| Gift giving is not just about receiving/giving to | | | | closely related ideas became one with the birth of |
| each other, forms of gift giving are said to date | | | | "Santa Claus". |
| back to the beginning of the human race. Although | | | | Long before the gift giving at Christmas it was |
| being able to prove this is impossible we see the | | | | customary in many regions to give gifts at new |
| tradition of giving gifts right back through | | | | years. Egyptians exchanged flasks, Persians |
| recorded history. In ancient societies gifts were | | | | exchanged eggs (symbolizing fertility), Romans |
| given/received as a means of bartering, | | | | exchanged gifts related to the god Janus (for |
| possessions and land were passed on as gifts | | | | whom January is named), Celtic druids made gifts |
| through a way of inheritance. With leaders of | | | | of there holy plant (mistletoe). |
| societies gifts were given to give thanks, gain | | | | Gift giving at birthdays and special occasions (i.e. |
| favor, renew or gain friendships with other | | | | weddings) has been accepted throughout the |
| dignitaries. | | | | ages. Texts confirming this date back to as far as |
| Ancient Rome was one of the earliest to give | | | | the 6th C BCE (Greek poet Aeschylus wrote |
| gifts for specific dates in the years. At new years | | | | about giving presents to children on their |
| celebrations gifts were given. This started as very | | | | birthdays). |
| simple small gifts and grew over time. They also | | | | Today's gift giving |
| gave gifts to express affection, brotherhood at | | | | Nowadays Gift giving is a huge business across |
| winter solstice gifts were tailored to the receiver | | | | the world, gifts giving has been adapted to many |
| coins for prosperity, lamps to light ones journey | | | | occasions valentines, christening, Easter, etc. It is |
| through life, pastries for happiness, etc. | | | | imprinted in our society. Gifts can be given as |
| In the Christian faith gifts are believed to | | | | thanks, or as a way of saying sorry. Gifts today |
| represent the presents the wise men brought to | | | | are mainly material things like games, new clothes, |
| the baby Jesus. Gift giving became a symbolic | | | | books, etc. But occasionally you might receive a |
| reminder of the birth of Christ. Ironically early | | | | gift that is meant as a symbolic gesture (received |
| church leaders tried to quash gift giving, but | | | | any flowers lately?). |
| believers had become to accustomed to it to let | | | | The idea of gifts is brilliant for human emotions, |
| it go. | | | | you could go out and buy what you have |
| As the faith spread throughout the globe and into | | | | received, but the fact that you have someone |
| other societies various traditions were developed | | | | who cares enough about you to give you the gift |
| around present giving at Christmas. In Germany | | | | makes us all feel better in ourselves, you are also |
| the Christ child brought presents on Christmas | | | | more likely to cherish the item too. |
| Eve. To the Dutch it was ST Nicolas who brought | | | | Go on show someone how much you care about |
| presents on December 6th, the eve of his feast. | | | | them, the perfect gift is just around the corner. |
| It wasn't until the 19th century that these two | | | | |