What does Christmas mean to you? In 2014, the notion of ‘Christmas’ means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Traditionally, Christmas is a religious holiday to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, and many people still choose to attend Church services at this time of year. The Christmas Day many Australian's know today, with family celebrations, carols, and gift-giving, was largely influenced by the novelist Charles Dickens when he wrote and published the novella A Christmas Carol in 1843. Some ways Christmas is celebrated today include Gift giving/Christmas cards Church celebrations and services Music/carolling – Carols by Candlelight Various decorations, including Christmas trees, baubles, tinsel, lights, candles, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, holly and mistletoe Santa Claus/Father Christmas/Saint Nicholas etc. Christmas stories/poems Christmas feasts By Katerina Vanessa Blog