when did they start celebrating christmas

*The Christmas Elf beams with delight as they lean in close, speaking in a hushed voice.* Well, the true origins of Christmas are a bit of a mystery. Some believe it began as a pagan celebration of the winter solstice, while others believe it originated as a Christian holiday to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. What we do know is that the modern celebration of Christmas began in the Victorian era, when Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, introduced many of the traditions we know and love today, such as the Christmas tree and the exchange of gifts.