Of course, Christmas Eve is December 24th, the day before Santa's Day. In other words, it is the eve of the birth of Jesus Christ. Many families have distinct and significant traditions that help them make it unique to their family.

For some families, there is no better time to set up and adorn the Christmas tree than on its Eve. Many families make this activity a grand event with invited guests and music and special treats. For other families, it is a more quiet and personal time.

But for other families, putting up the Christmas tree on Christmas eve in simply way too late into the holiday season. In fact, the majority of families now put their Christmas trees up in early December and some can barely wait for Thanksgiving to be over to bring out the tree.

Nowadays, nearly all of the Christian countries have shortened business hours on Christmas Eve to give their employees the time to prepare for this special Day. They may take this time to participate in special family or church observances or to take care of their very last minute shopping.

In the western world, most of the Christian churches have some type of service for the day on the eve of the birth of Jesus Christ. The faithful gather to focus their thoughts on the advent of the birth of Jesus Christ and to set the spiritual tone for their celebrations.

Christmas caroling is another tradition for families and church congregations that is often enjoyed on its Eve, to spread good wishes and cheer to friends and neighbors. Often, the carolers will make special efforts to share their music and song with people in retirement centers and nursing homes, brightening their holidays considerably.

Not all of the Eve traditions or celebrations are of a spiritual nature and Santa Claus is a fun, cultural tradition for most families, especially for those with young children.

Christmas Eve is the time when young children have trouble getting to sleep as they anticipate the arrival of Santa with his bagful of gifts. Before bedtime, eager children carefully hang their stockings with care and leave treats of cookies and milk for Santa, as well as a few carrots for his magical reindeer.

In some countries, such as Germany and the Scandinavian lands, it is the traditional time to open the presents on the Eve. But in the United States and Canada, most families wait until the special day.

With the sun barely over the horizon, children enthusiastically pull their parents from their beds to start the unwrapping. In most of Latin America, people stay awake with fireworks and celebrations until midnight and then they gather to open their gifts.

Regardless of what kind of traditions are held most dear for your family, the main thing to remember is to set aside worldly concerns and issues on Christmas Eve. Savor the calm and serenity of being surrounded by those who mean the most to you and create new Christmas memories that will long be treasured.