In all honesty, I’m not the biggest fan of Christmas. While we do have some favourite festive traditions, Buddy’s soulmate I most definitely am not. But I have to make an effort, not least because of Flora (although she’s long since sussed that Father Christmas is more about the Spirit of Christmas than a real man with a big sack, ho ho ho…). So, as I’d enjoyed collating all my Summer, Autumn, and Winter quotes previously, I thought I’d spread a little Christmas cheer too. Here are the 75 most inspiring Christmas quotes I’ve found to help us all get in the mood for the most wonderful time of the year.
Contents
Inspiring quotes for Christmas – what are some good Christmas quotes?
Christmas Day in 1914 was when the British and German guns fell silent along the 30-mile battlefront for one magical day. And the holiday season is usually when friends and families spend time together. However, before anyone jumps on my head, I do realise this isn’t always the case, unfortunately. For me though, the magic of Christmas is best remembered from my childhood. There always seemed to be a little something extra in the air that waved a magic wand over the whole of December. Probably partly due to having a chocolate to look forward to every morning, no doubt… But back then, Christmas time was always family time.
Family Christmas quotes
Without further ado then, here are some magical Christmas quotes that recall Christmas past for me, and offer a reminder of what’s really important at this time of year.
“At Christmas, all roads lead home.” – Marjorie Holmes
“Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.” – Margaret Thatcher
“Christmas is a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart.” – Freya Stark
“Christmas is the keeping-place for memories of our innocence.” – Joan Mills
“It’s true, Christmas can feel like a lot of work, particularly for mothers. But when you look back on all the Christmases in your life, you’ll find you’ve created family traditions and lasting memories. Those memories, good and bad, are really what help to keep a family together over the long haul.” – Caroline Kennedy
“Mankind is a great, an immense family… This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas.” ― Pope John XXIII
“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.” – Andy Rooney
“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” — Burton Hills
“We count down the days just to experience it nearly exactly as we always have. It is so comfortable, familiar, and perfectly nostalgic that, frankly, we have no desire to improve upon it at all.” – Joanna Gaines
Childhood Christmas quotes
In the same nostalgic vein, here are some wonderfully evocative quotes about the Christmas season from a child’s perspective.
“Christmas always rustled. It rustled every time, mysteriously, with silver and gold paper, tissue paper and a rich abundance of shiny paper, decorating and hiding everything and giving a feeling reckless extravagance.” – Tove Jansson
“Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.” – Richelle E. Goodrich
“Christmas magic is silent. You don’t hear it–you feel it. You know it. You believe it.” – Kevin Alan Milne
“Even as an adult, I still find it hard to sleep on Christmas eve.” – Carrie Latet
“I love the excitement, the childlike spirit of innocence, and just about everything that goes along with Christmas.” – Hillary Scott
“May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve.” – Anonymous
“Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.” – Larry Wilde
“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred. We are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder
“The smells of Christmas are the smells of childhood.” – Richard Paul Evans
Christmas quotes from movies, poems, songs, and books
Unsurprisingly, I found a LOT of inspiring Christmas quotes taken from movies, books, songs and poems. There’s a reason they’re so popular, and it’s all to do with the skill of the respective writers. How many do you recognise?
