Christmas

All about Christmas 🎄

Christmas lands on December 25 every year, which makes it one of the easiest holidays to count down to — and one of the most counted-down days on the whole calendar. The waiting is half the fun: advent calendars, holiday music on the radio, lights going up on the street, and that slow build of excitement through December.

For many families the season really starts the weekend after Thanksgiving, when the tree goes up. By the time the last few days arrive, the countdown is measured in sleeps rather than weeks.

How people celebrate Christmas

• Decorating a tree with lights, ornaments, and a star or angel on top
• Hanging stockings and leaving cookies and milk out for Santa
• Opening presents on Christmas morning (or one on Christmas Eve)
• Big family meals, baking, and holiday movies on repeat

Fun facts

• Christmas Day is a public holiday in more than 160 countries.
• The tradition of decorated indoor trees spread from Germany in the 1500s.
• December 25 always falls on the same weekday as New Year's Day of the following week's year.

The countdown above updates live in your own time zone, so the days, hours, minutes, and seconds always match your local clock.