Intro

The Christmas season can be very hectic. People are running around buying this and that, baking holiday goodies, digging their cars out from under the snow.

Sometimes I get a bit wound up with all the hustle and bustle. That’s when I turn on the Christmas music and relax.

Listen to Kevin and Dave chat about Christmas tunes.

Dialogue

Dave: I got up this morning and was listening to National Public Radio for a while, but I thought, ’you know, it’s Christmas time, I need to feel a little bit more festive.’

Kevin: Oh, I don’t know how I feel about those stations.

Dave: Really? You don’t like Christmas music?

Kevin: Well, I like Christmas music, but I don’t know that I would just tune into a station. I mean, If I want to listen to it I’ll put on a CD.

Dave: Yeah, I don’t have any CDs, though. You know, I’m kind of a cheapskate like that.

Kevin: Well, we know that, I was in a friend’s car the other day and, sure enough, that’s what she put on. Oh, she was all excited.

Dave: See, I like it, though. Christmas music really cheers me up.

Kevin: It is, I mean, it is fun, it’s festive. You know, it, it’s nice to hear, but it’s not something I would tune into all day long.

Discussion

Christmas music reminds me of being young, shaking Christmas presents beneath the tree. One of my favorite songs as a child was the children’s version of “Jingle Bells.” It’s still very popular among children.

Jingle Bells(Children’s version)

Jingle bells, Batman smells

Robin laid an egg

Bat-mobile

Lost its wheel

And Joker got away—Hey!

Vocab

Festive

Adj. joyful, happy, having a positive feeling, seeming like a party

Examples

Our spring party is always one of the most festive parties of the year.

Tune into

Expr. Listen to, especially on a radio; pay attention or listen closely

Cheapskate

n. someone who doesn’t spend money  or does everyting cheaply

Examples

My dad is a cheapskate. For my birthday, he only gave me five bucks!

Hectic

Adj. Very busy; many things to do

Examples

Yesterday was so hectic. I had four meetings, a hair-cut appointment, and a date with my girlfriend.

Goodies

n. treats; candy, cookies, etc;gifts

Examples

Santa left us all kinds of goodies-candy bars and suckers.

Wound up

Adj. Stressed out or uptight

Examples

Geez, you’re so wound up. Let me give you a massage.

Hustle and bustle

Expr. Rushing around, really busy

Examples

I don’t miss the hustle and bustle of working in my old office.

National Public Radio

n. a non-profit radio station, similar to the BBC, also known as NPR

Examples

Did you hear the report on National Public Radio this morning?