Preparations In Full Swing For Christmas Celebrations Across The World, Buzz Back In Markets. In Pics

A pedestrian holds an umbrella as he walks past Christmas decorations during rainy weather near the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in central Moscow on December 13. (Image Source: AFP)

It is a religious celebration, commemorating the birth of Jesus, as well as a cultural event, with traditions that merge Christian beliefs with traditional folkloric practises. Some people associate Christmas with pine trees, Santa, presents, and wonderful food rather than with Christianity. (Image Source: AFP)

On December 12, the National Christmas Tree is seen on the Elipse south of the White House in Washington, DC. (Image Source: AFP)

On December 13, 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz walks through a Christmas tree while visiting the Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems shipyard in Kiel, northern Germany. Olaf Scholz and Singapore's Prime Minister had previously attended the christening of two submarines for Singapore at the Kiel shipyard. (Image Source: AFP)

On the Paseo de la Sexta in Guatemala City, a man dressed as Santa Claus plays the saxophone. In modern folklore, Santa Claus is a fat, white-bearded, red-suited, and jovial old guy who brings gifts to children at Christmas. (Image Source: AFP)

A salesman repairs illuminated ornaments in the shape of a tower next to Christmas lanterns for sale at a roadside business in Quezon City, a suburb of Manila. (Image Source: AFP)

On December 13, a Palestinian craftsman makes Advent-themed souvenir figurines for Christmas at a workshop in the historic city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. (Image Source: AFP)

People take photos while visiting the Christmas lights in Cali, Colombia. St. Nicholas Day, which predates Christmas as we know it, commemorates the Christian saint who sold everything he owned and distributed the proceeds to the poor. It is celebrated on December 6 in much of Northern Europe. (Image Source: AFP)

People shop for Christmas items at a market in Hong Kong. One of the holiday traditions is to leave small gifts and treats in shoes. However, while St. Nicholas is still regarded as a separate person than modern-day Santa Claus, many customs associated with Santa in our understanding of Christmas originated with the legends and stories of St. Nicholas.

Visitors enjoying the Christmas lights in Cali, Colombia, take photographs. Christmas became an official federal holiday in 1870 and is today one of the most regularly observed holidays in the United States. However, other winter holidays are observed in other nations with festivities that greatly outnumber the most flamboyant and wild Christmas celebrations. (Image Source: AFP)

Workers put up a Christmas tree at al-Hatab plaza, one of the oldest in Aleppo, Syria's northernmost city. (Image Source: AFP)

This celebration represented the return of longer days after the winter solstice, but it also coincided with the Saturnalia, a popular Roman festival in which people feasted and gave presents. (Image Source: AFP)