25 of the Best Christmas Quotes to Make Loved Ones Feel Jolly

Christmas Season Quote

"Christmas isn't a season. It's a feeling." - Edna Ferber 

We hear a lot about the so-called "Christmas season" leading up to the holiday, but we often don't stop to think about what that actually means. It's a good thing that Pulitzer Prize winner and best-selling novelist Edna Ferber was way ahead of us with this one. In just two sentences, she summed up the true nature of getting into the holiday spirit better than any overused Christmas sayings ever could. 

Beautiful Christmas Quote

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." - Norman Vincent Peale

Considering that the famed preacher and author literally wrote the book on The Power of Positive Thinking, it's not startling that he was able to frame his Christmas message in such a beautiful way. We can practically see the lily-white snow delicately coating the evergreens now!

Happy Christmas Quote

"Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values." - Thomas S. Monson

"It's better to give than it is to receive" is one of many classic gift-giving and Christmas sayings. But religious leader Thomas S. Monson certainly took it to the next level with this poignant Christmas quote. With a perfect mix of joyfulness and selflessness, this Christmas message proves that it's a wonderful time to think about what's really important in life.

Inspirational Christmas Quote

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." - Charles Dickens

It's no secret that Charles Dickens, who is sometimes called the greatest writer of his time, had a way with words. So it's unsurprising that the genius behind classics like Great Expectations and Oliver Twist would also be the speaker behind such an inspirational Christmas quote. Encouraging his readers to both respect the holiday and keep the holiday spirit alive the rest of the year? We would all do well to follow the example of his powerful Christmas message.

Love Christmas Quote

"Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas." - Dale Evans

The Western actress and singer-songwriter certainly had a lot of love to share in her life, especially with her beloved husband and fellow Western star Roy Rogers. And her Christmas quote about love proves that we don't have to wait until December 25 to get into the holiday spirit.

Family Christmas Quote

"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 late award-winning columnist and commentator served us a beautiful reminder of Christmases past with this quote. These powerful words also provide an important reminder to new parents everywhere to treasure these moments with their tiniest family members when they come.

Christmas Song Quote

"Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white.'" - Bing Crosby

Leave it to the iconic singer of one of the most beloved Christmas songs of all time to make an important point about the true meaning of Christmas. Clearly, the best-selling recording artist had much more on his mind than simply seeing snow on the ground while singing this tune. Considering how many people were touched by his music, we're sure he wasn't the only one who thought beyond the physical Christmas scenery.

Funny Christmas Quote

"Santa Claus has the right idea — visit people only once a year." - Victor Borge

We could always count on the late, great Danish comedian and entertainer to give us a good chuckle anytime of the year. But his Christmas quote definitely takes the cake for one of his funniest — and sometimes most relatable — lines.

Thoughtful Christmas Quote

"Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves." - Eric Sevareid

The renowned and respected CBS journalist and commentator spoke for us all when he pointed out the importance of looking out for people in the world all around us — not just for ourselves — on Christmas. Just imagine if we did this every single day.

Christmas Spirit Quote

"Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone." - Charles M. Schulz

Charlie Brown might've had a hard time figuring out what Christmas is all about, but Charles M. Schulz, creator of the beloved Peanuts comic strip, sure didn't! He captured the spirit of Christmas flawlessly with this simple-yet-powerful quote that we can all live by this holiday season and beyond.

Christmas Memory Quote

"When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things — not the great occasions — give off the greatest glow of happiness." - Bob Hope

The legendary comedian and vaudeville performer sure knew a thing or two about happiness. It makes perfect sense that he would make an excellent point about the little things mattering the most during the big holiday season.

Powerful Christmas Quote

"Christmas is the day that holds all time together." - Alexander Smith

The renowned Scottish poet is remembered for his boldness and creativity. So it's only fitting that he came up with such a bold and creative way to explain why Christmas is so meaningful for all who celebrate it.

