Christmas presents and the history of Christmas gift giving has a long history. Earliest historical references seem to point to the origin occurring in Ancient Rome. High ranking officials were required to give gifts to the Emperor around the time of the Winter Solstice. They were not exactly Christmas presents as we know it, at least not then, date, but instead were part of the celebration of the birth of the Sun God.
St. Nicholas is by far the most easily recognized source of Christmas presents around the world. Parents would leave small gifts of candy or fruits for their children in the honor of St. Nicholas. Eventually the date of this exchange of gifts became associated with the December 25th festivities.
Christmas presents became even more of a focal point of the holiday experience in the mid-19th century when Americans began to shift from exchanging small, simple gifts and instead began taking a more consume-driven approach to Christmas presents and gift exchanges. It is thought that advertising may have encouraged the shift in Christmas Presents and the style of giving that was being done by Americans. In addition, the poem “A Visit from St. Nick” (otherwise known as “The Night Before Christmas”) was written by Clement Moore in 1822 and published. The poem describes Santa Clause climbing down chimneys and stuffing stockings full of Christmas presents before flying off into the Christmas night with his miniature sled and magical reindeer.
More than likely it was a combination of advertising, the poetry and many other cultural influences that brought about the change in exchange attitudes surrounding the exchange of Christmas presents. Now, however, the anticipation of both giving and receiving Christmas presents leads to some creative opportunities of gift giving. Christmas parties, family dinners and more traditional forms of gift giving or hiding Christmas presents under the Christmas tree all present chances to surprise your family and friends with unique and interesting Christmas presents.
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