‘tis the season meaning, examples and usage
‘tis the season meaning
‘tis the season is something people say at Christmas time. You can say ‘tis the season on it’s own, to mean:
- ‘since it’s Christmas time, we should do this’
- ‘since it’s Christmas time, we should make the most of it’
- to agree with someone who says Christmas time is the right time to do certain activities.
It can also be used sarcastically by people who don’t like Christmas to mean ‘since it’s Christmas, I have to agree to do things I don’t want to do’.
- Sally, we have to go Christmas shopping at the weekend or we won’t get our presents in time.
- [sighs] ‘tis the season.
Examples
- John, we should go ice-skating!
- ‘tis the season!
- I love Christmas, we can wrap up warm and walk around the Christmas markets!
- ‘tis the season!
‘tis the season grammar
You can also make a full sentence out of ‘tis the season, by adding on specific Christmas activities to the end of the sentence:
- ‘tis the season for mistletoe
- ‘tis the season for wrapping presents
- ‘tis the season for Home Alone and the Grinch
- ‘tis the season for roasting chestnuts on an open fire
- ‘tis the season for hot chocolate with marshmallows
- ‘tis the season for twinkling lights, presents under the tree and a chill in the air
- ‘tis the season for appreciating the people round you and showing them how much you care
- ‘tis the season for wrapping up warm and playing in the snow
- ‘tis the season for snuggling under a blanket to watch Christmas films
- ‘tis the season for eating until you feel like you’re going to burst
Where does ‘tis the season’ come from?
‘tis the season song! lyrics
‘tis the season comes from a classic Christmas carol called Deck the Halls, which was written by Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant in 1862.
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa la la la la, la la la la
‘Tis the season to be jolly
Fa la la la la, la la la la
‘tis comes from ‘it is’, and is a form of very old English. In the song, ‘tis the season to be jolly’ means ‘everyone should be happy at Christmas time’.
Deck the Halls full lyrics
Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
‘Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Troul the ancient Christmas carol,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
See the flowing bowl before us,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
While I sing of beauty’s treasure,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Laughing, quaffing all together,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
‘tis the season usage
Even though ‘tis the season is mostly used to talk about Christmas, nowadays it’s sometimes used to talk about any season / time of year and activities or traditions that are particularly related to that time of year.
Summer
- ‘tis the season for ice creams on the beach
- ‘tis the season for sunshine and
- ‘tis the season for picnics in the park and swimming in the lake
- ‘tis the season for slushies and riding bikes through the town
- ‘tis the season for
Autumn
- ‘tis the season for leaves crackling as you walk down the pavement
- ‘tis the season for a chill creeping into the air
Halloween
- ‘tis the season for pumpkins
- ‘tis the season for sweets and chocolates until you burst!
- ‘tis the season for dressing up and parties
- ‘tis the season for scary stories and staying up late
Easter
- ‘tis the season for chocolate eggs and bunnies
- ‘tis the season for more chocolate than you can eat
Spring
- ‘tis the season for spring cleaning
- ‘tis the season for new life and warmer climates
- ‘tis the season for flowers blooming
- ‘tis the season for walks in the countryside
- ‘tis the season for starting afresh and seeing everything in a new light
Seasons of love
‘Seasons on love’ is a song from the Broadway musical and film ‘Rent’. It should not be confused with the expression ‘tis the season. The song talks about ways in which you can measure life, and settles on the idea that life should be measured in love – seasons of love.
Seasons of love lyrics
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
Measure a year?
In daylights – in sunsets
In midnights – in cups of coffee
In inches – in miles
In laughter – in strife
In – five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?
How about love?
