Word on the street: Christmas
It's Christmas! Ashlie and Stephen are cooking for their parents, but there's so much to be done. The pair have to buy presents and Ashlie needs to cook the turkey, roast the potatoes and make the stuffing. And Stephen? Well, for Stephen, Christmas is a holiday...
Amandeep visits London's Fortnum & Mason department store to see the Christmas window displays and discover more about one of the most important aspects of Christmas - shopping!
Christmas Scene 1
Ashlie and Stephen are getting ready for Christmas. They need to buy presents and decorate the tree, but there's still time for a bit of ice-skating...
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Ashlie: Oh hi, Stephen. You made it then!
Stephen: Hi, Ashlie, I thought we were going Christmas shopping, not ice-skating.
Ashlie: Oh, we are. But I saw the rink and ice-skating is so much fun. It’s almost as much fun as shopping!
Stephen: It’s Christmas Eve and this is the Tower of London Ice Rink. Ashlie and I are supposed to be doing some last-minute Christmas shopping.
Ashlie: We’re cooking dinner for the family this year. They’re coming to Stephen’s to give our mum a rest.
Stephen: And we’ve still got lots of presents to buy. So you shouldn’t be messing around on the ice.
Ashlie: Oh come on, Stephen. Come and have a go. What’s wrong with you? Look watch me - I can go backwards!
Stephen: Stop showing off. Alright, I’ll come on, but just for five minutes - no more.
.....
Ashlie: Come on then. Take my hand. That’s it and we just go in a big circle… like this…
Stephen: It’s not as difficult as it looks. I think I’m better than you. It’s all about keeping your balance.
Ashlie: Stephen, you’re going in the wrong direction.
Ashlie: Stephen! Watch out!
Stephen: Oh, sorry!
.....
Stephen: Oh, I love Christmas, Ash. It’s so exciting.
Ashlie: I know. All the presents, the wonderful food. I can’t wait.
Stephen: Wow, look at these. They’re great. Oh, I love these. Look, it’s snowing! Let’s get some Christmas decorations. These are so cool.
Ashlie: Well, maybe we could get something for the tree. What about some tinsel? I want the tree to look really tasteful and stylish. These are nice.
Stephen: Those are really boring. What we need is lots of different colours to make the tree look really beautiful.
Ashlie: Mmm, well, I’m not sure. I think the tree will look better with just a few decorations.
Stephen: No way! A Christmas tree is meant to be bright and colourful. Oh come on, Ash, let me choose some Christmas decorations.
Ashlie: Well, I suppose so. As long as you don’t get too much. Listen, I want to go and buy your present now, but it’s a secret. So I will see you later.
Stephen: Presents - of course. OK. Bye!
Ashlie: Bye!
.....
Stephen: There... perfect!
Ashlie: Stephen! What have you done? What has happened to the Christmas tree?
Stephen: It looks so much better now, doesn’t it? All bright and Christmassy. It’s as big as the tree Mum and Dad had last year but it looks even better.
Ashlie: But I wanted the tree to be stylish and beautiful. Now it looks like a kid’s decorated it!
Stephen: Do you think we should add some more of these baubles?
Ashlie: No, I really don’t. Just don’t put anything else on the Christmas tree, OK? Come on, let’s hang up our stockings.
Stephen: OK. They look great. And look, I’ve put out some mince pies for when Father Christmas comes down the chimney and some carrots for the reindeer.
Ashlie: Ah, that is sweet of you. Hmm, mince pies! They do look good. I’m starving. I suppose Father Christmas won’t mind if I have one.
Stephen: Maybe one or two won't matter.
Christmas Scene 2
It's Christmas morning! Ashlie's got a lot to do to cook dinner for the family, but can she get Stephen to help?
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Stephen: Morning, Ashlie. Merry Christmas!
Ashlie: Happy Christmas! Nice hat, it suits you.
Stephen: Thank you. Here you go, here’s your Christmas present.
Ashlie: Oh thanks, Stephen. It’s lovely. Just what I have always wanted. Here, I’ve got something for you, too. There you go.
Stephen: Socks! I love them. Thank you, Ash.
Ashlie: I’m so excited. It’s Christmas morning, but we have got so much to do today.
Stephen: We’re spending Christmas here this year to give Mum a rest. And the family are coming over for Christmas lunch and I’m sure my sister’s got it all planned out.
Ashlie: Yep, I’ve got a list. At 9 o’clock, put turkey on to cook. 9.30, steam pudding. 10 o’clock, peel potatoes. 10.30...
Stephen: That sounds like a lot of work for you. I think I’ll have a bit of a sit-down before everyone arrives.
Ashlie: But we’re doing this together, remember. You promised.
Stephen: I thought Christmas Day was supposed to be a holiday!
Ashlie: Well, you’ve got to do something to help out in the kitchen. I tell you what; you can do the sprouts for the main course. If that’s not too difficult for you?
Stephen: Of course it’s not too difficult.
Ashlie: OK, well, let’s get cooking then. Come on. We’ve got lots to do.
Stephen: I’ll help in a minute. I’ll just go see if there’s any of those mince pies left.
…..
Stephen: Merry Christmas, Dad.
Dad: Hello, son.
Stephen: Merry Christmas, Mum.
