Different people, different families and different countries do things in different ways.
This selection of old photos taken from the Evening New archives includes many of the elements people in Edinburgh will associate with the festive season - nativity plays, Christmas trees, carol singing, going to see Santa, perhaps the panto, and of course, Christmas shopping.
Scroll through the pictures and get a flavour of what Christmas was like in the Capital five decades ago.
9. Santa at Jenners
Penelope Watts chats to Santa at Jenners department store in December 1970. | TSPL Photo: Hamish Campbell
10. Carol singing for Shelter
Scottish politicians Margo MacDonald and Robin Cook join Santa Claus and carol singers for a carol service in aid of the homeless charity Shelter at Edinburgh's West End in December 1978. | TSPL Photo: Joe Steele
11. Elephant's Christmas
Dali the elephant gets her specially-made Christmas cake at Edinburgh Zoo in 1978 | TSPL Photo: Alan Ledgerwood
12. Here's Santa
Santa Claus arrives at Binns' department store in Princes Street Edinburgh in November 1972. | TSPL Photo: Albert Jordan