Holidays are a special time for relaxation, fun, and spending time with family and friends. People all over the world celebrate different holidays, and each one brings its own traditions and customs. During these times, people often use certain phrases or expressions related to holidays. These are called “holiday idioms.”
In this article, we will explore some common idioms that people use around the holiday season. You’ll learn what these idioms mean, how they’re used, and some fun facts about them. Understanding these expressions will help you enjoy holiday conversations even more. Let’s get started!
Idioms About Holiday
1. Deck the halls
Meaning: To decorate a place for the holidays.
Example Sentence:
- “We spent the whole afternoon decking the halls with lights and ornaments.”
- “It’s time to deck the halls before our guests arrive for the party.”
Other ways to say: Decorate for the holidays, put up decorations.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from an old Christmas carol, “Deck the Halls,” which talks about decorating for the festive season.
Usage: Commonly used around Christmas and other holiday seasons.
2. A holiday spirit
Meaning: A joyful, festive attitude or feeling.
Example Sentence:
- “She’s really in the holiday spirit, making cookies for everyone.”
- “The holiday spirit was everywhere, with people smiling and giving gifts.”
Other ways to say: Holiday cheer, festive mood.
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase refers to the positive feelings people often have during the holiday season, like happiness and kindness.
Usage: Used during Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other festive times.
3. Take a break
Meaning: To rest or stop working for a short time.
Example Sentence:
- “I’m taking a break to enjoy some hot chocolate.”
- “Let’s take a break from cleaning and watch a holiday movie.”
Other ways to say: Take a rest, have a pause.
Fun Fact/Origin: This expression is often used to describe time off during busy holiday seasons.
Usage: Common during holidays or vacations.
4. Ring in the New Year
Meaning: To celebrate the arrival of the New Year.
Example Sentence:
- “We rang in the New Year with fireworks and a big party.”
- “How do you plan to ring in the New Year this year?”
Other ways to say: Celebrate the New Year, welcome the New Year.
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom refers to making noise, like ringing bells, to celebrate a new beginning.
Usage: Commonly used for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
5. Under the mistletoe
Meaning: A tradition where two people kiss when standing beneath mistletoe.
Example Sentence:
- “He kissed her under the mistletoe at the Christmas party.”
- “They stood under the mistletoe, waiting for someone to kiss them.”
Other ways to say: Beneath the mistletoe.
Fun Fact/Origin: The tradition comes from ancient Norse mythology, where mistletoe was considered a symbol of peace and love.
Usage: Used around Christmas time, often jokingly.
6. The more the merrier
Meaning: The more people there are, the more fun it will be.
Example Sentence:
- “I’m glad you brought your friends! The more the merrier!”
- “We’re having a holiday party and the more the merrier!”
Other ways to say: The more, the better.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase is often said when inviting people to join in on a fun event or activity.
Usage: Commonly used during holidays or celebrations.
7. A white Christmas
Meaning: A Christmas where it snows.
Example Sentence:
- “We’re hoping for a white Christmas this year.”
- “It’s not likely to have a white Christmas in Florida, but we still love the holidays.”
Other ways to say: Snowy Christmas.
Fun Fact/Origin: The song “White Christmas” made this phrase popular in the United States.
Usage: Commonly used during Christmas, especially in areas where snow is expected.
8. Like a kid in a candy store
Meaning: To be very excited about something.
Example Sentence:
- “He was like a kid in a candy store when he saw all the presents under the tree.”
- “She was like a kid in a candy store when she saw the holiday decorations.”
Other ways to say: Excited like a child, thrilled like a kid.
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom refers to a child’s excitement when surrounded by candy, symbolizing joy and excitement.
Usage: Used when someone is very excited or happy about something.
9. A gift that keeps on giving
Meaning: A present that continues to bring joy after it’s given.
Example Sentence:
- “This holiday sweater is a gift that keeps on giving; I wear it every year.”
- “The new board game we got is a gift that keeps on giving.”
Other ways to say: Lasting gift, thoughtful present.
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used for gifts that have long-term benefits or sentimental value.
Usage: Used for presents, usually during Christmas or birthdays.
10. Home for the holidays
Meaning: Returning to one’s family home during the holiday season.
Example Sentence:
- “I’m so happy to be home for the holidays and spend time with my family.”
- “Are you planning to be home for the holidays this year?”
