Consejos para mejorar habilidades de lectura en inglés.

Si quieres mejorar tus habilidades de lectura en inglés, aquí hay algunos consejos que pueden ayudarte:

1- Comienza por leer en voz alta. Esto te ayudará a mejorar tu pronunciación y a comprender mejor lo que estás leyendo. Además, leer en voz alta te permite ir más lento y detenerte en palabras o frases que no entiendas.

2- Elige textos que sean adecuados para tu nivel de inglés. No trates de leer algo que esté por encima de tus habilidades, ya que esto puede frustrarte y desanimarte. En su lugar, elige textos que sean desafiantes pero asequibles, y que te interesen.

3- Utiliza un diccionario o una aplicación de traducción para ayudarte con las palabras que no entiendas. No te sientas mal si tienes que buscar muchas palabras; esto es normal al principio. Con el tiempo, te darás cuenta de que conoces más y más palabras y que necesitas consultar el diccionario con menos frecuencia.

4- Practica la lectura en inglés todos los días, si es posible. Dedica unos minutos al día a leer en inglés, ya sea un libro, un periódico o un artículo en línea. Esto te ayudará a mantener tus habilidades de lectura en forma y a mejorar constantemente.

5- Haz un seguimiento de tus progresos. Ten un diario o una hoja de cálculo donde registres lo que lees y cuánto tiempo le dedicas a la lectura en inglés cada día. Esto te ayudará a ver tus progresos y a mantenerte motivado.

En resumen, mejorar tus habilidades de lectura en inglés requiere práctica y dedicación. Pero si sigues estos consejos y te comprometes a practicar regularmente, te darás cuenta de que tus habilidades de lectura mejoran con el tiempo. ¡Buena suerte!

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International Animal Rights Day - 10 December

International Human Rights Day is celebrated on 10 December, but since 1997, various animal protection organisations and associations have also been celebrating International Animal Rights Day.

Events are held in many cities around the world to raise awareness and reflect on the respect that should be shown to all beings on the planet, thus giving value to Mahatma Gandhi's famous phrase when he said that a country or civilisation can be judged on the way it treats its animals.

Universal Declaration of Animal Rights

But animals not only have their international day, they also have a Universal Declaration of Animal Rights.

It was the International League for Animal Rights that proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights on 15 October 1978. However, there is still a lot of work to be done for this declaration to be accepted on a global level.

The 14 articles that make up this Universal Declaration can be summarised in four basic rights: life, liberty, freedom from pain, and freedom from being considered property.

Yet these rights are violated every day all over the world. Animals are considered as a mere resource at the service of human beings, and this is fuelled by the consumerist concept of our society.

There are more ethical alternatives to meet human needs for food, clothing, health and hygiene and even leisure. And there is a need for a change of consciousness to ensure that animal rights are respected.

Things consumers can do for animal welfare

Although in most cases it is the production companies that practice animal abuse in their production chain, the final consumers are the ones who have the last word, because if there were no demand for certain products, the market would disappear.

Here are some things you can do for animal welfare:

• Avoid consuming eggs and meat from farms where animals are overcrowded and in poor conditions.
• Avoid wearing animal-derived fur garments.
• Avoid using cosmetics and make-up products that do not respect animal welfare.
• Do not attend shows that practise cruelty to animals.
• Fight against the abandonment of pets.
• Do not buy animals in shops but opt for adoption.

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The Witty Ant - Thought Stories

Recursos Educativos en Inglés - Stories in English - Cuentos en inglés

Children's stories - The Witty Ant

The ants were collecting food near a stream and, almost without time to react, the water level began to rise rapidly due to the thaw caused by the high temperatures that spring. While most of the insects abandoned what they were carrying and fled in a hurry, one ant carrying a straw six times its size continued its work.

Suddenly, the whole group was trapped in front of a large crevice that was impossible to jump over. But our little ant stopped and skilfully placed the straw, supported at the ends, over the chasm. In this way, all her friends were able to cross the chasm and saved their lives.

The ant was able to turn the heavy load into a bridge and was thus able to continue his journey. In the same way, many people show us every day that the problems and trials they face can become stepping stones to success in life.

