Russians still have a couple of days before they celebrate their own Christmas.
In accordance with the old Julian calendar, the Russian Orthodox Christmas takes place thirteen days after the Western Christmas.
After the 1917 revolution, religious holidays in Russia were banned by the communists.
Only in 1935 did Stalin allow people again to celebrate, and then just at New Year.
This year, Moscow is thronging with winter skating and shopping.
Lingerie remains a favourite present in Russia, but as in the West, few men are to be found shopping in the underwear department for their partners.
Polina Sakhranova, fashion editor of Vogue Russia, says this year people are paying more attention to classic presents.
"For example in spring and summer it will be fashionable to wear a jacket over just lingerie. So it's a good idea to give underwear of neutral colours."
The global financial crisis also affected Russians last year, wiping billions of dollars off the worth of the country's oligarchs.
But Moscow's luxury stores were doing a brisk trade in the days leading up to the holidays.
Sakhranova explains that this is because for Russians the Christmas spirit extends far outside the family.
"I think that the Russians especially pay attention to the idea of giving a present to everyone - to neighbours, doctors, teachers, the most distant relative, colleagues - everyone, so that nobody should be forgotten."
While many Russians like to give lavishly at New Year and Christmas, for others it's the thought that counts.
"The price of the present isn't as important as the feeling behind the gift. It's even nice to wrap up and present a little chocolate with a gift tag, you can give a car or a chocolate, the main thing is that it's given with love," says Elena, a shopper at a department store.
Business is also brisk at this Christmas market near the Kremlin.
Here, makers of traditional crafts sell their goods, popular with people looking for that unusual gift.
"I give everyone their own special present. Everyone who is going to get a present should get something personal, the main thing is that it is unique to that person", says Yana, one of the saleswomen.
Russia has its own version of Santa Claus.
He's called Grandfather Frost and, instead of elves, he's accompanied by his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden.
AP