1. On Christmas, children usually get gifts from their parents.
2. At Christmas, children usually get gifts from their parents.
(Which preposition do we have to use before 'Christmas'? Are both OK? Which one is generally used?)
You will hear both. to me "On" is like "on the day" and "at" is like "at that season of the year."
Sra
Both are OK, but the first one would read better if you wrote "On Christmas day, ..."
Both prepositions, "on" and "at," can be used before "Christmas," but they have slightly different connotations.
1. "On Christmas" implies a specific day, referring to the actual day of December 25th. For example, "On Christmas, children usually get gifts from their parents." In this case, "Christmas" is being used as a noun representing a specific day.
2. "At Christmas" has a broader meaning and refers to the whole holiday season around Christmas time, including the days leading up to and after December 25th. For example, "At Christmas, children usually get gifts from their parents." The use of "at" in this case suggests a period of time rather than a specific day.
Generally, both expressions are commonly used, but the choice between them depends on the context and the specific meaning you want to convey. If you want to emphasize the specific day, use "on Christmas." If you want to refer to the holiday season as a whole, use "at Christmas."