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