Oh good thread! I've really enjoyed everyone's responses.

We're atheists (I agree roryrory- I called myself agnostic till I read 'The God Delusion' ) so we don't really have any religious occasions to celebrate. We celebrate the major Christian events of Christmas and Easter because we are culturally Christian. These are events we have grown up and I have so many great memories of carols by candlelight, waiting for Santa to come, hunting for easter eggs etc that I want to share that magic with my children. I'm happy to include the nativity story- I think it's a beautiful fable and I enjoyed it as a child too. I also belt out the most religious Christmas carols with vigor and passion- I really don't care what the words are, I just enjoy singing them We put out decorations, have a Christmas tree, play carols, spend the day having a big lunch with family and share presents.