VOA Special English
A Los Angeles Christmas

    2014/12/19

    The end of December is a time when many Americans are thinking about snow and cold weather. Yet the city of Los Angeles, California is almost always warm and sunny, even during the winter holiday season. Many people like all the holiday decorations and lights seen in and around Los Angeles.

    Marquis Rosales lives in Los Angeles. He likes being in southern California for the Christmas holiday.

    “Here it’s more unique because everyone’s so, like, kind-hearted and welcoming and as you can see they go all out with decorations and everything like that. It’s really packed. There’s a lot of families though, there’s a lot of families and it’s fun.”

    Many children have their picture taken with Santa Claus, the man known as “Father Christmas.” They tell him what gifts they want him to bring them.

    People travel to Los Angeles from around the world to enjoy the warm weather and the Christmas decorations.

    “It’s totally fun. It’s Christmas, you know? Live a little!”

    I’m Christopher Cruise.

    VOA Los Angeles Correspondent Mike O’Sullivan reported this story. Christopher Cruise wrote it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the story editor.

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    Words in This Story

    season n. a period of the year that is based on the Earth’s position toward the sun; a period of time based on different weather conditions

    holiday n. a day when one does not work; a day on which no work is done to honor or remember a person or event

    decoration n. something that is added to something else to make it more attractive or colorful

    bright adj. giving much light; strong and clear in color

    kind-hearted adj. having or showing a kind and gentle nature

    they go all outidiom made or done with as much effort as possible

    packed adj. full of people; filled with as many people as possible

    Santa Claus n. an imaginary man with a white beard and a red suit who gives toys to children at Christmas

    How do you celebrate Christmas? Do you use decorations? Do you give gifts? We want to hear from you. Tell us in the comments section.