Christmas traditions vary from country to country.
Christmas celebrations for many nations include the installing and lighting of
Christmas trees, the hanging of
Advent wreaths,
Christmas stockings,
candy canes, and the creation of
Nativity scenes depicting the birth of
Jesus Christ.
Christmas carols may be sung and stories told about such figures as the
Baby Jesus,
St Nicholas,
Santa Claus,
Father Christmas,
Christkind or
Grandfather Frost. The sending and exchange of
Christmas card greetings, observance of
fasting and special religious observances such as a midnight
Mass or
Vespers on
Christmas Eve, the burning of a
Yule log, and the giving and receiving of presents. Along with
Easter, Christmas is one of the most important periods on the Christian calendar, and is often closely connected to other holidays at this time of year, such as
Advent, the
Feast of the Immaculate Conception,
St Nicholas Day,
St. Stephen's Day,
New Year's, and the
Feast of the Epiphany.