Christmas Cuisine
It’s a few days before Christmas. Jack is visiting his sister, Mary, who is in thekitchen making meat pies. In Canada, it’s a tradition for families to gather
together and eat meat pies on Christmas Eve, after the midnight church service.
Jack:

Mmm… something smells delicious. What are you making?

Mary:

I’m making meat pies, for us to eat after our midnight church
service on Christmas Eve.

Jack:

Great! I love your famous meat pies!

Mary:

It takes a whole day to make meat pies, so I’m glad to know you
appreciate them!

Jack:

So what exactly do you put in your meat pies that makes themtaste so good anyways?

Mary:Well, first I start with a regular pie shell. Then I add ground beef,pork and chicken. Next, I add spices, as well as salt and pepper.
Then I bake them in the oven.

Jack:

Mmm… they smell so good… could I just have a small piece right
now?

Mary:

No way! These are for our Christmas Eve celebration. If you’rehungry, I’ll make you a sandwich.

Jack:

Oh… ok…

Discussion Questions…
1.

When do Canadians eat meat pies?

2.

How does Mary make her famous meat pies?

3.

Do you think Jack will be satisfied with a sandwich,instead of a piece of meat pie?

4.

What traditional foods do you eat during the New Yearholiday in Japan?

5.

Who usually prepares the osechi-ryori in your family?
How long does it take to prepare all the food?

Christmas Shopping
It’s December 23rd – just two days before Christmas. Debi is at the department
store buying wrapping paper for her gifts. She runs into her brother George, wholooks stressed.
Debi:Hi George! How's your Christmas shopping coming along?

George: Terrible! I've left it all to the last minute, as usual. How aboutyou?
Debi:Oh, I finished my shopping a couple of weeks ago. I like to get an
early start on my Christmas shopping, to avoid the last minuterush. I'm just out picking up some wrapping paper.

George: You're smart. Every year, I say I'm not going to leave myshopping to the last minute… but here it is two days before
Christmas, and I still have so many gifts to buy! The problem is,
the selection is very poor now - everything is picked over.
Debi:

Oh George… Don't worry. I'm sure you'll find something foreveryone on your list!

George: I sure hope so. Well, I should get going.
Debi:

OK. Well, have a merry Christmas!

George: I will, thank. And merry Christmas to you too, Debi!
Debi:

Thanks! Bye!

Discussion Questions…
1.

Why is George stressed?

2.

How is Debi’s Christmas shopping coming along?

3.

Do you buy Christmas or New Year gifts for yourfamily and friends?

4.

a.

If so, what kinds of gifts are you buying
this year?

b.

If not, when do you buy gifts for otherpeople?

What gift-giving traditions do you have in Japan?

Christmas Office Party
Ryan and Sean are engineers for a large software development company. It’s
December 23rd, and the office is having a late afternoon Christmas party.
Everyone is standing around laughing and singing Christmas carols. The
atmosphere is very festive!
Ryan:

Hey, Sean! Great party, eh?

Sean:Yeah, I'm having a blast!

Ryan:

And this eggnog is delicious!

Sean:

It's the rum that makes it taste so good!

Ryan:

So what are your plans for the holidays?

Sean:

Not much. I'm just planning to take it easy. How about you?

Ryan:

Oh, I won't be taking it easy, that's for sure. Between family
gatherings and get-togethers with my friends, I'll be busy all week.

Sean:

That sounds like fun!

Ryan:

It always is. Hey, is that Santa over there?

Sean:

I think so! I'd better go over and tell him I want a salary increasefor Christmas.

Ryan:

Haha… good idea! I'm with you!

Discussion Questions…
1.

How will Sean and Ryan spend the Christmas
holidays?

2.

How do you usually spend the Christmas and/or NewYear holidays?

3.

Have you ever been to an office Christmas party orbon-enkai?

4.

a.

If so, please tell me about it.

b.

If not, what do you think it would be like?

What would you like Santa to bring you this year?

New Year’s Eve
It’s almost midnight on New Years Eve. Frank and Wayne are at a party, andthey are just about to start the countdown to the beginning of a new year.

Everyone:

10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

George:Happy New Year everyone! I'd like to propose a toast.

Landon:That's a great idea!

George:To a happy, healthy and successful year ahead!

Landon:To 2006!

Everyone:Cheers!

Discussion Questions…
1.

In English, when we raise our glasses and take a drink in honour ofa special event, we say “Cheers!” – this is called a “toast”. What doyou say in Japanese when you toast something or someone?

2.

When was the last time you toasted someone or something? Tell me
about it.

3.

What do you usually do on New Year’s Eve?

New Year’s Resolutions
It’s New Year’s Day. Frank and his brother Wayne are now relaxing after adelicious dinner at their sister’s house. They are talking about New Year’s
resolutions, which are promises people make to themselves at the beginning of anew year.
Frank:

Wayne, have you made any New Year's resolutions this year?

Wayne:

Yes. I'm going to go on a diet and lose weight. My New Year's
resolution is to get into shape this year. What about you, Frank?

Frank:

Well, I just got a new computer, so my New Year's resolution isto learn how to use the Internet.

Wayne:

Hey, that's a great idea! There's so much information on theInternet. Once you learn how to use it, you'll be hooked.

Frank:

I know, I can't wait!

Wayne:

Mmm… are those Patricia's homemade cookies I smell?

Frank:

Yeah… I think she just took a fresh batch out of the oven.

Wayne:

They smell delicious! I'm going to get some!

Frank:

Hey! What about your New Year's resolution to go on a diet andlose weigh?

Wayne:

Ah… well… I guess I'll start my New Year's resolution
tomorrow. Those cookies smell too good to refuse!

Discussion Questions…
1.

What is Wayne’s New Year’s resolution?

2.

What is Frank’s New Year’s resolution?

3.

Do you think Wayne will keep his New Year’s resolution? Why orwhy not?

4.

Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution?

5.

a.

If so, what was it? Did you keep it all year, or did you breakit?

b.

What would be a good New Year’s resolution for you, for2006?

What do you usually do on New Year’s Day?