by: Jessica Cander
The history of Christmas and in particular the reasons for the giving of gifts are not known for certain, but several things are known for a fact. The traditions of Santa Claus and giving presents at Christmas time began long before the birth of Jesus Christ, although it really depends on where in the world you live as to how you believe the whole tradition started.
The giving of presents at Christmas time actually dates back over 4000 years to the Mesopotamians. They believed that every year in winter their primary god Marduk would do battle with the evil spirits of chaos. Upon Marduk's return it was necessary for the king to then pledge his allegiance to the God and he would die at the end of the year. The Mesopotamians obviously cottoned on to the fact that they were going through kings quicker than they could produce them, so they would dress a convict up as the king and treat him as though he were a king for one day. At the end of the new year festival they would kill him.
On this day they would present gifts to one another to mark the beginning of the new year and the success that Marduk had yet again bestowed on them. This is where the giving of Christmas gifts began.
St Nicholas is believed to have been born around 300 A.D and lived in what is now Turkey. He was a widely revered and loved monk due to his overwhelming kindness. His most famous act of kindness was to save three sisters from slavery by providing them with a dowry in order that they could be married.
As such a popular character he soon became the patron saint of many different groups of people, eventually resting on children and sailors. Traditionally St. Nicholas day was celebrated and remembered on December 6th, although his role as patron saint of children has seen his special day moved to coincide with Christmas.
So one thing that is certain is that Santa Claus visits us on the wrong day every single year. Celebration of Saint Nicholas should in fact be on December 6th, although the moving of St. Nicholas day to the 25th was presumably done to combine his special day with the Christian festival. If the large superstores and toy manufacturers were given the choice I'm quite sure they would rather celebrate them separately, so be warned for next year.
About The Author
Jessica Cander Born is Vancouver, BC Jessica Cander is a professional freelance writer who currently calls the Southern tip of Ireland home. You can read more of her writing on all things Christmas gifts related at http://www.christmasgiftcenter.com/.
|
Unique Travel Gifts for Christmas
Unique Travel Gifts for Christmas
by: Rick Chapo
Coming up with unique Christmas gift ideas can be difficult. If you?re buying for a traveler, here are a few unique travel gifts you should consider.
Travel Gifts
For some people, travel consists of hopping on a plane and moving around the country as part of a job. For others, it is an opportunity to get out and see exotic locations. Regardless of the type of travel, following are a list of unique travel gifts you can buy friend and family who travel.
1. Gladiator School ? Watching the movie, Gladiator, each of us had a moment where we pictured ourselves on the floor of the coliseum. Well, now you can give someone the ultimate travel gift. Yep, Gladiator lessons in Rome, Italy. Located on the ancient Appian rode where Spartacus met his end, the Gladiator School offers a variety of lessons in the theory and actual combat techniques of the Gladiators. You will actually cross swords...
Unique Travel Gifts for Christmas
Gifts > Unique Travel Gifts for Christmas
Gifts for Him
Gifts for Him
by: Rick Chapo
I?ll assume ?him? doesn?t refer to me, but still help you out with some ideas for gifts for him. These gifts for him run from the practical to outrageous, but all make good gifts.
Gifts for Him
And here we go?
1. Brother MPrint Bluetooth Mobile Printer ? A practical gadget, this mobile printer lets him print wherever he is from his Palm or PDA device. The printer is wireless and about a half inch thick and five or so inches long. This mobile printer will set you back $380, but look for rebates and specials.
2. John Cleese ? Wine for the Confused DVD ? A humorous take from the Monty Python veteran. Cleese takes you on an epic study of the finer and?less finer points of wine. Cleese covers how to pick, what they are, how they are grown and so on. A DVD that will teach you something and make you laugh a bit. Expect to pay $15 or so at most retailers.
3. Arcade Games ? Remember when you used...
Gifts for Him
Gifts > Gifts for Him
Christmas Gifts - Making Your Shopping Easier
Christmas Gifts - Making Your Shopping Easier
by: Alison Thompson
Buying Christmas gifts can either be a pleasure or a pain and the deciding factor is often centred upon whether you know what to buy for your recipient, or whether you are simply wandering aimlessly in search of inspiration.
