Christmas eve: Did you mean...?

A photograph of a letter written by Alfred Dougan Chater describing the Christmas Truce of 1914 on the Western Front during the First World War (1914-18). (Imperial War Museums)

A late-19th century Christmas card showing a robin and snow scene. The border is perforated to resemble lace. (Victoria and Albert Museum, London) Orignal source note on usage: 'V&A Owned Content' in which the V&A owns...

An 1887 painting A Christmas Carol in Lucerne by Hans Bachmann. (Kunstmuseum Basel, Switzerland)

Two Victorian printed Christmas cards from 1899. (British Museum, London)

A Christmas card dating to c. 1887 showing a soldier. Drawn by Harry Payne, military themes were popular with those who sent cards to family members in the armed services across the British empire. (Victoria and Albert...

A photograph taken during the Christmas Truce of 1914 on the Western Front during the First World War (1914-18). British troops from the Northumberland Hussars, 7th Division, Bridoux-Rouge Banc Sector. (Imperial...

An 1848 Christmas card printed by William Maw Edgley (1826-19116) showing scenes of general merriment and, for the first time on such a card, holly. The sender wrote the name of the recipient at the very top and signed their...

A 1917 French New Year's card showing two Christmas party-goers kissing under the mistletoe. Design by Xavier Sager.

The frontispiece for Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, 1912.

A painting depicting the tradition of attending a morning church service on Christmas Day. Print by Hoover & Son. (Library of Congress)