Recorded for the 2023–24 New Year, Ariannita shows party decorations and teaches the language of hosting, countdowns, toasts, and resolutions. She also shares traditions associated with different communities. Prices and calendar references are specific to the recording; traditions vary from person to person and place to place.
Read the full lesson summary
New Year's Vocabulary In English is a guided social & small talk lesson for English learners who want to understand and use language in this real-life situation. The short description introduces the lesson; this expanded guide draws its details from the transcript and its phrase notes, so it focuses on what this particular video actually covers rather than a generic channel overview.
What the lesson covers
The lesson moves through Introducing the New Year lesson and party store; Finding decorations and explaining New Year’s Eve; Hosting a party and choosing a banner; Hanging a banner and choosing a backdrop; Decorating with balloons; Describing balloon shapes and the abbreviation NYE; Trying on party hats and crowns; and further related moments. Following that sequence helps learners connect each expression to what the speakers are doing, asking, or responding to, instead of memorizing vocabulary as a disconnected list. Listen for how the meaning changes with the situation and how the speaker's wording keeps the exchange moving.
Language to take away
the year is about to end — The current year will finish very soon. Neutral, common way to describe an approaching date.Use it when: Talk about the final days or hours of a year.When it may not fit: For a specific deadline, include the exact date or time.Example: “The year is about to end, so we’re planning a small celebration.”
a ton of decorations — A large number of decorations; ton is an informal exaggeration here. Casual and emphatic.Use it when: Describe having many options or items.When it may not fit: Do not use ton for a precise quantity or formal inventory.Example: “The store has a ton of decorations for the party.”
New Year’s Eve — December 31, the evening before January 1 in the Gregorian calendar. Standard holiday name; capitalize it.Use it when: Talk about plans or events on December 31.When it may not fit: Distinguish it from Lunar New Year’s Eve when the calendar context matters.Example: “We’re having dinner together on New Year’s Eve.”
A way to use this lesson
Try using “the year is about to end” in a sentence about introducing the new year lesson and party store. Replay the relevant moment, then adapt the language to a real conversation you expect to have. Keep the original situation in mind: the goal is not simply to repeat a sentence, but to choose wording that suits the people, purpose, and tone of the exchange.
Only playback on RealTalkBridge counts. A random first-party identifier deduplicates returning visitors; no IP address is stored. Country labels appear only when at least five distinct learners are represented.
Transcript
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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00
Introducing the New Year lesson and party store
Hey guys! It's Ariannita la Gringa and welcome back to my YouTube channel. Today is my last video... But just for this year (for 2023) because it's almost 2024! And I thought to myself... What would be a great video for you guys? So in today's video, I will teach you all New Year's vocabulary at Party City because they have and supplies inside the store. I will also teach you new words and phrases that people use to celebrate the new year and how people celebrate the New Year here in the United States.
Try it: Try using “the year is about to end” in a sentence about introducing the new year lesson and party store.
Phrase cheat sheet
All phrases at a glance
Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.
32 phrases
Showing 32 of 32 phrases
the year is about to end
Introducing the New Year lesson and party store · expression
The current year will finish very soon.
Tone and use: Neutral, common way to describe an approaching date. Talk about the final days or hours of a year.
May not fit: For a specific deadline, include the exact date or time.
Example“The year is about to end, so we’re planning a small celebration.”
a ton of decorations
Introducing the New Year lesson and party store · expression
A large number of decorations; ton is an informal exaggeration here.
Tone and use: Casual and emphatic. Describe having many options or items.
May not fit: Do not use ton for a precise quantity or formal inventory.
Example“The store has a ton of decorations for the party.”
New Year’s Eve
Finding decorations and explaining New Year’s Eve · cultural reference
December 31, the evening before January 1 in the Gregorian calendar.
Tone and use: Standard holiday name; capitalize it. Talk about plans or events on December 31.
May not fit: Distinguish it from Lunar New Year’s Eve when the calendar context matters.
Example“We’re having dinner together on New Year’s Eve.”
Christmas Eve
Finding decorations and explaining New Year’s Eve · cultural reference
December 24, the evening before Christmas Day.
Tone and use: Standard holiday name; customs vary among people and families. Refer to December 24 or plans that evening.
May not fit: Do not assume everyone celebrates Christmas.
Example“They visit their grandparents on Christmas Eve.”
let me know down below
Finding decorations and explaining New Year’s Eve · expression
Ask people watching a video to leave a response in its comment section.
