So last night when i was trying to sleep, i was thinking about the Holidays this time of year. And i have a question, why do holidays in the winter, religious or not, have gift giving? where did this tradition come from?
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:36 pm
Hm, good question. I know a lot of gift-giving entails a blessing of some kind, depending on the culture. Maybe it was a polite way to help struggling families get through the winter.
AiRune
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too2sweet Captain
Tipsy Fairy
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:33 pm
I know that for many of the Christian based countries, gift giving around this time of year relates to the Gifts that the Magi brought to the baby Jesus. Hanukkah, gifts are given to represent the gift of light that was given (the lamp not running out of oil). As far as Pagan religions, it's sad to say I don't really have the slightest clue, though my guess is that there aren't all that many "gift giving" holidays. Gifts would be more likely to be give at Rites of Passage (birth, coming of age, initiations, marriage, etc...), than on the Sabbats.
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