Gift shopping
In this lesson, we will talk about gift shopping. We will learn how to ask the price, recommend, find items, and ask for other colors and sizes.
Part 1
Warm-up
Answer the questions
What did we discuss in the last lesson?
Have you ever bought a gift for someone?
What was it?
Part 2
Vocabulary
Read the word, its’ meaning, and the examples
Then make up your own sentences using the word.
Student can skip the words they already know.
wrap
/ræp/
to cover or surround something with paper, cloth, or other material
Please wrap the gift before the party starts.
She wrapped the present and tied it with ribbon.
ribbon
/ˈrɪb.ən/
a long, narrow strip of material used to tie things together or as a decoration
She tied a ribbon in her hair.
We need a red ribbon to wrap this present.
budget
/ˈbʌdʒ.ɪt/
the amount of money you have available to spend
We need to stick to our budget while shopping.
To save money for the new car, she carefully planned her monthly spending budget.
durable
/ˈdʊr.ə.bəl/
able to resist wear, pressure, or damage
(bền chặt)
She bought a durable backpack for hiking.
This car is very durable and lasts many years.
recipient
/rɪˈsɪp.i.ənt/
a person who receives something
He was the lucky recipient of a surprise party.
Lund was the first female recipient of an artificial heart.
look good on
/lʊk gʊd ɒn/
To appear attractive or suitable when worn by someone.
That jacket really looks good on you.
The color green doesn't look good on me.
Make up your own sentences using the words.
Part 3
Useful sentences
Teacher guides the student useful sentences for buying gifts
Can you recommend a good gift for a ___?
- Use this when you need suggestions
- Example: Can you recommend a good gift for a friend who loves reading?
- Example: Can you recommend a good gift for a couple’s anniversary?
How much does this cost?
- Use this straightforward question to inquire about the price of an item.
- Example: How much does this set of watercolor paints cost?
- Example: How much does this digital camera cost?
I’m looking for something for a ___.
- Use this when you need suggestions but when you have a clear idea or category in mind
- Example: I’m looking for something for a graduation party.
- I’m looking for something for a new homeowner.
Do you have this in another color/size?
- Use this if you find something you like but need it in a different color or size.
- Example: Do you have this T-shirt in another color? I’m looking for blue.
- Example: Do you have these shoes in a smaller size? Maybe a size 6?
Part 4
Dialogue Practice
Practice the conversation with teacher
Alex is in a gift shop looking to buy a birthday gift for his best friend.
Alex
Hi, I’m looking for something for a friend’s birthday. Can you help me out?
Absolutely! What kind of things does your friend like?
Shop
Alex
He’s really into sports and loves to stay active.
How about a stylish sports watch? It’s not only functional but also looks good on anyone who’s sporty. Plus, we can wrap it in a special birthday-themed paper.
Shop
Alex
That sounds cool. How much does this cost?
This model is $50. Is that within your budget?
Shop
Alex
It’s a bit more than I planned to spend. Do you have anything similar but less expensive?
Yes, we have another model that’s a bit simpler but still great for sports enthusiasts. It’s $35.
Shop
Alex
Can I see it? And do you have it in another color? Maybe blue or black?
Here’s the black one, which is very popular. It comes with a durable band and several features like a stopwatch and waterproof design.
Shop
Alex
Perfect! I’ll take the black one. Could you wrap it with a blue ribbon, please?
Of course, I’ll wrap it up nicely for you. Would you also like a gift receipt?
Shop
Alex
Yes, please, just in case he wants to exchange it.
All set then. I’ll have this ready for you shortly. I’m sure your friend will love it!
Shop
Alice
Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it!
Check your understanding
Why did Alex decide not to buy the first sports watch suggested by the shop assistant?
What special request did Alex make after deciding to purchase the black sports watch?
Sample answer
- Alex decided not to buy the first sports watch because it was a bit more expensive than he had planned to spend. The watch cost $50, and he was looking for something less expensive.
- Alex requested that the black sports watch be wrapped with a blue ribbon and asked for a gift receipt, just in case his friend wanted to exchange the gift.
Part 5
Speaking practice
The teacher is a shop assistant, and the student is a customer shopping for a gift.
Use the vocabulary and sentences learned, make your own conversation to buy a gift.
Vocabulary
- wrap
- ribbon
- budget
- durable
- recipient
- look good on
- Can you recommend a good gift for a ___?
- How much does this cost?
- I’m looking for something for a ___.
- Do you have this in another color/size?
Part 6
Listening
Salesclerks are describing gifts in a store. Listen and circle the correct information about each item.
Click to play the Audio
The chocolates ………………… .
a. make a good souvenir
b. are imported
c. come in two kinds
The candles ………………… .
a. come four to a box
b. are already gift-wrapped
c. comes in two different sizes
The T-shirts ………………… .
a. are popular with teenagers
b. come in four styles
c. come in four sizes
The watches ………………… .
a. have bands made in Japan
b. come in many sizes
c. all lock different
Answer
1. C
2. B
3. A
4. C
Transcript
1.
I see you’re looking at the chocolates. That’s a perfect gift to take your host for a dinner here, but not a good idea to take home as a souvenir. They’ll melt. But these chocolates are very high-quality. And they aren’t imported. They’re made right here from local ingredients. There are two kinds – dark chocolate and light chocolate, but only one size. They’re all two-pound boxes, but they might not be right for everyone because some have nuts. You have to be careful because some people are allergic to nuts.
2.
These candles are a good gift if you are going to a housewarming party. They come two to a box, so the number is perfect. You don’t want to give four of anything – it’s bad luck. There are three sizes – these are medium sized, but you can get shorter and taller ones, too. They’re really convenient because they come already wrapped. And, notice the wrapping paper is yellow. Yellow is a perfect paper color for wrapping this kind of gift because it means “happiness.” Oh, and they’re completely natural. They’re made of beeswax and other natural ingredients.
3.
Let’s see… if you want to get some souvenirs for teenagers, I recommend these T-shirts. T-shirts with pictures and writing on them are very popular with young people. There are two styles – red with black writing and black with red writing. As for sizes, we have, uhm, let’s see… small, medium, large… Uh, I’m afraid they don’t come in extra large. Anyway, they’re made from 100 percent organic cotton, too. They’re a great deal for the price.
4.
These watches are very popular souvenirs for any girls or women on your gift list. They’re quite pretty, aren’t they? They’re more like jewelry than just watches. Local artists make the wristbands. The beads in the bands are all made from stones that come from the local region. And they’re all different. Notice? Here’s one with mostly green stones, and here’s one with mostly blue stones. The watch part itself comes from Japan – it’s very good quality. And the great thing about these – because the band is elastic, one size fits all.
Part 7
Discussion
Let’s use the vocabulary you’ve learned during the lesson and talk about the following topics/questions freely!
Teacher helps student expand and correct the answers
On which occasions do you usually buy gifts for other people?
What do you think makes a gift meaningful? Is it the cost, the thought behind it, or something else?
How do you decide what gift to buy for someone?
How much time and effort do you invest in buying presents for others? Why?
Do you think giving money as a gift is a good practice? Why or why not?
What do you think is the best gift that somebody could give you?
Do you think that the act of gift wrapping adds value to the gift itself? Why or why not?
Have you ever received a gift that you didn’t like? How did you handle the situation?
How has the rise of online shopping changed the way you buy gifts? Do you find it more convenient, or do you miss something about traditional shopping?
Review
Let’s review the lesson with teacher
6 new words & phrases in this lesson
Useful sentences
Practice to buy a gift.
See you next lesson
Homework
Do homework
Write a sentence for each vocabulary word learned in today’s lesson.
