close to christmas

USAGE SUMMARY

"close to Christmas" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Example sentence: "The stores are always crowded close to Christmas, so we should plan our shopping early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Put chairs and couches in one place, a rug in another, and if it is Christmas time (it's close to Christmas time here) put the Christmas tree in another place.

WikiHow

Try celebrating your birthday on Christmas with your family, then with your friends as close to Christmas to possible, either before or just after.

WikiHow

"For the individuals it's tragic, so close to Christmas".

The Guardian

"But this close to Christmas, I feel for them.

The New York Times

10) Jingle Hoops It's not even close to Christmas yet, but this is superb.

The Guardian - Sport

The Tampa was last night moved to calmer waters close to Christmas Island in preparation for the transfer.

The Guardian

That close to Christmas, items ordered at standard shipping speeds will not arrive in time for the holiday, making customers less likely to buy online.

The New York Times - Tech

Last December, the Republicans decided to filibuster a military-spending bill in order to delay the looming vote on health care until as close to Christmas as possible.

The New Yorker

Buying another flight at short notice and close to Christmas was very hard, but eventually I got a return with Emirates for £1,200.

Independent

Even this close to Christmas there's always the possibility that some HR director has stumbled upon my LinkedIn profile and left a message about executive coaching.

The Guardian - Money

I like reading, too, but instead of reading, since it's close to Christmas, I can knit someone a gift instead of wasting money".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to Christmas", consider whether you want to emphasize the nearness in time, the emotional anticipation, or the practical implications (like shopping deadlines).

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "close to Christmas" in a short span. Vary your language by using alternatives like "nearing Christmas" or "in the run-up to Christmas" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to Christmas" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating a temporal relationship. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to Christmas" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the period shortly before the Christmas holiday. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and serves to specify the timing of events with a sense of anticipation or holiday impact. While versatile, it's advisable to vary language with alternatives to avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearing Christmas

Focuses on the approaching nature of Christmas, rather than a static closeness.

around Christmastime

Indicates a general timeframe centered on Christmas.

in the run-up to Christmas

Emphasizes the period of preparation and anticipation before Christmas.

in the days before Christmas

Specifies a shorter time frame immediately preceding Christmas.

leading up to Christmas

Highlights the progression of time toward Christmas.

before the Christmas holiday

A more formal way to express the time preceding Christmas.

on the verge of Christmas

Emphasizes the imminence of Christmas.

approaching the yuletide season

Uses more festive and seasonal vocabulary to indicate the pre-Christmas period.

in anticipation of Christmas

Focuses on the expectancy and excitement associated with the coming Christmas.

Christmas is imminent

This phrase emphasize the proximity of the Christmas event.

FAQs

How can I use "close to Christmas" in a sentence?

You can use "close to Christmas" to describe events, feelings, or deadlines that occur shortly before the holiday. For instance: "The stores are always crowded close to Christmas."

What can I say instead of "close to Christmas"?

You can use alternatives like "nearing Christmas", "around Christmastime", or "in the run-up to Christmas" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "closer to Christmas" instead of "close to Christmas"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "closer to Christmas" implies a sense of progression or comparison, while "close to Christmas" simply indicates proximity in time.

What's the difference between "close to Christmas" and "around Christmas"?

"Close to Christmas" typically refers to the period immediately before Christmas, while "around Christmas" can encompass a slightly broader timeframe, including the days following Christmas as well.