Looking for Christmas words that start with S? This collection includes festive terms, winter vocabulary, food words, and everyday words you can use in Christmas sentences. Each entry has a meaning and an example to help with cards, stories, classroom tasks, or word games.
Here’s a list of Christmas words that start with the letter S, including their meanings:
Choosing Words for Your Activity
For a quick starting set, try Santa, Scrooge, Sleigh, Stocking, Star, Stable, Shepherd. For a strict Christmas-only challenge, choose names, objects, or traditions directly connected with the holiday. For creative writing, the broader descriptive and food words can help you tell a richer seasonal story.
The example sentences illustrate possible uses; they do not mean that every family follows the same custom. Names, slang, phrases, and inflected forms may be treated differently in a game, so agree on the rules first.
Santa
A shortened name for Santa Claus, the popular Christmas gift-bringer.
Example: My little sister gets excited every year, especially when mom gets ready to take her to see Santa at the mall.
Savior
A person responsible for saving another person, a group of people, a country, a cause, or something.
Example: When my Uncle Don showed up Christmas Eve with a giant box of chocolates, mom said he was her savior because she forgot to make some.
Savory
Food that is categorized as salty or spicy rather than sweet.
Example: The stuffing grandma made to go with the turkey for Christmas dinner was very savory.
Scarf
Fabric worn around the neck or head for warmth or decoration.
Example: We were getting bundled up in our snowsuits to play in the fresh falling snow on Christmas Day, but it was so cold out that I had to run back inside to get my scarf.
Scents
Distinctive smells, especially those that are pleasant.
Example: One of my favorite scents of the holidays is pine, but peppermint is another one of my favorites.
Scintillating
The act of shining or sparkling brightly or being brilliant, clever, or skillful.
Example: The scintillating lights on the Christmas tree shone so bright we could see the glow on the horizon from our home several blocks away.
Scrooge
The character in A Christmas Carol whose outlook changes after ghostly visits.
Example: All year long, dad is such a Scrooge when it comes to money, but at Christmas time, he is very giving, donating money and buying lots of presents for friends and family.
Scrumptious
Food that is extremely tasty or delicious, or a very attractive person.
Example: The dessert table at the Christmas party looked scrumptious, but I had difficulty staying away until after dinner.
Season
A period associated with particular weather, events, or traditions.
Example: Mom and grandma were getting ready to season the turkey for Christmas dinner, and once they started, I could smell the delicious aroma filling the house.
Seasonal
Something or an event that relates to a specific season of the year.
Example: Filling our home with Christmas trees, pinecones, and candy canes is a seasonal activity we always look forward to.
Selflessness
Putting other people's needs ahead of one's own interests.
Example: Jessie’s selflessness shows during the Christmas season as she spends more time volunteering than with her friends and family.
Sentiment
A view or sentiment guided toward a situation, person, or event; an opinion or exaggerated feelings of tenderness, nostalgia, or sadness.
Example: Many of the Christmas traditions rely on the ongoing sentiment of the older members of our family looking to continue those traditions as younger generations get older.
Sentimental
Having or being prompted by feelings of sadness, tenderness, nostalgia, or being excessively prone to these feelings.
Example: Dad is very sentimental, and every year he gets mom something meaningful related to when they were dating as her Christmas present.
Serving
A quantity of food that is suitable for one person to eat in a single sitting for a meal.
Example: My favorite thing about Christmas dinner is getting a large serving of turkey and stuffing.
Sharing
Letting others use or enjoy something too.
Example: My little brother did not like sharing his new presents with our baby sister, so he gathered up all his toys and took them straight to his room.
Shepherd
A person who looks after sheep.
Example: The kids were shepherded around the Christmas tree as everyone prepared for Santa’s arrival.
Shine
A light source that gives off a bright light, or to direct a flashlight or other beam of light directly onto something.
Example: The shine from the Christmas tree lights illuminated the night sky, and the reflections were sparkling off of the lake surrounding the display.
Shiny
Something that had been cleaned or polished and reflected a bright light.
Example: The silverware was all polished and shiny; it was a shame we had to get it all dirty while eating Christmas dinner.
Shopping
Buying goods from a store, typically household goods, groceries, and clothing.
Example: My favorite thing to do during Christmas is go shopping for gifts to give my friends and family.
Shoveling
The act of removing snow, coal, dirt, and other similar substances, using a shovel.
Example: My favorite part about the snow is going outside, shoveling the snow, and then playing in the giant snow piles.
Silent
Not speaking or making a sound, or something that is expressed, but not out loud.
Example: Christmas Eve was so silent as the kid waited for Santa to arrive, you could hear a pin drop from the other room.
Singing
Making musical sounds with the voice.
Example: I love Christmas, especially when we sing carols throughout the town and deliver homemade cookies to our neighbors.
Skating
The act of gilding on ice skates or rollerblades is often a fun activity to enjoy during the Christmas holiday.
Example: The lake behind our house has frozen solid, meaning we can go ice skating on Christmas Day after we open presents in the morning.
Skiing
The activity of gliding over snow while wearing skis can be in the form of downhill or cross-country skiing.
Example: Our family’s tradition is to go skiing every Christmas because we love spending time in the mountains surrounded by snow.
Sled
A small vehicle used to slide over snow.
Example: The moment it started snowing, I ran and grabbed my sled, hoping dad would take us out to the big hill at the end of the street before our family came to visit on Christmas Eve.
Sledding
The activity of traveling, gliding, or sliding down a hill on top of ice or snow while riding a sled.
Example: Our family tradition is to go sledding on Christmas morning, but since it hasn’t snowed this year, we need to find something else to do.
Sleigh
A vehicle that moves over snow on runners.
Example: Santa’s sleigh was ready to go out and deliver presents to the children for Christmas.
