For most of us, Christmas is a time for peace and goodwill towards all of humanity, and for exchanging gifts and sharing happy times with our friends and families. Christmas decorating traditions are rooted in customs which date back many centuries, and provide us with an important continuing link with our cultural and spiritual heritage.

To a devout Christian, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ, and along with Easter it is the most important event in the religious calendar. The word