Christmas is the biggest holiday for Christians around the world. It commemorates the birth of their mystical avatar Jesus Christ about 2000 years ago. As the story goes, Jesus was a virgin birth by his mother Mary because his father was God, and God is great.

On Christmas, Christians sing carols (see Christmas music). In an old pagan tradition, they bring an evergreen tree into their house and decorate it with lights. The evergreen tree symbolizes how life continues in the dark cold months of winter. They wrap gifts and put them under the tree, to be opened with pips of glee on Christmas morning. Many Christians hang stockings in the house, which are also filled with gifts.

In the United States, Christmas is a federal holiday, which means that all businesses are closed, giving everyone the chance to be with their families on this most important of Christian holidays. Schools take a winter break over Christmas, and airline prices are at their highest because most Christians want to be with their families for the holiday. For many months before Christmas, shopping centers urge people to buy gifts by playing Christmas music such as Oh Little Town of Bethlehem.

On Christmas Eve, the night before the holiday, many families have a big fancy dinner. A great way to create a Christmassy atmosphere is to put on Christmas music, such as Oh Come All Ye Faithful or Angels We Have Heard on High. Children are put to bed early so that their parents can put the last presents under the tree, though they are often told by their parents that their presents are brought by a character named Santa Claus, a jolly European folk character who entered the Christmas celebration in the 1800's and is not related in any way to Jesus Christ. Then on Christmas Morning, the children awake and open presents excitedly, and usually spend the day at home playing with their new toys.