Other ways to say: Return home for the holidays, back for the holidays.
Fun Fact/Origin: Many people travel to their family homes during holiday seasons, making this phrase common during Christmas or Thanksgiving.
Usage: Often used in connection with traveling during the holiday season.
11. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
Meaning: To have a fun and joyful Christmas.
Example Sentence:
- “I hope you have a holly jolly Christmas with lots of fun and laughter.”
- “Let’s sing and dance for a holly jolly Christmas celebration.”
Other ways to say: Have a Merry Christmas, enjoy a cheerful Christmas.
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase became popular from the Christmas song “Holly Jolly Christmas.”
Usage: Used as a holiday greeting, especially during Christmas.
12. Tis the season
Meaning: Refers to the time of year for holiday activities and celebrations.
Example Sentence:
- “Tis the season to be jolly and share gifts with others!”
- “Tis the season for hot cocoa and holiday cheer.”
Other ways to say: The time of year, holiday season.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase is taken from the song “Deck the Halls,” referring to the joyful time of year.
Usage: Often used during Christmas and other holidays.
13. Make a list and check it twice
Meaning: To plan carefully and be thorough.
Example Sentence:
- “Before we go shopping for gifts, let’s make a list and check it twice.”
- “He made a list of all the things he needed to do for the holiday party and checked it twice.”
Other ways to say: Create a list, plan everything carefully.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase is from the popular Christmas song “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
Usage: Used for making sure everything is in order, often during busy holiday times.
14. A Christmas miracle
Meaning: A wonderful or surprising event that happens during Christmas.
Example Sentence:
- “It was a Christmas miracle when we found the lost presents under the couch.”
- “They say a Christmas miracle brought them back together.”
Other ways to say: Christmas blessing, holiday surprise.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to something amazing happening around Christmas time, often used in stories and songs.
Usage: Commonly used during Christmas or when something unexpected happens during the holiday season.
15. A stocking stuffer
Meaning: A small gift placed in a Christmas stocking.
Example Sentence:
- “I got some chocolate bars and tiny toys as stocking stuffers.”
- “The socks were cute, but the best stocking stuffer was the little toy car.”
Other ways to say: Small gift, holiday surprise.
Fun Fact/Origin: Stockings were originally hung to hold small presents during Christmas, a tradition that continues today.
Usage: Used to describe small, inexpensive gifts during the Christmas season.
16. Wrapped up in the holidays
Meaning: Fully involved in or excited about holiday activities.
Example Sentence:
- “She’s all wrapped up in the holidays, baking cookies every day.”
- “We were so wrapped up in the holidays, we forgot to send out our cards!”
Other ways to say: Busy with the holidays, caught up in holiday activities.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to being busy with holiday traditions like decorating, shopping, and preparing meals.
Usage: Often used when someone is very involved in the holiday season.
17. It’s the thought that counts
Meaning: The value of a gift is not in how much it costs, but in the thought behind it.
Example Sentence:
- “I know it’s not the best gift, but it’s the thought that counts.”
- “She gave me a handmade card, and I told her it’s the thought that counts.”
Other ways to say: It’s the gesture that matters, it’s the care that counts.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase reminds us that the effort and love behind a gift are more important than its price.
Usage: Used when giving or receiving gifts, especially if the gift is simple or inexpensive.
18. A Christmas card
Meaning: A card sent during the holiday season, usually with greetings.
Example Sentence:
- “I love getting Christmas cards from friends and family.”
- “She sent me a beautiful Christmas card with a lovely message.”
Other ways to say: Holiday card, festive card.
Fun Fact/Origin: Christmas cards became popular in the 19th century in England and have since become a tradition worldwide.
Usage: Used during the Christmas season to share greetings and well-wishes.
19. A holiday treat
Meaning: A special food or snack enjoyed during the holidays.
Example Sentence:
- “We made gingerbread cookies as a holiday treat.”
- “The holiday treat I love most is pumpkin pie.”
Other ways to say: Festive snack, seasonal dessert.
Fun Fact/Origin: Holiday treats are part of various cultural traditions, like baking pies or making candy.
Usage: Used during the holiday season, especially for food or sweets.
20. Light up the holidays
Meaning: To make the holidays more festive and joyful.
Example Sentence:
- “The lights on the Christmas tree really light up the holidays.”
