It is that time of year. I LOVE giving gifts, especially if I can surprise someone with something they want. One of my sisters is married to a Jewish man, so I respect their family's tradition and give their gifts during Hanukkah. I like giving gifts to charities also. Usually, I get gifts for one or more Angel Tree recipients. However, this year I received an email from Rainbow Days, a charity I have volunteered for in the past. Its mission is to help children and youth in adversity build coping skills and resilience to create positive futures. It is the developer of the evidence-based, nationally recognized CBSG® Program, a support group curriculum. The email requested specific toys and clothing with links to Amazon to purchase it, making it very easy. I ordered a few things and had them delivered to the office. I enjoy giving gifts to my family too. I have two younger sisters. One year I got us all T-shirts. Mine had the message “I’m the Oldest, I Make the Rules;” the next youngest sister’s shirt was emblazoned with “I’m in the Middle, I’m the Reason We Have the Rules.” Finally, my youngest sister’s shirt was even more appropriate: “I’m the Youngest, The Rules Don’t Apply to Me.” We all had a good laugh and posed for photos wearing our shirts. Of course, last year didn’t work out too well. I gave both my sisters tickets to musical events that ended up being cancelled. This year, my nephew’s and niece’s children will be at our family gift-opening — a 1-year-old, 3-year-old, 4-year-old and 6-year-old. They are really what makes it fun. I thoroughly enjoy watching them open their gifts. One year I gave the now 6-year-old a dancing dalmatian wearing a fireman’s hat singing Johnny Cash’s hit “Ring of Fire.” He was so surprised and confused, saying “Doggies don’t dance." Gift-giving is a joyous occasion. Let’s learn more about it.
According to Wikipedia, a Christmas gift or Christmas present is a gift given in celebration of Christmas. Christmas gifts are often exchanged on Christmas Day itself, December 25 or on the last day of the twelve-day Christmas season, Twelfth Night — January 5. The practice of giving gifts during Christmastide, according to Christian tradition, is symbolic of the presentation of the gifts by the Three Wise Men to the infant Jesus.
History
Gift-giving in general is an ancient tradition that came to be associated with the Christian feast of Christmas.
In ancient Rome, gift giving might have occurred near the winter solstice in December which was celebrated during Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival and holiday in honor of the god Saturn, held on December 17 of the Julian calendar and later expanded with festivities through to December 23.
As Christianity became increasingly widespread in the Roman lands, the custom of gift-giving occurred on New Year's Day. Around 336 CE, the date December 25 appears to have become established as the day of Jesus's birth, and the tradition of gift-giving was tied to the story of the Biblical Magi giving gifts to baby Jesus; together with another story, that of Saint Nicholas, a fourth-century Christian bishop and gift-giver, it slowly became a part of Christmas celebrations in countries such as the United Kingdom; in other Christian countries, the practice of gift-giving occurs early in Advent on Saint Nicholas Day.
Some early Christian rulers, however, interpreted this story as indications that it should be their subjects who should give gifts to their superiors and insisted on tributes and tithes during that period. This changed around the turn of the millennium following the popularity of the Good King Wenceslas story based on the life of another historical person claimed to be a gift-giver, Saint Wenceslaus. Christmas gift-giving to superiors became less common, and around the time of the Protestant Reformation, customs of gift-giving to children became increasingly widespread in Europe. The custom spread to the United States in the 19th century. This also coincided with the desire of some elites to reduce the rowdiness of adult Christmas celebrations, which in some places were tied to begging, as "bands of young men, often rowdy, would wassail from home to home and demand handouts from the gentry." Another related aspect was the growing desire by parents to keep children at home, away from the corrupting influence of the urban streets.
Another relatively recent change concerned the time of Christmas gift-giving. For many centuries, gift-giving took place on December 6 around Saint Nicholas Day or in early January after New Year's Eve. The popularity of this custom grew after the positive reception of the 1823 poem “The Night Before Christmas” and the 1843 novella “A Christmas Carol.” By the end of the 19th century, Christmas Eve replaced early December or January dates as the most common date for gift-giving in the Western culture.