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Homemade Roscón de Reyes recipe step by step 👑

Cooking recipes - Desserts - How to make Roscón de Reyes?

Ingredients

• 650 g of strong flour
• 250 ml warm milk
• 25-30 g fresh yeast
• 120 g sugar
• 120 g melted butter
• 2 eggs and 1 egg yolk
• 10 g salt
• 2 and 1/2 tablespoons orange blossom water
• Grated zest of 1 large lemon and 1 orange

To decorate:

• candied fruit to taste
• Sugar
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 orange
• Bakeable figures

How to make Roscón de Reyes

First mix a little of the 250 ml of warm milk with 2 or 3 spoonfuls of the strong flour. Add 25-30 g of crumbled fresh yeast and stir everything together. Cover and leave to rise for 15-20 minutes in a warm place to ferment.

Once the starter dough has fermented, add the rest of the flour to a large bowl and gradually add the rest of the ingredients: sugar, lemon and orange zest, salt, milk, 2 eggs, sugar, the starter dough we had in another container fermenting, orange blossom water and finally the melted butter or margarine. Stir until the dough is homogeneous.

Flour a smooth surface and knead for a few minutes with your hands. If necessary, add a little more flour to be able to work the dough well. Shape the dough into a ball, and once well kneaded, keep it in an airtight container or covered with one or two damp cloths for a couple of hours in a warm, draught-free place.

After a couple of hours the dough should have doubled in size. Take it out of the bowl and knead it again on a smooth, floured surface, and little by little we shape it into our roscón. With this dough we have made two roscones, one larger and one smaller, but you can make one larger one or two medium-sized ones. If we are going to make two roscones, we separate the dough and knead each one, shaping it and making the hole with our fingers. The hole will become smaller when baked, so it is advisable to make it large. We must let them rest again for about an hour well covered and in a warm place, a good trick is to turn on the oven previously at 50°C and turn it off, and put the roscones in the oven turned off so that they stay warm.

Finally, we can paint our roscones with egg, and decorate them as we like, for example with candied fruit, candied oranges, flaked almonds, icing sugar, or whatever we prefer. If we want to add a figurine, this is the moment to hide it well inside the dough.

Once we have our roscon de reyes decorated, we put them in the oven preheated to 18o°C for about 20 minutes, if we have a small roscón, it will probably be ready after 15 minutes. We take them out, let them cool a little and if we like, we can cut them in half and fill them with cream, truffle or our favourite filling.

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Italian Panettone Recipe 🤤🎄

Cooking recipes - Desserts - How to make Italian Panettone?

Ingredients :

Starter dough :

• 1/2 glass of lukewarm water
• 25 g fresh baker's yeast
• 100 g strong flour
• 50 g sugar
• 1 egg yolk

Dough :

• 400 g of strong flour
• 150 g sugar
• 200 g butter
• 200 ml of whipping cream
• 3 egg yolks
• Candied fruit
• Orange blossom water
• Disposable Panettone mould, or removable baking mould.

How to make panettone or Italian sweet bread

Preparation Panettone dough

First rising

1. Put the warm water in which you dissolve the fresh yeast in a bowl, add 100 g of strong flour, 50 g of sugar and 1 egg yolk.
2. Mix and leave to stand for a couple of hours.

Second rising

1. Put the flour, butter or soft margarine, egg yolks and cream in a large bowl.
2. Mix well.
3. Add the chopped fruit and the reserved starter dough.
4. Mix everything well, if you have a dough mixer you can do it with it.
5. Cover the dough with a clean cloth and leave to rest.

Third rising

1. We put this dough in the moulds and let the dough ferment a third time, if you want you can speed up this last step by putting the moulds in the oven at 50ºC until they rise.

Baking the panettone

1. Once they have risen, brush them with beaten egg and bake at 180ºC for about 30 minutes.
2. Leave to cool and sprinkle with icing sugar.

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Recipe for homemade marzipan 🤤🎄

Cooking recipes - Desserts - How to make Recipe for homemade marzipan?

