Common English errors during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

The festive season is one of the most delightful times of the year. It’s a period of joy, togetherness, and heartfelt exchanges of good wishes. However, amidst all the celebrations, there’s often a flurry of linguistic blunders that sneak into our greetings and conversations. As an English teacher, I’ve come across countless instances where people unintentionally misuse common phrases associated with the holidays. While these errors are usually harmless, getting them right adds a touch of polish to your festive celebration.

One of the most common mistakes I notice is the use of “Season Greetings” instead of “Season’s Greetings.” The difference lies in the little apostrophe and the added “s.” “Season’s” is possessive, meaning the greetings belong to the season. Without the apostrophe, the phrase loses its grammatical correctness and sounds awkward. It’s like forgetting the star on a Christmas tree—it may still look good, but something feels incomplete.

Another frequent mix-up involves “Complement of the Season” and “Compliments of the Season.” The words “complement” and “compliment” might sound alike, but their meanings couldn’t be more different. “Complement” refers to completing or enhancing something, such as saying, “The decorations complemented the festive mood.” On the other hand, “compliment” is about expressing praise or good wishes, which is exactly what you’re doing during the holidays. Therefore, the correct expression is “Compliments of the Season,” a way of wishing someone well and acknowledging the festive spirit.

Responding to greetings like “Happy New Year” also brings its own set of challenges. Many people casually reply with “Same to you,” which, while not incorrect, can feel a bit impersonal. A more thoughtful response like “Happy New Year to you, too!” or “Wishing you the same!” adds warmth and shows genuine enthusiasm. These little details might seem minor, but they go a long way in spreading the cheer that defines the season.

Capitalization is another area where what I’d like to call festive errors often occur. Phrases such as “Happy new year” or “Merry christmas” regularly pop up, especially in informal settings. However, since “New Year” and “Christmas” are proper nouns, they must always be capitalized. Paying attention to these details ensures that your greetings are not only grammatically correct but also convey the respect these special occasions deserve.

Another subtle error is confusing “New Year” with “New Year’s.” While “New Year” refers to the entire upcoming year, “New Year’s” is short for New Year’s Day or New Year’s Eve. For instance, you might wish someone a “Happy New Year” when referring to the year ahead, but you could say, “What are your New Year’s plans?” if you’re asking about celebrations on December 31st.

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Even the excitement of the season can lead to an overuse of exclamation marks in greetings. Writing “Happy New Year!!!” or “Merry Christmas!!!!” might seem to express enthusiasm, but it can come across as excessive, especially in formal contexts. A single exclamation mark does the job perfectly while maintaining a professional tone.

One less obvious but equally important mistake is how people phrase greetings in advance. “Advance Happy New Year” is a phrase that’s commonly used, especially in casual conversations. However, the correct and more polished version is “Happy New Year in advance.” This simple adjustment makes your wishes sound smoother and more thoughtful.

Lastly, when signing off holiday cards, the misuse of apostrophes is almost a tradition of its own. Phrases like “Love from the Johnson’s” often appear, but they’re incorrect unless you’re referring to something owned by the Johnson family, such as “The Johnson’s house.” The correct way to sign a card is “Love from the Johnsons,” without the apostrophe, as it’s simply referring to all members of the family.

The beauty of the festive season lies not only in the joy and goodwill shared but also in the thoughtfulness of our words. Taking care to use the right expressions shows respect for the language and for the people you’re addressing. So, as we celebrate this magical time of year, let’s ensure our greetings are as bright and perfect as the holiday decorations. Compliments of the Season, and here’s wishing you a Happy New Year filled with warmth, happiness, and grammatical precision.