Here are some suggested activities to dip into for a Christmas themed CST Group.
Start the session by pulling a Christmas cracker together and putting on the hats.
DISCUSSION TOPICS
Ask members the following questions, to promote discuss and recall.
- Things you most like about Christmas?
- The best or most memorable Christmas you ever had?
- The best Christmas present you ever got?
- The best Christmas present you ever gave?
- Does anyone have any New Year’s resolutions?
IDIOMS
Ask members to complete the following phrases ...
Jesus Mary and - JOSEPH
Away in a - MANGER
Three wise - MEN
The holly and the - IVY
Mulled - WINE
Underneath the - MISTLETOE
Good King - WENCESLAS
Rudolf the red nose - REINDEER
Robin - REDBREAST
Father - CHRISTMAS
Santa - CLAUS
Jack - FROST
Snow - FLAKE, BALL
White - CHRISTMAS
Ebenezer - SCROOGE
Advent - CALENDAR, CANDLE
Carol - SERVICE
Nativity - PLAY
Midnight - MASS
Cranberry - SAUCE
Sage and onion - STUFFING
Brussels - SPROUTS
Mince - PIES
Chocolate - LOG
Jingle - BELLS
Fairy - LIGHTS
Wrapping - PAPER
Queen's - SPEECH
Christmas - TREE, DECORATIONS, CAROL, CRACKER, PRESENT, PUDDING, CAKE, EVE, DAY
Boxing - DAY
New year's - EVE, DAY, RESOLUTIONS
Auld Lang - SYNE
We wish you a merry - CHRISTMAS
(AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR)
SONG. Our first song, to get us in the right mood for the festive season is 'It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas', by Michael Buble - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUiHsJrRNGE
CHRISTMAS PAST
Next, discuss Christmas Past. Ask people to list things which remind them of Christmas. Here's a list to get things going:
IN THE RUN UP TO CHRISTMAS (ADVENT)
- Writing and receiving Christmas cards
- Posting letters to Santa
- Opening the Advent Calendar each day
- Decorating the Christmas tree, with tinsel and baubles
- Placing the angel on top of the tree
- Putting up the crib
- Making paper chain decorations
- Twisting crepe paper trimmings
- Putting up the fairy lights
- Christmas and New Year Radio Times
- Picking holly and ivy
- Making a Blue Peter Advent Lantern
- Carol singers coming to the door
- Nativity Play in school
- Carol Service
- Peeling shallots for pickled onions
- Making a Christmas cake
- Icing the Christmas cake and decorating it
- Baking mince pies
CHRISTMAS EVE
- Putting presents under the tree
- Putting the Christmas stocking at the foot of the bed
- Leaving a glass of milk and a minced pie for Father Christmas, and a carrot for Rudolph
- Carols from Kings
- Stuffing the turkey
- Excitement
- Counting the hours
- Praying for snow
- Not being able to sleep
- Midnight mass
CHRISTMAS DAY
- Early mornings, excited children
- Christmas breakfast
- Bucks fizz
- Opening presents
- Selection box
- Christmas Annual
- Christmas jumper
- Socks from Granny
- Laying the table
- Pulling Christmas crackers
- Turkey, ham hock and beef
- Pigs in blankets
- Lumpy gravy
- Cranberry sauce
- Sprouts, and their after effects
- Flaming Christmas pudding, with a sixpence inside
- Pulling the wishbone
- Queens Speech
- The Christmas film (maybe list some films which people have enjoyed over the holidays * see below)
- Morecombe and Wise Christmas Show
- Mince pies and Christmas cake
- Tangerines
- Nuts in a bowl and a nutcracker, which were always left over
- After Eights or a Chocolate Orange
- Tin of 'Family Circle' biscuits
- Tin of 'Quality Street'
- A cup of Christmas cheer, such as warmed Mulled Wine, Hot Butter Rum or Irish coffee
- Common tipples were Baby Cham, Mateus Rose, Black Tower, Blue Nun, Snowball, a glass of Sherry or Port or Cherry brandy
- Too much alcohol and food and everyone asleep after dinner
- A kiss under the mistletoe
BOXING DAY
- Christmas sales
- Cold meats and pickles
- Bubble and squeak
- Turkey sandwiches for days afterwards
- Going to see the Christmas Pantomime
- Playing with games
- Resting
- Going to the races
NEW YEARS EVE
- Counting the seconds down to midnight
- Watching Jools Holland Hootenany
- Watching the fireworks display on The Thames
- Big Ben countdown
- Singing and dancing
- A kiss at midnight
- Champagne
- Auld Langs Syne
- New Years resolutions
- Dry January
MUSIC & PICTURE QUIZ
By way of celebration, here is a 'Christmas Picture Quiz' to use for a short CST group session, with some music suggestions thrown in. The quiz encourages facial recognition and recall, but mainly promotes reminiscence about Christmases past. Alternatively, you could use it for a family activity after Christmas dinner.
