Popular Christmas Words From A-Z

The Christmas season is a special time of year for many people in the world. The holiday has so many traditions and symbols that aren’t limited to one day on the calendar. If you’re looking for the perfect way to describe this wonderful holiday, take a look at these popular Christmas words listed from A to Z.

popular Christmas word cookies

Christmas Words A-C

Angels on the tree, cookies baking in the oven, chestnuts roasting – it must be Christmas! Whether you celebrate Christmas as a religious occasion, a secular holiday or part of the winter season, these Christmas vocabulary words that start with “A,” “B” and “C” appeal to all of your senses.

Advent	Advent calendar	angel
appreciative	baking	belief
bells	Bethlehem	beautiful
birth	blessing	Blitzen
boots	bow	box
Boxing Day	Buche de Noel	candle
candlelight	candy cane	card
caring	carol	caroling
celebrate	ceremony	ceremonious
charity	cheer	cheerful
chestnuts	chilly	chimney
chocolate	Christmas Eve	Christmas Day
Christmas tree	Christmastide	church
cider	coal	cold
cookies	Comet	cranberries

If you’re wondering what Buche de Noel is, you’re in for a treat! It’s the French name for a yule log, which is a flourless chocolate cake in the shape of a log. Try it out this year if you’re looking for something new to serve at your next holiday party.

Christmas Words D-I

This December, many people exchange gifts and decorate with garland – but don’t forget the figgy pudding! See how many of these D-I words to describe Christmas should be on your list.

Dancer	December	decorations
display	Donner	eggnog
elf	Emmanuel	epiphany
evergreen	exchange	faith
family	Father Christmas	Feliz Navidad
festive	figgy pudding	fir
fireplace	frankincense	Frosty
fruitcake	garland	generosity
gift	gingerbread	gingerbread house
glad tidings	Gloria	gold
goodwill	goose	grace
green	greetings	Grinch
holiday	holly	hot chocolate
hymn	ice skating	icicle

When someone wishes you a Feliz Navidad, they’re wishing you a Merry Christmas. Don’t be a Grinch – wish it right back! It’s a great way to spread glad tidings to your fellow man.

Christmas Words J-O

It may be the little drummer boy in Jerusalem, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, or the magic Christmas lights along the street. No matter what you love about Christmas, these words that start with “J,” “K,” “L,” “M,” “N,” and “O” will put you in the holiday mood.

Jack Frost	Jerusalem	Jesus
jingle bells	jolly	joy
Joyeux Noel	kings	King Wenceslaus
Krampus	Kris Kringle	lights
list	little drummer boy	love
magic	manger	Mary
Merry Christmas	miracle	mistletoe
mittens	music	myrrh
nativity	naughty	nice
Noel	North Pole	nutcracker
observance	opening presents	ornaments

You may have heard of Kris Kringle, another name for Santa Claus, but have you heard of Krampus? According to folklore from Central Europe, Krampus is a horned creature who punishes children who have been naughty. Unlike Kris Kingle, Krampus doesn’t reward the nice list.

Christmas Words P-S

Season’s greetings! After you see Santa Claus in the Christmas parade, get that Christmas sweater and presents ready for the party. These Christmas words that start with P-S may make you want to create snow angels outside your door!

package	pageantry	parade
partridge	party	peace
peppermint	pine	poinsettia
popcorn	Prancer	presents
proclaim	receive	red
reindeer	rejoice	reverence
ribbon	Rudolph	sacred
Saint Nicholas	Santa Claus	savior
Scrooge	season’s greetings	secret Santa
shepherd	silver bells	sled
sleigh bells	snow	snow angel
snowman	special	spirit
star	stocking	sugarplum
surprise	sweater	symbol

Ebeneezer Scrooge, the main character from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, has become a symbol of hard-heartedness and frugality during the holiday season. Scrooge’s selfish ways are challenged when he discovers the true spirit of Christmas with journeys to the past, present and future.

Christmas Words T-Z

What’s your favorite Christmas tradition? Is it carving the turkey, hanging tinsel in the tree, or unwrapping all the toys? Even if your favorite part of the holiday season is being on vacation, these Christmas words from T-Z are sure to bring you tidings of joy.

Tannenbaum	Three Kings Day	tidings
tinsel	Tiny Tim	togetherness
toys	tradition	tree
trimming	turkey	unwrap
vacation	Vixen	wassail
white	winter	Winter Wonderland
wise men	wish	worship
workshop	wrapping paper	wreath
Xmas	yule log	yuletide

Three Kings Day, also known as El Dia del los Reyes or the Feast of the Epiphany, is celebrated in the Catholic faith in Spain and Latin America on January 6th. The holiday commemorates the last day of Christmas.

Printable Christmas Vocabulary Word List

There are so many great Christmas words, it can be hard to choose a few to use. Download and print this fun list of over 20 Christmas words for use in the classroom or at home.

View & Download PDF

Get in the Christmas Spirit

Christmas has many words to describe it, but there’s nothing like being in the Christmas season itself. After you’ve put up your decorations and wrapped the gifts, it’s time for a laugh!

Find your new favorite holiday jokes with these Christmas puns that will make you laugh your “elf” silly.
Enjoy the season with a list of timeless Christmas poems.
Gather a group and play a game of Christmas charades using some of these vocabulary words.

Happy Holidays

Christmas gets a lot of attention at the end of the year. However, it’s not the only winter holiday that people celebrate around the world. Learn more about the seven principles of Kwanzaa, which begins on December 26th. Or learn more about Hanukkah this year with these tips on how to wish someone a Happy Hanukkah.

Jennifer Gunner

Staff Writer