The three wise men started the trend, and we’re still paying for it today: the giving of gifts, for better or worse, has come to define the festive season.
Today, Christmas spending in the UK alone is around £25 billion – though there are signs it’s dropping.
Where Christmas presents began:
The early Romans were the first to exchange presents on December 25, the date of the winter solstice in their calendar – and while their first gift choices were herbs and wine, jewellery soon became a must-give item.
The real St Nicholas lived in the 4th century, but it was around about 1100 that French nuns began giving gifts and sweets to poor children on December 6th, his feast day.
In the early 19th century, his legend began to evolve and merge with other Christmas stories, and in 1823, the American poem The Night Before Christmas popularised the gift-giving St Nick we know today.
The season for spending:
When you’re a child, there’s nothing quite like that feeling of ripping open the wrapping paper on Christmas morning.
But for grown-ups, the costs of Christmas parties, rising fuel bills and Boxing Day sales can take their toll – on our bank accounts, and our good natures. The pressure to give ‘enough’ can turn the season of cheer into the season of stress.
Medical studies have shown nearly 25% of us get headaches from seasonal stress, and one in ten suffer sleepless nights – and not because we’re listening for reindeer.
Santa says relax:
Though this Christmas is fast approaching, with a quick bit of homework, you can still stave off much of the stress.
First, follow Santa’s example and make a list of the people you’re shopping for – even if you’re shopping online. It’s a way of cheering yourself on: just ticking each person off as you buy will bring a welcome dose of accomplishment.
Do your research. Browse catalogues, go online and compare prices in stores so you know you’re getting the right gifts at the best price.
The upside of today’s economy is that Christmas 2011 could be more like the homely, homemade 19th century Christmases we see in books and movies. Why not go for homemade quality over shop-bought quantity– biscuits, jams, cakes and pies will be more welcome than you think (especially if accompanied by a bottle wrapped in a bow).
Or give people experiences they can enjoy throughout the year – sites like Groupon and LivingSocial have some great Christmas gift ideas.
Get help if you need it. If you can afford to borrow, look for options with an interest-free period – check out The Guardian’s review of interest free cards, featuring Barclaycard’s Platinum Visa, which gives you 22 months at 0%.
If nothing else, give your time – studies show that volunteering is proven to reduce stress. And you’ll know you’re acting in the real gift-giving spirit of Christmas.
The author of this article is a part of a digital blogging team who work with brands like Barclaycard. The content contained in this article is for information purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.
