Santa Claus with two children sitting on his lap and four children gathered around him for a photo in a room in Chicago in 1929. DN-0090223, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society.
Several rituals have developed around the Santa Claus figure that are normally performed by children hoping to receive gifts from him.
"The Christmas Eve" (1904-05), watercolor painting by the Swedish painter Carl Larsson (1853-1919)
Christmas Eve, December 24, the day before Christmas Day, is treated to a greater or a lesser extent in most Christian societies as part of the Christmas festivities. Christmas Eve is the traditional day to set up the Christmas tree, but as the Christmas season has been extended several weeks back (to Thanksgiving in the United States), many trees will have been set up for weeks.
The Ghost of Christmas Present, a colorized version of the original illustration by John Leech made for Charles Dickens's novel A Christmas Carol (1843).
Christmas Cookies (Left to right, top to bottom : Eggnog Cookie, Candy Cane Cookie, Snowman Cookie, Vanilla Santa, Shortbread Wreath, Pfeffernusse, Cherry Snowflake and Holiday Pretzel) from the cookie outlet
Many fictional Christmas stories capture the spirit of Christmas in a modern-day fairy tale, often with heart-touching stories of a Christmas miracle. Several have become part of the Christmas tradition in their countries of origin.
Santa Claus with two children sitting on his lap and four children gathered around him for a photo in a room in Chicago in 1929. DN-0090223, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society.
The Ghost of Christmas Present, a colorized version of the original illustration by John Leech made for Charles Dickens's novel A Christmas Carol (1843).
Christmas Cookies (Left to right, top to bottom : Eggnog Cookie, Candy Cane Cookie, Snowman Cookie, Vanilla Santa, Shortbread Wreath, Pfeffernusse, Cherry Snowflake and Holiday Pretzel) from the cookie outlet
