Christmas Words That Start With H [LIST]

The holiday season is filled with an abundance of festive terms, many of which help to capture the joy, warmth, and traditions of Christmas. Some of these words, especially those beginning with the letter “H”, evoke images of togetherness, celebration, and the spirit of giving. From festive decorations to beloved characters, these words are an integral part of the vocabulary surrounding Christmas. Whether you’re looking to enhance your holiday decor, create Christmas-themed games, or simply enrich your festive conversations, knowing the right terms can help bring your celebrations to life.

In this article, we’ll explore a delightful list of Christmas words that start with the letter “H”. These words span a variety of Christmas-related topics, from hymns and holiday treats to historical figures and special decorations. Each term not only adds to the atmosphere of the season but also serves as a reminder of the many cherished customs that make Christmas so memorable. Get ready to discover some heartwarming and holiday-centric words that will bring an extra dose of holiday cheer to your Christmas vocabulary!

Christmas Words That Start With H

1. Holiday

A time of celebration and festivity, particularly related to Christmas and the New Year. Holidays are often marked by gatherings, special events, and various traditions.

Examples

• The holiday season brings joy to families around the world.
• I can’t wait to spend the holiday with my loved ones.
• The holiday spirit fills the streets with lights and music.

2. Holly

A prickly evergreen plant, often associated with Christmas. Its bright red berries and glossy green leaves are used in wreaths, garlands, and festive decor.

Examples

• Holly is a popular plant used in Christmas decorations.
• She wore a wreath of holly on her head for the Christmas party.
• The holly berries were a bright red against the snowy backdrop.

3. Hanukkah

An eight-day Jewish holiday that often occurs around the same time as Christmas. It is celebrated with lighting a menorah, reciting prayers, and enjoying foods like latkes and sufganiyot.

Examples

• This year, Hanukkah coincides with Christmas, creating a unique celebration.
• We lit the menorah each night during Hanukkah.
• Hanukkah traditions are often celebrated with family gatherings and festive meals.

4. Hymn

A type of religious song or chant, often sung in a choir or group. Christmas hymns are sung to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the joy of the season.

Examples

• We sang Christmas hymns at church on Christmas Eve.
• The choir performed beautiful hymns to celebrate the season.
• I love the classic Christmas hymns that evoke feelings of peace and joy.

5. Hot cocoa

A warm, comforting drink made from cocoa powder, milk, and sugar, often topped with whipped cream or marshmallows. It’s a popular treat during the Christmas season.

Examples

• After playing in the snow, we sat by the fire with hot cocoa.
• She made a big mug of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows.
• Nothing beats a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter day.

6. Ho ho ho

A jovial, hearty laugh commonly attributed to Santa Claus. It’s often used to evoke the cheerful and merry spirit of Christmas.

Examples

• Santa laughed heartily, ‘Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!’,
• You could hear Santa’s jolly ‘Ho ho ho’ echo through the house.
• The children giggled when they heard Santa’s familiar ‘Ho ho ho’.

7. Holiday cheer

A term used to describe the warmth, joy, and festive spirit that characterizes the Christmas season. It encompasses feelings of goodwill, generosity, and happiness.

Examples

• The town square was filled with holiday cheer and festive decorations.
• There’s an undeniable sense of holiday cheer wherever you go in December.
• Holiday cheer brings warmth to even the coldest winter days.

8. Happiness

A feeling of joy and contentment that is often emphasized during the Christmas season. It is often experienced when spending time with loved ones, giving gifts, or participating in holiday activities.

Examples

• Christmas brings happiness to families all over the world.
• The children’s faces lit up with happiness as they opened their presents.
• The true meaning of Christmas is found in the happiness shared with loved ones.

9. Herald

A person or thing that announces or signals the arrival of something important. In Christmas lore, heralds often announce the birth of Jesus or the arrival of the Christmas season.

Examples

• Angels are often depicted as heralds of Christ’s birth.
• The heralds of Christmas spread the good news of peace and joy.
• The herald of the Christmas message was a bright star in the sky.

10. Homecoming

The act of returning home, especially during the Christmas season. Many people travel to be with family for the holidays, making homecoming a central theme of festive reunions.

Examples

• Christmas is the perfect time for a family homecoming.
• The homecoming of loved ones during the holidays is always a special occasion.
• She looked forward to the homecoming of her children, who were coming home for Christmas.

11. Holiday spirit

The atmosphere of joy, kindness, and festivity that permeates the Christmas season. It’s the sense of goodwill and excitement that people feel during the holidays.