- “Her smile can light up the holidays wherever she goes.”
Other ways to say: Brighten the holidays, make the season shine.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to decorating with bright lights during the holiday season, especially for Christmas.
Usage: Used when someone or something makes the holidays more cheerful and bright.
21. Jingle all the way
Meaning: To be full of holiday cheer and excitement.
Example Sentence:
- “The kids were jingling all the way to the Christmas party, full of excitement.”
- “We were jingling all the way through the snow, singing Christmas carols.”
Other ways to say: Full of holiday spirit, excited for the holidays.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from the popular Christmas song “Jingle Bells,” where the jingling of bells symbolizes festive cheer.
Usage: Often used around Christmas time to describe excitement.
22. Silent Night
Meaning: A calm and peaceful night, often referring to Christmas Eve.
Example Sentence:
- “The house was so quiet on Christmas Eve, it was a silent night.”
- “We enjoyed a silent night, listening to the snow fall outside.”
Other ways to say: Peaceful night, calm evening.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Silent Night” is a famous Christmas carol that expresses peace and calmness during Christmas Eve.
Usage: Refers to a peaceful, quiet night, especially during Christmas.
23. Holiday hustle and bustle
Meaning: The busy, often stressful activities that happen around the holidays.
Example Sentence:
- “The holiday hustle and bustle made shopping a bit stressful, but we got everything done.”
- “She loves the holiday hustle and bustle, even though it’s a lot of work.”
Other ways to say: Holiday rush, holiday chaos.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to all the shopping, traveling, and preparing that happens during the holiday season.
Usage: Commonly used to describe the busyness of the holiday season.
24. Christmas came early
Meaning: Something good or exciting happens unexpectedly.
Example Sentence:
- “I got a surprise gift, and it felt like Christmas came early!”
- “When we found out we were going on vacation, it felt like Christmas came early.”
Other ways to say: A pleasant surprise, an early gift.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase is often used when something surprising or exciting happens out of the blue, like receiving a gift ahead of time.
Usage: Used when something good or unexpected happens during the holiday season.
25. Frosty the Snowman
Meaning: Refers to something or someone cold, often used in holiday jokes.
Example Sentence:
- “It’s so cold today, I feel like I’m turning into Frosty the Snowman!”
- “He looked like Frosty the Snowman with all the snow on his coat.”
Other ways to say: Cold as ice, frosty weather.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Frosty the Snowman” is a well-known holiday song about a snowman that comes to life.
Usage: Used in a fun way to describe cold weather or a cold person.
26. Let it snow
Meaning: A phrase often used when wishing for snowy weather, especially during the holidays.
Example Sentence:
- “We’re hoping for snow tomorrow—let it snow!”
- “I can’t wait for the holiday snow to start falling—let it snow!”
Other ways to say: I hope it snows, wishing for snow.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” is a famous song about enjoying the snow during the winter holidays.
Usage: Commonly used during the winter season, especially when people hope for snow.
27. Home sweet home
Meaning: A phrase used when returning to one’s own home after being away.
Example Sentence:
- “After a long trip, it felt so good to finally be home sweet home for the holidays.”
- “I can’t wait to get home sweet home and relax during the holidays.”
Other ways to say: There’s no place like home, back home.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from the idea that your home is the best place, especially after traveling or being away.
Usage: Often used when returning home after traveling, especially for the holidays.
28. Ho ho ho
Meaning: The jolly laugh of Santa Claus.
Example Sentence:
- “Santa Claus laughed, ‘Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!’”
- “When I saw him at the mall, Santa said, ‘Ho ho ho!’”
Other ways to say: Merry Christmas, ho ho ho laugh.
Fun Fact/Origin: This is Santa Claus’s iconic laugh, often associated with Christmas.
Usage: Used around Christmas time, especially to imitate Santa Claus’s cheerful laugh.
29. A holiday miracle
Meaning: A surprising or magical event that happens during the holiday season.
Example Sentence:
- “Finding my lost keys on Christmas Eve felt like a holiday miracle!”
- “It was a holiday miracle when they were able to get the tree up just in time.”
Other ways to say: Christmas miracle, festive surprise.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase refers to the magical or extraordinary events that seem to happen around Christmas.
Usage: Often used during Christmas or other holiday seasons to describe unexpected events.
30. The gift of giving
Meaning: The joy and fulfillment found in giving presents or helping others during the holidays.