Mum: Happy Christmas, Stephen, my wonderful boy! Oh... What a lovely tree. Did you decorate it, Stephen?
Stephen: Yes, Mum.
Mum: It’s lovely, you are so clever. Hello, sweetie.
Ashlie: Happy Christmas, Mum.
Mum: Happy Christmas, Ashlie. You look lovely.
Ashlie: Oh, thank you.
Mum: Lunch smells wonderful, dear.
Ashlie: Christmas lunch is hard work, isn’t it? I hope it’s as good as yours.
Mum: Oh, I’m sure it will be fine. I expect you’ve both been working so hard in the kitchen. I hope it’s not been too much for you?
Stephen: Well...
Ashlie: No, Stephen has been so much help. Come on, let’s get back to work.
Stephen: Have a seat, Dad.
…..
Ashlie: Well, the turkey’s cooking and the potatoes are boiling. But you still have to do the sprouts. Can you sort them out?
Stephen: Yeah, sure. I love Brussels sprouts. They’re just like baby cabbages. What do you want me to do?
Ashlie: Well, you peel them and then boil them, of course.
Stephen: OK. Easy…
Ashlie: I just need to do the stuffing and check on the turkey.
Stephen: Go ahead! All under control here.
Ashlie: What do you think, is it done?
Stephen: Looks good to me, Ash. Maybe we should add some Christmas sparkle – a finishing touch!
Ashlie: Not more tinsel…
Stephen: Hey Ash, these sprouts are taking ages to peel. What do you think?
Ashlie: Err, well, I don’t think you need to do anything else to them Stephen… or else there’ll be nothing left. Let’s put them on to cook and then we’re ready.
…..
Ashlie: Who’s for turkey, then?
Dad: It looks lovely, dear. Yes, please.
Mum: Ashlie, Stephen, did you remember the sprouts? What about the stuffing?
Dad: It’s not a proper Christmas dinner without stuffing!
Ashlie: Yes, Dad, don’t worry. Here’s the stuffing.
Stephen: ...and my sprouts are here, I did them!
Mum: Oh, I… I thought they were peas. But it all looks wonderful! You’re both so clever.
Ashlie: Come on then, let’s eat up!
…..
Mum: Oooh – time for some presents. Here you go, both of you. I know you’re going to love your Christmas presents.
Stephen: Thanks, Mum.
…..
Stephen: Thanks, Mum!
Mum: I made it myself. Put it on, it’s just the thing for a cold winter’s day.
Stephen: It’s really… er, cosy. I’ve never worn anything quite like it.
Mum: Ooh... you look lovely, I knew you would. It really suits you.
Stephen: What did you get, Ash?
Ashlie: Happy Christmas, everyone!
Christmas Shopping
Beautiful Christmas window displays are one way shops get into the Christmas spirit. Amandeep goes to Fortnum & Mason to see the work that goes into the displays and find out more about Christmas shopping.
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Christmas shopping in London. There’s nowhere like it in the world. When the West End Christmas lights go on and the big shops reveal their special Christmas window displays, it’s time for the festivities to begin.
Fortnum & Mason, here in Piccadilly, has been selling the finer things in life around the world for over three hundred years.
From chocolates to china, luxury goods are what Fortnum & Mason specialise in. And Christmas is their busiest time of the year.
…..
Today’s an important day. Parts of the Christmas window display have just arrived. Everything needs to be put in place. It’s a difficult job getting all of the items into the windows.
Paul Symes is the head of visual presentation and the creative force behind the Fortnum & Mason Christmas window display.
Amandeep: This is so exciting, Paul. You’ve allowed us behind the scenes in your Christmas shop window. Now tell me about your design this year.
Paul: It’s all about dancing, burlesque, theatre, shows and glamour and style.
Amandeep: And what are the challenges involved in designing something to this scale?
Paul: One of the challenges is trying to get it all to fit. There’s so much that you want to say and it’s trying to get it small enough to fit into just seven windows.
Amandeep: So, Paul, you’re about to reveal your Christmas shop window. How nervous are you?
Paul: Very, very. I start getting nervous about a week before. A lot of effort goes into making sure that when we finally pull the curtains up, everyone’s happy.
…..
The Christmas story dates back two thousand years, but the way it's celebrated has changed a lot over time. Many Christmas traditions are actually quite recent. Fortnum & Mason have seen Christmas fashions change over the centuries. Archivist Dr Andrea Tanner is interested in the history of the store.
Amandeep: Andrea, when did Christmas shopping become such an important tradition?
Andrea: Well, in Britain, it really came with the Victorian era. It was when Queen Victoria married her German prince, Prince Albert, and he brought lots of Christmas traditions to Britain.
Amandeep: What’s your biggest selling Christmas item?
Andrea: It’s a hamper. A hamper is a basket in which you find wonderful Christmas foods and drinks and we expect to sell around seven and a half thousand of those.
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It’s almost time for the big moment. The windows are finally going to be revealed.
Man 1: It’s going to make people stop and stare.
Woman 1: I think they’re fabulous, but they always are.
Woman 2: It’s absolutely beautiful. It’s beautiful.
Amandeep: It’s a huge success and I’m starting to feel festive. Now where’s my Christmas list? Better start some shopping.