Ever wondered why we use phrases like “deck the halls” or “ho ho ho” during the holiday season? These are called idioms, expressions that don’t mean exactly what the words say.
Christmas is akin to a bright star shining in the winter sky, guiding us with its warmth and hope. Discover more metaphors for Christmas here: Metaphors for Christmas. You can also find similes for Christmas that compare the holiday to various joyful experiences here: Similes for Christmas.
What is an idiom for Christmas?
Idioms are phrases that have a figurative meaning, often different from their literal interpretation. They add color and depth to our language, allowing us to express ideas in a creative and vivid manner.
Idioms for Christmas are expressions commonly associated with the holiday season.
Let’s explore the meanings behind some of the most popular idioms for Christmas:
Summary
Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
---|---|---|
‘Tis the season | It’s the time of year for celebration or giving. | ‘Tis the season for joy and goodwill towards all. |
Deck the halls | To decorate a place with festive ornaments. | Let’s deck the halls with boughs of holly for our Christmas party. |
Trim the tree | To decorate a Christmas tree with ornaments and lights. | It’s time to trim the tree and make it sparkle with lights and tinsel. |
Jingle all the way | To go or do something with excitement or enthusiasm. | We’re going to jingle all the way through the Christmas parade. |
All is calm, all is bright | Everything is peaceful and serene. | As we gather around the fireplace, all is calm, all is bright. |
Merry and bright | Full of happiness and joy. | Wishing you a holiday season that’s merry and bright. |
‘Twas the night before Christmas | Referring to the night before Christmas Day. | ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. |
Ho ho ho | The sound Santa Claus makes when he laughs. | Santa’s hearty “ho ho ho” echoed through the chilly winter night. |
Stocking stuffer | Small gifts or treats placed in Christmas stockings. | I bought some candies and trinkets as stocking stuffers for the kids. |
Frosty the Snowman | A friendly snowman character associated with Christmas. | The children built Frosty the Snowman in the backyard. |
Winter wonderland | A beautiful and magical scene during winter. | The snow-covered park looked like a winter wonderland. |
Walking in a winter wonderland | Enjoying the beauty of winter scenery. | Holding hands, they strolled through the park, walking in a winter wonderland. |
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire | A cozy and comforting image of Christmas. | We gathered around the fireplace, chestnuts roasting on an open fire. |
Let it snow | Expressing the hope for snowfall. | I love waking up to a world covered in snow. Let it snow! |
Sleigh bells ring | A sign of the arrival of Santa Claus or the holiday season. | Outside, the sleigh bells ring, signaling Santa’s approach. |
Under the mistletoe | A traditional Christmas decoration hung for people to kiss under. | They shared a kiss under the mistletoe, surrounded by laughter and cheer. |
Santa’s workshop | Where Santa Claus and his elves make toys for children. | The children imagined Santa’s workshop bustling with activity as Christmas drew near. |
Silver bells | Bells that are silver in color, often associated with Christmas. | The sound of silver bells filled the air as the church choir sang. |
The spirit of Christmas | Feelings of love, generosity, and goodwill associated with the holiday. | Let’s embrace the spirit of Christmas by spreading kindness and joy to others. |
Naughty or nice | Referring to whether someone has been good or bad. | Santa checks his list to see if you’ve been naughty or nice this year. |
Ringing in the new year | Celebrating the start of a new year. | We’ll be ringing in the new year with fireworks and music. |
A partridge in a pear tree | Referring to the first gift in the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” | On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree. |
Eggnog season | The time of year when eggnog, a traditional holiday drink, is enjoyed. | I look forward to eggnog season every year; it’s my favorite holiday treat. |
Season’s greetings | Expressing good wishes for the holiday season. | Season’s greetings to you and your family; may your holidays be filled with joy and laughter. |
Sugar and spice | Referring to the pleasant combination of sweetness and warmth. | Her cookies were just the right mix of sugar and spice, perfect for the holidays. |
Idioms for Christmas
1. ‘Tis the season
Meaning: It’s the time of year for something specific, like celebration or giving.
