From
http://altreligion.about.com. I apologize in advance for the length:.
Origins of Christmas Symbols
It's true: most of our secular Christmas traditions have Pagan roots...
The Christmas tree... lights in every window.... a wreath on the door.... these and other symbols of the Christmas season are so strongly tied to the holiday that we recognize them at any time during the year. But many of these symbols and traditions originated from a much earlier time, some as long ago as 5,000 years in the past. These traditions are still alive because they typify the reason for celebration, both in the Christmas tradition and the earlier rites: rebirth and everlasting life.
The Christmas Tree and Evergreens
The christmas tree is perhaps the most potent of the many Christmas symbols. Modern Christmas trees were introduced to the court of Queen Victoria by her husband, Prince Albert, as a custom from his native Germany. The tradition decorating with evergreen trees and boughs, however, originates from the ancient pagan cultures. Many cultures saw the evergreen, one of few plants to remain green even in winter, as a symbol of life even during the season of death. To decorate with the trees and branches of the evergreen was a way of celebrating this eternal life.
Holly and Ivy
Although holly is the only remaining tradition of this once famous duo, the origins of both plants' use during the holiday season is ancient. Romans were quite fond of holly during their Solstice celebration, known as the Saturnalia. Gifts of holly were exchanged during this time, as holly was believed to ward off lightning and evil spirits. Holly was also seen as a symbol of the feminine aspect, the red berries signifying the blood of the female. Ivy was seen to represent the masculine, and the ancient custom of decorating the doorway with the two plants entertwined was a symbolic union of the two halves of divinity.
Christmas Lights and Candles
Christmas falls very close to the Winter Solstice, the time when sunlight and the day are at their shortest. Ancient peoples often associated this with a 'dying' of the sun, and the festival of Solstice as a celebration for the rebirth as the days following the Solstice became progressively longer again. Candles were an integral part of this celebration, as symbols of the sun's light and the new solar year . Electric lights became quite popular in the early 20th century as a substitute for candles, for obvious safety benefits. (Imagine the fires started by candles placed lovingly on a cut tree.)
Presents
Presents have been a common theme of Solstice and Yule celebrations for thousands of years. The Saturnalia in Rome was celebrated as the beginning of the New Year, and the revelers gave presents to symbolize the good luck, prosperity, and happiness that they wished for the recipient during the coming year. Christian tradition ties the giving of gifts to the Magi which visited the Christ child shortly after his birth, bringing gifts to the future Savior.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe, and it's tradition of affection, have a long and varied history. Celtic peoples believed that mistletoe was a strong charm against lightning, thunder, and other evils. The Druids would harvest the plant five days after the new moon following the Winter Solstice from sacred oak trees. Norse peoples also saw the plant as sacred. Warriors who met under the plant would not fight, but maintained a truce until the next day. Other european cultures viewed mistletoe as an aphrodisiac, explaining the custom of 'kissing under the mistletoe'.
Santa Claus
Last but not least, Santa Claus is perhaps the most recognizable of the many symbols of Christmas. Our version of Santa is an amalgamation of several characters from around the world, including St. Nick from the Dutch, Father Christmas from the English, and Kris Kringle from Germany. Almost all of these figures had pagan roots. Norse and Germanic peoples have for centuries told stories of the Yule Elf, who brings presents on the Solstice to those who leave offerings of porridge. Odin, the Norse god, is also often identified with the character of Santa. One of his titles was Jolnir, "Lord of the Yule", and the resemblance to the white-bearded Santa is quite striking.