34 Christmas Words That Start With R (List With Meanings)

Don’t be left speechless when looking for Christmas-related words that begin with the letter R by having this handy list of holiday words by your side. Keeping this list readily available can help you teach kids about Christmas, expand their vocabulary, and spark your creativity when crafting during the holiday season.

Image with text saying Christmas Words That Start With R

Here’s a list of Christmas words that start with the letter R, including their meanings:

Radiant

The act of sending out light, shining, or glowing brightly.

Example: The Christmas tree was radiant as it lit up the entire town square.

Radiantly

The act of emitting a bright light or glow or being bright with joy or happiness.

Example: The Northern Star was radiantly shining, almost like it was lighting up the sky, but that was the full moon.

Receive

The act of being given something or presented with something, such as a gift.

Example: I love to receive Christmas cards in the mail, and I sent so many out this year that I hope to break a record and receive at least 100 cards.

Reception

The process of receiving something sent or a party where cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are served.

Example: This year, our company is hosting a small holiday reception instead of planning an extensive Christmas party.

Reciprocity

The practice of exchanging gifts, things, or acts with others for a mutual benefit, especially when the act grants privileges by one organization or person to another.

Example: Our family believes that Christmas is a time for more than reciprocity, but we do think that when someone offers a gift or act of kindness, it is always best to return the favor or work to help pay it forward by sharing the love with another person.

Reconciliation

Restoring relations among people ensures everyone is friendly with each other again.

Example: Though we have not talked to my dad’s family for years, we decided this year, for Christmas, it was time for us to try for a reconciliation.

Red

A color that is at the end of the rainbow next to orange but is the opposite of violet and is often associated with one of the many colors of Christmas.

Example: My favorite color is red, which might be why I love Christmas so much. The color is everywhere, and I have many outfits with red making them perfect for wearing to holiday parties.

Rudolph

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a fictional character created by Robert L. May, with a glowing red nose and one of Santa’s youngest reindeer.

Example: My favorite Christmas classic is “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and I watch it every year with my kids as we put up the holiday decorations.

Reflect

To think deeply or carefully about something with intent thoughts and feelings.

Example: Every year before Christmas dinner, grandpa asks us to reflect on what happened during the year and to be thankful for everything we experienced.

Reflection

The throwing back of light or an image off a shiny surface such as a mirror, glass window, or a still body of water.

Example: There was a brilliant reflection of the lights from the Christmas tree shining up from the calm lake waters.

Refuge

A place that provides shelter and safety for people or animals.

Example: The shelter in town provides the homeless in our community with refuge from the cold weather, and every Christmas, we visit with presents and cookies and sing Christmas carols.

Reindeer

A deer from the tundra or subarctic regions of Eurasia and North America, and both sexes have large branching antlers. Reindeer are often associated with Santa Claus because he uses them to drive his sleigh.

Example: I heard strange noises on the roof, and I was so excited, thinking it might have been Santa and his reindeer coming to deliver Christmas Presents.

Rejoice

The act of feeling or showing great joy or delight with something or someone.

Example: Everyone in the family rejoiced when we learned that we would be having a white Christmas, but we were bummed we were expecting several feet of snow, which would make driving to grandma and grandpa’s challenging.

Rejuvenating

To give new and refreshing energy to someone or something to make it fresh again.

Example: The walk in the fresh, falling snow was rejuvenating. I discovered a new wave of energy, making it possible to get home and finish cooking Christmas dinner before friends and family arrived.

Relationships

How two or more people act toward one another or how people or things are connected.

Example: Family relationships are always challenging; however, at Christmas time, we always do our best to get along and enjoy time with one another.

Relatives

People who are connected to one another through blood or marriage or a group of friends who are close enough to consider being a part of the family.

Example: My relatives are so strange, I am always guaranteed an entertaining Christmas dinner, especially if my Uncle Joey shows up.

Religious

The act of believing or following a religion.

Example: My family is not very religious, but we always attend Midnight Mass with grandma because it is her favorite thing to do during the holiday season.

Relish

A condiment made from diced pickle and other ingredients, or having great enjoyment with someone or something.

Example: Mom told my younger brother to create a small dish with pickles, but he could not find any, so he filled a small bowl with pickle relish. I bet that is the last time mom asks him to help prepare for Christmas dinner.

Reminisce

The remembering or sharing of a story about the past as the narrator remembers it.

Example: We always reminisce about past Christmas gatherings, especially when dad starts telling stories about when we were kids.

Resolutions

A firm choice or decision to do or not to do something.

Example: After Christmas, we write down our New Year’s resolutions and take bets to see who will continue with their resolution the longest. My sister always sticks to her resolution and wins the small pool of money.

Respect

A feeling or deep admiration for something or someone based on their abilities, achievements, or qualities.

Example: I have a great deal of respect for those who work in retail during the Christmas shopping season. I have no clue how they do it and remain so happy.

Restful

Having a quiet and soothing quality or getting plenty of sleep helps a person be more relaxed.

Example: After a long Christmas Day nap, dad feels restful and is ready to welcome all our family, who typically arrives moments after waking up.

Reunion

A social gathering is often attended by family or members of a group of people who do not regularly see each other.

Example: Because our family does not get together often throughout the year, Christmas is almost like a mini-family reunion.

Reveal

The act of making something that was once a secret known to others.

Example: Dad watches too much HGTV, and he keeps us all in suspense when it comes time to reveal how he decorated the outside of the home for Christmas.

Revel

The ability to enjoy oneself in a noisy and lively manner, especially when someone has been drinking and dancing.

Example: Aunt Judy does not always bring Uncle Philip to our holiday gatherings because he always drinks too much Christmas punch and then revels in the idea of dancing around the house and entertaining the entire family.

Reverence

Having a deep respect for something or someone.

Example: I have a deep reverence for my mom because she is always capable of shopping for Christmas, getting the house cleaned, decorating, and cooking Christmas dinner for more than 20 people, all with a smile.

Ribbon

A long, thin piece of fabric that is often used for tying something or a decoration.

Example: I love coordinating all of the gifts I give for Christmas, and each present has a matching ribbon tied around it.

Ritual

A religious or solemn ceremony with a series of actions conducted in a prescribed order, or it can mean something that is repeatedly done for a specific reason.

Example: Our family’s Christmas Eve ritual is to open presents from the family, bake cookies, and leave out cookies and milk for Santa.

Roast

The act of cooking food, especially meat, using a prolonged cooking method to slowly cook the meat over heat in the oven or over a fire.

Example: I love mom’s roast, which is always a hit at Christmas dinner. It is such a fantastic meal; there is no wonder why everyone comes to our house for Christmas dinner.

Roasted

Something cooked over a flame or low heat for an extended time, such as roasted nuts made during a dry-heating process.

Example: I love roasted nuts, and making them fresh on Christmas Day is one of my favorite family activities.

Roasting

The act of cooking something over an open flame or in the oven on low heat.

Example: I always wanted to know what it was like to be roasting chestnuts over an open fire, and when I became an adult, I tried it. Honestly, it was as spectacular as I thought it would be, but we still had fun doing it.

Rooftop

The surface of a building’s roof.

Example: When we heard a strange noise on the rooftop, my brother said he hoped it was Santa and his reindeer, but my dad jokingly said it was probably aliens.

Roots

The tracking of family, cultural, or ethnic origins, or the base of a tree that goes into the ground to collect water and nutrients from the soil.

Example: This year, we were able to track our family roots back to the early 1800s and give my grandparents a genealogy report as part of their Christmas present.