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How to Write Right About Christmas…

…and Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

Now I’m not telling anyone what he or she should write about spiritual beliefs or family traditions. But, even during the holidays, there are spelling and usage guidelines. By following a few rules, we make our writing easier to read. Whether you’re writing a sales piece to market your goods and services as wonderful holiday gifts, or penning your famous (perhaps infamous?) annual Christmas letter, you can refer to the Associated Press holiday style guide to tell you things like:

•        whether to capitalize Champagne (yes)
•         are there one or two s’s in Kriss Kringle (two is correct)
•        is regifting really a word? (AP thinks so, and no hyphen needed)

Below are some more terms AP wants to  make sure its reporters don’t mess up – and a link to the whole list at the Associated Press website

Advent  The four Sundays preceding Christmas.

“Auld Lang Syne”  Sung to greet the New Year, poem by Robert Burns set to Scottish music.

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.

 What to do if you can’t find the answers to your writing questions? Ask your friendly local writer-editor – offer not limited to the yuletide  (one word, lowercase). Have a merry Christmas!

 posted by Elena M. Rodriguez, writer & editor, Pacific Press International