Saturnalia

Jolly old Saint Nick will be heading our way soon. But he can’t hold a candle to jolly old Saturn, a Roman god of agriculture. A year-end festival honored the god, and it was the biggest party of the year — a week-long holiday that ended with rounds of gifts — including wax candles.
Saturnalia began as a single-day celebration, on December 17th. Over the centuries, it was extended to three days, then a full week. It came after the autumn planting season had ended, and coincided with the coming winter solstice — the shortest day of the year.
It began with a day of public festivities, including a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn and a big banquet. It then segued to private celebrations, although the official holidays continued. People decorated their houses with greenery and other festive touches.
One of the main features of Saturnalia was unrestrained merry-making — lots of eating, drinking, gambling, and otherwise making merry. Another was a temporary upheaval of Roman social status.