To start feeling Christmassy.
to get in the festive spirit
to join in the festivities
to get in the Christmas atmosphere
When each person buys a present for another person in the group
a secret Santa
a white reindeer
a hidden elf
To make a big effort to achieve something
to pull over all the stops
to pull off all the stops
to pull out all the stops
People who don’t like Christmas say this.
Unhappy Christmas
Doh Hamburg!
Bah Humbug!
The traditional things that go with the dinner.
all the trimmings
all the loopholes
all the fittings
To eat and drink slowly and carefully.
to pace yourself
to track yourself
to watch yourself
Your family.
your nearest and dearest
your close circle
your beloved people
What you say when you receive a bad present.
Take it back
It’s the thought that counts.
Thanks but no thanks
A mean person who doesn’t like Christmas.
a Scrounge
a Scrooge
A Scrimper
What you say when you receive a present.
You shouldn’t have!
You don't have to!
You mustn't have!
To eat and drink too much.
to overindulge
to overstuff
to overfeed
A snowy Christmas.
a blanketed Christmas
a white Christmas
a snow-filled Christmas
To receive a lot of presents
to get snowed under with gifts
to get rained on with gifts
to get showered with gifts
To forget old arguments and be friendly.
to bury the spade
to bury the hatchet
to dig the wrench
To spend a long time cooking
to sweat over a hot cooker
to work over a hot oven
to slave over a hot stove