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Christmas

'Tis the season to be jolly! Celebrate Christmas with loved ones - exchange gifts, decorate your home, and enjoy festive treats together!

Friday

December 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEDecember 25

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYFederal

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to celebrate Christmas on December 25 with joy and cheer! The origins of this holiday go back thousands of years, when it was believed that the winter solstice was a time for celebration. Today, we celebrate this special day by exchanging gifts, decorating our homes in festive colors, and gathering with family and friends to enjoy delicious food and drinks. No matter what you choose to do on Christmas Day, it's sure to be filled with love and happiness!

DEALS & OFFERS

Past offers

No active deals yet — here’s who’s celebrated before.

Nothing yet for 2026

Brands typically announce offers a week before the date. Check back closer to the day.

7 brands have run a deal

TIMELINE

Christmas Timeline

First Recorded Christmas

This is the earliest documented date of Christmas being celebrated as a holiday, taking place in Rome.

First Nativity Scene

Saint Francis of Assisi creates the first live nativity scene in Greccio, Italy.

Massachusetts Ban

The Puritans in Massachusetts ban Christmas, considering it a decadent celebration.

"A Visit from St. Nicholas"

Clement Clarke Moore's poem, often called "The Night Before Christmas," is published, helping popularize Santa Claus.

"A Christmas Carol" Published

Charles Dickens' famous novella, encapsulating the Christmas spirit of giving and compassion, is published.

Modern Santa Claus

Coca-Cola popularizes the modern image of Santa Claus in red and white through an advertising campaign.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Christmas

Go caroling

Gather your friends and family and go to your neighborhood and sing Christmas songs to your neighbors. Not only will you spread the holiday cheer, but you can also get some hot cocoa or cookies in return.

MAKE

Make a Christmas tree

Bring out the glue, glitter, and construction paper and make a festive Christmas tree. You can hang it from your ceiling or window to add an extra bit of holiday cheer to your home.

ORGANIZE

Organize a Secret Santa exchange

Get together with your family or friends and organize a Secret Santa exchange. It's a fun way to get everyone involved in the holiday spirit while also giving them something special.

BAKE

Bake holiday treats

From gingerbread houses to sugar cookies, baking festive treats during the holidays is a great way to bring people together. Have fun experimenting with different recipes and decorating ideas.

WATCH

Watch Christmas movies

Gather around the television or laptop with some popcorn and hot cocoa and watch classic Christmas movies with your family or friends. Nothing says "holiday season" like watching It's A Wonderful Life or Home Alone.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Christmas

Christmas brings a spirit of giving

Christmas is also about being generous and giving back to others. Taking the time out of your busy schedule to volunteer at a soup kitchen or donate toys to children in need - these are examples of what Christmas can teach us. It's important to remember that we're all connected and what matters most is being kind to one another.

Christmas is a time for family and friends

For many, Christmas is the most wonderful time of year because it's a great opportunity to get together with those special people in our lives. Whether you're gathering around a table to share a meal or just taking the time to exchange gifts and well wishes, Christmas allows us to show our love and appreciation for each other.

Christmas is full of fun traditions

From caroling and baking cookies to decorating the tree and building snowmen, there are countless ways to celebrate during the holidays. And each family has their own unique traditions that they look forward to year after year - making Christmas even more special!