Top 241 Christmas Words Listed by the Number of Letters (Curated & Ranked)

A simple three-letter word like elf or nine-letter word like Bethlehem can immediately bring to mind the sights, sounds, and feelings of Christmas.

Even in the summer, single words have the power to evoke special memories, especially when it comes to yearly holidays.

Below, we have compiled a list of words that come to mind at Christmas (sorted by the number of letters). Scroll past the list for a Christmas-related activity!

Three-Letter Christmas Words

1. Up

   22

   Down
   ::

   Joy

2. Up

   9

   Down
   ::

   Box

3. Up

   15

   Down
   ::

   Elf

4. Up

   6

   Down
   ::

   Inn

5. Up

   12

   Down
   ::

   Eat

6. Up

   11

   Down
   ::

   God

7. Up

   8

   Down
   ::

   Ice

8. Up

   6

   Down
   ::

   Awe

9. Up

   8

   Down
   ::

   Bow

10. Up

    6

    Down
    ::

    Eve

    the night before Christmas

11. Up

    4

    Down
    ::

    Fly

12. Up

    4

    Down
    ::

    Ask

13. Up

    4

    Down
    ::

    Kin

14. Up

    4

    Down
    ::

    Red

15. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Got

16. Up

    3

    Down
    ::

    Pie

17. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Toy

18. Up

    3

    Down
    ::

    Ivy

19. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Pew

20. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Fun

21. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Cap

22. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Nod

23. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Tag

24. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Ham

25. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Lap

26. Up

    -2

    Down
    ::

    Ate

27. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    Nap

28. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    New

29. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Nob

    a traditional dried fruit treat

30. Up

    -5

    Down
    ::

    Fir

    type of tree

31. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Sap

    as in tree sap

32. Up

    -3

    Down
    ::

    Fig

33. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    Log

    as in “yule log”

Four-Letter Christmas Words

1. Up

   5

   Down
   ::

   King

2. Up

   5

   Down
   ::

   Cozy

3. Up

   4

   Down
   ::

   Gold

4. Up

   6

   Down
   ::

   Tree

5. Up

   8

   Down
   ::

   Bell

6. Up

   7

   Down
   ::

   Gift

7. Up

   5

   Down
   ::

   Holy

8. Up

   4

   Down
   ::

   Baby

9. Up

   4

   Down
   ::

   Host

10. Up

    4

    Down
    ::

    Kiss

    under the mistletoe

11. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Hark

12. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Care

13. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Good

14. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Bows

15. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Wish

16. Up

    3

    Down
    ::

    Star

17. Up

    3

    Down
    ::

    Sing

18. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Pray

19. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Snow

20. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Mary

21. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Hung

22. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Love

23. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Home

24. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Born

25. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Lord

26. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Book

27. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    Magi

    the three kings

28. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Game

29. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Busy

30. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    Mass

31. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Gave

32. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Deer

33. Up

    -2

    Down
    ::

    Call

34. Up

    -2

    Down
    ::

    Card

35. Up

    -2

    Down
    ::

    Help

36. Up

    -2

    Down
    ::

    Calm

37. Up

    -2

    Down
    ::

    Yule

38. Up

    -9

    Down
    ::

    Hang

See more options in our complete list of four-letter Christmas words.

Five-Letter Christmas Words

1. Up

   55

   Down
   ::

   Peace

2. Up

   15

   Down
   ::

   Music

3. Up

   13

   Down
   ::

   Serve

4. Up

   11

   Down
   ::

   Cards

5. Up

   11

   Down
   ::

   Jolly

6. Up

   12

   Down
   ::

   Grace

7. Up

   10

   Down
   ::

   Share

8. Up

   9

   Down
   ::

   Bells

9. Up

   9

   Down
   ::

   Boots

10. Up

    11

    Down
    ::

    Jesus

11. Up

    9

    Down
    ::

    Merry

12. Up

    6

    Down
    ::

    Birth

13. Up

    6

    Down
    ::

    Elves

14. Up

    4

    Down
    ::

    Candy

15. Up

    4

    Down
    ::

    Faith

16. Up

    3

    Down
    ::

    Honor

17. Up

    3

    Down
    ::

    Santa

18. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Green

19. Up

    -5

    Down
    ::

