During this time, giving gifts is one of the best-known and most widespread traditions globally. In addition, gifts are often accompanied by beautiful Phrases for Christmas cards and gifts, so it is a detail that moves us all. And although we all do it, very few know why gifts are given at Christmas... And if you thought that this tradition stemmed from the origin of the Three Wise Men, you are wrong…
For more than 60% of the world’s population, Christmas is their favorite time of the year., even passing over celebrations such as Halloween or birthdays. It sure isn’t strange. The strange thing is that we all give gifts to celebrate Christmas, but without knowing why. Although the origin of this tradition is not very clear, it is believed that it arose in the society of Ancient Rome in celebration of the beginning of a new stage. Do you want to know more about its origin? In Supercurioso we tell you about it, don’t miss it! 😀
Many traditions, whether Western or not, stem from religious spheres; That, for example, is one of the curiosities of Christmas. However, if we ask ourselves why gifts are given at Christmas, we will realize that multiple theories appear, some of them with more foundation than others, but always with a constant: “The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family”.
As it is, there are many poems Y Christmas phrases who convince us every day that gifts are incredibly important and that, furthermore, revolve around a union, same that we can go back to the time of 217 a. c., with the arrival of the famous Saturnalia festivals.
1. The great Roman festival
To explain the context of why gifts are given at Christmas, we must focus our attention on the Roman Empire, specifically on the festivities that were celebrated in front of the Temple of Saturn, in the Forum of Rome.
In 217 B.C. C., a celebration was introduced to raise the morale of the Romans after the military defeat at Lake Trasimeno. All kinds of rituals and festivities were celebrated on this festivity, including giving gifts.
You see, the Saturnalia festivals were so appreciated by the people that they were extended at least 7 days, from December 17 to 23especially in the period of Caligula’s mandate.
There the houses were decorated with plants and candles were lit to celebrate the new coming of light. But, What does all this have to do with why gifts are given at Christmas? Well, friends and family gave each other gifts, like little clay figures or candles, all for the purpose of end the darkest period of the year and the birth of the new period of lightwhich began on December 25 of each year.
According to historians, it is estimated that the Saturnalia festivities put an end to field work and winter sowing, but, especially, they forged an indelible tradition: that of giving presents to our loved ones and sharing such celebrations with the family.
In the end, the delivery of gifts or presents was nothing more than a symbol to represent the closing of one cycle and the beginning of the other.
2. The arrival of Santa Claus or Father Christmas
But it doesn’t end here! There are more theories that try to answer why gifts are given at Christmas, one of them surprises us as if it were one of those Christmas stories that try to convince us that love and brotherhood do exist:
The origin of Santa Claus, apart from being curious, is well known. Who has not heard of Saint Nicholas? A character who, since he was a child, was characterized by his kindness and who, in addition, had a fortune to give and share. With his presence he brought peace, joy, good food and… Gifts! From then on, many other historians respond to why gifts are given at Christmas with the appearance of this character in the 13th century.
Legend has it that this man was born in Lycia, the current Turkey; where she would become one of the most beloved people in the whole country, because through his good deeds he helped orphans and poor throughout the territory. Years later, he decided to become a priest and, with the help of his popularity, he was able to create a great devotion.
Already by the 16th century, Saint Nicholas was represented in the Netherlands with a long white beard, ecclesiastical clothing and a giant sack of gifts for children. Nevertheless, It was in the American continent where the current image of Santa Claus was formed, and, therefore, the association of this character with gifts.
The process of indoctrination in America was introduced expansively, and of the many strategies used to convert the natives into Catholics, it was precisely the idea of ​​Christmas as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christwhere men, women and children celebrated their arrival with gifts and wishes.
Now, back then they didn’t wonder why they give presents at Christmas, since this fact gained strength in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with the arrival of industrialization.
According to historian Stephen Nissenbaum, It was in New York where the custom of buying gifts for Christmas was created.. People from all walks of life, no matter how rich or poor, bought gifts to give on the morning of December 25.
By the 19th century, the production monopoly was very powerful and it was convenient for the industry that more and more people were interested in buying giftsTherefore, giving gifts at Christmas became more and more normalized, especially if they were children and family.
On the other hand, many talk about why gifts are given at Christmas through the figure of the Three Wise Men. Do you remember the gold, myrrh and frankincense? Well, as we told you at the beginning of the article, It is believed that this is not really the origin of Christmas gifts, but rather a powerful element to reaffirm their tradition..
As you may realize, in reality, the history of Christmas gifts has many aspects that go beyond Santa Claus and The Three Wise Men. Some are incredibly shocking and highly risky, while others are conventional and widely known.
However, it is interesting to think that perhaps the most accurate answer to why gifts are given at Christmas has to do with a Roman society quite distant from our time. Right there is that we realize that there are traditions and representations, such as the meaning of the Christmas tree, that coexist to this day with our celebrations.
What did you think of this article on why gifts are given at Christmas? We hope you have been entertained, and above all, satisfied your curiosity. And if you want to know more curious things about this time, We invite you to discover which are the worst Christmas gifts. Take note!
If you are one of those who enjoy the Christmas spirit the most, you may be interested in knowing the following articles about Christmas and everything that surrounds it.
OH! And while we love this tradition, we can’t stop thinking about the planet and the waste of paper. Therefore, we leave you these tips to have a Ecological and sustainable Christmas.