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English with Ally
Welcome to English with Ally!
I'll take you on a journey of language learning and cultural discovery! Each episode is designed to help you improve your English while exploring the traditions, culture and everyday life that make English-speaking countries unique.
From festive fun to fascinating customs, you’ll learn the language and discover the culture – one story at a time.
In season 1, we'll take a look at Christmas customs over 24 episodes exploring the secular and religious traditions of this Christian celebration.
So sit back and enjoy a backstage pass to English culture and language!
English with Ally
Santa Says: Let’s Play Some Christmas Games
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Hello and welcome back to English with Ally!
I’m Ally, and you’re listening to one of 24 episodes I’m making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a little listening practice.
Today I'm talking about something that brings laughter and fun to Christmas celebrations: Christmas games! These are activities families and friends play together during the holidays, and they’re a great way to make memories.
Vocabulary for Today
Listen out for these words:
- Charades – a game where you act out a word or phrase without speaking, and others guess what it is.
- To guess – to try to give the right answer without being sure.
- Trivia – questions about facts, often used in quiz games.
- Board game – a game played on a flat surface with pieces or cards.
See if you can hear them in this episode.
Christmas isn’t just about food and gifts—it’s about friends, family and fun! Many families play games after lunch or dinner to keep the festive spirit going. One popular game is charades, where you act out a song, book or movie title without speaking, and everyone tries to guess. It’s simple, and you don’t need any equipment—just imagination!
Another favourite is Christmas trivia. People prepare questions about holiday traditions, songs or history, and teams compete to see who knows the most. It’s a great way to learn something new while having fun.
Board games are also common. Classics like Monopoly or Scrabble often appear at Christmas because they bring everyone together around the table.
If you look on social media you'll see lots of ideas to have some competitive fun! These games aren’t just to pass the time —they’re a way to connect, laugh, and make Christmas feel special.
Do you play games at Christmas? Which one is your favourite? I love any silly team games, like pass the balloon!
You can get in touch by emailing helloenglishwithally[at]gmail.com—I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks for listening to English with Ally! If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend and subscribe for more cultural insights. Merry Christmas!
Learn the language, discover the culture.