Some basic facts about the Christmas holiday are presented below:

• Christmas is an annual celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  The exact year of Jesus' birth is not universally agreed upon.
   
• The holiday is normally celebrated annually on December 25.
   
• Since 1870, Christmas Day has been a federal holiday in the United States.
   
• Around 95% of Americans indicate that they celebrate this holiday but the amount of people who say that they put up trees is less than 90%.
   
• The name Santa Claus originated from the Dutch word Sinterklaas which means Saint Nicholas.
   
• The poem "The Night Before Christmas", published anonymously in 1823, is generally credited for creating the modern day idea of Santa Claus. 
   
• Christmas is celebrated by both Christians and non-Christians around the world.
   
• The busiest days of the year in terms of Church attendance revolve around Christmas and Easter.
   
• The custom of decorating a Christmas tree has been traced back to the 15th century.