The Origins Of Christmas Presents

Giving gifts at Christmas is not a recent invention. In fact, the tradition of giving and receiving Christmas presents can be traced back to ancient Rome’s winter solstice celebrations and its honoring of the Roman emperor.

The feast that held great importance for the ancient Romans was the winter solstice. During this celebration, high ranking Roman officials would give many presents to their emperor. The emperor was believed to be related to the sun god and the solstice was the birthday feast of the god’s son. The giving of gifts paid tribute to this occasion.

Saint Nicholas, whose feast day in the Catholic Church is celebrated on December 6, also contributed to the present tradition of exchanging gifts. Saint Nicholas liked to give presents to poor people and to children. His feast day is close to the celebration of Christmas and in fact is during Advent. Many people believe that they continue this saint’s tradition by giving gifts to others.

American stores began selling Christmas products in the early 1800s. With this, the idea of giving presents to friends and family members grew in popularity. Christmas and its commercialization became established in 1867 when Macy’s first began to stay open late for holiday shoppers. Soon, other stores began to stay open late as well and the holiday shopping season was established.

Radio and T. V. Added to Christmas’s commercialization as businesses and stores advertised their wares on both. People began to flood stores after Thanksgiving to prepare for Christmas. Businesses realized that holiday shopping stood to make them great deals of money. The Internet is the newest venue to add to the holiday’s commercial appeal. Shoppers now flock to Internet sites to buy products online in lieu of shopping at stores.

The yearly exchange of gifts is highly anticipated by many people in today’s world. Yet the modern practice of giving Christmas presents actually dates back to ancient Rome. Saint Nicholas contributed to it when he gave gifts to society’s poor and to children. His feast coincides with Christmas with it being celebrated on the sixth of December.

Before you buy anything online, make sure you check Wealthwood Gifts Christmas Presents and Christmas Presents articles.

09.06.10 Posted in Personalized Christmas Gifts at 7:58 pm by Ken

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