A Santa Claus and a child.  [AP]
 

Less than half of British children between the ages of seven and 11 are aware that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, according to a BBC poll.

Just 44 percent of 1,063 children questioned understood that Christmas returns each year for the birth of Christ.

Children from Northern Ireland were the most aware of the link, with 71 percent giving the correct response .

The vast majority of children -- 89 percent -- said they were excited by Christmas, and 63 percent of them said they were saving money to buy gifts for their close friends.

According to the poll, 15 percent of children said they spent more money on their mother, while seven percent said they spent more on their father. Some 66 percent tried to be fair and spent equal amounts on both parents.

Among the children questioned, 29 percent said Christmas was primarily about thinking of others, while 24 percent said it more about giving than receiving presents.