Do you want to know how to prepare marzipan, one of the most typical Christmas sweets?... A fairly simple recipe that children can help you with.

Marzipan recipe

Ingredients

• 250 g peeled and ground raw almonds
• 120 g icing sugar
• 40 ml water
• 1 lemon

How to make homemade marzipan

1. In a saucepan, dissolve the sugar in the water over a low heat until it becomes a syrup. Remove from the heat and add the almonds, a teaspoon of lemon zest and a tablespoon of the strained lemon juice. Mix very well until a homogeneous mass is formed and leave to cool for a couple of hours.
2. With the help of a spoon, take small portions and mould with your hands to create the marzipan figures you want. The children will have a great time doing this, because it's like playing with plasticine.
3. Place them on a baking tray covered with baking paper, and glaze them with sugar water and a paintbrush to give them that special toasted colour that marzipan has on the top. Grill for a few minutes until lightly browned.
4. Let them cool again before picking them up, as they will be softer and the shapes may break.

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Oreo truffles recipe 🤤

Cooking recipes - Desserts - How to make Oreo truffles recipe?

Oreo truffles recipe

Ingredients

• 1 packet of Oreo biscuits
• 1 jar of cream cheese (Philadelphia type)
• Chocolate couverture
• White couverture chocolate

How to make Oreo truffles

1. Take the packet of Oreo biscuits and crush them in a bowl. It may help if you give them a few solid bumps before taking them out of the packet.
2. Once the biscuits are crushed, beat the cream cheese in a bowl until very creamy and mix it with the crushed biscuits.
   Form into balls and chill in the fridge until solid.
3. Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in a suitable bowl.
4. One and a half minutes should be enough. In another bowl melt the dark chocolate and butter for another minute and a half and then mix well.
5. Dip the truffles in the chocolate by rolling them around in them. You can make them out of different chocolates and decorate with the opposite using a syringe. Decorate with pieces of marzipan as in the picture. Place on a tray and put in the fridge to cool.

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Human Rights Day - 10 December

Human Rights Day is celebrated on 10 December, coinciding with the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted in 1948.

It was two years after the adoption, in 1950, that the General Assembly proclaimed 10 December as Human Rights Day.

Moreover, 1968 was declared the International Year of Human Rights.

What are human rights?

Human rights are inalienable rights that belong to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, language, religion, ethnic origin or any other condition.

Currently there is a list of human rights created by the United Nations, which defends the right to life, freedom, education, work and many others, which must be respected without any discrimination whatsoever.

How to celebrate Human Rights Day?

You, me and all beings living on this planet have universal human rights and this was possible because a group of people, working together for years in the United Nations Assemblies, managed to make possible a dream that would benefit all citizens of the world.

Today we enjoy a list based on 30 articles that are written in one of the most emblematic documents for all humanity and that has meant a great victory for progress, freedom and peace for all peoples.

It is everyone's responsibility to work for a better society, our small grain of sand can make a difference, so let's take advantage of this date to contribute in some way, either by publishing some informative material on this interesting topic in the different social networks. Your opinion also counts and don't forget to include the hashtag #HumanRightsDay.

Human Rights Day

To be celebrated: 10 December 2022
Proclaims: ONU
Since when: 1950

Slogan 2022: Dignity, freedom and justice for all

This is the slogan for the 2022 campaign, a year-long campaign to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2023.

The aim of the campaign is to raise public awareness of the Declaration and the activism associated with it, in order to address the world's most pressing problems.

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Carol of the Bells - Christmas Song For Kids

Canciones para Niños en Inglés: Navidad - Songs for Children in English: Christmas

Carol of the Bells - Christmas Song For Kids - Letra y vídeo

Hark how the bells,
Sweet silver bells,
All seem to say,
"Throw cares away!"

Christmas is here,
Bringing good cheer,
To young and old,
Meek and the bold.

Ding dong ding dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling.

One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
From ev'rywhere
Filling the air.

O, how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O'er hill and dale,
Telling their tale.

Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here.

Merry, Merry, Merry,
Merry Christmas!
Merry, Merry, Merry,
Merry Christmas!

