The holiday season is not too far away (somehow!). I know offices around campus are starting to plan for and create their holiday messaging and content. So, this month, let’s review some commonly used words and phrases that pop up this time of year. If there’s one thing communicators at Our Lady’s University should write well on, surely it’s the Christmas season!
Actually, let’s dig a little further into this last point. Yes, Notre Dame is a Catholic university. In general, communicators on campus should not shy away from overtly Catholic messaging, such as saying “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays.” However, some instances may call for the use of more inclusive messaging. It comes down to knowing what’s appropriate for the person or group you are representing in your message, as well as the intended audience for the message. As always, use your best judgment.
OK, now let’s review some terms. Some of them I will describe here; others will link back to their University Style Guide entries.
Advent
Advent is a season in the Christian calendar that leads up to Christmas. It’s a time of preparation and reflection. This year, Advent in the Catholic Church starts on Sunday, December 3, and ends on Sunday, December 24. Advent is always capitalized in reference to the Christian season.
Advent is a season in the Christian calendar that leads up to Christmas. It’s a time of preparation and reflection. This year, Advent in the Catholic Church starts on Sunday, December 3, and ends on Sunday, December 24. Advent is always capitalized in reference to the Christian season.
breaks
Remember that the names of breaks are not capitalized, except for Christmas break. The term Christmas break is preferred to winter break or holiday break.
Remember that the names of breaks are not capitalized, except for Christmas break. The term Christmas break is preferred to winter break or holiday break.
Christmas
Christmas is always capitalized. Also: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Christmastime. Don’t use Xmas.
Christmas is always capitalized. Also: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Christmastime. Don’t use Xmas.
Christmas season
On the Church’s liturgical calendar, the Christmas season comes right after Advent, and lasts longer than many might think: this year the season runs from December 25 through January 8.
On the Church’s liturgical calendar, the Christmas season comes right after Advent, and lasts longer than many might think: this year the season runs from December 25 through January 8.
Diwali
Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most important Hindu celebrations (often equated to Christmas), and is also celebrated by Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists. This year, it falls on Sunday, November 12, although celebrations usually last across five days.
Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most important Hindu celebrations (often equated to Christmas), and is also celebrated by Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists. This year, it falls on Sunday, November 12, although celebrations usually last across five days.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is an eight-day commemoration of rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees after their victory over the Seleucids. Also known as the festival of lights, it is not the “Jewish equivalent to Christmas.” This year, Hanukkah begins at sunset on Thursday, December 7, and lasts through sunset on Friday, December 15. Because the name is transliterated, there are many ways to spell it, but we follow Merriam-Webster with Hanukkah.
Hanukkah is an eight-day commemoration of rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees after their victory over the Seleucids. Also known as the festival of lights, it is not the “Jewish equivalent to Christmas.” This year, Hanukkah begins at sunset on Thursday, December 7, and lasts through sunset on Friday, December 15. Because the name is transliterated, there are many ways to spell it, but we follow Merriam-Webster with Hanukkah.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a seven-day, secular celebration of African American and African cultures. It runs from December 26 through January 1.
Kwanzaa is a seven-day, secular celebration of African American and African cultures. It runs from December 26 through January 1.
Nativity, crèche
Generally speaking, a Nativity and a crèche are the same thing—a depiction of the scene of the birth of Jesus. Note that Nativity is always capitalized when in reference to a Nativity scene or set. Crèche is only capitalized at the beginning of a sentence or as part of a proper name.
Generally speaking, a Nativity and a crèche are the same thing—a depiction of the scene of the birth of Jesus. Note that Nativity is always capitalized when in reference to a Nativity scene or set. Crèche is only capitalized at the beginning of a sentence or as part of a proper name.
New Year’s Day, New Year’s Eve, the new year
possessives vs. plurals
Remember: Plural nouns have no need for apostrophes in them. Merry Christmas from the Smith’s is ungrammatical. Smiths is correct here.
Remember: Plural nouns have no need for apostrophes in them. Merry Christmas from the Smith’s is ungrammatical. Smiths is correct here.
RSVP
Do not use periods in RSVP. It is short for the French répondez s’il vous plaît, which means “please reply.” For some audiences, the phrase please RSVP is redundant because RSVP already includes the “please.” Bear in mind that depending on your event, sign up or register might be a more appropriate word.
Do not use periods in RSVP. It is short for the French répondez s’il vous plaît, which means “please reply.” For some audiences, the phrase please RSVP is redundant because RSVP already includes the “please.” Bear in mind that depending on your event, sign up or register might be a more appropriate word.
seasons
Remember that the names of seasons are always lowercase: winter holidays, spring semester, fall break.
Remember that the names of seasons are always lowercase: winter holidays, spring semester, fall break.
Pop quiz
What’s the University’s preferred style for this term?
Click on your answer to submit your response. If you have the correct response, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a free treat!
September pop quiz winner
Congrats to Rachel Hughes-Gehring, project and accounting coordinator for ND Creative, the winner of the September pop quiz!
Which of these two options is the standard American spelling? Theater.
Theater is the standard American English spelling. Use theater in all cases except in titles or proper names where Theatre is used.
Some examples:
He is studying theater and set design.
The theater will stage the show starting next month.
The performance is next Friday in the Philbin Studio Theatre.
He is studying theater and set design.
The theater will stage the show starting next month.
The performance is next Friday in the Philbin Studio Theatre.
It’s a popular belief that theater is for things like the movies while theatre is for the stage. Although that may someday be widespread enough to become standard usage, for now, so long as you’re on this side of the pond, use theater.
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Latest style guide updates
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Advent
Advent is a season in the Catholic liturgical calendar that leads up to Christmas. It’s a time of preparation and reflection. In 2023, Advent starts on Sunday, December 3, and ends on Sunday, December 24. Advent is always capitalized in reference to the Christian season, but is lowercase in general use.
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Nativity, crèche
Generally speaking, a Nativity and a crèche are the same thing—a depiction of the scene of the birth of Jesus. Note that Nativity is always capitalized when in reference to a Nativity scene or set. Crèche is only capitalized at the beginning of a sentence or as part of a proper name.
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