Festive tradition Gift giving has changed shape over centuries
THE act of giving gifts at Christmas seems a tradition as old as time,but perhaps not in the way you expect.
We all know about Father Christmas. But what about La Befana, the friendly witch who delivers gifts throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (Twelfth Night)?
Christmas gift giving as we know it is the product of many different cultures and religions.
Before any concept of Christianity arrived in Europe, Celtic traditions of gift giving revolved around the winter solstice and pagan gods.
In Ancient Rome, Saturnalia, a raucous festival in honour of Saturn – god of agriculture – began on December 17.
Pagans would lift their spirits during the long winter by indulging in excessive alcohol, treats and the gifting of pottery figurines, fruit and candles.
When Christianity took over in Rome in the fourth century, rather than risk the unpopular move of banning the festival, Saturnalia was redirected into a celebration of Jesus’ birth.
Although it is highly unlikely Jesus was born on December 25, gift giving was linked to the three wise men’s gifts.
Nevertheless, sharing gifts was still about spreading joy in long cold winters.
And this concept included helping those less well off than yourself.
In fact, the origins of Santa Claus began with Saint Nicholas of Myra, a fourth-century Byzantine monk who handed out bags of money to the poor – long before he became the jolly rotund figure we know today.
In his memory, throughout the Middle Ages French nuns gave gifts of food and clothing to the poor on St Nicholas’ Eve.
But it was not until the Victorian era that Christmas began to look like what we recog-
When to donate
The Gloucester Quays toy appeal runs until December 19.
Where to donate
Donations will be received at the customer services desk at Gloucester Quays.
Standard opening hours are 10am-8pm Monday to Friday, closing at 7pm on Saturdays and 5pm on Sundays.
What to donate
Please only donate brand new Let your little ones’ imaginations run wild at Gloucester Quays. Father Christmas and his friends will be at Claus’ Christmas Cabin in Orchard items which will be a special gift for a baby or a child up to the age of 16.
Second hand toys will be gratefully received by charity shops instead.
Consider donating: Square until Monday, December 24.
Youngsters can take a festive walk to the traditional log cabin surrounded by enchanting woodland to meet the man himself and receive a special gift nise today, especially the phenomenon of Christmas shopping, with the development of big department stores and advertising innovation. The increasing wealth of
A main toy that costs around £7 such as board games, Lego, dolls, Play-doh, toy cars, educational toys
Gifts for children over 13 such as watches wallets, bags, scarves, hats, footballs
A colouring in book and pens/pencils/crayons or a stationery set
A book
A soft toy for young children
Nice toiletries for older children
This immersive experience is aimed at children aged one to nine and entry is £10 per child and adults go free.
To book your ideal time visitgrottohireuk.co.uk/ product/gloucesterquays/
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the middle class allowed families to take time off work to celebrate Christmas and to spend more throughout the season.
Boxing Day earned its name as the day workers opened gift boxes and collected money from their employers.
By 1904, the pages of Harper’s Bazaar already held complaints about the commercialisation of Christmas.
“Twenty-five years ago, Christmas was not the burden that it is now,” Margaret Deland wrote.
“There was less haggling and weighing, less quid pro quo, less fatigue of body, less wearing of soul; and, most of all, there was less loading up with trash.”
But regardless of how you feel about giving expensive gifts to people who can afford everything they want, the true pleasure of giving to the less fortunate remains.
And the simple joy a child feels when they open a lovely new gift is universal.