It is officially Christmas; it’s a time when family and friends gather together to spend time with one another. Many bring gifts for each other to show appreciation to their loved ones. Individuals express their love in various ways; for many, giving and receiving gifts is their favorite way to express it. Not only does gift-giving make the receiver feel happy, but the giver enjoys greater happiness through spending money on the person they care for. Giving gifts can be done in a variety of circumstances, such as to celebrate a birthday, an achievement, or simply just because. But there is something special about gift-giving for Christmas, and it has become a staple to the holiday season.
Unwrapping to the Beginning
People have been exchanging gifts for a very long time. Even though the trends and tastes in gifts may change, the gesture of preparing and bestowing something of value to friends and family is something that has been honored by people all over the world for thousands of years. But how did exchanging gifts at Christmas get to be such a common tradition in many people’s lives? The gifts given at Christmas symbolize the famous Bible story of Jesus’s birth. The famous Nativity scene you may see around the holidays is the picture of the Three Magi journeying to the location of Jesus’s birth by following a star. Upon their arrival, they brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And from this happening, many Christians continued giving on Christmas as a remembrance of His birth. However, the practice of giving gifts for Christmas is not exclusive to Christianity; anyone can give gifts for Christmas and it has become a highlight of many people’s holiday. And of course, everyone’s favorite, the most well-known and adored gift-giver of them all, Santa Claus, is another major factor in why people love giving gifts during Christmas all around the world! The origin of this Christmas legend goes all the way back to the third century. St. Nicholas, a monk, was an extremely giving man who provided money to those in need, especially during the winter season. Since then, others have followed in his footsteps and begun to share with others and now know him as Santa Claus.
The Perfect Gift Guide
Everyone has received a gift they didn’t exactly want or like at some point in their lives, usually from a grandparent or some random distant relative. It’s the thought that counts though, right? But what does the perfect gift look like? I think the perfect gift means something different for each person. Some prefer homemade cards and flowers, while others love nice expensive gifts like a pair of shoes or jewelry. Although, it is important to remember the significance of the gift to the person receiving it is what counts, not its cost or the quantity.
Finding a good gift for your loved ones can be tricky, after some research, I’ve come up with a list of some ideas if you’re still looking for something…
Parents and family members- Parents can be hard to shop for because it seems like they already have everything they need, but what I have found is the small gestures are what mean the most. For example, making them a Christmas card, or doing something like cleaning the house for them, will always make parents happy. And your other family members would probably love something you made for them or even just hugs and kisses.
Friends- Buying a gift for your friend can be pretty easy but remember to keep in mind that the present should reflect how much of a gift their friendship is to you. I’m not saying you have to get them something super expensive. I simply mean that you should put a lot of thought, effort, and love into hand-selecting that item for them. And even though a gift card sounds generic or boring, getting your friends a gift card to their favorite store or restaurant is always a nice gesture. You know them the best, so don’t stress! They’ll love whatever you pick out for them.
Significant Other- If you are dating someone, you may feel a lot of pressure to try to find them the best gift. What if you get the person who you spend most of your time with the wrong gift? But there is no need to stress, they will appreciate anything you give them for Christmas. Making a special, personalized card is always a good way to show you care. There are lots of times when you get them something they didn’t even know they needed. For example, getting them gifts that they can use like a hoodie or a backpack.
Giving or Receiving?
Here’s what I came up with after questioning other classmates if they prefer giving or receiving for the holiday season: Jude Van Dyne says “I like receiving gifts because it makes me feel very loved by people.” While on the other hand, Lauren Grafe mentions, “I love giving gifts because I like seeing how happy it makes people feel.”
Gift-giving is such a special part of Christmas and a great way to show your loved ones how much you appreciate them. There is also nothing more fun than waking up on Christmas morning opening up gifts and watching others’ faces light up when they open what you got them. So grab your favorite wrapping paper and bows, say hello to those shopping deals, and just enjoy this holiday season of giving. But also don’t forget the reason behind why we give gifts and why it has become such a big part of Christmas.
