From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishChristmasChrist‧mas /ˈkrɪsməs/ ●●● S2 W2 noun [countable, uncountable] TMCthe period of time around December 25th, the day when Christians celebrate the birth of Christat Christmas We’ll see you at Christmas.over Christmas I’ll be in Scotland over Christmas. Are you going home for Christmas? a Christmas present the Christmas holidays Merry Christmas and a happy New Year everyone!COLLOCATIONSadjectivesHappy/Merry Christmas! (=something you say to people at Christmas)I just called in to say ‘Happy Christmas’.a good/nice ChristmasDid you have a good Christmas?a family ChristmasWe always have a family Christmas at home.a traditional ChristmasMum likes to have a traditional Christmas for all the family.a white Christmas (=with snow on the ground)We haven’t had a white Christmas in England for years.verbshave/spend ChristmasNo one wants to spend Christmas alone.celebrate ChristmasHow does your family usually celebrate Christmas?give somebody something for ChristmasWhat can I give Dad for Christmas?get something for ChristmasI got a new watch for Christmas.wish somebody a happy Christmas (=say that you hope someone enjoys Christmas)They wished us a happy Christmas and left.Christmas + NOUNChristmas dinner/lunch (=a special meal on Christmas Day)All the family come to our house for Christmas dinner.a Christmas cardShe sends me a Christmas card every year.a Christmas presentThe children couldn’t wait to open their Christmas presents.a Christmas tree (=a decorated tree that people have in their homes at Christmas)Put the gifts under the Christmas tree.a Christmas party (=a party held around Christmas)What are you wearing for the Christmas party?a Christmas carol (=a Christian song sung at Christmas)Children go from door to door singing Christmas carols.Christmas decorations (=things to decorate a house, shop, or town at Christmas)When do you put your Christmas decorations up?Christmas lights (=lights in the streets at Christmas, or on the Christmas tree)We went to see the Christmas lights in New York.Christmas shopping (=for presents for people)Have you done your Christmas shopping yet?the Christmas season/period (=the days around and including Christmas Day)Most stores need extra staff during the Christmas season.the Christmas holiday (=the time that people are not working during the Christmas period)We weren’t at school because it was the Christmas holiday.GRAMMAR: Patterns with Christmasat Christmas• You use at Christmas when saying that something happens during the Christmas holiday period: I’ll see you at Christmas. ✗Don’t say: I’ll see you on Christmas.• You can also say at Christmas time: At Christmas time, the whole family gets together.on Christmas Day• You say on Christmas Day when saying that something happens on December 25th: I have to work on Christmas Day. ✗Don’t say: I have to work at Christmas Day.for Christmas• You get a present for Christmas: He gave me a new watch for Christmas. ✗Don’t say: He gave me a new watch on Christmas.
Examples from the Corpus
Christmas• The annual Christmas program, with full tuxedoed orchestra, sets, choreography and Broadway-caliber costumes, was standing room only.• Last winter featured tartan themes, while metallic Sixties dresses and lurex tops were popular at Christmas.• Piling for the new bridge was completed by Christmas.• It's getting nearly Christmas now.• Julie went snowboarding over Christmas.• The first time I see him is at the Christmas bonfire, when I am in the ninth grade.• And to think when Peggy was little Gran wouldn't let me switch on the tree lights until Christmas Eve.• The consumer electronics industry suffered through one of its worst Christmas seasons in decades in 1996.Origin Christmas Old English Cristes mæsse 'Christ's → MASS15' 