Examples

• The holiday spirit was evident in every store window and every home.
• You could feel the holiday spirit in the air as people exchanged warm greetings.
• The holiday spirit spreads through the community as everyone participates in the celebrations.

12. Hoopla

Excitement, celebration, or fuss, often associated with the festive events of Christmas. It refers to all the attention and activity that surrounds the season.

Examples

• There was a lot of hoopla around the Christmas parade.
• The holiday season comes with plenty of hoopla, from shopping to decorations.
• They made quite a hoopla about their Christmas party, with invitations and decorations.

13. Holiday lights

Lights used as decorations during the Christmas season. These can be found on houses, trees, and in public spaces, creating a festive, warm ambiance.

Examples

• The streets were lined with beautiful holiday lights, twinkling in the dark.
• We hung up holiday lights on our house to create a festive atmosphere.
• The children loved walking through the neighborhood to see all the holiday lights.

14. Holiday shopping

The activity of purchasing gifts and other items in preparation for the Christmas season. It’s often associated with crowded stores, sales, and festive shopping events.

Examples

• Holiday shopping can be stressful, but it’s worth it to see the joy on loved ones’ faces.
• We finished all our holiday shopping early this year.
• The mall was packed with people doing their last-minute holiday shopping.

15. Hot toddy

A warm alcoholic drink made from whiskey, honey, lemon, and spices, often enjoyed during the cold winter months, particularly around Christmas.

Examples

• A hot toddy can be the perfect drink to warm up after a day of holiday festivities.
• She prepared a hot toddy with cinnamon and cloves for her guests.
• The hot toddy was a comforting way to end a chilly Christmas evening.

16. Hearth

The floor of a fireplace, often symbolizing warmth and home. The hearth is central to many Christmas traditions, such as hanging stockings and gathering for family activities.

Examples

• The fire crackled in the hearth, adding warmth to the cozy living room.
• She placed the stockings by the hearth, ready for Santa’s visit.
• They gathered around the hearth for a Christmas Eve storytelling tradition.

17. Holiday party

A social gathering held during the Christmas season, often featuring food, drinks, music, and festivities. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the season with others.

Examples

• Our holiday party was a huge success, with guests dancing and singing carols.
• She hosted a holiday party for her coworkers, complete with festive decorations.
• Holiday parties are a great way to celebrate with friends and family.

18. Holiday greetings

Expressions of goodwill and cheer shared during the Christmas season. These can be verbal greetings, written cards, or digital messages sent to wish others a joyful holiday.

Examples

• Holiday greetings were exchanged as the neighbors passed by.
• We sent holiday greetings to our friends and family near and far.
• Her holiday greetings were heartfelt, spreading warmth and joy.

19. Hoovering

The act of vacuuming or cleaning, often done in preparation for holiday guests or festive meals. It’s a common chore during the holiday season to ensure a clean home.

Examples

• She spent the day hoovering the house in preparation for Christmas guests.
• Before the holiday dinner, we were hoovering to make sure everything was spotless.
• The house was sparkling clean after hours of hoovering.

20. Happy holidays

A common festive greeting used during the Christmas season, wishing others well-being, peace, and joy throughout the holiday period.

Examples

• As the year ends, we wish all our friends and family a happy holidays.
• Happy holidays! May your days be filled with love and joy.
• People greeted each other with ‘Happy holidays!’ as they walked down the street.

21. Holiday feast

A large meal enjoyed during the Christmas season, often including traditional dishes such as roast meats, stuffing, pies, and seasonal treats.

Examples

• The family gathered for a grand holiday feast on Christmas Eve.
• A holiday feast wouldn’t be complete without roast turkey and cranberry sauce.
• The holiday feast featured all our favorite seasonal dishes.

22. Harmonious

Describes a peaceful and well-coordinated atmosphere, often used to describe the joyful and united feeling of the Christmas season.

Examples

• The choir sang in harmonious voices, filling the church with Christmas joy.
• The holiday season brings a harmonious feeling to families gathering together.
• There was a harmonious blend of music and laughter during the holiday celebrations.

23. Holiday traditions

Customary activities or rituals that are carried out each year during the Christmas season, such as decorating, gift-giving, or attending church services.

Examples

• Holiday traditions vary from country to country, but they all bring families together.
• Our family’s holiday traditions include decorating the tree and baking cookies.
• She loved learning about different holiday traditions from around the world.

