English with Jo

Every culture, country and language has its own way of offering good wishes and holiday greetings, so with Christmas fast approaching, let’s look at all the ways you can wish people well over the Christmas season in English and the best way to use each type.

Merry Christmas – this is probably the most frequently used expression. You can use it verbally or write it on a Christmas card. ‘Merry’ means happy or joyful , so the term ‘Merry Christmas’ is to wish people a happy and joyful Christmas.

Happy Christmas – is an alternative greeting to Merry Christmas and has the same meaning but is not used as often.

Season’s Greetings – this is a greeting more commonly used on winter season greeting cards rather than as a spoken phrase.  You usually see it on cards depicting white, snowy Christmas scenes.

Happy Holidays – this phrase is sometimes used on greeting cards and is used to wish someone well over the Christmas period.

Happy New Year – this is a greeting that people use on 1^st January, on New Year’s Day, but many people include this phrase on a Christmas card. For example, ‘Merry Christmas and Happy New Year’.

Please feel free to add a comment and share the Christmas Greetings used in your country or language.