    Aroma

20. Up

    -5

    Down
    ::

    Holly

21. Up

    -7

    Down
    ::

    Sales

22. Up

    -7

    Down
    ::

    Unity

23. Up

    -6

    Down
    ::

    Feast

24. Up

    -6

    Down
    ::

    Carol

25. Up

    -9

    Down
    ::

    Myrrh

26. Up

    -19

    Down
    ::

    Praise

27. Up

    -133

    Down
    ::

    Hymns

Six-Letter Christmas Words

1. Up

   20

   Down
   ::

   Advent

2. Up

   17

   Down
   ::

   Grinch

3. Up

   10

   Down
   ::

   Nutmeg

4. Up

   9

   Down
   ::

   Winter

5. Up

   5

   Down
   ::

   Sleigh

6. Up

   6

   Down
   ::

   Angels

7. Up

   7

   Down
   ::

   Wreath

8. Up

   5

   Down
   ::

   Gloves

9. Up

   6

   Down
   ::

   Eggnog

10. Up

    4

    Down
    ::

    Prayer

11. Up

    3

    Down
    ::

    Giving

12. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Joseph

13. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Infant

14. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Gather

15. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Frosty

16. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Topper

    a decoration placed at the top of the Christmas tree

17. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Events

18. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Tinsel

19. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Baking

20. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Sacred

21. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Season

22. Up

    -5

    Down
    ::

    Belief

23. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    Lights

24. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Buying

25. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Wishes

26. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    Carols

27. Up

    -2

    Down
    ::

    Parade

28. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Unwrap

Seven-Letter Christmas Words

1. Up

   8

   Down
   ::

   Blitzen

2. Up

   6

   Down
   ::

   Prancer

3. Up

   5

   Down
   ::

   Icicles

4. Up

   8

   Down
   ::

   Rudolph

5. Up

   6

   Down
   ::

   Festive

6. Up

   6

   Down
   ::

   Antlers

7. Up

   4

   Down
   ::

   Rooftop

8. Up

   4

   Down
   ::

   Scrooge

9. Up

   2

   Down
   ::

   Mittens

10. Up

    4

    Down
    ::

    Worship

11. Up

    3

    Down
    ::

    Rejoice

12. Up

    3

    Down
    ::

    Scarves

13. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Garland

14. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Magical

15. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Newborn

16. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Believe

17. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Goodies

18. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Cookies

19. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Rituals

20. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Helping

21. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Sparkle

22. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Caroler

23. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Glitter

24. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    Toyland

25. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    Embrace

26. Up

    -3

    Down
    ::

    Blessed

27. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Excited

28. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    Tidings

29. Up

    -4

    Down
    ::

    Deliver

30. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    Angelic

31. Up

    -6

    Down
    ::

    Candles

Eight-Letter Christmas Words

1. Up

   21

   Down
   ::

   Nativity

2. Up

   16

   Down
   ::

   Snowfall

3. Up

   5

   Down
   ::

   Stuffing

4. Up

   5

   Down
   ::

   Dressing

5. Up

   7

   Down
   ::

   Memories

6. Up

   7

   Down
   ::

   Exchange

7. Up

   4

   Down
   ::

   Occasion

8. Up

   5

   Down
   ::

   Decorate

9. Up

   5

   Down
   ::

   Laughter

10. Up

    4

    Down
    ::

    Blessing

11. Up

    3

    Down
    ::

    Wrapping

12. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Packages

13. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Greenery

14. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Kindness

15. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Shepherd

16. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Assemble

17. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Folklore

18. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Libation

    holiday drinks

19. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Heavenly

20. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Trinkets

21. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    Reunions

22. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    December

23. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    Carolers

24. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Reindeer

25. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Stocking

26. Up

    -4

    Down
    ::

    Caroling

Nine-Letter Christmas Words

1. Up

   16

   Down
   ::

   Snowflake

2. Up

   3

   Down
   ::

   Decorated

3. Up

   3

   Down
   ::

   Innocence

4. Up

   3

   Down
   ::

   Nostalgia

5. Up

   6

   Down
   ::

   Stockings

6. Up

   5

   Down
   ::

   Blessings

7. Up

   5

   Down
   ::

