The holidays are upon us, and these winter celebrations with their many traditions each have a rich and varied vocabulary.
From Krampus to kinara, latke to plum pudding, frankincense to yule—there’s a whole host of fantastic holiday words to explore.
So broaden your lexicon and enter the holiday spirit with these fifty awesome holiday words!
1. Advent:
A Latin word meaning “coming;” the Christian season of expectant waiting and preparation beginning four Sundays before Christmas.
2. Bauble:
A small, decorative sphere hung from a Christmas tree.
3. Boxing Day:
A British holiday celebrated the day after Christmas; traditionally when servants and tradespeople were given a “Christmas Box” by employers.
4. Carol:
A festive song or hymn sung at Christmas.
5. Christmas:
A religious and cultural festival celebrating Jesus Christ’s birth that is typically observed on December 25th.
6. Chimney:
A hollow structure allowing smoke from an indoor fireplace to vent outside; also Santa Claus’s magical entryway into homes.
7. Dreidel:
A four-sided top used by children to play a gambling game during Hanukkah.