“And so I’m offering this simple phrase to kids from one to 92. Although it’s been said many times, many ways, merry Christmas to you.” – Robert Wells, “The Christmas Song”
“Christmas Eve will find me, where the lovelight gleams. I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.” – Kim Gannon and Walter Kent, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
“Christmas is forever, not for just one day. For loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away.” – Norman Wesley Brooks
“Christmas now surrounds us, happiness is everywhere. Our hands are busy with many tasks as carols fill the air.” – Shirley Sallay
“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” – Norman Vincent Peale
“City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style. In the air, there’s a feeling of Christmas.” – Ray Evans, “Silver Bells”
“Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Let your heart be light. From now on, your troubles will be out of sight.” – Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
“I heard the bells on Christmas Day, Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” – Charles Dickens, “A Christmas Carol”
“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know. Where the treetops glisten, and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow.” – Irving Berlin, “White Christmas”
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year. There’ll be much mistletoe-ing, and hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near.” – George Wyle and Eddie Pola, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”
“Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.” — The Polar Express
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” – Dr Seuss, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
“One can never have enough socks,” said Dumbledore. “Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn’t get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.” – J K Rowling, “Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone”
“Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.” – The Polar Express
“Teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” – Zuzu Bailey, “It’s A Wonderful Life”
“That’s what Christmas memories are made from, they’re not planned, they’re not scheduled, nobody puts them in their blackberry, they just happen.” – Deck the Halls (2006)
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” – Buddy (Will Ferrell), Elf
“The mood is right, the spirit’s up. We’re here tonight, and that’s enough. Simply having a wonderful Christmas time.” – Paul McCartney, “Wonderful Christmas Time”
“The rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting.” – Louisa May Alcott, “Little Women”
“T’was the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” Clement Clarke Moore
Short Christmas quotes
Brevity is the soul of wit, even if Polonius didn’t quite realise the irony (William Shakespeare‘s Hamlet). Sometimes less is more and some of the most inspirational holiday quotes are the ones that use only a few words.
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” – Hamilton Wright Mabie
“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.” – Winston Churchill
“Christmas is the day that holds all time together.” — Alexander Smith
“Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.” —Edna Ferber
“Christmas, to me, is as many people as possible happy.” – Tupac Shakur
“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” – Roy L. Smith
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Theresa
“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.” – W.T. Ellis
“Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day.” – Helen Steiner Rice
“The joy of brightening other lives becomes for us the magic of the holidays.” – W. C. Jones
“The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.” – Henry David Thoreau
“The world has grown weary through the years, but at Christmas, it is young.” – Phillips Brooks
“There’s nothing cosier than a Christmas tree all lit up.” ― Jenny Han
Funny Christmas quotes
Because what is Christmas without some laughter, after all? Here’s my pick of humorous quotes about Christmas to (hopefully) make you smile.
“A lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.” – Garrison Keillor, Leaving Home
“Bloody Christmas, here again, let us raise a loving cup, peace on earth, goodwill to men, and make them do the washing up.” ~ Wendy Cope
“Christmas is a time when everybody wants his past forgotten and his present remembered.” – Phyllis Diller
“I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.” – Shirley Temple
“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. But if the white runs out, I’ll drink the red.” Unknown, but this to me sounds like Mae West
What is the best Christmas message?
Quite frankly, I’m not sure. But this last selection of seasonal utterances didn’t really fit into any particular category except perhaps the true meaning of Christmas. The spirit of kindness, generosity, thinking of others, sharing the love, and embracing the season. And perhaps best summed up by Agnes Pahro at the end.
