Christmas Eve 2025
About Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve, celebrated on December 24th, is the evening or day before Christmas Day. Like Christmas itself, many Christmas Eve traditions have roots in pre-Christian winter solstice celebrations, particularly the Germanic Yule and Roman Saturnalia festivals.
Historical Background
Pagan Origins
Many Christmas Eve customs derive from ancient winter solstice celebrations:
- Yule traditions (Germanic)
- Koliada celebrations (Slavic)
- Saturnalia evening festivities (Roman)
Modern Evolution
The modern celebration combines various cultural traditions, particularly Victorian-era customs and 20th-century commercial additions. Many current practices, like leaving cookies for Santa, emerged in the 1930s during advertising campaigns.
Modern Traditions
Evening Activities
- Hanging stockings
- Leaving treats for Santa
- Reading Christmas stories
- Opening one present
Food & Drink
- Christmas Eve dinner
- Cookies and milk for Santa
- Mulled wine
- Special desserts
Preparations
- Wrapping last gifts
- Setting up displays
- Final decorating
- Preparing for Christmas Day
Entertainment
- Christmas movies
- Carol singing
- Family games
- Tracking Santa online
Christmas Eve Around the World
Germany
Christkind brings presents on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas morning
Poland
Wigilia feast with traditional 12 meatless dishes
Philippines
Noche Buena - midnight feast after Misa de Gallo
Sweden
Julbord (Christmas smörgåsbord) and present opening on Christmas Eve
Santa Tracking Tradition
NORAD Santa Tracker
Started in 1955 due to a misprint in a Sears ad that gave children the number for CONAD (NORAD's predecessor). Colonel Harry Shoup, the director of operations, had his staff check radar for Santa's position and a tradition was born.
Modern Tracking
Today, millions of children worldwide use websites, apps, and social media to track Santa's journey on Christmas Eve, a tradition that began from a simple wrong number.
Holiday Details
- Date: December 24th
- Type: Cultural Holiday
- Time: Evening before Christmas
- Origins: Various winter solstice celebrations
- Modern Focus: Family gatherings and Santa preparations