Example Sentence:
- “The true meaning of Christmas is the gift of giving, not just receiving presents.”
- “She found the gift of giving by donating to the food bank.”
Other ways to say: The joy of giving, the spirit of giving.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase reflects the idea that the best part of holidays like Christmas is the joy that comes from giving to others.
Usage: Used when discussing the importance of kindness and charity during the holidays.
31. A holiday hangover
Meaning: The tiredness or stress that comes after the holiday season.
Example Sentence:
- “After all the holiday shopping, I have a bit of a holiday hangover today.”
- “We ate so much food at the party that I’m dealing with a holiday hangover.”
Other ways to say: Post-holiday fatigue, holiday recovery.
Fun Fact/Origin: The term “hangover” is usually used for after-effects of drinking, but here it refers to the exhaustion after holiday activities.
Usage: Used to describe the tired feeling or stress after the holidays.
32. Christmas Eve jitters
Meaning: The nervous excitement or anticipation on the night before Christmas.
Example Sentence:
- “He had Christmas Eve jitters because he couldn’t wait to open presents.”
- “The kids couldn’t sleep due to the Christmas Eve jitters.”
Other ways to say: Pre-Christmas excitement, Christmas anticipation.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the excitement and nervousness many people feel the night before Christmas.
Usage: Used when talking about the feeling of excitement before Christmas Day.
33. Winter wonderland
Meaning: A place or scene that is beautifully covered with snow, especially during the holidays.
Example Sentence:
- “After the snowstorm, we woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland outside.”
- “The city looked like a winter wonderland with all the lights and snow.”
Other ways to say: Snowy landscape, frosty scene.
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase is used in holiday songs and poems to describe the beauty of winter during Christmas time.
Usage: Used to describe snowy, magical holiday scenes, especially around Christmas.
Quiz: Idioms About Holiday
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does the idiom “Jingle all the way” mean?
A) To sing loudly during the holiday season
B) To be full of excitement during the holidays
C) To stay calm and peaceful during the holidays
2. What does “Silent Night” refer to?
A) A loud and busy night during the holidays
B) A calm and peaceful night, especially on Christmas Eve
C) A snowy night without much fun
3. What is the meaning of “Holiday hustle and bustle”?
A) The quietness of a holiday season
B) The busy and often stressful activities of the holidays
C) The peacefulness of holiday nights
4. What does “Christmas came early” mean?
A) Something exciting happens unexpectedly
B) Christmas celebrations start early in the year
C) You receive a gift before Christmas
5. When someone says “Frosty the Snowman,” they are talking about:
A) A cold winter day
B) Someone who is very happy
C) A snowman who comes to life
6. What does “Let it snow” mean?
A) To hope for snow during the winter
B) To enjoy sunny weather
C) To decorate for the holidays
7. What does “Home sweet home” mean?
A) Returning to your own home after a trip
B) Wishing for a sweet holiday treat
C) Enjoying a holiday vacation
8. What does “Ho ho ho” represent?
A) Santa Claus’s laugh during Christmas
B) The cold weather in the winter
C) A joyful holiday dance
9. What is a “holiday miracle”?
A) An expected event during the holidays
B) A surprise or magical event that happens during the holidays
C) A quiet day during the holidays
10. What does “Winter wonderland” describe?
A) A beautiful scene covered in snow
B) A place with no snow at all
C) A warm, sunny holiday beach
Answers Key
- B – To be full of excitement during the holidays
- B – A calm and peaceful night, especially on Christmas Eve
- B – The busy and often stressful activities of the holidays
- A – Something exciting happens unexpectedly
- A – A cold winter day
- A – To hope for snow during the winter
- A – Returning to your own home after a trip
- A – Santa Claus’s laugh during Christmas
- B – A surprise or magical event that happens during the holidays
- A – A beautiful scene covered in snow
Wrapping Up
Holiday idioms can make conversations more fun and festive. They help describe the joy, excitement, and even the busy moments that come with the holiday season. Whether you’re talking about the peaceful “Silent Night” or the busy “Holiday hustle and bustle,” these phrases bring a special meaning to our words. By using them, you can add more holiday cheer to your conversations.
Now that you know more about these idioms, try using them the next time you’re talking about the holidays! Keep practicing, and you’ll be a holiday idiom expert in no time.
