"Christmas calories don’t count” is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. The saying means that one should eat, drink and be merry, and forget the calories on Christmas.

“Potholders that say ‘Christmas calories don’t count’” was printed in the Atlanta (GA) Constitution on October 28, 1988. “Since Christmas calories don’t count, why not try one of our recipes this week?” was printed in the Great Falls (MT) Tribune on December 13, 1989. “YOU KNOW, THEY SAY CHRISTMAS COOKIE CALORIES DON’T COUNT” ( from the Garfield comic strip) was printed in the Kilgore (TX) News Herald (and many other newspapers) on December 2, 2004.

Related sayings include “Vacation calories don’t count,” “Birthday calories don’t count,” “Holiday calories don’t count,” “Halloween calories don’t count” and “Thanksgiving calories don’t count.” A saying for after these events is, “So sad that in just a few days bread and dessert will have calories again.”


Newspapers.com
1 January 1982, Chicago (IL) Tribune, “Calories don’t count on payday” by Joan Beck, sec. 1, pg. 18, col. 4:
Calories don’t count if it’s your birthday, New Year’s Day, Christmas or Thanksgiving.

Newspapers.com
28 October 1988, Atlanta (GA) Constitution, “‘Tis the Season To Shop Early For Christmas” by Deborah Scroggins, pg. 1J, col. 5:
Red and green (Pg. 3J, col. 1—ed. )wrapping paper, reindeer stickers, snowy Santa scenes and little knickknacks like potholders that say “Christmas calories don’t count” have occupied half of the store since Oct. 15.

Newspaperws.com
13 December 1989, Great Falls (MT) Tribune, “Tribune bakers dust off their cookie sheets for holidays,” pg. 1D, col. 1:
Since Christmas calories don’t count, why not try one of our recipes this week?

Google Groups: alt.newlywed
Your favorite appetizer/hors d’ouevres?
Lynn A.
Dec 13, 2002, 1:12:57 AM
I can feel the pounds adding onto my hips as I read these. But hey, it’s (almost) Christmas, calories don’t count...(I can dream, eh?)

Newspapers.com
2 December 2004, Kilgore (TX) News Herald, “Garfield” comic strip by Jim Davis, pg. 5, col. 1:
YOU KNOW, THEY SAY CHRISTMAS COOKIE CALORIES DON’T COUNT
I BELIEVE THAT
NOW, TO CONVINCE MY BELLY

Google Groups: alt.tv.x-files.creative
xfc: New: Feh on Fa-La-La by Gina Rain
gina...@aol.com
Dec 21, 2005, 10:46:57 AM
(...)
“It’s Christmas. Christmas calories don’t count.”

Twitter
Nelson Jones
@NelzonJ
I just saw a sign that said, ‘’Christmas calories don’t count’’. Yep...they don’t count...in one’s favor.
12:50 PM · Sep 27, 2009

Twitter
Savannah Cyree
@savannahcyree
Plate at #crackerbarrell “Christmas calories don’t count”
2:23 PM · Oct 11, 2009

Twitter
Mike Brune
@fireworkscity
Christmas calories don’t count. - Cracker Barrel
8:03 PM · Nov 19, 2009

Twitter
Cécy
@Frenchyncarolin
Just saw a sweater that says “Christmas calories don’t count” on a guest
9:56 AM · Dec 1, 2009

Twitter
Niki Masse Schoenfel
@nikiofware
Recently saw a sign that said, “Christmas calories don’t count.” Then why are my pants feeling so snug?
9:58 PM · Dec 12, 2009

Twitter
Dim Sum Baby!!!
@Asn_persuasion
And yes, that shirt does say “Christmas Calories Don’t Count”....lol
11:17 PM · Dec 17, 2010

Twitter
Chetan Bhagat
@chetan_bhagat
Christmas calories don’t count.
10:08 PM · Dec 24, 2010

Twitter
zachary johns
@zacharyjohns
What better way to get into the festive mood than to wear the Christmas Calories Don’t Count shirt.. #AmIRight?
3:15 PM · Dec 15, 2011

Twitter
★G.Riss★
@crazygeri
A guy just got on the bus wearing a shirt that says “ Christmas Calories don’t count”.
5:36 PM · Apr 7, 2012

Romper
14 Hilarious Christmas Instagram Captions That Will Get You All The Likes
by KIRSTEN NUNEZ
November 30, 2017
(...)
7
7. “Christmas calories don’t count!”
There is nothing quite like having dessert at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, preferably in some form of chocolate or peppermint. Honestly, Thanksgiving ain’t got nothin’ on Christmas.

Twitter
Shawna
@Explorin_Shawna
Excited to share this item from my #etsy shop: Women’s Shirt - Christmas Calories Don’t Count Graphic Cute, Fun Shirt for Women https://etsy.me/2JGlpLb
(The saying is shown on a T-shirt.—ed.)
11:18 PM · Nov 5, 2018

YourTango
35 Best Merry Christmas Quotes To Get You Into The Holiday Spirit This Season
By Lauren Margolis — Written on Dec 05, 2018
(...)
13. When December is your cheat “day”. 
“Christmas calories don’t count.” — Unknown

Twitter
BoutiqueTshirt
@BoutiqueTshirt1
We’ve almost survived Christmas Calories Don’t Count shirt . the bone chilling winter season but that doesn’t mean it’s time tobreak out the shorts and muscle tee’s just yet! Lucky for you, Threadbird has your back and we’re offering you an #ChristmasCal https://boutiquetshirt.com/product/christmas-calories-dont-count-shirt-2/
(The saying is shown on a T-shirt.—ed.)
7:09 AM · Dec 4, 2019

Twitter
Brianna Draswick
@neonshive
Christmas Calories Don’t Count RSK graphic T-shirt
#tees #teesshop #clothes #cheapshirt #cheapclothes #cotton #shirt #hoodie #hoodies #sweater #sweatshirt #gifts #christmasgift #birthday #birthdaygifts
https://clothfine.com/product/christmas-calories-dont-count-rsk-graphic-t-shirt/
(The saying is shown on a T-shirt.—ed.)
8:53 PM · Nov 23, 2022