The reason behind Christmas presents...

[Shananigans]

Does anyone know? I realize it has to do with the Christian story of the three wisemen bringing presents to baby Jesus, but am wondering if anyone can find a link to a good explanation (I tried!). My older brother keeps saying "no present is neccessary, your company is enough" blah blah blah. I'm sure he is right, but I would like to send him the "reason" behind Christmas presents.

Anyone?

P.S. Oh and hi everyone! It's been awhile!

[Shananigans]

1. Anyone?

[anitar1]

2. To give a gift to a friend, with love? To just be in a giving mood?

I enjoy doing what I can ,for those I care about.Just a small gift that says, I care.This year it is tins of cookies.

[Lex]

3. Giving presents on the December holiday pre-dates Christianity

and the Romans did it with "Saturnalia."

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia

"Saturnalia (from the god Saturn) was the name the Romans gave to their holiday marking the Winter Solstice. Over the years, it expanded to a whole week, the 17 December to 23 December.

It was traditional for Romans to exchange gifts during this holiday. These gifts were customarily made of silver, although nearly anything could be given as a gift for the occasion. Several epigrams by the poet Martial survive, seemingly crafted as riddling gift-tags for gifts of food.

It has been postulated that Christians in the fourth century assigned December 25th as Christ's birthday (and thus Christmas) because pagans already observed this day as a holiday. This would sidestep the problem of eliminating an already popular holiday while Christianizing the population."

[Shananigans]

4. Thanks, everyone!

Any other suggestions are appreciated!

[Deja Q]

5. Apart from the obvious; corporate exploitation?

:)

[fortyfeetunder]

6. If someone can explain my mother in law's gifts to me

I swear, there were a few presents that smelled like they came from a sh!thouse!