Christmas Eve
Santa's busiest night
Christmas Eve is the evening or entire day of December 24th, the day before Christmas.
In many traditions, it carries as much significance as Christmas Day itself—families gather, attend church services, open presents, or share special meals.
Children anticipate Santa Claus's arrival: We leave cookies out on Christmas Eve.
The evening often marks the beginning of Christmas celebrations.
Mythical Christmas gift-bringer
- reindeerArctic deer species
- sleighAnimal-drawn snow vehicle
- elvesMythical small beings
- stockingsFitted leg coverings
presents · tree · tinsel · ornaments · lights · chimney · eggnog · gingerbread
Worship at Christmas's first hour
- nativityState of being born
- adventNotable arrival or emergence
- churchPlace of Christian worship
- prayersReverent petitions to deity
carols · choir · hymns · candlelight · worship · scripture · sermon · liturgy
State of eager enthusiasm
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- eagerIntensely wanting something
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
thrill · expectancy · hopeful · imminent · upcoming · preparation · prospect · prelude
Festive neighborhood singing
- yule logSeasonal timber for burning
- wassailingFestive door-to-door singing
- feastElaborate ceremonial meal
- panettoneItalian candied fruit bread
stollen · carp · poinsettia · pageant · gift-giving · luminarias · Sinterklaas · tamales
Related people together
- dinnerPrimary evening meal
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- reunionGathering after separation
- togethernessState of close connection
feast · table · relatives · homecoming · warmth · laughter · generations · loved ones
Santa
Mythical Christmas gift-bringer
stockings · presents · tree · tinsel · ornaments · lights · chimney · eggnog · gingerbread · mistletoe
midnight mass
Worship at Christmas's first hour
prayers · carols · choir · hymns · candlelight · worship · scripture · sermon · liturgy · vigil
excitement
State of eager enthusiasm
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- eagerIntensely wanting something
suspense · thrill · expectancy · hopeful · imminent · upcoming · preparation · prospect · prelude · sleepless
caroling
Festive neighborhood singing
- yule logSeasonal timber for burning
- wassailingFestive door-to-door singing
- feastElaborate ceremonial meal
panettone · stollen · carp · poinsettia · pageant · gift-giving · luminarias · Sinterklaas · tamales
family
Related people together
- dinnerPrimary evening meal
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- reunionGathering after separation
togetherness · feast · table · relatives · homecoming · warmth · laughter · generations · loved ones · hosting
- ChristmasSanta, ornament, Santa Claus, presents, candy cane
- Santa Clausred suit, white beard, North Pole, sleigh, reindeer
- holidaysEaster, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Valentine's Day, New Year's Day
- churchnave, pew, pews, altar, altars
- A Christmas CarolEbenezer Scrooge, Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, Jacob Marley
- DecemberNew Year's Eve, holiday season, end of year, advent, winter solstice
Christmas EveBoxing Day
December 26th Commonwealth holiday
Christmas morning · Twelfth Night · Epiphany · New Year's Day
Christmas EveGood Friday
Crucifixion memorial day
Easter · Holy Saturday · Ash Wednesday · Maundy Thursday · Easter Vigil