If you're going to write about the holidays then please be sure to follow the AP holiday style guide.
Advent The four Sundays preceding Christmas.
“Auld Lang Syne” Sung to greet the New Year, poem by Robert Burns set to Scottish music.
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) – Dateline for AP stories from the biblical site of Jesus’ birth.
Bible Capitalize in reference to the Scriptures; lowercase biblical in all uses.
Boxing Day Post-Christmas holiday Dec. 26 In British Commonwealth countries.
Champagne Capitalize sparkling wine from the French region uncorked to celebrate New Year’s.
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day Capitalize Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 Christian feast marking the birth of Jesus.
Christmastime One word.
Christmas tree Lowercase tree and other seasonal terms with Christmas: card, wreath, carol, etc. Exception: National Christmas Tree.
dreidel Toy spinning top for Jewish celebrations.
hallelujah Lowercase the biblical praise to God, but capitalize in composition titles: Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus.
Hanukkah Eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights starting Dec. 20 this year.
Jesus, Jesus Christ Pronouns referring to him are lowercase, as is savior.
happy holidays, merry Christmas, season’s greetings Such phrases are generally spelled lowercase, though Christmas is always capitalized.
Holy Land Capitalize the biblical region.
Kriss Kringle Not Kris. Derived from the German word, Christkindl, or baby Jesus.
Kwanzaa African-American and Pan-African celebration of family, community and culture, Dec. 26-Jan. 1.
Magi Three wise men who brought gifts to the infant Jesus at Epiphany, celebrated Jan. 6.
menorah Candelabrum with nine branches used for Hanukkah.
Messiah Capitalized in references to Jesus or to the promised deliverer in Judaism.
Nativity scene Only the first word is capitalized.
New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day Capitalized for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
North Pole Mythical home of Santa Claus.
Poinsettia Decorative plant for Christmas; note the “ia.”
regifting Passing along an unwanted present to someone else.
Santa Claus Brings toys to children in a sleigh pulled by reindeer on Christmas Eve.
“A Visit From St. Nicholas” Beloved poem by Clement Clarke Moore that begins, “ ‘Twas the night before Christmas …”
“The Twelve Days of Christmas” Spell the numeral in the Christmas carol.
yule Old English name for Christmas season; yuletide is also lowercase.
Xmas Don’t use this abbreviation for Christmas.