How many days until Christmas?

Why Christmas is on December 25

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. The Bible does not give a specific date, but by the 4th century the church in Rome was celebrating it on December 25, close to the winter solstice and existing midwinter festivals. The date spread throughout the Christian world and became the standard in most Western countries.

In the United States, Christmas was declared a federal holiday in 1870. Today it is celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike as a cultural holiday centered on family, giving, and goodwill.

American Christmas traditions

Many familiar traditions came together in the 19th century: decorated Christmas trees popularized by German immigrants, the image of Santa Claus shaped by poems like "A Visit from St. Nicholas," and the custom of exchanging gifts on Christmas morning.

Today the season includes lighting displays, Christmas music, cookie baking, ugly sweater parties, Advent calendars, and of course Christmas Eve, when many families attend services, open one gift early, or leave milk and cookies out for Santa.

Make the most of the countdown

Breaking holiday prep into smaller steps makes the season less stressful. Start gift shopping early to avoid shipping delays, set a date to put up decorations, and plan holiday meals and travel ahead of time. Many people also count down with an Advent calendar, opening one door each day from December 1 to Christmas Eve.