A Complete Guide to 100 Common English Christmas Words

The holiday season is here again! Streets are glowing with lights, homes are filled with warmth, and festive words start popping up everywhere. Whether you’re a native English speaker or learning it as a second language, Christmas vocabulary plays a huge role during this time of year.

In this guide, we’ve curated 100 popular English Christmas words along with their meanings, so you can confidently join in the seasonal conversations — whether in person or on your IELTS Speaking test.

What are Christmas Words?

Christmas-themed words are expressions commonly used around the festive season. Some of these words appear only during December, while others are more general but take on extra significance at this time of year.

For example, take the word “merry.” While it simply means “cheerful” or “joyful,” it becomes the star of the show in “Merry Christmas!” You don’t hear it often outside the season, but come December, it’s everywhere.

Ready to learn? Let’s jump into our updated list of 100 popular Christmas words and phrases in English, complete with meanings and usage.

Popular English Christmas Words (and What They Mean)

• Advent – The four-week period leading up to Christmas.
• Advent Calendar – A calendar counting down the days until Christmas, often with chocolate or gifts inside.
• Angel – A divine messenger; central to the Christmas story.
• Aglitter – Sparkling or shimmering with light.
• Baubles – Decorative balls hung on Christmas trees.
• Boxing Day – Celebrated on December 26; origins are debated.
• Candy Cane – A red and white peppermint stick shaped like a cane.
• Carols / Carolling – Songs traditionally sung during Christmas.
• Celebrate – To mark a special occasion, like Christmas, with joy.
• Chimney – The mythical route Santa uses to deliver presents.
• Christmas Tree – A decorated evergreen tree, real or artificial.
• Crackers – Paper tubes that “pop” when pulled, containing toys or jokes.
• Deck – To decorate, as in “deck the halls.”
• Elf / Elves – Santa’s little helpers.
• Father Christmas – Another name for Santa Claus.
• Feast – A large celebratory meal, typically on Christmas Day.
• Frankincense / Myrrh – Gifts brought to baby Jesus; used in incense and perfume.
• Gift-Wrapping – Covering presents in decorative paper.
• Gingerbread House – A cookie house decorated with sweets.
• Grinch – A person who dampens others’ holiday spirit.
• Holiday / Vacation – A period of time off work or school.
• Holly – A plant with red berries used in Christmas décor.
• Jack Frost – A mythical personification of winter weather.
• Jesus / Nativity – Central figure and scene of the Christian Christmas story.
• Jingle Bells – Iconic Christmas song and sound.
• Kris Kringle – Another name for Santa or a gift-exchange game.
• Merry – Cheerful, as in “Merry Christmas!”
• Mistletoe – A plant associated with kissing during the holidays.
• North Pole – Santa’s legendary home.
• Nutcracker – A festive figurine and ballet character.
• Ornaments – Decorative items hung on the tree.
• Peace – Common Christmas message: “Peace on Earth.”
• Plum Pudding / Fruitcake – Traditional Christmas desserts.
• Presents / Gifts – Items exchanged to show love or celebration.
• Reindeer / Rudolph – Santa’s sleigh-pulling animals.
• Santa Claus / St. Nicholas / St. Nick – The man in red who delivers presents.
• Scrooge – A miserly person who dislikes Christmas (from Dickens’ story).
• Season’s Greetings – A general holiday well-wishing.
• Secret Santa – A gift-exchange where givers remain anonymous.
• Sleigh / Sledge – A snow-riding vehicle, often used by Santa.
• Snow Globe – A decorative sphere that simulates snowfall.
• Snowman / Snowball – Classic winter fun made of snow.
• Spirit – The emotional feel of Christmas, as in “holiday spirit.”
• Star – Symbolizes the star that guided the wise men to Jesus.
• Stocking – A sock-shaped item filled with small gifts.
• Stuffing – A savory food usually served with Christmas meat.
• Tinsel – Sparkly strands used as tree decoration.
• Tradition – Customs passed down over time, like family Christmas rituals.
• Trimmings – Side dishes served with a main meal.
• Unwrap – To open a gift.
• Wishlist – A list of desired gifts.
• Wreath – A circular arrangement of greenery hung on doors.
• Xmas – A shortened version of “Christmas.”
• Yule / Yuletide – Another term for Christmas and the Christmas season.

And so many more!

Using Christmas Vocabulary in Sentences

Let’s look at how to use some of these festive words in your conversations or IELTS Speaking responses:

• Yuletide: “The Yuletide atmosphere filled the town with joy and laughter.”
• ’Tis the season: “Everyone seems a little kinder—’tis the season, after all.”
• Scrooge: “Don’t be a Scrooge—come join the party!”

Learning to use seasonal words naturally shows a deeper understanding of cultural context, which is a great plus in IELTS Speaking!

FAQs: Christmas Vocabulary for Learners and Test-Takers

Q1: Why is learning Christmas vocabulary important for English learners?
It helps you understand cultural references, engage in conversations during the holidays, and boosts your fluency, especially in seasonal topics that might appear in IELTS Speaking tests.

Q2: What’s the difference between “Santa Claus” and “Father Christmas”?
There’s no real difference today—both refer to the same jolly man in red. “Father Christmas” is more common in British English, while “Santa Claus” is more widely used in the US.

Q3: Can I use Christmas vocabulary in the IELTS test?
Absolutely. If asked about holidays or traditions, incorporating Christmas words (appropriately) can show range and depth in vocabulary.

Q4: Is “Xmas” an informal or incorrect way of saying “Christmas”?
“Xmas” is simply a shorthand. The “X” comes from the Greek letter Chi, the first letter in “Christos.” It’s not disrespectful, but it’s more casual and often used in writing where space is limited.

Q5: What’s the origin of “Secret Santa”?
It comes from a tradition where participants exchange gifts anonymously, often among friends, classmates, or coworkers.