So to avoid the pain, a little prior gift planning can pay dividends and can really help to reduce some of the seasonal stress you have to cope with.
It always helps to start your Christmas shopping preparations by writing a list of those you need to buy gifts for. It focuses the mind and can also assist with budgeting, as once you know how many recipients you have, you can allocate your funds accordingly.
At this point, you will have a better idea of the type of presents you should be seeking too, as you will have a price range for each gift on your list.
It's not mercenary to think like this, it is a sensible and practical measure,...
Gifts > Christmas Gifts - Making Your Shopping Easier
The History Behind Traditional Anniversay Gifts
The History Behind Traditional Anniversay Gifts
by: Charlie Welf
Nobody can say with any amount of certainty when the tradition of giving anniversary gifts started. Most probably it evolved over time. Traditionally, each wedding anniversary is celebrated by giving a gift made from a different material. The first anniversary is symbolized with paper, and subsequently anniversary gifts become more precious or scarce to reflect the growing number of years a couple has remained together.
Some say calling the twenty-fifth anniversary Silver Anniversary and the fiftieth anniversary Gold anniversary may have originated in medieval Europe, where wives were given a silver wreath to celebrate their twenty-fifth year of marriage and a gold wreath for their fiftieth anniversary. Diamonds are traditional in both the sixtieth and seventy-fifth years.
The traditional anniversary gifts list may seem somewhat boring, but it doesn't have to be. There are...
The History Behind Traditional Anniversay Gifts
Gifts > The History Behind Traditional Anniversay Gifts
Benefits Of Corporate Gift Giving Can Never Be Understated
Benefits Of Corporate Gift Giving Can Never Be Understated
by: Stephen Ng
Why purchase corporate gifts? The benefits of corporate gift giving can never be understated! Highly successful businesses understand the importance of branding. To achieve that well sorted after branding, resources are poured into marketing, which will lead us to corporate gift giving!
Corporate gifts can be broadly categorized into internal and external branding. Internal branding can be achieved by acquiring gifts to be given to staffs within the company. This will help to foster the common identity to build that family spirit and morale which will increase productivity.
However I personally believe that external branding is by far the most important benefit of corporate gift giving between the two. Ultimately businesses are build around customers support. Therefore it is important to send signature corporate gift to customers to set your company apart and reinforce...
Benefits Of Corporate Gift Giving Can Never Be Understated
Gifts > Benefits Of Corporate Gift Giving Can Never Be Understated
Christmas Recipes: Main Dishes. No.10 of 12 - Lamb with Chestnut and Tomato Relish
Christmas Recipes: Main Dishes. No.10 of 12 - Lamb with Chestnut and Tomato Relish
by: Paul Curran
Christmas recipe serves: 6
calories per serving: 450
preparation time: 15 minutes
cooking time: 20 minutes
not suitable for freezing
Christmas recipe ingredients:
chestnuts, peeled cooked, 175 g (6 oz)
tomatoes, cherry 75 g (3 oz)
bacon, rindless streaky, 175 g (6 oz)
lamb, 3 racks trimmed, 900 g (2 lb)
garlic, 3 cloves
pepper
olive oil, 100 ml (4 fl oz)
parsley, finely chopped fresh, 60 ml (4 tbsp)
caster sugar, 10 ml (2 tsp)
balsamic vinegar, 30 ml (2 tbsp)
garnish, flat leaf parsley
Christmas recipe instructions:
1. Rub the lamb with garlic and finely coat with pepper. Cut the tomatoes in half and the chestnuts into rough pieces.
2. Cook the lamb racks, having placed the bacon on top, at gas mark 9 (240 degrees...
Christmas Recipes: Main Dishes. No.10 of 12 - Lamb with Chestnut and Tomato Relish
Gifts > Christmas Recipes: Main Dishes. No.10 of 12 - Lamb with Chestnut and Tomato Relish