A Christmas Gift

1. Discuss the questions.

a) Why do you think people give presents?

b) Do you usually give people Christmas Gifts? Who do you usually give to?

c) What kind of gifts do you usually give/receive?

d) Have you been surprised by any gift? Was it a good or bad surprise? Why?

e) What do you usually do when you don´ t like a gift you ´ ve got?

f) What do you do when you really like the gift?

g) What would be on your wish-list this year?

2. Match the words and the definitions

pagan evergreen boughs generous reciprocity obligation the essence of (the custom) skyrocket (rates, prices) the die has been cast

a)giving or willing to give freely b)connected with religious beliefs that are not part of any of the world's main religions c)a large branch of a tree that are always green d)used to say that an event has happened or a decision has been made that cannot be changed e) a situation in which two people, countries, etc. provide the same help or advantages to each other f)to rise quickly to a very high level g)the most important quality or feature of something, that makes it what it is something which you must do h)something which you must do

3. Watch the first segment, and answer the questions bellow:

a) What´ s Sheldon´ s problem about Penny´ s gift?

b) How does Penny react?

c) How does he solve this dilemma?

https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=38x6kWB-xD4& feature=emb_logo

4. Watch the second segment in parts and answer the questions bellow:

4. 1. Watch the first part (0: 00-0: 48) and answer the questions.

What gift does Penny give Sheldon?

How does he react? Why do you think she brought him such a present?

4. 2. (0: 38-1: 55)

How does Sheldon react to his gift? How did Penny get it? What does it mean to him?

4. 3. (1: 56-2: 37)

What gift does Penny give Leonard? Does he like it?

What gift does Leonard give Penny? Does she like it?

4. 4 (2: 37-3: 20)

What does Sheldon give Penny in return? What does Leonard call a Saturnalia miracle?

https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=mlhHTdDqoBc& feature=emb_title

SCRIPT

Howard: And that, Charlie Brown, is what boredom is all about.

Penny: Okay, well, thank you for that, but I got you and Leonard a few silly neighbour gifts, so I’ll just put them under my tree.

Sheldon: Wait! You bought me a present?

Penny: Uh-huh.

Sheldon: Why would you do such a thing?

Penny: I don’t know. ‘Cause it’s Christmas?

Sheldon: Oh, Penny. I know you think you’re being generous, but the foundation of gift-giving is reciprocity. You haven’t given me a gift, you’ve given me an obligation.

Howard: Don’t feel bad, Penny, it’s a classic rookie mistake. My first Hanukkah with Sheldon, he yelled at me for eight nights.

Penny: Now, honey, it’s okay. You don’t have to get me anything in return.

Sheldon: Of course I do. The essence of the custom is that I now have to go out and purchase for you a gift of commensurate value and representing the same perceived level of friendship as that represented by the gift you’ve given me. It’s no wonder suicide rates skyrocket this time of year.

Penny: Okay, you know what? Forget it. I’m not giving you a present.

Sheldon: No, it’s too late. I see it. That elf sticker says to Sheldon. The die has been cast, the moving finger has writ, Hannibal has crossed the Alps.

Howard (to Raj who is whispering in his ear): I know. It’s funny when it’s not happening to us.

Penny: Sheldon, I am very, very sorry.

Sheldon: No. No, I brought this on myself by being such an endearing and important part of your life. I’m going to need a ride to the mall.

Scene at the gift shop

Sheldon: I don’t see anything in here a woman would want.

Howard: You’re kidding. You’ve got lotions and bath oils and soaps, that’s the estrogen hat trick.

Leonard: What it is is a cacophonous assault of eucalyptus, bayberry, cinnamon and vanilla. It’s as if my head were trapped in the pyjamas of a sultan.

Raj: Sheldon, if you don’t like this stuff, let’s just go next door and build her a bear.

Sheldon: I told you before, bears are terrifying.

Howard: Come on, bath stuff, it’s perfect! You got a scented candle, a cleansing buff, spearmint and green tea scented bath oil, promotes relaxation.

Sheldon: That presupposes Penny is tense.

Raj: She knows you. She’s tense. We all are. Buy a basket!

Howard: Excuse me, we’re ready.

Sheldon: No, we’re not. Let’s say for a moment that I accept the bath item gift hypothesis, I now lay the following conundrum at your feet, which size?

Howard: This one. Let’s go.

Sheldon: You put no thought into that.

Howard: I’m sorry. Uh, this one. Let’s go!

Sheldon: I have insufficient data to proceed. Excuse me, miss?

Assistant: Yes?

Sheldon: If I were to give you this gift basket, based on that action alone and no other data, infer and describe the hypothetical relationship that exists between us.

Assistant: Excuse me?

Sheldon: Here. Now, are we friends? Colleagues? Lovers? Are you my grandmother?

Assistant: I don’t understand what you’re talking about and you’re making me a little uncomfortable.

Howard: See? Sounds just like you and Penny. We’ll take it.

Scene at the apartmentPenny: Merry Christmas.

Leonard: Merry Christmas.

Penny: How’s your leg?

Leonard: Very good, thanks for asking. Come on in.

Sheldon: Ah, good, Penny, you’re here to exchange gifts. You’ll be pleased to know I’m prepared for whatever you have to offer.

Penny: Okay, here.

Sheldon: I should note I’m having some digestive distress, so, if I excuse myself abruptly, don’t be alarmed. Oh, a napkin.

Penny: Turn it over.

Sheldon: To Sheldon, live long and prosper. Leonard Nimoy.

Penny: Yeah, he came into the restaurant. Sorry the napkin’s dirty. He wiped his mouth with it.

Sheldon: I possess the DNA of Leonard Nimoy?!

Penny: Well, yeah, yeah, I guess. But look, he signed it.

Sheldon: Do you realize what this means? All I need is a healthy ovum and I can grow my own Leonard Nimoy!

Penny: Okay, all I’m giving you is the napkin, Sheldon.

Sheldon: Be right back.

Penny: Here. Open it.

Leonard: Oh, a gift certificate for motorcycle lessons. Very thoughtful.

Penny: Yeah, and I checked. Not letting the bike fall on you while standing still is lesson one.

Leonard: Oh, then, I think you’ll appreciate what I got you.

Penny: Okay. 101 Totally Cool Science Experiments for Kids.

Leonard: You know, ’cause you’re so into science.

(Sheldon appears with all the gift baskets)

Penny: Sheldon! What did you do?!

Sheldon: I know! It’s not enough, is it? Here.

Penny: Leonard, look! Sheldon’s hugging me.

Leonard: It’s a Saturnalia miracle.

TASK 2

Pagan - b evergreen boughs - c generous- a reciprocity - e obligation - h the essence of (the custom) - g skyrocket (rates, prices) - f the die has been cast - d

Adapted from https: //busyteacher. org/14060-christmas-gifts-video-worksheet. html