24 Christmas Phrases for Joyful English Conversations

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to get ready for the festive period than by learning some typical Christmas phrases in English? Let’s be honest – we all look forward to the Christmas holiday. Even if it’s just for the time off! Enjoy yourself – you deserve it!

However, don’t take your foot off the gas just yet. Like any major event or holiday, Christmas comes with its own phrases and expressions. The more you look into the world of Christmas, the more festive language there is to learn! From holiday greetings to specific vocabulary – we’re going to need another blog to fit it all in! So, get your notebooks ready as we teach you some popular English festive phrases. Let the fun begin!

Greetings and well-wishes

So, let’s start with the basics. One of our favourite things about the festive period is hanging out with our friends and relatives. It’s a time to catch up with our loved ones and reflect on the year that is coming to an end, and also to look forward to the next one. However, how many times can we repeat the same phrases “Merry Christmas!” in one day? How about trying one of these?

Happy Christmas!

Yuletide greetings!

Season’s greetings!

Good tidings!

Happy holidays!

Alternatively, why not say it with a song? Everyone loves a singalong at Christmas time. How about using some lyrics from classic Christmas songs? You might just be the one who gets the party started!

Compliments and celebratory expressions

Like we said, Christmas is generally a time to spend with your loved ones. It’s a time to put your feet up and relax with the family. However, would it really be Christmas without the Christmas decorations? First of all, let’s take a look at some of the vocabulary we use when talking about Christmas decorations.

But, Christmas isn’t just about staying in with the family. Part of the fun is getting dressed up in your favourite Christmas jumper and having a great time at Christmas parties. Christmas is a time to let your hair down a bit! So, how about some useful phrases to use at Christmas parties?

Typical food phrases

One of our favourite things about the festive period is, of course, Christmas food! There are so many special treats that we love scoffing at Christmas time. However, It does make you wonder, why don’t we eat them all year round?! Well, the simple answer is that they wouldn’t be quite as special!

Every household has its own family tradition when it comes to Christmas dinner. What one family loves, another may not. However, that’s the beauty of it. It’s about spending time around the table, pulling Christmas crackers and telling jokes. Check out the Top Ten British Christmas Dishes and keep your notebook open. Pause when you see something you don’t understand, try to understand from the context, and if you need help, look up the definition in the Cambridge Online Dictionary.

Here are some nice phrases to use when you’re sitting around the table:

Gift-giving and receiving

Christmas is a time we associate with presents. You might be a person who loves shopping for gifts, or you might be someone who prefers to play it safe by choosing something from a wishlist. However, we all like giving and receiving presents. It’s true, some people are much trickier to buy for than others, and that’s usually when we decide to buy a voucher instead!

Above all, it’s the moment of exchanging presents that is the most important. We all love seeing the excitement in our friend’s eyes when they unwrap the gift we spent hours choosing. Here are some lovely phrases you can use when exchanging gifts. But, remember, it’s the thought that counts!

So, when you’re spending time with your English-speaking friends, or you just want to show your family how much English you’ve learnt this year, you can impress them with these 24 festive phrases!

Don’t stop yet! Check out these blogs for more ways to improve your English!

5 Interesting Christmas traditions from around the world

5 Christmas movies on netflix to practise your English

9 tips for communicating with locals in English-speaking countries

Give yourself the Christmas gift you’ve always wanted this year – find the class to suit your needs!

Glossary for Language Learners

Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn’t know.

Jolly (adj): happy and smiling.

Time off (n): a period of time when you don’t work or study.

Take your foot off the gas (id): do something with less effort or determination.

Catch up with (pv): talk with, especially after a long time without talking.

Singalong (n): an informal singing of songs by a group of people.

Let your hair down (id): allow yourself to behave much more freely than usual; enjoy yourself.

Tipple (n): alcoholic drink.

Cheeky (adj): rude or showing no respect, but often in a funny way.

Scoff (v): eat something quickly.

Wonder (v): ask yourself questions.

Christmas cracker (n): a tube of coloured paper that makes a noise when pulled apart by two people.

Look up (pv): try to find a piece of information.

Play it safe (id): to be careful and not take risks.

Tricky (adj): difficult.

Voucher (n): gift coupon.

Unwrap (v): open a present or package.

It’s the thought that counts (id): the most important thing is kindness, not the gift.

Key

pv = phrasal verb

n = noun

id = idiom

adj = adjective

v = verb