| CHRISTMAS GIFTS AND CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY |
| Christmas Gifts and Christmas Gift Ideas for the whole family. Use these items as a holiday decoration. Choose from Hand painted Christmas wine glasses, cups and saucers, plates,ornaments, pet lover gifts, holiday glasses, Red Bird hurricane globe, Santa Mugs and Christmas jars. Great Christmas Gift ideas. |
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THE TRADITION OF CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING
The practice of Christmas gift giving is said to go back to the
beginning of time with human beings. In ancient societies, it was
thought that gifts were the forerunner of bartering. With inheritance,
land and possessions were passed on as gifts. On a religious level,
gifts were offered to God as a means of giving thanks. With kings
and dignitaries, gifts have being offered to gain favor, give thanks,
renew friendships or express gratitude. This tradition has carried
down as the giving of Christmas gifts.
In ancient Rome, gifts were exchanged during the New Years
celebrations. At first these gifts were simple, such as a few twigs
from a sacred grove and food. Many gifts were in the form of
vegetables in honor of the fertility goddess Strenia. Romans
exchanged gifts at winter solstice as expressions of affection and
brotherhood, giving coins for prosperity, pastries for happiness, and
lamps to light one's journey through life. What wonderful Christmas
gift ideas for that particular time in history.
In our predominantly Christian culture, the giving of Christmas gifts
is said to symbolize the gifts the Wise Men brought to the baby
Jesus. Patterned on the gifts of the Magi - gold, frankincense, and
myrrh brought to honor the birth of the Christ Child - thus
Christmas gifts for gift-giving was a symbolic reminder of the
great gift of God's Son. Early church leaders tried to outlaw the
custom of gift giving, but the people cherished it too much to let it go.
As Christianity spread into different cultures and through time,
various customs and traditions developed around giving gifts at
Christmas. In Germany, the Christ Child was said to bring small
presents on Christmas Eve. Among the Dutch, it was St. Nicholas
who brought gifts to children on December 6, the eve of his feast.
The practice of giving Christmas gifts was firmly established in the
19th century when the traditions of the Christ Child ("Christkindl")
and St. Nicholas ("Sinterklass") became anglicized into one - Santa
Claus.
But the custom of giving gifts at the turn of the year goes back
much further and is common in cultures worldwide.
Now the thrill of Christmas giving and coming up with unique
Christmas ideas entice the holiday spirit. We have wonderful ideas
with Christmas wine glasses, pet gifts, Christmas glasses,
cake plates, jars, ornaments and dinnerware.
As tradition has been handed down through the ages the Christmas
designs and symbols have been used for celebration and holiday
decoration. Each family has their own way of bringing in the season
and the sights and sounds of holiday preparation and holiday
decoration are something the whole family looks forward to.
