There are numerous occasions on which people wish each other well. The tradition of sending cards and wishes has never disappeared although there are various modern ways of sending them. If you ever wonder why to write a card and what to write on it, we have some good tips for you!
CHRISTMAS
Apart from birthdays, Christmas is probably the most popular occasion for sending a card. The custom of Christmas cards is quite modern (it started in the 19th century in Great Britain as a charity project) and it hasn’t lost its popularity over the years. Quite the opposite: almost 2 billion of Christmas cards are sent in the U.S. alone every year!
In the past, the cards showed more decent pictures: family dinner, the Nativity1 and snow scenes. Today, there are all sorts of pictures on Christmas cards: traditional ones, jokes, romantic scenes, etc. You can send home made cards or e-cards too. No matter what kind of Christmas greeting you prefer, the most important is the fact that you want to make other people happy!
Close your eyes for a while and picture Christmas cards in your head. Then write down as many symbols as possible found on Christmas seasonal greetings. Compare your ideas with the person sitting next to you. How similar/different were they?
Compare your list with the expressions in the word box below. Check the meaning of the words you don’t know.
Christmas tree, decorations, mistletoe, candle, star, presents, Santa Claus, snow, snowman, snowflakes, sleigh, church, bell, children, angel, sweets, nature, Bethlehem, baby Jesus, manger, Joseph and Mary, the Magi, animals, the Bible
What is the nicest/craziest/worst Christmas greeting you have ever got? Describe it.
Good tips what to write on a Christmas card if you decide to buy a greeting without the text:
- Wishing you a very merry Christmas!
- May your days be filled with magic and cheer!
- Decorate your Christmas with joy!
- May all your days be happy and bright!
- Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a joyful holiday season!
Do you understand the following text found on some Christmas greetings? Can you explain why there are texts like this used at Christmas?
„Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men!“
NEW YEAR
While Christmas is a decent and solemn2 occasion, New Year is a happy celebration (although there is nothing funny about getting older…) There are parties and family gatherings3 with music and fun.
New Year wishes are colourful and cheerful too. There are a lot of pictures showing fireworks, clocks, champagne and decorations. People wish each other well for the following year.
Go through the following cards and choose the one you like most. Can you explain your choice?
Miroslava Dubanová
zdroj foto: shutterstock.com