Useful Vocabulary for Social Celebrations

Fabio Leonardo Corts R.

Celebrations
What is a celebration? It is a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event. What is the difference between holiday, festival and vacation? The words holiday or vacation have related meanings in different English-speaking countries and continents, but will usually refer to one of the following activities or events: A general leave of absence from a regular occupation for rest or recreation A specific trip or journey for the purposes of recreation / tourism Official or unofficial observances of religious/national/cultural/other significance, often accompanied by celebrations or festivities (public/religious holiday)

So what is the difference between holiday, vacation and festival? Holiday Holiday is a contraction of holy and day, holidays originally represented special religious days. This word has evolved in general usage to mean any extra special day of rest (as opposed to regular days of rest such as the weekend). Festival A festival is an event, usually staged by a local community, which centers on some unique aspect of that community. There are numerous types of festivals in the world. Though many have religious origins, others involve seasonal change or have some cultural significance. Vacation In the United Kingdom the word "vacation" referred specifically to the long summer break. The French term is similar to the American English: "Les Vacances." The term derives from the fact that, in the past, upper-class families would literally move to a summer home for part of the year, leaving their usual family home vacant for countrywide holidays.

Sabbatical, gap year or career break Longer breaks from a career or occupation also exist, such as a sabbatical, gap year or career break Types of holidays: Holidays are either religious or secular: Most holidays are linked to faiths and religious. They are religious holidays. Secular or non religious holidays can be national (Independence Day) or international (Mother Day)

Vocabulary used in Celebrations

barbecue christening family gathering fete funeral get-together anniversary party birthday party baby shower dance going-away party feast

fireworks display graduation picnic potluck dinner reception wedding welcome party cocktail party dinner party fancy dress party wedding

Some other celebrations

bonfire commemorate flag float

costume
firework Display

parade
procession site

How to organize a party

Does your party have a theme? Will you ask people to come in fancy-dress? (For example, there are Halloween-themed events at Halloween.) What sort of costume do you want people to dress in? Is it a period look ("Swinging 60s") or another type of look (Hollywood) for example? How big is the party? Do you need to organise outside caterers, or entertainers? (This is especially useful for children's parties, where you might get a special children's entertainer like a magician.) Do you need to hire someone to run a disco, or can someone from Accounts rig up some speakers for music? Who are you going to invite? Many office parties are limited just to people from the office, but you might also invite employees' partners, or even customers or clients.

What are you going to write on the invitation? Formal invitations: We'd be delighted if you could attend our party on.. (date) at (place) at (time) I would like to invite (plus one guest) to the firm's annual dinner dance, to be held at (etc) Informal invitations: You're all cordially invited to attend the annual Moss Bros party. Please come to our party / lunch / dinner on (date) at (time). Don't forget to add any essential instructions, such as directions (= how to get to your house / office) or to ask people to bring something (Please bring a bottle) or on what to wear / do (i.e. if you're holding something like a Murder Mystery evening where guests need to wear a costume and perform a role.)

Decorations Decorations add to the party atmosphere. If you're planning a theme, decorations are easier to think about. Otherwise, get busy with the coloured paper, sellotape, and scissors! What's going to happen at the party Is it a place for people to meet each other, have a bite to eat, and a couple of glasses of something to drink? Will you have special games or competitions that encourage people to stay longer? Will you give out presents (like a secret Santa?) Who's in the organising committee? With all the catering, decorations, invitations etc to think about, you might need a team of people to help you. Delegate responsibility and make people in charge of catering, invitations, etc.

Exercises
1. I want to ________ a party next weekend. make throw

2. I didn't know this was a ________ party. Yes, it is - the ________ is "come as your favorite celebrity". theme tone
3. Are you going to John's party? No, I wasn't ________. requested invited 4. Tom's having a party Oh yeah? What's the ________? It's his birthday. event occasion

5. BYOB stands for "bring your own ________". bottle burgundy

6. A "party ________" is a term used (somewhat jokingly) to refer to someone who loves to party. creature animal 7. Are you going to serve dinner at your party? No, it's going to be a "wine and ________" party. cheese cheeses 8. Are you having a good time? Yeah! I'm having a ________! blast blessed 9. I love this song! Turn it ________ (= make it louder)! high up 10. I invited Neil and his girlfriend, but they didn't show ________ (= didn't come). off up