Conversation Questions: Holidays

• When is the holiday celebrated?
• Is it celebrated as a family or a group?
  • Does your family celebrate this holiday?
  • Has your family always celebrated this holiday? If not, when did you start celebrating it?
• When does the celebration for this holiday generally start?
• Is it a religious holiday?
  • Which religion celebrates it?
  • Is attending a temple or a church on that day part of the celebration?
  • Are there specific prayers or blessings that go with the holiday?
• Are there special foods connected with the holiday?
  • Have you eaten any of these foods?
  • Do you or did you like the foods?
  • Can you make these foods? Are you good at making them?
• Is gift giving a part of this holiday?
  • Are there specific types of gifts to be given?
  • Who are they given to?
• What are some of the things that are done to show that this holiday is being observed?
• Is it strictly an American holiday?
  • When did Congress approve this holiday? Or did they?
  • Is it only a state or city approved holiday?
  • Has is ever been disapproved by officials?
• What does the holiday stand for? Why is this holiday celebrated?
• Are the banks, post offices or schools closed for this holiday?
• Is there is a person or god connected with the holiday?
  • Who are they and do you believe in them?
  • If you do not believe in these people or gods, does the celebration of these bother you in any way (e.g., ignored, dismissed, angry, etc.)?
• Do you enjoy the holiday?
  • Why or why not?
• Do you decorate the outside of your house for the holiday?
  • Do your neighbors decorate their house?
  • How is the house decorated?
  • Is the inside decorated? How?
• Are there special songs associated with the holiday?
  • Do you know the songs?
  • Can you sing some of them?
• Do schools, temples or churches have special programs for this holiday?
• Are there parties?
  • Are these for adults, children or both?
• Do you see your relatives during this holiday?
  • Who did you visit?
  • Do you visit them every year on this holiday?
• How many different nationalities or ethnic groups do you see celebrating this holiday?
• What do you usually do for this holiday?
  • What did you do last year?
  • What would you like to do next year?
• Are cards sent or given for this holiday?
  • Did you send any cards last year?
  • How many cards did you send?
  • Who did you send cards to?
• What traditional colors are associated with this holiday?
• Do you do something different during this holiday?
• Would you like to go on a cruise? Why or why not?
• Will you go back to the same place again?
• Have you ever entered a competition to win a holiday?
• Compare the experience of being a tourist with being an international student.
• Would you take a job where you had to travel at least once a month?
• In your opinion, what are the five most essential items to pack on any holiday?
• Is a 'working holiday' really a holiday?
• Who do you know that really needs a holiday, and why? Where should they go and what should they do?
• Compare caravan holidays with youth hostels.
• Compare camping in a tent with staying in a five star hotel.
• Compare traveling alone to traveling with a companion.
• Compare package tours with do-it-yourself tours.
• Do you think package holidays for pets is a good idea?
  • If so, what kind of tours and activities should they offer?
  • How much should they be?
  • Should dogs and cats be allowed to travel on the same tour?
• What holidays have disappeared in your country?
• What is your parent's favorite holiday?
• What new holiday are needed in your country?
• What holiday should be abolished?
• What are some of your fondest memories of Thanksgiving?
• What kind of traditional food do you eat for Thanksgiving?
• Where is the best place to be for the holidays?
• Do you think holidays are important? Why?
• What kinds of thing do you like to do on the holidays?
• Do you ever feel blue during the holidays? What do you do about it?
• Do you think pets need holidays? What kinds of holidays would we have for pets?
• What games do you play during your holidays?
• How many holidays do you have in your country?
• What special foods are associated with your favorite holiday?
• What special clothing/customs are associated with your favorite holiday?
• What is your favorite holiday memory? Tell us about it.
• Who is your favorite holiday character (e.g. Santa Claus)? Why?
• What are three holidays that you like to spend with your family?
• What is your worst holiday memory? Tell us about it.
• If you had a long holiday, what will you do with it?
• Do you like to stay up late on holidays?
• Who do you usually spend the holidays with?
• If a holiday falls on a Sunday, should you get another day off?
• What is best present you ever received?
• What is your favorite holiday food?
• What is your favorite holiday song?
• Does it bother you that some holidays are religious and some are not?
• Do you celebrate holidays differently now than you did when you were a child?
• What is your favorite holiday festival in your country?
• Do you light off fireworks on New Years Eve in your country?
• If you could visit any other country during Christmas, where would you go?
• What holiday is the most dangerous in your country?
• What holiday is the most exciting in your country?
• Why do we celebrate Easter?
• Do you celebrate Easter in your country?
• How do you celebrate Easter in your country?
• Do you have any special family traditions?
• Did the original meaning of Easter get lost?
• What do you think of Father's Day? Mother's Day? Parent's Day?
• What are 3 holidays that you like to spend with your family?
• If you had a long holiday, what will you do with it?Do you like to stay up late on holidays?
• What's your favorite holiday food?
• What kinds of religious holidays have become secular in your country?
• Is there any religious holiday that has a special meaning for you?
• Is there any non-religious holiday that has a special meaning for you?