Make this Christmas more special with some long-forgotten traditions
Make this Christmas more special with some long-forgotten traditions
'Holiday season sales' is no new term to the retail sector, and it is often what makes the difference between a good and a bad fiscal year. As a lot of people rightfully complain, Christmas has become highly commercialized. With all the hassle of going from store to store and standing in never-ending queues, it is easy to forget what all the fuss is about. But gift-giving is actually a very old tradition, and it has not always been like that.
Gift-giving around this time of the year dates back from ancient Rome. Then people used to give each other presents on New Year's, but they were symbolic gifts, often consisting of vegetables in the honor of fertility goddess Strenia. However, what is more similar to our concept of gift giving today dates back from Victorian times. During that time, the custom became much more festive and socially significant. One of the customs was that each family member was assigned a color, then brought to a room filled with a yarn web. Each of them had to follow their own color through the web to get to the gift. Another practice was to gather around a large bowl full of grain, where they had hidden very small gifts. Each would take a fullspoon of grain, and whatever gift they discovered was theirs to keep.
By the end of the nineteenth century, commercialization had already begun to fade away the idea of the simple, non-materialistic gift giving in lots of countries around the world. Much of the merriment and excitement had been replaced by a brief exchange of bright boxes. But it does not have to be that way. There are people around the globe for whom gift sharing still means something. In Brazil, for instance, gifts are hidden outside the house and kids have to search for them. Sure, it's warm there and they don't need to worry about snow.
Although the complaints that Christmas has become highly commercialized do have a point, you may still choose not to give in to consumerism and do your best to make it special. Traditionally, gift sharing on Christmas symbolized kindness and had a lot of significance. Why not bring some of these traditions to your home?
One reason why people find gift sharing so stressful is because of those few days before Christmas when you have to shop around for presents through all of the over-crowded, noisy and increasingly expensive shops. But it doesn't have to be like that at all. Just remembering to plan it a few weeks in advance can make a huge change. It gives you enough time to think about it, and you can enjoy the Christmas spirit earlier and without all the stress. You have time to step outside of the box and look for alternatives to the same old ideas. One tip for next year is to start working on your list much earlier, maybe even in the summer. When you hear your father complaining that his fishing reel broke during the summer vacation, write it down: a new fishing rode could make a great Christmas present.
In addition, shopping for presents can be completely hassle-free if you pass brick-and-mortar stores and shop online instead. The offer is frequently much wider than what you would be able to find find in the traditional stores you had time to visit. It is also easier to not let yourself get carried away and stick to your planned budget. Using a comparison shopping engine rather than a regular e-shop is a better idea. Netishop is a great resource for that, as it brings together a large number of online stores and offers you the opportunity to discover the best deals and prices. You can shop for almost anything you can think of there, from toys and books to DVD players.
One more random thing about gift giving on Christmas: everyone knows the Twelve Days of Christmas song. But did you ever ask yourself how much all of those gifts in the song would cost? Someone made an estimation four years ago, and the total was $18,920.59. Kid Rock Tickets Born Free Tour Analysis Of The Four Countries Agreed Fade Xi Operating Status Textile And Apparel Industry - Price Comparison- Smart Way for Budget Shopping Gulf Shores Beach Having the right luggage streamlines travel Holiday in London – experience the entire world in one single city Canada's Adventure Travel Spas London Accommodation Booking Tips For A Budget Traveller American Flags - Confederate Flag - International Flags - The American Flag Cheap Travel for Families Perfect Christmas Gifts for Him: Shopping on a Budget Vietnam Beach Tour 14 Days Hanoi Halong Catba Hue Hoian Nhatrang Muine saigon 80s Rewind Tickets For The Christmas Tour 2010