Christmas. And the best part? You get to eat your delicious creations!

4. Write Christmas Cards

Sending cards is a lovely tradition. Write a short message like “Merry Christmas!” or “Wishing you joy and peace.” This is a great way to practice writing in English and share kindness. You can decorate your cards with drawings or stickers, in fact, I often make my own cards. Not only is it a nice, personal touch for your loved ones, but it's a lovely tradition for you too. It makes me feel very festive indeed. If you don’t have cards, write a festive email – it's the thought that matters most, many families write a 'Our year round up', with pictures of the family celebrating important moments from the year, it's another lovely tradition and doesn't cost a penny if you send it via email!

5. Watch a Christmas Film

Do you have a favourite Christmas film? I certainly do, and I'm not ashamed to say that I watch the same ones every year. Choose a classic Christmas movie such as Home Alone or The Holiday. Or hop on to Netflix and watch one of their many new, fun, Hallmark movies. Watching films is fun and helps improve listening skills. Grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the story. You can even write down new words you hear and use them later in class.

6. Learn About Traditions

Christmas is celebrated in many countries, and each has its own customs. In Germany, people enjoy Advent calendars. In Mexico, there are colourful parades called Posadas. Reading about traditions is a great way to learn new vocabulary and understand different cultures. Why not share what you learn with your classmates? Or better still, find out what traditions are celebrated near you and take part. Have you ever been to a Christmas market? They're filled with joy, festivities and often have great food and drinks and are perfect for finding those special, handmade gifts.

7. Write a letter to Santa

This is a great tradition for little ones. Have them write a letter to Santa, telling him what they'd like for Christmas. They can decorate it and personalise it too. It will help them get in the Christmas spirit and get excited about the festivities to come. Plus, it helps give you some ideas too.

8. Count Down with an Advent Calendar

An Advent calendar has 24 little surprises for each day before Christmas. Sometimes it's chocolate and sometimes it's a little gift. It’s a fun way to practice numbers and dates in English. You can buy one or make your own with small treats or messages. Every day feels special when you open a new door!

9. Spread Kindness

Christmas is all about giving and caring. Do something nice for someone – help a neighbour, share a smile, or say thank you. Kindness is free, and it makes the world brighter. You can even start a “kindness challenge” with friends: do one good deed every day until Christmas.

10. Play Christmas Games

A huge tradition in my house at Christmas, is games. We love to play as many games as possible. We sit with a few snacks, a warm drink and music playing in the background, while we compete against each other in our latest board game. There are also many 'parlor games', such as charades, or guess the character, that have been being played at Christmas in British homes for decades. It's fun, it's silly and it unites your guests. It's also perfect for those cold winter nights in many parts of the world.

Extra Fun for ESL Learners

Here’s a short vocabulary list to help you:

• Ornament – a decoration for the tree

• Sleigh – Santa’s special vehicle

• Stocking – a big sock for gifts

• Wrap – to cover a present with paper

• Snowflake – a piece of snow

  
  

Activity Idea:

Write five sentences using these words. Example: “I put an ornament on the tree.”

Enjoy the festive season and keep learning! 

Christmas is not just about gifts – it’s about joy, kindness, and spending time with people you love. So, start today and make this Christmas unforgettable!

Learn English DXB wishes you all a very, Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!