Onward they send,
On without end,
Their joyful tone
To ev'ry home:

Hark! How the bells,
Sweet silver bells,
All seem to say,
"Throw cares away!"

Christmas is here,
Bringing good cheer,
To young and old,
Meek and the bold.

Ding-dong, ding-dong!
That is their song
With joyful ring,
All caroling.

One seems to hear,
Words of good cheer,
From ev'rywhere,
Filling the air.

O how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O'er hill and dale,
Telling their tale.

Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here!

Merry, Merry, Merry,
Merry Christmas!
Merry, Merry, Merry,
Merry Christmas!

Onward they send,
On without end,
Their joyful tone
To ev'ry home.

• Canciones para niños en inglés para Navidad. Ideales para favorecer el aprendizaje del idioma, adquirir vocabulario, practicar la pronunciación, etc.

🎅🎄 Más Canciones y villancicos infantiles en inglés - Children's Christmas Song

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Deck The Halls - Christmas Song For Kids

Canciones para Niños en Inglés: Navidad - Songs for Children in English: Christmas

Deck The Halls - Christmas Song For Kids - Letra y vídeo

Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
'Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel
Troll the ancient Christmas carol,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
See the blazing yule before us,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure,
While I tell of Christmas treasure,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Sing we joyous all together,
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la la la la la.

• Canciones para niños en inglés para Navidad. Ideales para favorecer el aprendizaje del idioma, adquirir vocabulario, practicar la pronunciación, etc.

🎅🎄 Más Canciones y villancicos infantiles en inglés - Children's Christmas Song

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O Little Town of Bethlehem - Christmas Song For Kids

Canciones para Niños en Inglés: Navidad - Songs for Children in English: Christmas

O Little Town of Bethlehem - Christmas Song For Kids - Letra y vídeo

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary,
And, gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wond'ring love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heav'n.
No ear may hear his coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.

• Canciones para niños en inglés para Navidad. Ideales para favorecer el aprendizaje del idioma, adquirir vocabulario, practicar la pronunciación, etc.

🎅🎄 Más Canciones y villancicos infantiles en inglés - Children's Christmas Song

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Good King Wenceslas - Christmas Song For Kids

Canciones para Niños en Inglés: Navidad - Songs for Children in English: Christmas

Good King Wenceslas - Christmas Song For Kids - Letra y vídeo

Good King Wenceslas looked out, on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even;
Brightly shone the moon that night, tho' the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gath'ring winter fuel.

"Hither, page, and stand by me, if thou know'st it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain;
Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes' fountain."

"Bring me flesh, and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither:
Thou and I shall see him dine, when we bear them thither. "
Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together;
Through the rude wind's wild lament and the bitter weather.

"Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger;
Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, good my page. Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage freeze thy blood less coldly."

In his master's steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing.

• Canciones para niños en inglés para Navidad. Ideales para favorecer el aprendizaje del idioma, adquirir vocabulario, practicar la pronunciación, etc.

🎅🎄 Más Canciones y villancicos infantiles en inglés - Children's Christmas Song

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We Three Kings - Christmas Song For Kids

Canciones para Niños en Inglés: Navidad - Songs for Children in English: Christmas

We Three Kings - Christmas Song For Kids - Letra y vídeo

We Three Kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain,
Moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

O Star of wonder, Star of night,
Star with Royal Beauty bright,
Westward leading.
Still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect Light.
Born a king on Bethlehem plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again;
King forever,
Ceasing never
Over us all to reign.
O Star of wonder....
Frankincense to offer have I,
Incense owns a deity nigh;
Prayer and praising
All men raising,
Worship Him God on high.
O Star of wonder....
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing,
Bleeding, dying,
Sealed in a stone-cold tomb.
O Star of wonder....[Pg 41]
Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God, and Sacrifice;
Heav’n sings Allelujah:
Allelujah,
The earth replies.

• Canciones para niños en inglés para Navidad. Ideales para favorecer el aprendizaje del idioma, adquirir vocabulario, practicar la pronunciación, etc.

