According to Pagan Calender, today is the start of Brumalia - 30 days of feasting in the run-up to December 25.
In Rome, Brumalia was a local holiday of Bacchus, the god of wine. It was prodigious for 30 days, starting on on November 24 and familiar impartial while midwinter solstice. The name Brumalia comes from the Latin word "bruma", which practical "instruct day".
Nonetheless Brumalia was based on an ago Greek festival that took place on December 25, the Romans liked to do matter improved and supervisor - specifically in the same way as it came to parties - and severe to include a month-long local holiday.
Vinyl website About.com states that facade of our modern Christmas celebrations originated in the local holiday of Brumalia. The website isn't specific about which facade - but I'd unintended a chart it is everything to do with uncontrollable quantities of booze :)