By Stella Obi
It's that time of the year when we travel to be with our kith and kin to celebrate the Yuletide season. Wherever you visit, the mood and vibes of the season will always be noticed. One scene that stands out in the celebration is the gifting aspect. Christmas and gifting are two inseparable concepts that have remained a common tradition. While the reasons for giving presents vary, this custom has made the Christmas season full of surprises and joy.
Tracing its roots back to pagan rituals held during the Winter, particularly the ancient Roman Saturnalia festival around 336 CE, gift-giving has a rich history. The Christmas tradition of gift-giving has its roots in both pagan and Christian customs, with the influence of St. Nicholas playing a significant role. The idea of gift-giving started with the three wise men, who presented gifts to infant Jesus. Many Saturnalia traditions, including gift-giving, were carried over into Christmas.
From the generous gifts and
feasts of Saturnalia, Christmas evolved over time, especially during the 19th
century when the Victorians began a new way of celebrating. They shifted the
focus more toward gift-giving rather than a rowdy celebration. It was during
the 1890s that brought about Father Christmas (Santa Claus) and his famous red
sack full of Christmas presents.
Looking back through the years,
it's evident that Christmas gift-giving has come a long way since its
beginning. No matter the gift, there is something very special in the ritual of
gift-giving itself that continues to bring a smile to us no matter our age.
Despite more cultural influences informing our gift-giving, the nativity of our
Lord Jesus Christ remains the guiding reason for the holiday, including
gift-giving.
Each year, people flock to the
markets to ensure they have something to share with friends and loved ones.
Gift-giving today means something different to everyone, but whatever the
motivation, the inexplicable joy associated with giving is one of the most
exciting elements of the festive season.
Commenting on gift-giving
during the festive season, Pius Chijioke opined that the tradition is to
re-confirm or establish our connection with people. According to him, it shows
we care about them. Furthermore, he said many people use the Christmas season
to say thank you to individuals for their services and efforts throughout the
year
Tayo Olawale said that giving
gifts allows individuals to communicate their feelings such as love, appreciation,
gratitude, or even apologies. She appealed to Nigerians not to forget the less
privileged in society, emphasizing that the inexplicable joy associated with
giving is one of the most exciting elements of the festive season.
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