John was obviously in a festive mood.festivefes‧tive /ˈfestɪv/ adjective 
The atmosphere was festive and jolly. John was obviously in a festive mood.2festive occasion a day when you celebrate something special such as a birthday3the festive season/period/holiday the period around Christmas4[only before noun] relating to Christmas: festive cheer festive gifts
WORD ORIGINfestive
Origin:
1600-1700 Latin festivus, from festum ‘ceremony of celebration’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Fondue is an easy and festive dish for a party.
- The mood was happy and festive.
- Beautiful huge handmade ceramic pots add to the festive decor.
- But the results of the Christmas consumer test will give new heart to anyone browned off by the festive ripoff syndrome.
- Gearing up for the holidays, Matthes and crew are already contemplating the construction of several festive and regionally specific gingerbread houses.
- If he added a bottle of wine, the occasion would be quite festive.
- It makes the festival compact and accessible and gives the entire city a festive air.
- Some owned festive carts equipped with handles and huge aluminum wheels.
- The most festive show in town.
- They've been coming here for over 60 years and even a recession won't spoil the festive spirit.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY John was obviously in a festive mood. festive cheerCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
John was obviously in a festive mood. festive cheer (=when people are celebrating something)· Outside the stadium, there was a carnival atmosphere.
(=a happy mood in which you want to enjoy a holiday or party)· The fans were in a festive mood after their team won the championship.
(=when you celebrate something)· The Great Hall had been prepared for the festive occasion.
(=the period around Christmas)· More people are choosing to go abroad for the festive season.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· Pools firms were not so full of festive cheer, warning it could mean the industry cutting 6,000 jobs.
· The food smelled good to her, reflecting the festive holiday preparation.
· Richmond, you might say, is in festive mood, and the whole country can benefit from that.· For the 1991 elections, the polling station in Lalmatia Girls High School had been in a festive mood.
· The harvest, or vintage, is a family festive occasion.· It was a festive occasion and the group had baked its own Communion bread.· In Bali a cremation is a festive occasion, lavish and expensive.· The Great Hall had been specially prepared for the festive occasion.
· Legislation to outlaw Christmas Day trading looks set to be in place in time for this year's festive period.
· The Chief Executive's Management Group have agreed that the same approach should be adopted for the festive season 1991/92.· She was furious that the work could not be done during the festive season.· We will always be grateful to the doctors and nurses who worked during the festive season, as well as all year round.· With every good wish for the festive season and the New Year ahead.· River Island women's range has already got party dresses in for the festive season.· The shares had just started to recover on faint hopes of a busy festive season.· Treat the gag programs and animated cards that tend to circulate around the festive season, with utmost caution.
· Second line shares, along with blue chips, were in festive spirit.· As Cranston and Athelstan turned into Cheapside they saw the festive spirit had spread.· Rightly or wrongly, the Pavillon des Arts has decided to emphasise the festive spirit of the time.· They've been coming here for over 60 years and even a recession won't spoil the festive spirit.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
1looking or feeling bright and cheerful in a way that seems suitable for celebrating something: - In Bali a cremation is a festive occasion, lavish and expensive.
- It was a festive occasion and the group had baked its own Communion bread.
- The Great Hall had been specially prepared for the festive occasion.
- The harvest, or vintage, is a family festive occasion.
- River Island women's range has already got party dresses in for the festive season.
- She was furious that the work could not be done during the festive season.
- The Chief Executive's Management Group have agreed that the same approach should be adopted for the festive season 1991/92.
- The food smelled good to her, reflecting the festive holiday preparation.
- We will always be grateful to the doctors and nurses who worked during the festive season, as well as all year round.
- With every good wish for the festive season and the New Year ahead.
The atmosphere was festive and jolly. John was obviously in a festive mood.2festive occasion a day when you celebrate something special such as a birthday3the festive season/period/holiday the period around Christmas4[only before noun] relating to Christmas: festive cheer festive gifts