Christmas pudding is generally made five weeks before Christmas, on or after the last Sunday before the first Advent. 

Have you ever tried it?

It’s made with all kinds of dried fruits, nuts, spices and black treacle—and usually steamed for hours. When it’s ready, it’s presented with a sprig of holly, doused in brandy and set alight.

As tradition has it, each household member stirs the pudding and makes a wish. Placing a silver coin in the pudding is said to bring luck to the person who finds it.

To tell the truth, I’ve never liked eating Christmas pudding. But I always had two helpings at school before breaking up for the holidays, hoping to get that silver sixpence!

Any idea why we eat Christmas pudding? Watch this short film to find out.

Our television isn’t connected. 

And that means that we don’t see many adverts nowadays. 

I don’t miss the television, but I do miss watching English adverts. Especially the ones before Christmas.

But we now can watch them on YouTube. Did you know?

One of my favourites is this year’s John Lewis advert.

It tells the heartfelt story of one man’s determination to connect with a young girl, showing the power that kindness can make in someone else’s life.

Do you have a favourite you’d like to share with us?

You’ve probably seen the Christmas lights go up in your town. If not, you might like to take some time off to go and see them.

This is precisely what we did as a family years ago.

We travelled up to London to see the spectacular Christmas lights on Oxford Street, Regent Street and Carnaby Street. 

Take a look at the top 16 Christmas lights in London this year.

Have you seen anything as spectacular here in Germany?

Get in the holiday spirit AND improve your English with me.

You won’t find any gifts or chocolate here behind the doors. But you will learn something about Christmas in the English-speaking world—and possibly some new words.

The countdown to Christmas has begun … Today is the traditional start of the Christmas season.

Did you receive an advent calendar this year? With chocolate in Christmassy shapes or just one with an image behind each window?

Don’t worry if you didn’t. You’ve got mine to look forward to. Every day during Advent.

And to help end world hunger.

How?

By playing the “Free Rice” game from the United Nations World Food Programme.

For every question you answer correctly, the cash equivalent of 10 grains of rice is donated by a group of sponsors.

And if you want a bit of a challenge, you can always change the level of difficulty. 

Enjoy—and do good!