Christmas is a holiday celebrated on December 25th that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. While not the actual date of his birth, it may have been chosen to coincide with pagan winter solstice festivals. Christmas is a mix of religious observance and secular customs involving gift giving, decorating, feasting, and the mythical figures of Santa Claus and Father Christmas. As a major winter festival, Christmas has also become very significant for retail businesses and commercial activity.