24. Hot buttered rum

A warm alcoholic beverage made from rum, butter, sugar, and spices. It’s a traditional winter drink, often enjoyed during the Christmas season.

Examples

• On Christmas Eve, they served hot buttered rum by the fire.
• Hot buttered rum is a classic drink to enjoy on a cold winter night.
• The rich flavor of hot buttered rum made it a popular holiday treat.

25. Household

A term referring to a family or group of people living together in a single residence. During Christmas, many households participate in decorations, meals, and gift-giving.

Examples

• Our household was filled with excitement as Christmas approached.
• They decorated their household with festive ornaments and lights.
• Every household in the neighborhood had a Christmas tree this year.

Historical Context

The history of Christmas is deeply rooted in centuries of tradition, and many Christmas words beginning with the letter "H" carry with them rich historical significance. For example, "Holiday" itself has evolved over time, deriving from the Old English term hāligdæg (meaning "holy day"), which reflects the Christian tradition of designating special days for religious observance, especially those marking the birth of Christ. The association of Christmas with holiday time, a season of festivity, comes from this long history of sacred days transformed into more secular, communal celebrations.

Another word to explore is "Holly," a plant long linked to winter festivals, particularly during Christmas. The ancient Celts considered holly a symbol of protection, and early Christians adopted it as a symbol of Christ’s crown of thorns. Holly’s use in wreaths and decorations during Christmas can be traced back to medieval Europe when it was believed to ward off evil spirits, a belief that continued to evolve into the modern Christmas tradition of decorating homes with holly as a festive gesture. These words reflect not only cultural practices but also the intertwining of pagan traditions with Christian symbolism, both contributing to the way Christmas has been celebrated for centuries.

Word Origins And Etymology

Understanding the origins of Christmas words starting with "H" involves tracing their linguistic roots through different languages and periods. The word "Holiday" comes from Old English hāligdæg, where hālig means holy and dæg means day. Initially, a "holiday" was simply a religious day of observance, but over time, the term has broadened to include any special day of celebration or rest. This transformation reflects the shift from a purely religious observance of Christmas to a more inclusive, secular celebration of the season.

The word "Holly" comes from the Old English holegn, which is related to the Latin ilex, meaning "holm oak." While the plant itself predates Christianity, its symbolic association with Christmas stems from its association with the thorns of Christ’s crown, an idea introduced by early Christian symbolism. The modern use of holly during Christmas as a decorative element also draws from medieval and Renaissance traditions where holly wreaths were seen as symbols of protection and peace, a custom that survived the centuries.

"Hymn," another word associated with Christmas, derives from the Greek hymnos, meaning "a song of praise." Originally used in religious contexts, hymns were often sung during Christian services, and Christmas hymns specifically became a key part of church traditions, celebrating the birth of Christ. The tradition of caroling, or singing Christmas hymns door to door, has its roots in the practice of spreading good tidings during the Yuletide season.

Common Misconceptions

One common misconception surrounding Christmas words starting with "H" is the idea that the word "Holiday" was always associated with Christmas. In fact, the word originally referred to any day of religious observance, and its secularization into a time for general celebration happened over many centuries. Thus, Christmas was not always seen as the "ultimate holiday" but evolved into its current role as a period for rest and social gathering, distinct from other religious observances.

Similarly, people often mistakenly equate holly exclusively with Christmas, but holly has been a symbol of winter festivals long before its connection to Christmas. Its use was prevalent in pagan winter solstice celebrations, where it symbolized fertility and the rebirth of the sun. It wasn’t until Christian influence expanded across Europe that holly took on the added significance of representing Christ’s crown of thorns. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand that holly’s connection to Christmas is part of a broader historical context of symbolism and seasonal practices.

Another misconception concerns the word "Hymn." Many people assume that hymns are solely Christian songs, but historically, the word hymnos referred to any kind of celebratory song. Over time, the term became closely associated with Christian worship, and Christmas hymns became an essential part of the liturgical practices of the season. Thus, while the word is often thought of in Christian terms, its origins are much more inclusive.

Conclusion

Words that begin with the letter "H" offer a fascinating window into the history and development of Christmas traditions. From the etymology of "holiday" and "hymn" to the symbolism embedded in "holly," these terms tell a story of cultural evolution. As we delve into the historical contexts and origins of these words, we uncover the layers of religious and secular influence that have shaped how we understand and celebrate Christmas today. While misconceptions may cloud our understanding, exploring these words with a deeper knowledge allows us to appreciate the rich, multifaceted nature of the Christmas season in its ultimate form.