Sleighing
A pastime or activity involving riding in a sleigh.
Example: My mom’s favorite winter activity is to go sleighing, and this year she and dad left the kids home with our grandparents.
Smiles
A facial feature that shows satisfaction, where the corners of the mouth get turned up and sometimes exposes the front teeth.
Example: Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces was enough to know we bought the proper Christmas presents for them this year.
Snacks
A small amount of food is often eaten between meals or late at night.
Example: To ensure we did not spoil our appetite, mom said we could not have snacks until it was time to eat Christmas dinner.
Snow
Ice crystals that fall from clouds as flakes.
Example: We were so excited because we were expecting snow this Christmas, which meant we were having a white Christmas for the first time in years.
Snowball
A ball made of packed snow that is typically meant to be tossed at other people for fun.
Example: The best part about it snowing on Christmas is all my cousins were over at our house, and we had the best snowball fight ever.
Snowfall
The event when snow is falling to the ground.
Example: The snowfall was beautiful, especially when it covered the trees decorated with Christmas lights in our yard.
Snowflake
A small crystal or cluster of ice crystals falling as snow.
Example: Have you ever gone outside and tried to catch snowflakes on your tongue? We tried on Christmas morning and had such a great time outdoors.
Snowman
A human-shaped figure made from snow.
Example: My favorite Christmas movie is “Frosty the Snowman,” and after we watch the film, we go outside and build a snowman.
Snowy
Weather that is characterized when it is snowing or something that is covered with snow.
Example: The snowy mountains in the distance were the perfect backdrop to our Christmas celebration and provided a fantastic view from our living room’s picture window.
Sparkle
To shine with small flashes of light.
Example: The snow glistened and sparkled when the moonlight hit it, which created a beautiful scene for our Christmas caroling.
Sparkling
Describing something that is shining brightly with glittering flashes.
Example: The sparkling Christmas tree lights were such a beautiful image, especially as the snow started falling and covering the tree with a thin layer.
Spice
A vegetable substance used to flavor food or provided an aroma, such as pepper, nutmeg, and cloves.
Example: Mom spiced the Christmas ham with cloves, and when it was cooking, it made the home smell fabulous.
Spirit
The nonphysical part of a person that holds all the emotions and character, also known as the soul, or another term for a ghost.
Example: Jessie has a kind spirit, which might be why she is always volunteering and donating items to local shelters, especially during the Christmas season.
Spirited
Someone who is full of energy, determination, and enthusiasm.
Example: The spirited child had difficulty falling asleep, especially knowing Santa Claus was on his way to deliver Christmas presents.
Spruce
An evergreen conifer; some species are used as Christmas trees.
Example: Our Christmas tree is an imitation spruce tree, which replaced the real ones we used to get until our cat started eating the pine needles.
Sprucing
To make a person or location look much tidier.
Example: Mom had us busy sprucing up the home, getting it ready for company to come over for Christmas dinner.
Stable
A building for animals, often used as the setting in Nativity scenes.
Example: We had to ensure the Christmas tree was stable enough not to fall over, especially since we had curious cats who enjoyed climbing in it.
Star
A luminous object in the sky and a familiar Nativity and tree-decoration symbol.
Example: This year, we bought a new star for our Christmas tree and one that is gold and lights up.
Starlight
The light or the glow emanating from a star.
Example: The night sky was lit up by the starlight of the millions of stars overhead, and we could see all the stars since the sky was clear on Christmas Eve.
Starry
Something that is full of stars or lit up by an abundance of stars.
Example: Christmas Eve was such a starry night I was sure Santa would not have a problem flying through the sky to deliver Christmas presents.
Stocking
A long sock or decorative gift holder hung up at Christmas.
Example: Our Christmas stockings were hung on the fireplace’s mantle and ready for Santa’s arrival.
Storytelling
The act of telling or writing stories to be shared with others.
Example: We love gathering around the fireplace on Christmas Day to listen to grandpa and his fascinating storytelling.
Stove
A kitchen appliance used to cook or heat items up, typically operated by electricity or by burning fuel.
Example: Mom forgot to preheat the oven, meaning Christmas dinner might be a little late tonight.
Strands
Similar to a long string used to hold something or a series of things together.
Example: Dad was getting frustrated because someone didn’t put the strands of Christmas lights away correctly last year, and now they are all tangled up.
Stuffing
A seasoned food mixture cooked inside another food or separately.
Example: The stuffing at this year’s Christmas dinner was so delicious, and when I asked mom, she said she added cranberries to it.
Sugarplum
A small sweet historically associated with sugar-coated treats.
Example: The sugarplums were a great addition to my Christmas gingerbread house, and I am proud to say I made them myself.
Surprise
Something unexpected, or the feeling it causes.
Example: When my grandparents showed up for Christmas Day, it was such a surprise. We were all so excited to see them.
Sweater
A knitted upper-body garment.
Example: For Christmas this year, we planned an ugly sweater party, and it was one of the best parties we have ever hosted.
Sweets
A small piece of food made using sugar.
Example: The dessert table for Christmas was full of sweets, and I could not wait to start digging in and sampling each item on the table.
Christmas Words From A-Z
Here’s each list of Christmas words from the letters A to Z:
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Christmas Word Activities
- Write five chosen words on cards, then match each word with a drawing or definition.
- Use three words in a Christmas card message or a short story. Include one object, one action, and one feeling.
- Play a sentence-building game: each player adds a sentence using a different word.
- For younger children, read the examples together and explain unfamiliar words before asking them to write.
You can make the activity easier by allowing phrases and proper names, or harder by using only words with a direct Christmas connection. Keep a separate list of general winter words so children can see the difference.
34 Christmas Words That Start With R (List With Meanings)
