Most people take a break around the Christmas period and spend time with their families. In English-speaking countries, we wish people we know a happy Christmas. Here are some useful phrases for this.

Before the holidays

If I don’t see you before, have a lovely Christmas!
Have a great Christmas, won’t you!
Have a good one!
Happy Christmas to you!

Asking people about their plans

What are you up to over Christmas?
Got any plans for Christmas and New Year?
Are you at home over Christmas, or are you going away?

After the holidays

When people see each other after the New Year holidays, they often use a greeting such as “Happy New Year!” Some people also ask about New Year resolutions (the promises that you make to yourself to get fitter, lose weight, change job etc) or refer more generally to the whole of the Christmas / New Year holiday period.

Asking about the holidays

What did you do over Christmas?
What did you get up to?
Do anything exciting / special over the holidays?
Have you made any resolutions?

You could also ask about Christmas gifts (especially to children).

What did you get for Christmas?
Did Father Christmas bring you what you wanted for Christmas?

Giving a vague reply

Nothing much.
Nothing special.
Oh, the usual…
Same old (= nothing new)

Giving more information

(Did you have a good Christmas?)

It was great / fantastic / wonderful / lovely / thanks.
Really relaxing / Just what I needed.
We saw the in-laws / some of the family.
We got away for a couple of days.
We had a quiet one at home.

Asking the other person

To keep the conversation going, try returning the question.

What about you? (Did you have a) good Christmas?
And you? Did you see the New Year in? (to see the New Year in means to celebrate the New Year at midnight.

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Next page: Get the special phrases for gift-giving in the page Giving And Receiving Presents In English