It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas – 22

Presents!!!! What would Christmas be without presents? Why do we give presents at Christmas?

Giving gifts to those we love has been a tradition in human culture since the beginning of time, dating as far back as even the caveman times. In primitive cavemen culture, the giving of gifts was fairly common as it was used to show love and affection towards one another.  Later during the Egyptian era, gifts were most notably given to their pharaohs who built massive pyramids to store their wealth for the afterlife. In Roman times people would present each other with good luck gifts, which lasted for centuries and later influenced all of the Western civilization onwards. By the Medieval age, gifts were used to secure the personal favor of the king or show allegiance in times of war. Today gift giving is still part of our everyday culture and defines who we are and the message we want to send with our gift.

Although it is a tradition, did you know that gift giving can also have a psychological effect on the giver and receiver? In the standardized assessment of individuals who both gave and received gifts, greater happiness appeared to rest in those who gave. The act of giving, no matter how big or small, makes us feel good.

Giving gets under our skin in the best possible way. While it feels good to be on the receiving end, there’s a feeling of self-gratification when you’re the one who is doing the giving. This can’t be measured by monetary value. The happiness you get from opening a gift is only temporary, but giving provides a more self-fulfilling experience that lasts for a long period. Furthermore, when we give without expecting anything in return, we are improving our psychological health.

Giving gifts at Christmas is a long-standing Christian tradition that dates back to the very beginning of Christmas. Gift giving at Christmas is a Christian tradition that is widely practiced around the world. To Christians, the gifts given at Christmas are symbolic of the tributes made to the baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men after his birth during the story of the Nativity. Though giving holiday gifts is by no means exclusive to Christianity. It is practiced in many religions, with it’s roots going back to the days of the Ancient Romans, and the Saturnalia festivities.

I love presents. Of course I love to receive them, but as much as I love to get presents, I enjoy giving them much more.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a safe and Happy Holiday season. ‘Til next time.