12 reasons for Christmas
Christmas is here, and along with it, decorated trees, gifts, carols and gingerbread men. But what are the origins of the traditions, what do they have to do with the birth of Jesus Christ and why do people give presents? Senior Correspondent Chantal Sajan gives you the lowdown on 12 Yuletide rituals.
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Decoration
1. The Christmas tree
The precursors of Christmas trees are evergreen ones such as douglas firs, spruce pines, cedar evergreens and cypress conifers which were used in pagan rituals to mark the winter solstice in December.
