Christmas Words

From Santa’s workshop to the Christmas dinner table, the holiday season brings its own special vocabulary. Whether you’re building a classroom word wall, writing Christmas cards, or crafting a holiday story, this list organizes Christmas words by category to help you find exactly the words you need.

Practice with Christmas Worksheets

Ready for hands-on practice? Our Christmas worksheets bring holiday vocabulary to life with festive activities.

View Christmas Worksheets →

Christmas Characters

The beloved figures and personalities of the Christmas season.

Santa & Friends

Santa Claus Saint Nicholas Kris Kringle Father Christmas Mrs. Claus elf elves reindeer Rudolph Dasher Dancer Prancer Vixen Comet Cupid Donner Blitzen

Fictional Characters

Grinch Scrooge Frosty snowman nutcracker Sugar Plum Fairy Jack Frost Tiny Tim

Decorations & Symbols

The objects and images that make the season bright.

Tree Decorations

Christmas tree ornament tinsel garland lights star angel topper baubles ribbon bow evergreen pine fir spruce branches needles

Home Decorations

wreath mistletoe holly ivy poinsettia candle stocking mantel fireplace chimney nativity scene advent calendar snow globe centerpiece

Outdoor Decorations

lights icicle lights yard display inflatable luminaria sleigh sled

Christmas Activity Words

Action words for holiday traditions and celebrations.

Celebrating

celebrate gather feast toast rejoice sing carol dance laugh hug kiss cheer

Giving & Receiving

give receive share exchange wrap unwrap open surprise donate volunteer

Decorating & Preparing

decorate hang string trim light display arrange shop bake cook prepare plan

Food & Treats

Delicious words for holiday feasting and sweet treats.

Sweet Treats

cookies sugar cookies gingerbread gingerbread man candy cane peppermint chocolate fudge fruitcake plum pudding pie cake yule log candy caramel icing frosting sprinkles

Holiday Dinner

turkey ham roast stuffing gravy cranberries potatoes casserole rolls feast dinner meal

Drinks

eggnog hot cocoa hot chocolate cider mulled wine punch wassail

Describing Words (Adjectives)

Words that capture the look, feel, and spirit of Christmas.

Festive & Merry

merry jolly festive cheerful joyful joyous happy bright merry gleeful jubilant celebratory

Magical & Wonderful

magical enchanting wonderful wondrous miraculous heavenly dazzling sparkling glittering twinkling shimmering glowing

Cozy & Warm

cozy warm snug toasty comfortable peaceful calm quiet serene homey inviting welcoming

Winter & Weather Words

Words that describe the cold, snowy backdrop of the Christmas season.

Snow & Ice

snow snowflake snowfall snowstorm blizzard flurry frost ice icicle sleet slush powder drift blanket

Cold & Chilly

cold chilly freezing frigid frosty icy wintry crisp bitter brisk nippy blustery

Winter Activities

sledding skating skiing snowball snowman snow angel ice skating bundled up

Feelings & Emotions

Words that describe how Christmas makes us feel.

Positive Feelings

joyful happy excited delighted thankful grateful blessed hopeful peaceful content loved cherished amazed wonder awe

Giving Spirit

generous giving kind caring thoughtful charitable selfless warm-hearted goodwill compassion

Religious & Traditional Words

Words connected to the spiritual meaning and traditions of Christmas.

Nativity

Nativity manger stable Bethlehem baby Jesus Mary Joseph shepherd wise men Magi star angel inn swaddling

Spiritual Words

blessing prayer faith hope love peace miracle savior holy sacred divine glory hallelujah hymn carol

Gifts & Giving

Words related to presents and the joy of giving.

Presents

gift present package parcel box surprise toy wish list Santa’s list letter to Santa

Wrapping

wrapping paper ribbon bow tag tape tissue paper gift bag gift card

Christmas Compound Words

Words formed by combining two words—great for spelling and vocabulary practice.

Compound Words

snowflake snowfall snowstorm snowman snowball fireplace firewood candlelight starlight moonlight gingerbread peppermint evergreen reindeer sleighbells workshop homemade handmade goodwill wintertime Christmastime countdown

Tips for Using Christmas Words

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Build a Word Wall

Print Christmas words on red, green, and gold paper. Group by category and add new words throughout December.

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Write Christmas Cards

Use feeling words (joyful, grateful, blessed) and descriptive words (magical, wonderful) to write heartfelt messages.

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Create Holiday Stories

Combine characters, settings, and describing words to write original Christmas stories. The compound words make great spelling practice.

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Make an ABC Book

Challenge students to find a Christmas word for every letter: Angel, Bell, Candy cane, December…

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some Christmas words?

Popular Christmas words include Santa, reindeer, ornament, wreath, candy cane, snowflake, jolly, merry, and festive. The season also brings words like gift, carol, nativity, and peace.

What words describe Christmas?

Christmas can be described as merry, jolly, festive, magical, joyful, peaceful, cozy, and wonderful. Many people also use words like blessed, thankful, and miraculous to describe the holiday.

What are good Christmas words for a word wall?

Start with high-frequency nouns: Santa, tree, star, gift, snow, stocking, elf, and bell. Add adjectives like merry, jolly, and bright for variety. Include verbs like give, wrap, and celebrate.

What are the names of Santa’s reindeer?

Santa’s nine reindeer are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph (the red-nosed reindeer). The first eight come from the 1823 poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas.”

What Christmas words start with each letter?

Some examples: Angel, Bell, Candy cane, December, Elf, Frosty, Gift, Holly, Icicle, Jolly, Kringle, Lights, Merry, Nativity, Ornament, Present, Reindeer, Santa, Tree, Wreath.