Christmas is both a religious holiday and a worldwide cultural holiday. People around the world have been it with traditions and practices that are both religious and human nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings formed their basis of the religion christian. Many people also do many festivities for this holiday such as decorate a tree with a star on top, exchange gifts, be with family and friends and eager little kids waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. December 25, Christmas Day, has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870. Although it is celbrated by many few people don't celebrate it like others either because all other traditions defeat the perpose of Christmas or just because they don't believe in anything.

Many people celebrate Christmas differently, but traditionally many people decorate their houses and christmas tree, being with family and exchanging gifts with others. Many people put up bright lights on their houses in celebration of the holiday, some neighborhoods have competitions to see who has the best lights and people walk around at night looking at the magnificent lights. Churches often put on a renactment of the birth of Jesus and some people go christmas caroling around the neighborhood. Traditional food would also be fruitcake, figgy pudding, turkey, squash and arrays of baked goods such as cookies or gingerbread houses. Familys watch christmas specials such as "Rudolph the Red Noes Reindeer" or read stories to the children. Many people also leave milk and cookies for Santa Claus as eager little kids try to see him with their own eyes.

Santa Claus is traditionly seen as the jolly man in red, but his story streches further back into the 3rd century. The legend known as Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years ago to a monk named St. Nicholas. He was admired for his religious and kindness, St. Nicholas and became the subject of many legends. He was known to walk around the counrtyside giving to the poor and sick from all of his inherited wealth. One story known by many is the he saved 3 sisters from being sold away for slavery by their father. As the name Saint Nicholas transferred to America it was changed to Santa Claus. Now santa is seen in malls in the December month as kids eagerly want to sit on the lap of the man in red. Although many know the man in red is not real it doesn't stop parents from telling them the lies of Santa Claus, but as once the kids are older parents tell them the heart braking truth that he is not real.