🎅🎄 Más Canciones y villancicos infantiles en inglés - Children's Christmas Song

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December - Dibujos Meses del año para Colorear en Inglés

Recursos Educativos en inglés - Coloring Pages Months of the Year

Láminas para Colorear en Inglés
Meses del año

12. December - Diciembre

Para Imprimir la lámina, se recomienda, guardarla primero en el PC.

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Angels We Have Heard on High - Christmas Song For Kids

Canciones para Niños en Inglés: Navidad - Songs for Children in English: Christmas

Angels We Have Heard on High - Christmas Song For Kids - Letra y vídeo

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plain
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be?
Which inspire your heavenly songs?

Gloria

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria

See Him in a manger laid,
Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior's birth.

Gloria

• Canciones para niños en inglés para Navidad. Ideales para favorecer el aprendizaje del idioma, adquirir vocabulario, practicar la pronunciación, etc.

🎅🎄 Más Canciones y villancicos infantiles en inglés - Children's Christmas Song

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Song for the New Year - Eliza Cook - Christmas Poems

Recursos Educativos en Inglés - Poems in English - Christmas Poems

Song for the New Year by Eliza Cook - Poesías en inglés Navidad

Old Time has turned another page
Of eternity and truth;
He reads with a warning voice to age,
And whispers a lesson to youth.
A year has fled o’er heart and head
Since last the yule log burnt;
And we have a task to closely ask,
What the bosom and brain have learnt?
Oh! let us hope that our sands have run
With wisdom’s precious grains;
Oh! may we find that our hands have done
Some work of glorious pains.
Then a welcome and cheer to the merry new year,
While the holly gleams above us;
With a pardon for the foes who hate,
And a prayer for those who love us.

We may have seen some loved ones pass
To the land of hallow’d rest;
We may miss the glow of an honest brow
And the warmth of a friendly breast:
But if we nursed them while on earth,
With hearts all true and kind,
Will their spirits blame the sinless mirth
Of those true hearts left behind?
No, no! it were not well or wise
To mourn with endless pain;
There’s a better world beyond the skies,
Where the good shall meet again.
Then a welcome and cheer to the merry new year,
While the holly gleams above us;
With a pardon for the foes who hate,
And a prayer for those who love us.

Have our days rolled on serenely free
From sorrow’s dim alloy?
Do we still possess the gifts that bless
And fill our souls with joy?
Are the creatures dear still clinging near?
Do we hear loved voices come?
Do we gaze on eyes whose glances shed
A halo round our home?
Oh, if we do, let thanks be pour’d
To Him who hath spared and given,
And forget not o’er the festive board
The mercies held from heaven.
Then a welcome and cheer to the merry new year,
While the holly gleams above us;
With a pardon for the foes who hate,
And a prayer for those who love us.

🔆 Read more Christmas Poems 

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Advent: 24 easy Christmas activities 🎄

From the end of November onwards, the playgrounds are abuzz with excitement. As the big Christmas Eve approaches, the excitement builds and builds and builds. Here are some suggestions, one per day, to ease your children's wait and share their fun.

1 December: buying the tree

Christmas means a tree! Let's start here. Young and old go on an expedition to find THE tree. Did you know that this tradition was born in Alsace in the 16th century? Mini fir, large fir, frosted fir, natural or artificial, there is something for every taste and price. You can even adopt a tree, have it delivered, enjoy it and return it. So how do you choose the perfect Christmas tree?

2 December: decorating the tree

Put the tree in the middle of the living room and let your children decorate it as they please. Homemade wonders, angel hair, glittering balls, figurines... It takes at least two hours to make it more beautiful than ever. To inspire you, magicmaman has selected the most beautiful Christmas trees on Pinterest.Banish candles, too dangerous, and only light the garlands of light in your presence because of possible short-circuits.

3 December: Letter to Santa

Get out the paper, pencils and all the toy ideas you've collected over the past few weeks! Draw out with your child the ideas that interest him. This is the time to gently guide his choices: is he sure to have fun with this board game? And what about that stuffed toy? And what about that doll? Once the letter to Santa is finished, put it in the letterbox. Every year, the Post Office receives thousands of letters addressed to "Santa in the sky"... and replies to them, so let your child discover Santa reading his mail! In a few days, your child will receive a card from Father Christmas.

