9 Popular Christmas Idioms to Boost Your English Skills

Knowing how and when to use specific Christmas idioms can help you become more confident when having a conversation with your English peers. It can boost your English-speaking skills and help you reach fluency a little bit sooner.

As the holiday season approaches, why not spice up your English skills with some delightful Xmas expressions?

Most popular holiday idioms & Christmas phrases 🎅🏻

Walking in a winter wonderland

When we find ourselves in a beautiful, snowy environment, we can say we’re walking in a winter wonderland ❄️.

This expression encapsulates the magic of a snow-covered landscape that is very common in most parts of Canada at Christmas.

Example:

The cozy house by the frozen lake makes for a perfect retreat for those seeking comfort while walking in a winter wonderland.

Deck the halls

To deck the halls is to decorate a space with seasonal décor🎄, like twinkling lights, wreaths, balloons, etc. It’s all about creating a cheerful and welcoming atmosphere. Here’s a short conversation to help you understand how to use it:

“How do you feel about this year’s school’s winter concert?”
“This year’s concert was magnificent! It was a magical event, with students singing carols and helping to deck the halls of the auditorium with colorful balloons and garlands.”

Jingle all the way

This one here means to enjoy every moment, just like the sound of jingle bells 🔔 ringing in every home during Christmas.

Example:

As the festive parade was approaching, the marching band played their unique instruments, and the crowd could hear them jingle all the way down the street.

Under the mistletoe

If you find yourself standing under the mistletoe, it’s a hint for a potential holiday kiss. It’s a playful and romantic Christmas tradition.

Example:

As the snow fell softly outside, the new couples found themselves under the mistletoe, their hearts racing with anticipation. It looked like they were about to share their first marshmallow syrup kiss.

Trim the tree

Trimming the tree is a holiday idiom that means removing unnecessary elements or making adjustments to improve efficiency in a given context.

In a Christmas context, it refers to decorating a Christmas tree 🎄 with attractive ornaments, like twinkling lights and other festive ornaments, in preparation for the holiday season.

Example:

As the holiday season approaches, Mary’s family often gathers to trim the tree, decorating it with colorful ornaments and Christmas lights, just to name a few.

Sleigh bells ringing

The idiom sleigh bells ringing is often used to describe a festive or joyful atmosphere, as sleigh bells are commonly associated with Christmas and celebrations. It implies a sense of merriment and happiness in a particular situation or setting.

Example:

The party was so lively it felt like sleigh bells were ringing all night.

White elephant

When we use the expression “white elephant” to describe something, we often mean that it’s completely useless and a complete waste of money. Oftentimes, people use it to describe certain gifts 🎁 during Christmas.

Example:

When we were exchanging Christmas gifts last year, Uncle Bob thought he was being funny by giving a singing fish trophy. It turns out the gift became a white elephant, just collecting dust at the corner since nobody liked it.

Goodwill to all

We all know that Christmas is a time for generosity and kindness.

Therefore, to express this sentiment, you can simply say goodwill to all. It reminds us to be compassionate and charitable.

Example:

Even in the face of adversity and chaos, he remained faithful in his commitment to spreading goodwill to all. This reminds us that humanity and kindness know no boundaries.

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol is a famous story by Charles Dickens. Native English speakers often use this phrase to describe someone who has undergone a transformation, particularly in terms of their generosity and goodwill during the holidays.

Example:

Listening to Luca singing a Christmas carol brings back special memories of cherished moments spent with loved ones; you can almost spot a tear of joy in my eyes.

Wrapping up

You’re almost set to start some fun holiday idioms in your conversations.

Explore the wonder of the English language by taking one-on-one private lessons with friendly tutors on the LiveXP language platform. You’ll have a great time learning and discovering cool Christmas idioms like what we’ve covered above.

Whether you’re planning to decorate your home with colorful balloons, build a snowman, or share special gifts on Christmas day, these Xmas expressions will help you communicate with more confidence and embrace the holiday spirit.