Tone and use: Casual creator-to-audience wording. Invite online viewers to share an opinion or tradition.
May not fit: In face-to-face conversation, simply say “Let me know.”
Example“Let me know down below how you celebrate.”
hosting a big party
Hosting a party and choosing a banner · expression
Organizing and welcoming people to a large social gathering.
Tone and use: Natural social-event language. Describe being responsible for a party at your home or venue.
May not fit: Hosting includes planning; if you are only attending, say going to a party.
Example“We’re hosting a big party for the neighborhood.”
catch my eye
Hosting a party and choosing a banner · idiom
Attract my attention or make me notice something.
Tone and use: Common, conversational idiom. Explain why an item or detail stood out visually.
May not fit: It describes attention, not necessarily liking or choosing the item.
Example“The gold banner caught my eye.”
tape it up on the wall
Hanging a banner and choosing a backdrop · expression
Attach something to a wall using tape so it stays displayed there.
Tone and use: Everyday home and decorating language. Describe placing a lightweight banner or notice.
May not fit: Use an appropriate fixture for heavy objects or delicate wall surfaces.
Example“We taped the party schedule up on the wall.”
a backdrop
Hanging a banner and choosing a backdrop · expression
A background placed behind people or objects, often for photos or a stage.
Tone and use: Common event and photography vocabulary. Describe a decorative background for pictures or presentations.
May not fit: For a natural background, use scenery or background instead.
Example“They set up a flower backdrop for family photos.”
variety of balloons
Decorating with balloons · expression
Several different kinds, colors, or sizes of balloons.
Tone and use: Neutral and useful for describing choices. Summarize a selection of different items.
May not fit: Name the specific differences if the variety itself is not informative.
Example“The shop carries a variety of balloons.”
besides having a banner
Decorating with balloons · expression
In addition to having a banner; introduces another option or detail.
Tone and use: Neutral conversational connector. Add another item to a list of possibilities.
May not fit: Besides can also mean except for; make the intended meaning clear.
Example“Besides having a banner, we put lights around the doorway.”
cheers
Decorating with balloons · expression
A short celebratory word said when people raise glasses together; it can also express thanks in some varieties of English.
Tone and use: Friendly and social; usage varies by context and region. Make a toast or respond casually to thanks where that usage is familiar.
May not fit: In a formal toast, add a complete wish or message.
Example“Cheers to a happy and healthy new year!”
in the shape of
Decorating with balloons · expression
Having an outline or form that resembles something else.
Tone and use: Neutral descriptive phrase. Describe a decoration or object modeled after another thing.
May not fit: If it is only printed with an image, say decorated with a picture of.
Example“They bought a balloon in the shape of a star.”
by the way
Describing balloon shapes and the abbreviation NYE · expression
Introduces an additional detail that is related but not central to the current point.
Tone and use: Conversational and widely used. Add a reminder or side note.
May not fit: If the information is urgent or essential, say it directly rather than as an aside.
Example“By the way, the party starts at seven.”
NYE
Describing balloon shapes and the abbreviation NYE · expression
A common written abbreviation for New Year’s Eve.
Tone and use: Informal shorthand, especially in messages and event listings. Write a compact label for a New Year’s Eve event.
May not fit: Spell it out for readers who may not know the abbreviation or in formal writing.
Example“Are you going to the NYE concert?”
lights up
Looking at headwear and party accessories · phrasal verb
Begins to shine or produce light.
Tone and use: Common product-description language. Describe an item with built-in lights.
May not fit: For a device that flashes or glows, use the more precise verb if needed.
Example“The sign lights up when you plug it in.”
do a countdown
Counting down to midnight · expression
Count numbers backward toward a scheduled moment, often midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Tone and use: Common party and event language. Describe counting down together before an event begins.
May not fit: For an exact schedule, name the event or time being counted down to.
Example“We did a countdown before the fireworks.”
counting backward from 10 to 1
Counting down to midnight · expression
Saying the numbers in descending order from ten through one.
Tone and use: Plain instructional language. Explain a countdown sequence.
May not fit: In a New Year’s countdown, people may use a different starting number or format.
Example“The crowd counted backward from ten to one.”
twist this open
Counting down to midnight · expression
Open something by turning it, often to release its contents.
Tone and use: Casual hands-on instruction. Describe opening a twist-action party popper or container.
May not fit: Check the product directions and point it away from people before opening.
