ESL Podcast 239 - A Birthday Party

last minute - the latest possible time before something happens; without very much notice before something happens

We wanted to go to the movies together, but at the last minute, Becca decided not to go because she had a headache.

party supply store - a store that sells things used for having parties, such as invitations, balloons, and decorations

We had to go to two party supply stores to buy everything we needed for the office New Year's party because the first one didn't have enough table cloths.

aisle - a place to walk in a store, with things for sale on both sides; a walkway in a store

Excuse me. Could you tell me which aisle the ice cream is on?

party invitation - a piece of paper that one puts in an envelope and sends to other people, asking them to be guests at a party

Liliana is crying because all of her friends received party invitations for Mickey's birthday and she didn't get one.

party favor - a small gift given to guests at a party, especially for children

At Christopher's birthday party, all of the children received a bag of party favors with a small toy and some candy.

streamer - long, narrow strips of colored paper that are hung on walls and doors for a party

Her family put up pink, yellow, and white streamers all over the house to welcome home the new baby.

candle - a stick of wax with a string in the middle that is lit with fire to give light

There was no electricity during the storm, so we lit candles in the living room.

birthday cake - a cake (a sweet, bread-like dessert) that is used to celebrate someone's birthday and is usually decorated with the person's name

Ahmed received two birthday cakes last year: one from his co-workers at the office, and another one from his family and friends at home.

helium balloon - a thin, round piece of plastic that is filled with helium gas and then tied at the bottom, so that it rises (floats up) in the air

When Frederick broke his leg, his friends gave him big helium balloons that said, "Get well soon!"

icing - a mixture that is sweet and thick made with sugar, milk, butter, and coloring, that is used to write words on cakes as decoration

Damian asked Leticia to marry him by writing, "Will you marry me?," in red icing on a white cake.

present - a gift; something given to someone else, usually for a special event

I received three presents for my birthday: a new sweater, a basketball, and a new book by my favorite author.

clown - a person who has a painted face and is dressed in bright colors who does silly things to make people laugh

Chuck laughed when he saw the clown with a red nose and big shoes walking in the park.

to blow out the candles - to push air out of one's mouth to stop the fire burning on candles that are on top of a birthday cake

We turned off the lights and sang "Happy Birthday," and then we waited for Henry to blow out the candles so we could start eating the cake.

toy - something for children to play with, such as a small doll, truck, or ball

When I was a child, toys were simple, but now, toys are usually electronic and need batteries.

to hand it to (someone) - to say that someone does something well; to recognize that someone does something well

I have to hand it to Kai for making the best German food I've ever eaten. (one's) ears are ringing - the feeling that one can still hear the noise from a noisy event that has already ended

That concert was too loud. Our ears were ringing for hours after it was over.