   Fruitcake

8. Up

   5

   Down
   ::

   Bethlehem

9. Up

   4

   Down
   ::

   Fireplace

10. Up

    6

    Down
    ::

    Mistletoe

11. Up

    4

    Down
    ::

    Ornaments

12. Up

    3

    Down
    ::

    Reverence

13. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Gratitude

14. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Snowbound

15. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Tradition

16. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Partridge

17. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Incarnate

18. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Greetings

19. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    Mincemeat

20. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    Trimmings

21. Up

    -11

    Down
    ::

    Unselfish

Ten-Letter Christmas Words

1. Up

   13

   Down
   ::

   Peppermint

2. Up

   12

   Down
   ::

   Nutcracker

3. Up

   5

   Down
   ::

   Poinsettia

4. Up

   6

   Down
   ::

   Observance

5. Up

   3

   Down
   ::

   Triumphant

6. Up

   2

   Down
   ::

   Meaningful

7. Up

   4

   Down
   ::

   Luminosity

   Christmas lights

8. Up

   2

   Down
   ::

   Tannenbaum

   fir Christmas tree

9. Up

   2

   Down
   ::

   Snowflakes

10. Up

    2

    Down
    ::

    Reflection

11. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Neighborly

12. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Sentimental

13. Up

    1

    Down
    ::

    Jubilation

14. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Illuminate

15. Up

    -1

    Down
    ::

    Indulgence

16. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Fellowship

Eleven-Letter Christmas Words

1. Up

   16

   Down
   ::

   Preparation

2. Up

   3

   Down
   ::

   Nutcrackers

3. Up

   7

   Down
   ::

   Decorations

4. Up

   4

   Down
   ::

   Sleighbells

5. Up

   2

   Down
   ::

   Candlelight

6. Up

   2

   Down
   ::

   Tannenbaume

   plural form of the German term for Christmas trees

7. Up

   1

   Down
   ::

   Gingerbread

8. Up

   2

   Down
   ::

   Invitations

9. Up

   1

   Down
   ::

   Poinsettias

10. Up

    -6

    Down
    ::

    Reciprocity

11. Up

    -4

    Down
    ::

    Hospitality

12. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Ceremonious

    a grand occasion

13. Up

    0

    Down
    ::

    Cranberries

    often eaten during the holiday season

Twelve-Letter Christmas Words

1. Up

   3

   Down
   ::

   Anticipation

   excitement

2. Up

   3

   Down
   ::

   Celebrations

   holiday parties

3. Up

   4

   Down
   ::

   Bedazzlement

   feeling impressed by the beauty of the lights and decorations

4. Up

   3

   Down
   ::

   Frankincense

   one of the gifts of the wise men

5. Up

   3

   Down
   ::

   Gingerbreads

   sweet treats like cookies and cake made with ginger and honey or molasses

6. Up

   2

   Down
   ::

   Illumination

   brightness of the Christmas lights

7. Up

   1

   Down
   ::

   Togetherness

   spending time with loved ones

8. Up

   -1

   Down
   ::

   Reminiscence

   reflecting on holiday memories

For more Christmas words and phrases, see our alphabetical list of more than 400 Christmas-related terms.

Activity: Exploring Christmas Folklore and Traditions

We’re all familiar with the basic story of Santa Claus, but there is a lot of other folklore related to Christmas worldwide.

For a fun activity other than singing carols and decking the halls, explore international Christmas folklore!

This activity works best with a group of family or friends. Have each person choose a country that celebrates Christmas, such as Mexico, Germany, Romania, Iceland, or Malta. Look into whether that country has any Christmas-related folklore or legends.

You can also look into that country’s Christmas traditions, such as the types of festivals it holds (if any), how families decorate their homes, and what food is traditionally served at Christmas.

No one wants to do homework for the holiday season, so you don’t have to research rigorously. A quick web search or Wikipedia browse will bring you plenty of information about worldwide Christmas traditions.

Share your findings with the group, or for an added interactive element, bring one of that country’s traditions to life!

You can make one of the typical Christmas dishes from the country you choose, turn off the lights and share the spooky story of a Christmas monster, or follow a unique gift exchange tradition like Iceland’s Jolabokaflod (a Christmas book exchange).