Rob: Hello! I'm Rob. And it's Christmas!

Helen: Hello Rob!

Rob: Hello Helen! Happy Christmas!

Helen: Happy Christmas!

Rob: Come in, come in!

Helen: Thank you.

Helen: Wowwwwwwwwww!

Rob: So, what do you think?

Helen: That's amazing.... so many decorations - and what a beautiful Christmas tree! You must have spent ages doing this! It's beautiful!

Rob: Well I do like to do Christmas with all the trimmings!

Helen: All the trimmings? I don't understand.

Rob: All the trimmings – it means all the extra things that traditionally come with something to make it more special.

Helen: I see. Like all these decorations?

Rob: Yes. In my family, we have always had Christmas with all the trimmings, so we have a Christmas tree, decorations, gifts, Christmas songs, silly Christmas games and, most importantly, Christmas lunch. Now, come this way!

Helen: Roast turkey for lunch!

Rob: Now that is a roast turkey with all the trimmings! Not only is it a turkey, but we're eating it with all the things you traditionally eat with Christmas roast turkey: cranberry sauce, roast potatoes, gravy, stuffing, carrots-

Helen: Mmm, I'm very hungry now!

Rob: All the trimmings!

Helen: I think I understand what 'all the trimmings' means now.

Rob: It's an expression usually used with food, especially at Christmas and for the big roast dinners that we like to eat here in Britain. I adore Sunday lunch with all the trimmings: roast meat, along with lots of vegetables and sauces and other traditional accompaniments. Mmmmm....

Helen: Yummy!

Rob: But you can also use this expression in other situations:

Examples:

• When I get married, I want a perfect wedding with all the trimmings.
• Stay in our beach-side hotel, where you will enjoy a luxury holiday with all the trimmings.

Rob: Anyway, enough talk! Let's eat!

Helen: Delicious. Thank you for inviting me.

Rob: It's a pleasure, Helen!

Helen: I would like you to join me for the next Chinese New Year.

Rob: Wow! Thank you!

Helen: There'll be fish, dumplings, lanterns, dragons and firecrackers - all the trimmings.

Rob: Well cheers to that and Happy Christmas – with all the trimmings!

Helen: Happy Christmas!