“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” – Calvin Coolidge
“Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.” – Janice Maeditere
“Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance—a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.” – Augusta E. Randel
“Don’t get caught up in the wrapping paper and forget that the gift of the Christmas season is simply love.” – Toni Sorenson
“During the holiday season, in fact all year long, wrap yourself around another’s presence, not presents.” – Christine E. Szymanski
“Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection.” – Pindar
“Freshly cut Christmas trees smelling of stars and snow and pine resin – inhale deeply and fill your soul with wintry night.” – John J. Geddes
“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” ―Peg Bracken
“I don’t think Christmas is necessarily about things. It’s about being good to one another.” — Carrie Fisher
“I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.” – Harlan Miller
“It’s Christmas Eve. It’s the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more. For a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be.” – Frank Cross
“Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance — each beautiful, unique, and gone too soon.” – Deborah Whipp
“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” – Bob Hope
“Nothing ever seems too bad, too hard, or too sad when you’ve got a Christmas tree in the living room.” – Nora Roberts
“Some Christmas tree ornaments do a lot more than glitter and glow, they represent a gift of love given a long time ago.” – Tom Baker
“Sometimes the best Christmas present is remembering what you’ve already got.” – Cathy Guisewite
“The holiday season is a perfect time to reflect on our blessings and seek ways to make life better for those around us.” – Anonymous
“The thing about Christmas is that it almost doesn’t matter what mood you’re in, or what kind of year you’ve had – it’s a fresh start.” – Kelly Clarkson
“We should learn the true Christmas lesson of gentle, thoughtful kindness to those we love and to all we meet in life’s busy ways.” – J. R. Miller
“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.” – Agnes M. Pahro
And that concludes my 75 most inspiring Christmas quotes and festive holiday sayings. Which one was your favourite? Do you have a Merry Christmas saying that I haven’t included here? However you choose to celebrate this holiday season, may the magic of Christmas wave its magic wand over you, and I hope at least a few of these seasonal sayings will give you all those festive feels this year 🙂
These are great! What a lovely way to start the festivities. I really liked the one about how even as adults it’s difficult to sleep on Christmas Eve – It’s so true! Haha. Thanks for sharing these, there’s some really great ones.
Claire.x
http://www.clairemac.co.uk
That was one of my faves too, although usually because we’re still putting in batteries and wrapping last minute presents! x
Loved some of these, especially the one by Andy Rooney regarding not cleaning up the wrapping paper too quickly. I kind of like it lying around for a bit first, as it’s the one day of the year the living room looks like a bomb site, and that’s okay 🙂
Yes, that’s a great one – not least because all that wrapping paper is fun for the cats as well 🙂
Ooh I love these festive quotes Lisa! Thank you for sharing, now that it’s snowing it feels like the festive season is upon us x
Absolutely, you can’t celebrate Christmas properly without a dusting of snow! x
I love these Christmas quotes! 🥰🎄
Thank you 🙂
I love the way you’ve formatted this post into sections from films, books, people etc. Reading them all has definitely got me feeling festive 🙂
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
Thank you, Faye, that’s great to hear!
What a beautiful and positive post to inspire us all on a Monday morning! I am definitely feeling the Christmas spirit at the moment and these were just perfect to read! I love the “sometimes the best Christmas present is remembering what you’ve already got” – what a lovely reminder to be grateful! Xx
Thank you, Gemma, that’s very kind of you – and yes, I think we could all do with remembering to be grateful, this year more than most! x
Lovely Christmas quotes. I like Margaret Thatcher’s quote the most. Thank you for sharing.
She’s quite a divisive figure in the UK, but it’s a good quote 🙂
I love reading quotes since I think of them as small sips of wisdom. I love the quote
“Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.” from The Polar Express. I don’t really like the Christmas as a celebration where we all have to spend much money for gifts, decoration etc. I see it more as a celebration of love to those that are important in our lives. So, yes, the true spirit of Christmas lies in our heart 🙂
“Small sips of wisdom” is SUCH a wonderful way of looking at quotes, Eri, thank you, I will have to remember that! I completely agree with you about the Spirit of Christmas as well, it’s about how we feel, not what we spend.
I love these quote posts from you Lisa, all of these are so lovely! “Christmas magic is silent. You don’t hear it–you feel it. You know it. You believe it.” was one of my favourites because it’s SO true. As a child, you really do FEEL different at Christmas. It’s hard to explain. But it’s definitely magic!
Thank you, Jenny, and yes, Christmas is completely different when you’re a child. Kind of sad that we have to grow up in a way really!
Aww I love this post! What a great way to start the festive period!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
I love all these quotes. Christmas holds a lot of special memories for me (especially of my childhood) so I can relate to many of these quotes but I understand it can be a very difficult time of year for others. Thanks for sharing Lisa.
Yes, Christmas isn’t all lights, snow and chocolate for everyone, I do understand that, but thank you, Jodie, I’m glad these quotes resonated with you.
