24 December is Christmas Eve, and the anticipation of Christmas is often the cause for celebration.
This is the night where stockings are hung, last-minute gifts are wrapped, dishes prepared for the big day, cookies left for Santa and churches open their doors for solemn services.
But, it is also the day Father Christmas, Sinterklaas, Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus takes off on his journey to deliver gifts around the world.
Christmas traditions were first influenced by winter solstice celebrations during the 16th century, where decorating and preparing for Christmas Day took place the evening before, including putting up the tree, decorating with mistletoe and holly, bringing in the Yule log and making dishes for the Christmas meal.
Historically, Jewish traditions have influenced Christian practices, one of them being that the church day traditionally begins the evening before Christmas Day. Christmas Eve has therefore been celebrated by Christian churches, partly because of the belief that Jesus was born at midnight.
Today, many churches have a Christmas Eve service or Midnight Mass, as well as candlelight vigils, Nativity productions or the singing of Christmas carols.
Some people opt to open presents on this day, rather than on Christmas Day.
Celebrate today by leaving a glass of milk and a plate of cookies for Santa – and how about adding a couple of carrots for those hard-working reindeer? But, everyone celebrates this day differently, so go out and make your own Christmas Eve memories and start some new traditions with your friends and family.
Use #ChristmasEve to post on social media.
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