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.
21. Jenners Christmas tree
The Christmas tree in Jenners department store on Princes Street Edinburgh in November 1978. | TSPL Photo: Denis Straughan
22. Hospital nativity
Staff and nurses at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary presented a Nativity play in December 1970. | TSPL Photo: Hamish Campbell
23. Carols at Kirkgate
Christmas tree and carol singers at the Kirkgate centre in Leith, December 1976. | TSPL Photo: Hamish Campbell
24. Santa at Patrick Thomson's
David Penrose and Susan meet Santa at Patrick Thomson department store in North Bridge Edinburgh December 1971. | TSPL Photo: Hamish Campbell