Christmas preparations are in full swing across the globe with people beginning to hang up their stockings for Santa and strike a note with the festive choir.

The festival has become an annual part of many different cultures. From shooting fireworks to running a marathon half-naked, the spirit of joy is celebrated in different ways.

Check out the photos of the preparations for Christmas in different parts of the world.

Father Christmas in Germany
A man dressed as Father Christmas collects wish lists from children at special Christmas post office in village of Himmelpfort, north of Berlin. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Christmas a la Eiffel
Christmas lights in the shape of the Eiffel Tower shine near the Eiffel Tower on the Rue Saint Charles in Paris. REUTERS/Mal Langsdon
The Traditional Mass
A Franciscan monk carries a crucifix as he takes part in a mass to ceremonially launch the beginning of Christmas season at the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Christmas at Wall Street
Occupy Wall Street demonstrators carry Christmas gifts during protest in the East New York section of Brooklyn in New York. REUTERS/Mike Segar
An Irani Christmas
A woman looks at Christmas decorations while shopping in central Tehran. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl
Christmas Marathon
People take part in a half naked "Santa run" in Budapest. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh
Candle-lit Christmas
A man holds a candle in the Simon Bolivar Park during a candlelight event, held every year to mark the start of Christmas festivities in Bogota. REUTERS/Fredy Builes
Christmas