I love quotes! It’s hard to choose a favorite but I like this sentiment. “Sometimes the best Christmas present is remembering what you’ve already got.” – Cathy Guisewite
I also love the pic of hot cocoa with whipped cream! Thanks, Lisa.
Yesssss, I think that’s so true, Sue, Christmas is a time for gratitude for many of us – hope you get some cocoa now!
These are some really lovely Christmas quotes that would be perfect to use in a bullet journal, journal or even your Christmas cards to loved ones. I love at Christmas all roads lead to home! Thank you for sharing these beautiful quotes Lisa.
Lauren
Thank you, Lauren, and yes, I agree, they’d be perfect quotes for a BuJo or handmade Christmas cards 🙂
I love this so much Lisa! They are just perfect to get into the Christmas season. I love Christmas so much and I honestly cannot tell you how excited I am. I see a lot of amazing quotes from this list but my favourite are Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.” – Margaret Thatcher AND The holiday season is a perfect time to reflect on our blessings and seek ways to make life better for those around us.” – Anonymous
Thank you, Ruth – it’s funny, Margaret Thatcher was such a divisive person in her lifetime but she really did say some good things. Glad to hear you’re so excited for Christmas, not too long to wait now 🙂
Love this – thanks for putting this altogether!
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
AWesome Christmas, I like the one that says it’s should fresh start no matter what.
I do too, it’s good advice 🙂
This really is a spectacular list of Christmas quotes. I enjoyed reading every single line. If I had to choose a favorite, it would have to be the one from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow for “peace on earth, good-will to men!”
Thank you, Heidi, that was one of my favourite traditional ones as well 🙂
One can never have enough socks. Good one. These are cool Christmas quotes.
Good old Dumbledore!
These Christmas quotes warm my heart. My faves are those from songs and books. I can also relate to what Carrie Latet said. Yes… until now I’m finding it hard to sleep on Christmas Eve. Thanks for sharing these inspiring quotes. May the magic of Christmas fill your home with joy, love, and peace!
Ah, Fritzie, that is so lovely to read, thank you so much. I wish you all the best for this Christmas too!
I love all these magical, warm, Christmasie quotes! Thanks for sharing! I love Christmas!
Michelle
Glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
Really great quotes, enjoyed reading them ….
Glad you enjoyed the post.
I love Christmas and reading these quotes definitely got me in the festive mood!
That’s very good to hear, Alice!
Beautiful quotes, I didn’t hear for most of them.
So inspiring, thanks for sharing..
Thank you, Gabi, glad you enjoyed the post.
These are great! I love the Shirley Temple quote in particular.
It’s funny but a bit sad too 🙂
This is such a festive post! My favorite quote is from W.T Ellis. I can really relate to the quote. The Kelly Clarkson one is good too.
Thank you, Riyah, glad you enjoyed it!
These were wonderful to read! Thank you for all the work to put them together. I really liked the one about never being too old to look up in the sky on Christmas Eve.
Thank you, Laurie – yes, it did take a wee while to compile them, but I loved doing it!
Such a lovely collection of quotes for Christmastime! In particular the one that reminded us to “not get caught up in the wrapping , but to remember Christmas is simply about love” really stood out. Thanks so much for sharing this list. 🙂
Thank you so much, I’m very happy you enjoyed all the quotes 🙂
I love how different are these quotes. You did spend a bit of time doing this, but I think it was worth it because it was so wonderful to read. Thank you xx
I did indeed, but I really enjoyed collating them all, so I’m glad you enjoyed reading them too, Anca! xx
I love Christamas so much and now I feel like a small child when we step in Decembar. I enjoy read all of these quotes and thank you because your collect all of them at one place.
Thank you so much, I’m very happy you enjoyed all the quotes and Happy Christmas in the meantime!
Lovely seasonal quotes Lisa! Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful Christmas 🎅🏻🎄
Thank you, Jenni, and the same to you! 🎅🏻