With the Christmas season lasting twelve days according to the liturgical calendars of many Christian Churches, a gift is given for each of the twelve days of Christmastide in some cultures, while in other Christian households, gifts are only given on Christmas Day or Twelfth Night, the first and last days of the Christmas season, respectively.
Economic impact
The tradition was also embraced by retailers, for whom the weeks and, eventually, the entire month before Christmas became a very profitable period. Around the turn of the 20th century, retailers started directing marketing efforts at children in the hopes that they would entice the parents to buy more goods. Up to the 1970s, those six weeks before Christmas accounted for 80% of the toy industry's sales.
In the early 2000s, it was estimated that shoppers in the U.S. alone spend over $4 billion each day during the Christmas shopping season, with an average individual spending over $1,000 on gifts.
There are concerns that gift-giving during Christmas is too commercial. Seventy percent of respondents to an online survey of 13,576 people in 14 European countries in 2016 said that too much attention is put on spending during the Christmas period, 42% said they felt forced to spend more at Christmas and 10% borrowed money to be able to afford the gifts.
Economist Joel Waldfogel noted that because of the mismatch between what the giftee values the gift and the value paid for by the giver, the gifts lose between one-tenth and one-third of their value; he calls it the "deadweight loss of Christmas." This leads to gifts often being returned, sold or re-gifted. In the 2016 European online survey, 15% of respondents were unhappy about their gifts and 10% could not remember what they had received. Twenty-five percent of respondents said they had re-gifted their presents to someone else, 14% sold the items, 10% tried to return them to the store and 5% returned the gift to the giver. Seniors were more likely to send their unwanted presents to charity, while those aged 25 to 34 "simply threw them away." Gifts that are least likely to be appreciated rely on personal tastes and include items like perfumes and cosmetics, ornaments and clothing.
Christmas gift-bringers
A number of midwinter or Christmas traditions in European folklore involve gift-bringers. Mostly involving the figure of a bearded old man, the traditions have mutually influenced one another and have adopted aspects from Christian hagiography — biography of a saint or ecclesiastical leader, even before the modern period. In Eastern Slavic countries, the figure is Father Frost. In Scandinavia, it is an elf-like figure or tomten who comes at Yule and who sometimes also takes the form of a goat. In German-speaking Europe and Latin Europe, it became associated with the Christian Saint Nicholas. In some parts of Central Europe, there is a separate tradition of a young child or fairy-like being bringing presents, known as Christkind. Early modern England had Father Christmas, a character initially associated with feasting and good cheer, though he was not originally a gift bringer.
From these European traditions, the North American figure of Santa Claus developed, beginning in the 1820s. The American figure in turn had considerable influence on the various European traditions during the 19th and 20th centuries. In England, for example, Father Christmas gradually took on the attributes of the American Santa Claus during the 19th century, the two characters eventually becoming indistinguishable.
The origin of the Christian gift-bringer figures in European folklore are clearly pre-Christian, more specifically connected with the Yule or midwinter festival in Germanic paganism and are often associated with the figure of Odin or Wodanaz, the leader of the Wild Hunt at the time of Yule.
Santa Claus's reindeer has also been compared to Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse of Odin in Norse mythology.
Jacob Grimm in “Deutsche Mythologie” traces the threatening or scary companions of Saint Nicholas — such as the Krampus of the Austro-Bavarian dialect region — to Christianized versions of household spirits such as kobolds (sprites, goblins or hobgoblins) and elves.
After Christianization, the benign midwinter gift-bringer was associated with the 4th-century Christian Saint Nicholas of Myra. This association took place mainly in the territories of the Holy Roman Empire, including German-speaking Europe, the Low Countries, the Czech lands, Hungary and Slovenia. The basis of this association is that Saint Nicholas was noted for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes.
There are numerous traditions of Christmas gift-bringers in European folklore. They can be loosely classified in variations of an "Old Man" — Old Man Winter, Father Christmas — and a "child" or "girl" tradition. The "Old Man" is frequently syncretized with the hagiographical traditions of Saint Nicholas and Saint Basil, a Byzantine bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor or modern-day Turkey. He was known for his care of the poor and underprivileged and established guidelines for monastic life which focus on community life, liturgical prayer and manual labor.
