Christmas is celebrated annually on December 25th and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Common Christmas traditions include exchanging gifts, attending church services, sending greeting cards, and decorating with trees, lights, mistletoe, nativity scenes and holly. Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, brings gifts to children and originated from Christian and pagan traditions, taking his modern image in the 19th century. Christmas is celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike as both a religious and cultural holiday that spurs economic activity through gift-giving.

2. Christmas is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25 that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, Church celebrations, exchange of Christmas cards, and the display of various decorations—including the Christmas tree, lights, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. Santa Claus (also referred to as Father Christmas, although the two figures have different origins) is a popular mythological figure often associated with bringing gifts at Christmas for children. Santa is generally believed to be the result of a syncretization between Saint Nicholas and elements from pagan Nordic and Christian mythology, and his modern appearance is believed to have originated in 19th century media. Christmas is celebrated throughout the Christian population, but is also celebrated by many non-Christians as a secular, cultural festival. Because gift-giving and several other aspects of the holiday involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, Christmas has become a major event for many retailers.