Example“Twist the confetti popper open when the countdown ends.”
a noisemaker
Opening confetti and using noisemakers · expression
A small party object designed to make a loud or celebratory sound.
Tone and use: Common party vocabulary. Name a simple sound-making party favor.
May not fit: Consider noise sensitivity and local rules before using loud items.
Example“The guests blew their noisemakers at midnight.”
ward off the evil spirits
Opening confetti and using noisemakers · expression
Try to drive away or prevent harmful spirits; the phrase often describes a cultural belief or custom.
Tone and use: Cultural and belief-related wording; attribute it to the people or tradition involved. Explain why a custom is believed to bring protection or good fortune.
May not fit: Do not present a belief as a proven fact or assume everyone in a culture shares it.
Example“In that family’s tradition, the loud drums are believed to ward off evil spirits.”
bring good luck
Opening confetti and using noisemakers · expression
Be believed to cause or invite a fortunate outcome.
Tone and use: Common when discussing customs, symbols, and superstitions. Explain the hoped-for meaning of a ritual or object.
May not fit: Attribute the belief rather than stating that luck is guaranteed.
Example“Some people believe wearing red will bring good luck.”
walk with a suitcase
Talking about family customs and traditions · expression
Carry or roll a suitcase while walking; in some New Year customs, it symbolizes hoped-for travel.
Tone and use: Literal description with a culture-specific symbolic meaning. Describe this custom without assuming everyone practices it.
May not fit: Avoid generalizing it to all people in a country or region.
Example“Some families walk with a suitcase to symbolize travel in the year ahead.”
the ball drop
Comparing New Year customs and watching the ball drop · cultural reference
The annual lowering of a lit ball in Times Square shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Tone and use: Well-known U.S. televised tradition. Refer to the Times Square countdown event.
May not fit: Do not imply everyone in the United States watches or celebrates this way.
Example“We watched the ball drop on television.”
pour the champagne
Pouring a drink and making a toast · expression
Serve champagne by transferring it from the bottle into a glass.
Tone and use: Neutral hosting language. Describe serving a drink at a gathering.
May not fit: Only call it champagne if it is actually champagne; sparkling wine is a broader term.
Example“Would you like me to pour the champagne?”
host a party
Pouring a drink and making a toast · expression
Organize a gathering and welcome guests.
Tone and use: Neutral social-event language. Describe arranging an event for other people.
May not fit: If you are only a guest, say attend or go to a party.
Example“They’re hosting a party for their friends.”
the same theme
Hosting a party and checking out · expression
A consistent subject, style, or set of design choices across several items.
Tone and use: Neutral event and design vocabulary. Explain that decorations or materials share one style.
May not fit: Name the theme if the listener does not already know it.
Example“The invitations and table decorations have the same theme.”
check this out
Hosting a party and checking out · phrasal verb
Look at or consider something the speaker thinks is interesting.
Tone and use: Casual and attention-getting. Show a friend an item or draw attention to something.
May not fit: In formal settings, use “please take a look.”
Example“Check this out—I found a headband that lights up.”
a great price
Paying for a headband and defining a resolution · expression
A price considered especially favorable or good value.
Tone and use: Positive but subjective opinion. Say you think an item is affordable for its quality or value.
May not fit: For an objective comparison, provide actual prices and conditions.
Example“We got the tickets at a great price.”
New Year’s resolution
Paying for a headband and defining a resolution · cultural reference
A goal or promise someone chooses to pursue in the new year.
Tone and use: Common annual tradition, though not everyone makes one. Ask about a personal goal for the coming year.
May not fit: Do not pressure someone to share a private or personal goal.
Example“My New Year’s resolution is to read more.”
spend more time with your family
Sharing New Year’s resolutions · expression
Set aside additional time to be with family members.
Tone and use: Neutral and common. Describe a personal or family goal.
May not fit: The phrase can sound like an assumption; ask what matters to the person.
Example“I want to spend more time with my family this year.”
keep improving your English skills
Sharing New Year’s resolutions · expression
Continue developing your ability to use English.
Tone and use: Encouraging and direct. Support someone’s ongoing learning goal.
May not fit: Be specific about the skill—speaking, listening, writing—if that is what you mean.
Example“I’m taking a weekly class to keep improving my English skills.”
Knowledge check
Practice the phrases you heard
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What it means · “catch my eye”
A decoration “catches your eye.” What does that mean?