In some countries, many traditions can co-exist. In Italy, for example, there are Babbo Natale — "Father Christmas," a local version of Santa Claus — and the Befana, a witch-like old lady that rides a broomstick and brings candies on Epiphany's eve. In some areas of northern Italy — Bergamo, Brescia, Cremona, Lodi, Mantova, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia, Verona, Trento, Udine — there is Santa Lucia, a veiled blind old woman who on December 13 brings gifts to children, riding a donkey that tows a cart, accompanied by her helper Castaldo or Castaldòn. In other areas there is Gesù bambino or "Child Jesus," and in many parts of Switzerland and northeastern Italy east of the Piave River, Saint Nicholas is also celebrated on December 6.
According to Grace Healy’s Dec. 7, 2020, article “101 Most Unusual, Weird and Whacky Gifts of All-Time” at dodoburd.com, here are some unique gifts that will help you find the perfect gift for that special friend.
Inconsequential Dilemmas
Whenever you have to deal with challenges, you’ll want to pull out this book off your bookshelf to help you resolve some of life’s difficult questions. Follow the flow charts for tips and valuable insight and make this your go-to guide for life’s inconsequential dilemmas.
Premium Grey Suitjamas
You’re suave, you’re cool, and you’ve got it goin’ on! These suitjamas will impress even the most unimpressionable lady. They are silky smooth, comfortable and make you look great! Comes with a tie and white shirt for that sharp, crisp look. You’ll never look shabby! A fun gift for the men in your life.
Construction Plate & Utensils
Do you have trouble when it comes to lunch or dinner with your kids? This Construction Plate and Utensils is the perfect, workable solution to your struggles. Turn meals into a creative endeavor and inspire your children to eat healthy foods. Each meal will turn into a fun-filled adventure rather than a frustrating experience.
That’s What She Said Party Game
If you’ve ever heard the response “That’s what she said,” you’ll love this game. Your guests will get into full party mode with this fun game at your next get-together. Fast paced and outrageous, you’ll laugh through the night with friends. 458 cards of hilarious fun! A whacky gift idea for everyone!
Tulry Utility Necklace
The multiple utility charm in a necklace! Instead of carrying a toolbox for emergencies, you now have everything around your neck. This unique design slides out to a durable set of tools. The five-piece utility tool comes with micro flathead screwdrivers, a bottle opener, a box cutter and four different hex keys.
Museum of Modern Art Acrylic Perpetual Calendar
Tired of buying new calendars every year? The MoMA perpetual calendar will last forever! Modern and classy, it sits on your desk and all you have to do is slide the acrylic block left or right to represent any month of the year. A great gift for the home, professional or student. Comes in black.
WowWee Interactive Baby Monkey
Your child will love this whacky but fascinating baby monkey toy. This fingerling is interactive and responds to sound, motion and touch. It blinks its eyes, turns its head and babble-talks. Bella, the baby monkey, hangs upside down, monkeys around and falls asleep. A perfect gift for the imaginative child.
Mason Jar Indoor Herb Garden
Create a hanging garden of herbs in your kitchen with these mason jars. These vintage-style planters use a passive hydroponic system to bring nutrients to the roots of your plants while regulating moisture. Choose from a variety of seeds to plant, follow instructions and place the jars by a sunny window.
Brookstone Pillow Universal TV Remote Control
Lay comfortably on your couch while watching TV with your Universal TV Remote pillow. You’ll never lose your remote this way! The velour pillow is designed with buttons just like your remote control so switching channels is a soft touch away. It’s a unique gift for your TV-watching friends.
Electric Light Blocks
Building with LEGO pieces has become enlightening! These electric light blocks light up when connected to each other and into the base. Bright ideas pop up as you play around with this illuminated set of interlocking construction pieces. The unique set of 36 or 102 blocks of different colors will inspire creativity in everyone!
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