If Jinxie was the grim reaper

(got bored in a dungeon :P)

Christmas is based on Pagan traditions. The date is from various Pagan winter solstice celebrations, notably the Saturnalia of the Romans, where everyone gave gifts, even masters to slaves (think Boxing Day). The lit and decorated tree is from Germanic traditions, the Yule Log was traditionally cut from it and aged till the next year's Yule for burning. Santa Claus has magic reindeer and is named after a Christian saint to take the edge off the fact that he's actually a way to further obliterate the rowdy Pagan Saturnalia goings-on that persisted in the outlying areas of the former Roman Empire. Holly is hung to celebrate the arrival of the Holly King to take over from the Oak King at New Year. So Celebrate Yule. It happens at the same time, has the same images and the same gift-giving traditions as Christmas. Welcome the return of the Sun and no one will have to know that you're not welcoming the birth of the Son. Jesus was probably born in Spring from cues in the Bible, but the early Christians hid behind an existing holiday to keep their heads on their necks.
Besides, the conspicuous consumption that is the modern Christmas has no basis in religion, anyway.

The Easter bunny comes from the pagan god of fertility.
That... that's about all i know.

Easter is from Eostre. Eggs are associated with fertility, and rabbits were an ancient symbol of fertility, because they breed like....well, rabbits. It was really a festival about making the fields fertile for the coming year to ensure everyone had enough food to last till the next growing season.

Our holidays used to be governed by sun and moon.
Groundhog Day (Candlemas) was the first of Spring.
Spring Equinox was mid-Spring.
May Day was first day of Summer.
Summer Solstice was mid-Summer.
Early August was first day of Autumn.
Autumn Equinox was mid-Autumn.
Hallowe'en was first day of Winter.
Winter Solstice was mid-Winter.

Makes more sense that way than the modern algorithm of considering Summer not beginning till almost July and Winter until Christmastime.

I'm just an ancient history nerd. Got fascinated about the way the Romans understood that peoples could be assimilated more easily if the conquerers a) brought them into the fold of a shared religious belief system and b) included elements of their native religion to make it seem that the Romans believed some of the same things they did anyway. Made it easier to swallow for the older folks and threw a silken rope of sameness around the younger set.

The Christians learnt all their tricks from the Romans. It's interesting what an effective weapon of assimilation and control a religious system can be.

Ooh, I had an agnostic friend, but she graduated ;-;
I mean, I don't really care about religion or lack thereof... my thing is, just be a good person and you're alright.
But while we're on the topic,
Have you heard of the Meme Bible @w@