Merry Christmas ESL lesson thumbnail
Book 0C · Unit 19Starter · Ages 4–6

Merry Christmas

This Christmas wishes ESL lesson practises festive vocabulary and 'I want... for Christmas.' Children sing, make a present-box card and guess hidden gifts from sound and movement. They decorate a paper tree, hunt for ornaments and give a short tree tour describing the presents underneath.

7-day trial · Card required · €0 today · Cancel before renewal

Lesson format

2 × 45 minutes

Level

Starter

Age group

Ages 4–6

Main focus

Speaking first

What students will learn

• Express gift wishes using 'I want...'
• Recognise festive vocabulary
• Make a present craft
• Use Christmas vocabulary in context
• Decorate a paper tree
• Build vocabulary through songs and games

Lesson flow

Children sing a Christmas wishing song, build a present-box card writing 'I want a ___ for Christmas!', and play a gift-guessing shaking game. The second lesson decorates a paper Christmas tree with ornaments and gifts, hunts for hidden paper ornaments saying 'I found a star!', and listens to a short Santa story, finishing with a tree tour and a big 'Merry Christmas!' cheer.

Target language

  • • 'I want ___ for Christmas'
  • • 'It's a ___'
  • • 'Merry Christmas!'
  • • Christmas vocabulary

Key vocabulary

  • Santa
  • Christmas
  • present
  • tree
  • reindeer
  • snowman
  • carol
  • bells
  • gift
  • chimney

Speaking questions students answer

  • • What do you want for Christmas?
  • • What's under the tree?
  • • What did you find?
  • • Is it a gift?
  • • What do you say to Santa?

Recommended teaching contexts

• Starter ESL and EFL classes• Ages 4–6• Primary school classrooms• Language schools• Private and small-group lessons• Teaching holidays vocabulary• Pair and whole-class speaking• Interactive whiteboards and online teaching

Why this lesson works

The lesson follows a clear progression: Say 'I want ___ for Christmas' with a present craft, guess gifts in a box-shaking game, decorate a Christmas tree and describe it. Teachers can open the materials and start immediately, while students move from supported vocabulary practice to purposeful spoken English.

This lesson includes

• Interactive lesson slides
• Teacher guide
• Printable worksheets
• Speaking practice: "What do you want for Christmas?"
• Classroom games
• Videos
• Vocabulary practice
• Pair work
• Extension activities

More Holidays lessons