http://www.pressies.org/roman-inc-gifts/
Gift giving is not just about receiving/giving to each other, forms of gift giving are said to date back to the beginning of the human race. Although being able to prove this is impossible we see the tradition of giving gifts right back through recorded history. In ancient societies gifts were given/received as a means of bartering, possessions and land were passed on as gifts through a way of inheritance. With leaders of societies gifts were given to give thanks, gain favor, renew or gain friendships with other dignitaries.
Ancient Rome was one of the earliest to give gifts for specific dates in the years. At new years celebrations gifts were given. This started as very simple small gifts and grew over time. They also gave gifts to express affection, brotherhood at winter solstice gifts were tailored to the receiver coins for prosperity, lamps to light ones journey through life, pastries for happiness, etc.
In the Christian faith gifts are believed to represent the presents the wise men brought to the baby Jesus. Gift giving became a symbolic reminder of the birth of Christ. Ironically early church leaders tried to quash gift giving, but believers had become to accustomed to it to let it go.
As the faith spread throughout the globe and into other societies various traditions were developed around present giving at Christmas. In Germany the Christ child brought presents on Christmas Eve. To the Dutch it was ST Nicolas who brought presents on December 6th, the eve of his feast. It wasn’t until the 19th century that these two closely related ideas became one with the birth of “Santa Claus”.
Long before the gift giving at Christmas it was customary in many regions to give gifts at new years. Egyptians exchanged flasks, Persians exchanged eggs (symbolizing fertility), Romans exchanged gifts related to the god Janus (for whom January is named), Celtic druids made gifts of there holy plant (mistletoe).
Gift giving at birthdays and special occasions (i.e. weddings) has been accepted throughout the ages. Texts confirming this date back to as far as the 6th C BCE (Greek poet Aeschylus wrote about giving presents to children on their birthdays).
Today’s gift giving
Nowadays Gift giving is a huge business across the world, gifts giving has been adapted to many occasions valentines, christening, Easter, etc. It is imprinted in our society. Gifts can be given as thanks, or as a way of saying sorry. Gifts today are mainly material things like games, new clothes, books, etc. But occasionally you might receive a gift that is meant as a symbolic gesture (received any flowers lately?).
The idea of gifts is brilliant for human emotions, you could go out and buy what you have received, but the fact that you have someone who cares enough about you to give you the gift makes us all feel better in ourselves, you are also more likely to cherish the item too.
Go on show someone how much you care about them, the perfect gift is just around the corner.
About the Author:
For more information on the top, most recommended gifts visit Best”>http://www.bestgifts4.co.uk””>Best Gifts For
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Gift Giving History
Lika Roman