4 December: Christmas songs

Why not learn one or two songs that you will enjoy singing with your family on 25 December? ⇒ Villancicos en Inglés - Christmas Songs

5 December: Christmas customs

Describe to your children some of the Christmas customs of foreign countries? In France, we put our shoes in the fireplace, but elsewhere? In England, we hang all the Christmas cards we receive on the walls. In Germany, we eat roast goose with red cabbage and apples. In Ireland, they leave a glass of whisky for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. In Iceland, the disobedient child will find a potato in his shoe...

6 December: the Christmas primer

What if we invented the "Christmas alphabet" game? A for tree or angel, B for ball, C for presents, turkey (Christmas!), shooting star, foliage, garland, holly, illumination, toy... We'll let you guess what happens next. The one who finds the most names wins. To be adapted to the age of your children.

7 December: generosity

Thinking of the most disadvantaged is also the meaning of this holiday. Help your children sort through their toys and donate some.

8 December: the decoration workshop

You have the afternoon ahead of you. Why not start thinking about decorating the tree. Sit your children around a large table and let them create wonders. Think of pine cones sprayed with gold paint.

9 December: Photo with Santa

Father Christmases invade the streets, we don't know where to turn... It's time to have your photo taken with him to keep a nice souvenir of this year's festivities. We pose as a family and why not everyone in a row... Then, we paste the photos in a small notebook. What a pleasure to see him the following year!

10 December: gifts for the ones you love

Gifts are always nice, and gifts from the heart even more so. The little ones don't need money to make them and everyone will find something to make: a drawing for the nanny, a pearl bracelet for the big sister...

11 December: Previous Christmases

Back in time, we try to remember previous Christmases. What was the menu? How was the log? What kind of presents did we get? How was the tree decorated? It's fun to look at the old photos taken around the fireplace... From one year to the next, the children note all the changes!

12 December: the birds

The cold weather has arrived and the birds are not happy to find their food. Show your children how to help them by putting some butter, an apple or some biscuits on the windowsill. They can also build a wooden feeder on the balcony with your help.

13 December: animated shop windows

As Christmas and the festive season approaches, the shop windows make their appearance. Each one is as sparkling and wonderful as the next, and young and old alike can't get enough of them. It is the occasion to walk around and admire the windows and decorations in the street. Ask your children to give their opinion: the most beautiful window display, the funniest or the most tender. Finally, let off steam on the ugliest one! Let yourself be amazed by the magic of Christmas.

14 December: the Christmas truce

We declare "the Christmas truce": no arguments, the rooms are tidied up and we go to bed without a fuss... This holiday is well worth a twenty-four hour effort of wisdom. And why not more...

15 December: a greeting card

Every year it's the same headache to find a nice card, an original idea or to avoid writing the same sentences as in previous years, but it's always a pleasure! Grandparents who can no longer travel, an uncle abroad, a godmother confined to bed with a nasty flu, a boyfriend who has just moved away... This is the time to wish them a happy holiday and to tell them that we love them and are thinking of them. It is also a time to write your wishes for the new year and to convey positive feelings, hope and joy. To celebrate this new year, you can take your best pen to write a few words or your coloured pencils to draw or colour a Santa Claus. You can also model a heart, a tree, a star in salt dough, then paint them. They will be sensitive to this gesture.

16 December: a show or a film

The big day is approaching and your children are getting more and more impatient. Why not take them to a show: concert, cinema, theatre or puppet show? There are plenty of possibilities during the Christmas period. Ask around, there's sure to be an event or show in your town that you won't want to miss.

17 December: a little imagination

Today, let your imagination run wild. Do the children really know who Father Christmas is? Let them embroider and invent his life as they wish... Just ask them the right questions: Where does he live? Does he have a wife? Does he really come down the chimney? Can his sleigh and reindeer fly?

18 December: a walk in the forest

Let's go for a walk in the forest! The day's harvest (branches, pine cones...) painted in gold or silver will be perfect to give the house a festive look.

