To sign 'Happy Christmas', begin with the sign for 'happy' by placing your flat right hand on your chest and brushing it upward. Next, transition into the sign for 'Christmas' by holding your left arm horizontally across your body to act as a base. Rest your right elbow on the back of your left hand, form a 'C' handshape with your right hand, and swoop it forward in a smooth arc.
Sign 'I', 'WANT', 'WISH', 'YOU', and then perform the compound sign for 'Happy Christmas' as described. Make sure to finish the phrase with a warm, festive facial expression to convey your good wishes.
Sign 'YOU', 'EXCITED', and then 'Happy Christmas'. Since this is a yes/no question, remember to raise your eyebrows and lean slightly forward at the end of the sentence to prompt a response.
Sign 'WE', 'HAVE', 'Happy Christmas', 'THIS', 'YEAR'. Use a slight nod and a bright smile while signing to emphasize the positive and joyful experience you had during the holiday.
Sign 'I', 'WANT', 'WISH', 'YOU', and then perform the compound sign for 'Happy Christmas' as described. Make sure to finish the phrase with a warm, festive facial expression to convey your good wishes.
Sign 'YOU', 'EXCITED', and then 'Happy Christmas'. Since this is a yes/no question, remember to raise your eyebrows and lean slightly forward at the end of the sentence to prompt a response.
Sign 'WE', 'HAVE', 'Happy Christmas', 'THIS', 'YEAR'. Use a slight nod and a bright smile while signing to emphasize the positive and joyful experience you had during the holiday.
Yes! In ASL, the sign for 'happy' is used for both 'happy' and 'merry'. You will use the exact same sequence of signs whether you are translating 'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Christmas'.
While 'happy' is often signed with both hands brushing up the chest, using just your dominant hand is perfectly acceptable. It is actually very common to use one hand when quickly transitioning into a compound phrase like 'Happy Christmas'.
The left arm acts as a grounding base for the sign 'Christmas'. This base helps clearly distinguish the sign from other gestures and provides a visual foundation for the 'C' handshape's arcing movement.
