Every year here at the University Settlement Adult Literacy Program we have a big holiday party the day before winter vacation starts.

Daytime classes will have their parties on Thursday, December 20th. 9:00 classes will have their party from 9:30 to 11:00, and 11:00 classes will have their party from 11:30 to 1:00.

Evening classes will have their party during their regular class time on Thursday, December 20th, and weekend classes will have their party during their regular class times on Saturday, December 22rd.

Please come on time – we’re going to start right away! And please bring something to eat or drink – but no soda and no chips, cookies, or candy – unless they’re homemade. No need to bring cups, plates, napkins, utensils, etc. – we will provide them.

Students are also encouraged to wear Christmas colors (red, white, or green) or Hanukkah colors (blue or white).

We will all also be singing a song together – “Last Christmas” by the British group Wham! It’s from the year 1984. Hopefully you’ll practice it a few times with your classmates, but you can practice at home, too, by watching the video and using the lyrics to sing along:

LAST CHRISTMAS by Wham!

CHORUS:

Last Christmas I gave you my heart,
But the very next day you gave it away.
This year, to save me from tears,
I’ll give it to someone special.

REPEAT CHORUS

Once bitten and twice shy;
I keep my distance, but you still catch my eye.
Tell me baby, do you recognize me?
Well, it’s been a year—it doesn’t surprise me.

(Merry Christmas.)

I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying, “I love you”—I meant it.
Now I know what a fool I’ve been,
But if you kissed me now I know you’d fool me again.

CHORUS X 2

(Oh, oh, my baby.)

A crowded room, friends with tired eyes;
I’m hiding from you and your soul of ice.
My God, I thought you were someone to rely on.
Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on.

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart;
A man undercover, but you tore me apart.
Now I’ve found a real love you’ll never fool me again.

CHORUS X 2

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart;
A man undercover, but you tore him apart.
Maybe next year I’ll give it to someone,
I’ll give it to someone special.

See you at the party!