19 December: the start of the holidays

If your children are in school, this is the beginning of the holidays, which means the beginning of the party. It's time to sing all the lovely nursery rhymes learnt in class and to look at all the beautiful drawings of Father Christmas, sleighs and presents in the notebooks with the family. And why not end the evening by reading a nice Christmas story?

20 December: Christmas crib

A Christmas crib with real characters is a beautiful and emotional spectacle.

21 December: Christmas from your childhood

Tell your children about your own Christmas... when you were little. It's even better if their grandparents do it. Your imps will be very surprised to know that in those days (not so long ago after all!), the Christmas trees were not overflowing with toys as they are today. They will also understand more easily the link between generations.

22 December: choosing an outfit

What do you wear on the big day? You may have already done some shopping, but if not, the whole family will be looking for the nicest outfits in their wardrobes. The children even have a look at their mother's outfit! There is still time to buy the missing ribbon or the pair of socks to match the shirt...

23 December: Christmas shortbread

It smells good in the house. Disguised fruits, logs, shortbread... Children take over the kitchen and turn into little chefs... Tell them about the American custom of giving homemade cupcakes to neighbours.

24 December: preparing the table

The excitement is at its peak and the Christmas story is also about preparing the table. It is important to have a beautiful Christmas table when you receive your family. Preparing and setting the table together for tonight's guests is a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to bond. If you're short on ideas, keep it simple without breaking the bank - it's best to be manual, your decorations will never look as good as the product of your own hands. Then ask your child to paint the pine cones together in gold or silver, glue the glitter on the candles and make the Christmas candle holders from salt dough. When finished, put the shoes in the fireplace and go to bed! Who will hear Father Christmas putting the presents under the tree?

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How do you survive the Christmas holidays as a family?

A family reunion should be a pleasant moment of reunion between the generations... Yes, but a few grains of sand sometimes get in the way of conviviality. Follow our expert's advice to ensure that sharing and exchange between your loved ones is a success.

Christmas Eve is just around the corner, and you've probably already decided where you're going to spend the evening. Whether you're the person designated to host the whole family, or whether you prefer to meet at your parents' or grandparents' house, this time of sharing and happiness is sometimes associated with a lot of stress.

Strained family relationships, elderly people to look after, children to look after, teenagers to reason with... it is not always easy to bring together people of different generations, whose expectations for New Year's Eve dinner are not quite the same. How can we manage each age group and ensure a good evening for the whole family?

Smoothing out family tensions

Can't your uncle see your mother-in-law? Do old stories tend to resurface and reopen the debate whenever the family is together? There are solutions.

1. "You can try to establish a Christmas truce, a sort of family pact where each person commits, in writing or verbally, not to give vent to nastiness during the holidays."
2. Does your cousin have a tendency to shout whenever she talks about something that moves her? Put earplugs in your ears, hidden by your hair, to put some distance between them.
3. If you're worried you won't be able to cope with comments made about you, "don't hesitate to take many breaks to isolate yourself in the kitchen or bathroom, then take a deep breath to relieve the pressure.
4. If someone is talking to you about an unpleasant and sensitive subject, look away and take action by clearing your plate, for example. Finally, try to stay close, physically, to the people you like the most.

Managing children

Their eyes are full of stars, and their excitement is sometimes overwhelming. To help children have a good time, play with them in the first half of the evening. This is the time to get out the board games and play a game together. You can also ask them to help prepare a simple dessert in the kitchen, to keep them occupied and valued. You can then put them to bed at 9.30pm without forcing them to hold out, on edge, until midnight. In this way, tantrums and fatigue are avoided.

Giving teenagers space

Christmas Eve is supposed to be a fun time, but teenagers don't always see it that way. Think about talking to them before the party to understand what their expectations are. Depending on the situation, make sure there is something for everyone. In some cases, teenagers can have dinner at a separate table, and at a different time, and then come back to have dessert with the rest of the family. Give them space and don't force them. They have the right to isolate themselves if that's what they need to escape the tensions too.

Respecting family elders

Depending on their state of health, and the general situation, it is important to respect the elders of the family and give them the importance they deserve. Older people like to feel life around them, to be at the centre of everything. If they are healthy, they can play with the children, and help each other. Sometimes these people need special attention, a scrupulous respect for dinner and bedtimes... you have to adapt.

