27 Christmas Idioms With Their Meanings & Examples
Are you ready to embrace the Christmas spirit? Discover 27 idioms about Christmas, along with their meanings and examples, to enhance your English skills.
When the holiday season comes around, so does a unique set of idioms tied to Christmas and winter themes. These idioms can add festive cheer to conversations and are perfect for sharing holiday spirit.
So, if you’ve been looking for Christmas idioms you could say that all of your Christmases have come at once. We’ve got a great list for you to get stuck into below!
27 Christmas Idioms
Here’s a list of 27 Christmas idioms to help you embrace the holiday season.
A Scrooge
Meaning: A person who is grumpy or stingy, especially during Christmas.
How to Use It: Use this idiom to describe someone who isn’t enjoying or participating in the holiday festivities.
Example: Don’t be such a Scrooge—come join the holiday fun!
All Your Christmases Have Come at Once
Meaning: Experiencing a moment of extraordinary happiness or good fortune, as if every Christmas joy has arrived together from all of your Christmases.
How to Use It: Use this phrase when someone receives great news or a wonderful surprise.
Example: When he won the holiday raffle, it was like all his Christmases had come at once!
All the Trimmings
Meaning: Everything that completes a traditional Christmas dinner or experience.
How to Use It: Use this phrase when you’re talking about a full or traditional Christmas setup, especially meals.
Example: Our Christmas meal had all the trimmings, from turkey to pudding!
Be There with Bells On
Meaning: To be excited and eager to attend.
How to Use It: Use this idiom when someone invites you to an event, and you want to emphasize your enthusiasm.
Example: I’ll be at the Christmas party with bells on!
Christmas Came Early
Meaning: Something good happening before it’s expected.
How to Use It: Use this to describe a surprise or unexpected joy that feels like an early holiday gift.
Example: Getting that job offer was like Christmas came early!
Christmas Comes But Once a Year
Meaning: Christmas is a rare, special time, so enjoy it while it lasts.
How to Use It: Use this phrase to encourage people to celebrate or indulge since the holiday only happens annually.
Example: Go ahead and treat yourself—Christmas comes but once a year!
Cold Snap
Meaning: A sudden period of cold weather.
How to Use It: Use this phrase to talk about unseasonably cold weather, especially if it feels festive around Christmas.
Example: We’re in for a cold snap just in time for Christmas.
Deck the Halls
Meaning: To decorate for Christmas.
How to Use It: Use this phrase when describing the act of decorating your home or space for the holidays.
Example: We always deck the halls the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Don’t Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle
Meaning: Don’t get upset or overreact.
How to Use It: Use this phrase to calm someone down if they’re stressing about holiday details.
Example: Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle—it’s just a minor change in plans.
Feast or Famine
Meaning: Experiencing either abundance or scarcity, especially during holiday preparations.
How to Use It: Use this phrase to describe fluctuating resources or activities during the holidays.
Example: The holiday season can be feast or famine with all the extra expenses.
Frosty Reception
Meaning: A cold or unfriendly welcome.
How to Use It: Use this phrase to describe an unfriendly greeting, especially if it contrasts with the usual holiday warmth.
Example: I received a frosty reception from my boss after taking extra holiday time.
Good Things Come in Small Packages
Meaning: Small gifts can still be meaningful.
How to Use It: Use this phrase when giving or receiving small but meaningful gifts.
Example: That tiny box was the best gift—good things do come in small packages.
Holiday Spirit
Meaning: The joyful and generous attitude common during the holidays.
How to Use It: Use this phrase to describe someone’s cheerful mood during Christmas.
Example: The decorations around town really get everyone in the holiday spirit.
Like Turkeys Voting for Christmas
Meaning: Doing something that is self-destructive or unwise.
How to Use It: Use this idiom to describe someone making a decision that might not benefit them in the end.
Example: Agreeing to work on Christmas is like turkeys voting for Christmas.
Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree
Meaning: To be brightly decorated or overly adorned.
How to Use It: Use this idiom to describe a house, person, or thing decorated with lots of lights.
Example: The house was lit up like a Christmas tree with all the lights.
Merry as a Cricket
Meaning: To be very happy and cheerful.
How to Use It: Use this phrase to describe someone in an exceptionally good mood, especially during the holidays.
Example: She was as merry as a cricket after seeing the holiday lights.
Old Chestnut
Meaning: A story or joke that’s been repeated many times, especially around holidays.
How to Use It: Use this to refer to holiday stories or jokes you’ve heard several times.
Example: Grandpa told the old chestnut about his childhood Christmas again.
Peace on Earth
Meaning: The desire for global harmony, often associated with Christmas.
How to Use It: Use this phrase to express hope for unity and kindness, especially in holiday greetings.
Example: The Christmas card wished everyone peace on earth and goodwill.
Santa Came Early
Meaning: Receiving gifts or good fortune unexpectedly.
How to Use It: Use this phrase when something nice happens before the holidays, like an early Christmas present.
Example: Santa came early this year with that big promotion!
Santa’s Little Helper
Meaning: Someone who helps prepare for the holidays.
How to Use It: Use this phrase for anyone helping you with holiday tasks or decorations.
Example: With all her decorating, she’s become Santa’s little helper.
Snowball Effect
Meaning: When something small grows bigger over time, like a snowball rolling down a hill.
How to Use It: Use this idiom to describe a situation that keeps escalating, especially around holiday planning.
Example: What started as a small party has had a snowball effect, and now everyone is coming.
Snowed Under
Meaning: To be overwhelmed with work or responsibilities.
How to Use It: Use this phrase to explain being busy or stressed, especially with holiday prep.
Example: I’m snowed under with holiday orders at the bakery.
Stocking Stuffer
Meaning: A small gift, usually inexpensive, placed in a Christmas stocking.
How to Use It: Use this term for little gifts you put in a stocking, especially for kids.
Example: Candies and little toys make great stocking stuffers for kids.
The More, the Merrier
Meaning: The more people who join in, the better.
How to Use It: Use this idiom to welcome more people to a gathering, especially during the holidays.
Example: Invite all your friends; the more, the merrier!
The Proof Is in the Pudding
Meaning: You’ll know if something is good once you try or experience it.
How to Use It: Use this idiom when you’re waiting to see the outcome before making a judgment.
Example: We’ll know if the new holiday recipe is any good—the proof is in the pudding.
Trim the Tree
Meaning: To decorate the Christmas tree.
How to Use It: Use this phrase to describe putting up ornaments and lights on your tree.
Example: We trim the tree every Christmas Eve with ornaments and lights.
White Christmas
Meaning: A Christmas with snow on the ground.
How to Use It: Use this to express a desire for snow on Christmas day.
Example: We’re dreaming of a white Christmas this year.
Wrapped Up Like a Present
Meaning: To be dressed warmly, bundled up like a gift.
How to Use It: Use this idiom to describe bundling up in layers for winter weather.
Example: We were wrapped up like presents to keep warm in the snow.
Conclusion
As the holiday season rolls around, these 27 Christmas idioms will add a sprinkle of cheer to your conversations. Whether you’re reminiscing about past Christmases or sharing your excitement for this year’s festivities, these phrases will help you express the joy, warmth, and sometimes the chaos that comes at this time of year!
So, gather your loved ones, enjoy the lights and laughter, and don’t forget to throw in a few of these idioms for fun! Remember, it’s the little moments that make the season special — after all, it’s the joy of giving, sharing, and connecting that truly makes Christmas.
Happy holidays, and may all your Christmases be merry and bright!
And, if you’re looking for some further festive inspiration, check out these Christmas sayings and phrases.
