Christmas traditions: a short overview

The date

Churches and cultures that follow the December celebration mark Christmas Day on 25 December. Scholars discuss how that date relates to older midwinter festivals and liturgical calendars; for civil planning in the United States, OPM simply lists Christmas Day on December 25 each year (Friday in 2026).

Religious and secular layers

For Christians, the day commemorates the birth of Jesus. Many households also keep secular customs: decorated trees, lights, gift exchange, seasonal music and meals. People may observe one layer, both, or neither—the civil holiday and the religious feast are related but not identical in everyone’s practice.

Common symbols

• Evergreen trees and wreaths as winter greenery.
• Lights and candles against long nights.
• Nativity scenes in Christian settings.
• Santa Claus / gift-bringer folklore in many commercial and family settings.

Food and gathering

Menus vary by culture: roast meats, fish dishes, sweet breads, cookies and regional specialties. The shared theme is a special meal with people you choose to gather—or a quieter day if travel is hard. Food safety and allergy labeling matter as much as on Thanksgiving.

Giving and charity

Gift exchange and charitable giving both intensify in December. If you donate, prefer known organizations and keep receipts. If you shop online for gifts, the FTC-minded habits in our Black Friday / Cyber Monday safety articles still apply.

Cultural summary; Wikipedia as support. Last verified 2026-10-15.