Can you believe Christmas is just around the corner? It’s terrifying how another twelve months have flown by — especially when last Christmas is still so clear in my mind.
Every shop here in the UK has gone full-on Christmas mode, but what truly marks the start of the season? The Christmas TV adverts.
In Britain, Christmas adverts are a big thing. John Lewis, in particular, releases the most anticipated ad every year, and people debate it like a national sport.
So, here are some Christmas collocations you can unwrap and sprinkle into your festive conversations.
🎄 Useful Christmas Collocations
Use these to sound comfortably, cosily, and delightfully festive.
Traditions & Activities
Put up the Christmas tree
Decorate and set the tree in place.
Decorate the house / tree
Add lights, baubles, and tinsel.
Hang up stockings
Attach stockings above the fireplace.
Wrap / unwrap presents
Cover gifts in paper / open them on Christmas Day.
Write Christmas cards
Send seasonal messages to friends and family.
Send Christmas wishes
Express good wishes for the season.
Christmas Food
Roast turkey / roast potatoes
Classic main-course items for Christmas dinner.
Prepare Christmas dinner
Cook the big family meal.
Pull a Christmas cracker
Pull the cracker to reveal a joke and hat.
Pour the gravy
Serve gravy over the roast.
Eat leftovers
Finish the remaining food over the next few days.
Atmosphere & Feelings
Festive spirit
The general mood of happiness and celebration.
Christmas cheer
Goodwill and friendliness during the season.
A cosy evening
A warm, comfortable night in.
A warm, magical feeling
That special sense that makes Christmas feel magical.
Season’s greetings
A polite phrase used in cards and messages.
Spending & Panic
Last-minute shopping
Buying presents or supplies at the end.
Christmas sales
Promotional discounts around the season.
Overspend on presents
Spend more than planned when buying gifts.
Stick to a budget
Control spending despite the temptation.
🎁 Christmas Expressions & Vocabulary
- Secret Santa — a group buys gifts anonymously for each other.
- Stocking filler — a small gift for the stocking.
- Tree topper — the decoration on the very top of the tree.
- Tinsel — shiny strips used to decorate the tree.
- Mistletoe — a plant people kiss under.
📺 Top 5 British Christmas Adverts
Here are the adverts that stick in your memory and hit you in the feelings.
Beautiful visuals and a stunning soundtrack.
Watch on YouTubeA lonely toy penguin dreams of love.
Watch on YouTubeStorybook magic about friendship and sacrifice.
Watch on YouTubeA dog that wants to trampolining. Expect chaos and joy.
Watch on YouTubeA singing carrot narrates a Dickens-style Christmas tale.
Watch on YouTube🎄 Bonus for Teachers
If you want a festive class activity, here’s a full lesson plan: Christmas lesson plan.
Before You Go
Try using these collocations in your conversations, in class, or when writing Christmas cards.
We put up the Christmas tree and decorated the house last night — now I’m officially feeling the festive spirit.
I don’t need anything. I just want someone else to cook Christmas dinner.
Happy early Christmas. If you don’t feel festive yet, put on a John Lewis Christmas advert. They work like emotional defibrillators.
Ready to practise this? Book a lesson or see how I teach.