The holiday season brings warmth, joy, and, for writers, a small but persistent dilemma: how to spell Christmas correctly when talking about plural or possessive forms.
Is it Christmases, Christmas’s, or Christmas’? Getting this right ensures your writing looks polished, whether you’re crafting a blog, sending greeting cards, or posting on social media.
This guide dives deep into grammar rules, practical examples, and tips so you never confuse your plurals and possessives again.
Grammar Foundations You Need to Know
Before diving into Christmas-specific rules, it helps to revisit some grammar basics. English has clear rules for forming plural nouns and possessive nouns, but the overlap between -s endings and apostrophes often trips writers up.
- Pluralization Rules: Most nouns form the plural by adding -s or -es. For words ending in s, x, z, ch, or sh, we usually add -es.
- Example: bus → buses, church → churches.
- Possessive Forms: To show ownership, singular nouns take an apostrophe + s (‘s), while plural nouns ending in s just add an apostrophe (s’).
Common mistake: Mixing plural and possessive forms. For example, writing Christmases’s is grammatically incorrect and visually awkward.
Understanding these basics clears the path for accurate usage of Christmas, Christmases, and Christmas’s.
Plural Form: “Christmases”
The plural form Christmases is straightforward but often overlooked.
Definition
- Christmases refers to multiple occurrences of Christmas or multiple celebrations.
- Example: Over the past five years, our family celebrated many joyful Christmases.
When to Use It
Use Christmases when:
- Discussing multiple years of the holiday
- Comparing different Christmas events or traditions
- Talking about Christmas celebrations in various locations
Examples in Sentences:
- The company hosted festive Christmases in different cities to spread holiday cheer.
- Reflecting on childhood, she remembered all the magical Christmases with her siblings.
Quick Tip
A simple trick to remember: if you can replace “Christmases” with “holidays” and it still makes sense, the plural form is correct.
Table: Singular vs Plural
| Singular | Plural | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas | Christmases | Christmases in different countries are celebrated uniquely. |
| Holiday | Holidays | We enjoyed many holidays in Europe. |
Possessive Form: “Christmas’s” and “Christmas’”
Now comes the tricky part: showing ownership.
Christmas’s: Singular Possessive
Use Christmas’s when something belongs to the singular holiday.
- Examples:
- Christmas’s magic fills the streets with lights.
- I love Christmas’s cozy traditions and family gatherings.
Key point: Even though “Christmas” ends with an s, most style guides prefer ’s for singular possessive.
Christmas’: Alternative Possessive
Some style guides, such as AP, allow Christmas’ instead of Christmas’s, mainly for readability.
- Examples:
- Christmas’ spirit was evident in every corner of the city.
- Christmas’ arrival is marked by festive decorations everywhere.
Tip: If writing professionally or academically, check your preferred style guide. Chicago style prefers ’s, AP style prefers ’ for s-ending words.
Usage Scenarios for Clarity
Knowing the rules is one thing. Applying them in real-life contexts is another. Here’s how to make your writing flawless:
Family and Personal Contexts
- Holiday letters: Wishing you joy during Christmas’s celebrations!
- Social media posts: Counting down the days until Christmases with family!
Professional Writing
- Marketing emails: Enjoy Christmas’ exclusive offers this season.
- Newsletters: Christmas’s best-selling gifts are arriving in stores.
Creative Writing
- Stories: Each of her Christmases brought new surprises and adventures.
- Poetry: Christmas’s lights glimmered like stars in the silent night.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing Christmas’ses (wrong plural possessive)
- Confusing plural vs possessive: Christmases’s magic is incorrect
- Forgetting the apostrophe in singular possessive
Contextual Grammar Tip: If it sounds wrong when spoken aloud, it probably is. Read your sentence out loud to catch mistakes.
Advanced Grammar Insights
Linguistic Precision
Using the right plural or possessive shows attention to detail. Misplaced apostrophes can confuse readers or weaken your credibility.
Evolution of Possessive Forms
- Early English had more flexible possessive rules. Over time, conventions standardized apostrophes to indicate possession, especially for s-ending words.
- Example: “Christmas’ decorations” might appear in older texts, while modern usage leans toward “Christmas’s decorations.”
Regional Variations
- US English generally prefers Christmas’s for singular possessive.
- UK English often accepts Christmas’ in both formal and casual contexts.
Practical Tips for Writers
Here’s a quick checklist to make sure your Christmas grammar is always correct:
- ✅ Use Christmases for multiple holiday celebrations.
- ✅ Use Christmas’s for singular possessive, unless your style guide prefers Christmas’.
- ✅ Avoid combining plural and possessive: never write Christmases’s.
- ✅ Read sentences aloud to detect awkward phrasing.
- ✅ Use substitution: if replacing “Christmases” with “holidays” works, it’s plural.
Example Scenarios Table:
| Situation | Correct Form | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple years of Christmas | Christmases | We’ve enjoyed many wonderful Christmases together. |
| Ownership by one holiday | Christmas’s | Christmas’s decorations are always magical. |
| Ownership with AP style | Christmas’ | Christmas’ arrival brings joy to children everywhere. |
Cultural & Historical Context (Optional Fun Section)
Origins of Christmas
Christmas dates back to early Christian traditions celebrating the birth of Jesus. Its evolution includes blending Roman winter festivals and Christian symbolism.
“Merry Christmas”
- Phrase first appeared in English texts in the 16th century.
- Meaning: Wishing joy, peace, and happiness during the holiday season.
Fun Fact: Chi Rho and Christmas
The Chi Rho symbol, an early Christian monogram, often appeared in medieval Christmas art, symbolizing Christ’s birth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it spelled Chrismas or Christmas?
Answer: The correct spelling is Christmas. “Chrismas” is a common misspelling.
How do Americans pronounce Christmas?
Answer: Americans generally pronounce it as /ˈkrɪs·məs/, with the “t” mostly silent.
When should I use Christmases?
Answer: Use Christmases when referring to multiple Christmas holidays or celebrations over different years.
What’s the difference between Christmas’s and Christmas’?
Answer: Christmas’s is the singular possessive (preferred in most style guides), while Christmas’ is an alternative used for readability, mainly in AP style.
Can I use Christmas in plural form in professional writing?
Answer: Yes, but only when referring to multiple occurrences of the holiday, e.g., “The company hosted festive Christmases in different cities.”
Conclusion
Getting Christmas, Christmases, and Christmas’s right is easier than it seems once you understand grammar rules and real-life applications. Remember:
- Use Christmases for plurals
- Use Christmas’s for singular possessive, or Christmas’ if your style guide prefers
- Read your writing aloud to catch mistakes
- Keep context in mind: family, professional, or creative writing
Armed with these tips, your holiday writing will sparkle just like the lights on the tree. 🎄