Creating the right atmosphere

To ensure the right atmosphere when you receive your family at home, show them that you have put your heart into it: a few decorative elements, some light, a little music... all these small details contribute to the success of the evening. A simple effort in clothing and decoration may not seem necessary, but it is. Paying attention to the food and drink tastes of each guest is also important.

The aim is also to have fun, you shouldn't put yourself through too much work, we're not here to suffer. With a little organisation, every member of the family can enjoy the magic of Christmas.

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Thanksgiving in an American family, in the United States

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in some countries around the world, mainly in North America: Canada, the United States, but also in Liberia. It takes place on different dates in different countries. The most important celebration is the American version, as it is celebrated and expected by the whole population.

A historical origin

Thanksgiving dates back to the autumn of 1621, when it was decided to celebrate the first harvest in Plymouth. These harvests would ensure the future of the colony.

English dissenters had disembarked from the Mayflower the previous winter. These Pilgrim Fathers founded the colony of Plymouth, Massachusetts. The first winter was terrible. Scurvy, cold and hunger killed half of them.

In the spring, Indians from the Wampanoag tribe offered them food. They taught them how to fend for themselves and the art of fishing and hunting. They showed them how to grow and harvest corn. They showed them the virtues of certain plants and those to avoid. The pumpkin also played an important role during the winter.

Thus, during the first harvest in 1621, three days were dedicated to Thanksgiving. The Indians were invited to come and share a meal in gratitude for their help. Wild turkeys, unknown to the settlers at the time, were offered and eaten, as well as game.

For some, the origin to be considered dates back to 1623. In that year, a day of prayer and fasting was declared because of the drought. A few days later, rain fell and saved the crops. A day of thanksgiving was declared at the end of November.

Since then, several Thanksgiving Days have been declared. It was declared a national day in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln. The last Thursday in November was chosen as the date for this holiday. Franklin Delano Roosevelt changed the date to the fourth Thursday in November in 1939. It was not until 1941 that Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday.

Turkey, queen of the day

Thanksgiving is one of the most important holidays of the year. Great parades take place on this day, especially in New York: the Macy's department stores', for example, organises a large 3-hour parade with customised floats and artists. On this day, all American families gather for a big traditional family meal at home. This big meal is also offered to American soldiers based abroad.

The turkey is the queen of the feast, and the main dish. It is stuffed with chestnuts, apples, oysters or sausages, for example. It is usually accompanied by mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes or a squash gratin. Green beans and corn are also on the menu. A cranberry sauce is added to the mix. The famous pumpkin pie closes the meal.

Since 1989, a more folkloric tradition has emerged: the President of the United States must pardon a turkey in front of journalists on the eve of Thanksgiving.

Departure for Christmas

This time of year is a time for giving and charity. Many meals are served to the homeless by both anonymous people and celebrities. Associations distribute millions of frozen turkeys to disadvantaged families.

Many masses and prayers punctuate this day. They are said to give thanks for the blessings received throughout the year.

The day after Thanksgiving is also a special day. This Friday, known as "The Black Friday", is the occasion of major sales in practically all shops. It marks the start of the Christmas shopping season.

This period is ideal for a language stay in an English-speaking country. It allows you to immerse yourself in the daily life of an American family, and to better understand the culture by participating in the most important holiday of the year.

It is also an opportunity to taste the specific cuisine of Thanksgiving.

Some anecdotes

Americans travel the most at this time, by plane or by car. Indeed, they come from all over the United States or elsewhere to be with their families. Friends are also welcome around the table. It is very important for them to be together on this day.

Many Americans eat turkey on this day. Thanksgiving is therefore also called "The Turkey Day".

Different regions have different side dishes. In the north-east of the country, maple syrup is used to coat the turkey. In Baltimore, sauerkraut is a must, in memory of its German origins. Cornbread with oysters comes from the south-east of the USA.

The same applies to desserts. Pecan pie replaces pumpkin pie in Georgia. Sweet potato pie is a staple on North Carolina tables.

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