Christmas Gift Quote

"As we give presents at Christmas, we need to recognize that sharing our time and ourselves is such an important part of giving." - Gordon B. Hinckley

The renowned clergyman provided a much-needed reminder that the real gift of Christmas and the holiday season can't be wrapped up in any box — no matter how pretty it is.

Motivational Christmas Quote

"Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas." - Peg Bracken

Of course the beloved author of The I Hate to Cook Book would include a reference to ingredients in her Christmas quote. But the late writer took it a powerful step further by explaining that the least we could do is put forth the effort of adding the two most important ingredients to our holiday. Chills!

Home for Christmas Quote

"At Christmas, all roads lead home." - Marjorie Holmes

The famous author and columnist captured many people's biggest Christmas wish of being home for the holidays in a beautiful way. No matter where we are in the world on this special day, there's only one place we truly want to be.

Charity Christmas Quote

"Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart." - Washington Irving

The famous short story author, best known for "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," certainly knew how to tell a good narrative. This Christmas quote shows that he also knew how to explain the importance of giving back to others during the holiday season — and that's the best short story of all.

Christmas Tree Quote

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." -  Burton Hillis

The noted columnist and author summed up the greatest part about being around the Christmas tree. As amazing as the presents inside all the wrapped boxes and stuffed bags can be, it is truly the people that make the place on this special day.

Christmas Present Quote

"Don't let the past steal your present. This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone." - Taylor Caldwell

The famous novelist expertly explained why time is truly the best "present" when you're surrounded by loved ones. This type of eternal Christmas spirit is exactly what will carry us on to more beautiful Christmases in the future.

Christmas Reflection Quote

"Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection." - Winston Churchill

The inspirational prime minister of Britain was not only a strong leader but also a powerful writer. His Christmas quote effortlessly explains the steadfast power of the holiday season and all the wonderful emotions that come along with it.

Wise Christmas Quote

"A good conscience is a continual Christmas." - Benjamin Franklin

Leave it to one of the Founding Fathers of our nation to gift us with the perfect Christmas quote to keep in mind during, before, and after the holiday. After all, why wait for a designated special day of the year to do the right thing for your loved ones? We could all use a little reminder that it can't hurt to make Christmas-inspired choices all year long.

Christmas Stocking Quote

"Christmas is a stocking stuffed with sugary goodness." - Mo Rocca

Considering the TV host's work on the Cooking Channel show Foodography, it's not surprising that his Christmas quote would focus on something food-related. We can't think of a sweeter way to describe the holiday!

Musical Christmas Quote

"The earth has grown old with its burden of care, but at Christmas it always is young, the heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair, and its soul full of music breaks the air, when the song of angels is sung." - Phillips Brooks

Is it any wonder that the clergyman and lyricist behind the song "O Little Town of Bethlehem" would come up with a Christmas quote emphasizing the power of music? Simply reading it makes us want to break out in song with all of our favorite holiday tunes.

Christmas Season Quote

"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

The former president captured the true beauty of the Christmas season: It's not really about the season itself at all. It's all about the power of true holiday spirit, which should be present in our minds all year long. Don't you love it when Christmas quotes from the past still ring true today?

Christmastime Quote

"Christmas is a bridge. We need bridges as the river of time flows past." - Gladys Taber

This profound Christmas quote by the legendary author and columnist captures the importance of the holiday season in a nutshell. There's no question that Christmas helps connect moments in time together by offering us a wonderful opportunity to enjoy family and friends in the midst of this adventure called life. We could all use that from time to time, can't we?

Christmas Eve Quote

"May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve." - Unknown

Although it's not known who originally said this quote, we think that makes it all the more stirring. After all, many of us can relate to a childlike feeling of waiting for Santa at some point in our lives. So why not look up at the sky yourself this holiday season for old times' sake? You may feel a sense of anticipation — and magic — that everyone deserves to feel this time of year, no matter how old they are.

All photos are courtesy of Getty Images.