Happy Christmas to subscribers, followers and friends.
Nadolig Llawen
ROUND 1. Classic Christmas TV
1. Name the presenter?
What was the name of the children's TV show?
2. Name the TV show?
What song was associated with their TV show?
3. Name these two characters?
Name the TV drama?
4. Name the four characters?
Where (nearby) was the TV show set?
5. Name the TV show?
Name the characters?
6. Name the TV show?
Name the two characters?
7. Name the TV show?
Name the two characters?
8. SONG. 'Last Christmas', Wham - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI
Name the two artists?
ROUND 2. TV Chefs at Christmas
9. Name the two 'Great British Bake Off' presenters?
10. Name the TV chef?
Which football club is she ssociated with?
11. Name the TV chef?
What was her politician father's name?
12. Name the TV chef?
What was his first TV show?
13. Name this TV chef?
What was her husband's name?
14. Name these two TV chefs?
15. Name the TV cookery show?
What were their names?
16. SONG. 'Do They Know It's Christmas?', Band Aid - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjQzJAKxTrE
The charity was set up by which two pop stars?
ROUND 3. Famous Faces At Christmas Time
17. What is his name?
What is his partner's name?
18. What are their names?
Who is taking over from him in January?
19. What are their names?
20. What are the names of these TV presenters?
Which two ITV shows do they host together?
21. What is the name of this 'Classic FM' presenter?
What was his 1985 hit Christmas song?
22. Name these two TV presenters?
What show did they first star in together?
23. What are her three Christian names?
What are the names of her four main residences?
24. SONG. 'All I Want For Christmas Is You', Maria Carey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXQViqx6GMY
True or False, This 1994 song has just gone to Number 1 in the UK charts?
Round 5. Classic Christmas Films
25. Name the 1951 movie?
Name the actor?
26. Name the 1946 movie?
Starring which two actors pictured here?
27. Name the 1990 Christmas movie?
Where did the family go on holiday when they left Kevin at home?
28. Name the 2001 movie?
Name the actor?
29. Name the 2003 movie?
Name the actor?
30. Name the 2003 movie?
Name the two actors?
31. Who played the part of Kris Kingle in the 1994 movie version of 'Miracle On 34th Street?
What are the other names he has?
32. SONG. 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas', Judy Garland - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CreWsnhQwzY
What 1944 movie did this song feature in?
33. SONG. 'White Christmas', Bing Crosby - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S-IidmcSN8
The 1942 movie this 1953 remake was based on was called what?
What are the actors' names?
EXTRA TV ROUND
34. Name the TV show?
Name the actor comedian?
35. Name the TV presenter?
What was the TV show he hosted involving red boxes?
36. Name the TV show?
Name the two characters?
37. Name the TV show?
Name the actor and creator?
38. Name the TV drama?
Name the characters?
39. Name the TV show?
Name the Dame?
40. Name the TV show?