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!