In a Sentence: ‘Tis the season for joy and goodwill towards all.
2. Deck the halls
Meaning: To decorate a place with festive ornaments and decorations.
In a Sentence: Let’s deck the halls with boughs of holly for our Christmas party.
3. Trim the tree
Meaning: To decorate a Christmas tree with ornaments and lights.
In a Sentence: It’s time to trim the tree and make it sparkle with lights and tinsel.
4. Jingle all the way
Meaning: To go or do something with excitement or enthusiasm.
In a Sentence: We’re going to jingle all the way through the Christmas parade.
5. All is calm, all is bright
Meaning: Everything is peaceful and serene.
In a Sentence: As we gather around the fireplace, all is calm, all is bright.
6. Merry and bright
Meaning: Full of happiness and joy.
In a Sentence: Wishing you a holiday season that’s merry and bright.
7. ‘Twas the night before Christmas
Meaning: Referring to the night before Christmas Day, often used to start a story or recount an event.
In a Sentence: ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
8. Ho ho ho
Meaning: The sound Santa Claus makes when he laughs.
In a Sentence: Santa’s hearty “ho ho ho” echoed through the chilly winter night.
9. Stocking stuffer
Meaning: Small gifts or treats placed in Christmas stockings.
In a Sentence: I bought some candies and trinkets as stocking stuffers for the kids.
10. Frosty the Snowman
Meaning: A friendly snowman character often associated with winter and Christmas.
In a Sentence: The children built Frosty the Snowman in the backyard.
11. Winter wonderland
Meaning: A scene or place that’s beautiful and magical during winter.
In a Sentence: The snow-covered park looked like a winter wonderland.
12. Walking in a winter wonderland
Meaning: Enjoying the beauty of winter scenery.
In a Sentence: Holding hands, they strolled through the park, walking in a winter wonderland.
13. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Meaning: A cozy and comforting image of Christmas.
In a Sentence: We gathered around the fireplace, chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
14. Let it snow
Meaning: A phrase expressing the hope for snowfall.
In a Sentence: I love waking up to a world covered in snow. Let it snow!
15. Sleigh bells ring
Meaning: A sign of the arrival of Santa Claus or the holiday season.
In a Sentence: Outside, the sleigh bells ring, signaling Santa’s approach.
16. Under the mistletoe
Meaning: A traditional Christmas decoration hung for people to kiss under.
In a Sentence: They shared a kiss under the mistletoe, surrounded by laughter and cheer.
17. Santa’s workshop
Meaning: Where Santa Claus and his elves make toys for children.
In a Sentence: The children imagined Santa’s workshop bustling with activity as Christmas drew near.
18. Silver bells
Meaning: Bells that are silver in color, often associated with Christmas.
In a Sentence: The sound of silver bells filled the air as the church choir sang.
19. The spirit of Christmas
Meaning: The feelings of love, generosity, and goodwill associated with the holiday.
In a Sentence: Let’s embrace the spirit of Christmas by spreading kindness and joy to others.
20. Naughty or nice
Meaning: Referring to whether someone has been good or bad, especially in relation to Santa’s list.
In a Sentence: Santa checks his list to see if you’ve been naughty or nice this year.
21. Ringing in the new year
Meaning: Celebrating the start of a new year.
In a Sentence: We’ll be ringing in the new year with fireworks and music.
22. A partridge in a pear tree
Meaning: A reference to the first gift in the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
In a Sentence: On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree.
23. Eggnog season
Meaning: The time of year when eggnog, a traditional holiday drink, is enjoyed.
In a Sentence: I look forward to eggnog season every year; it’s my favorite holiday treat.
24. Season’s greetings
Meaning: Expressing good wishes for the holiday season.
In a Sentence: Season’s greetings to you and your family; may your holidays be filled with joy and laughter.
25. Sugar and spice
Meaning: Referring to the pleasant combination of sweetness and warmth.
In a Sentence: Her cookies were just the right mix of sugar and spice, perfect for the holidays.
Conclusion
Now that you know the meanings behind these Christmas idioms, you can sprinkle them into your conversations with friends and family during the holiday season.