Every Christmas, lucky kids around the world wake up to a pile of gifts under their Christmas tree, and this is a fond childhood memory shared by many people. People have been giving each other gifts as long as we have been around, but where does the actual tradition of giving gifts on Christmas come from?
Many people today view Christmas gift-giving as the result of commercial marketing efforts by corporations taking advantage of people’s festive emotions, but the tradition is actually rooted in customs that stretch as far back as Ancient Rome, and it has taken many forms throughout history. Ancient Romans were known to exchange gifts during Saturnalia, a winter solstice holiday celebrating Saturn, the Roman pagan god of agriculture. They believed that their generosity among friends and family would please the gods and bring them good fortune in the year to come.
As Christianity began to spread throughout the Roman Empire, Saturnalia was slowly replaced by Christmas which began to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The tradition of gift-giving became tied to the story of the Three Wise Men who visited Jesus at his birth and brought him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. This remains one of the main symbolic reasons for giving gifts on Christmas to this very day.
Most children around the world today believe in a Christmas gift-bringer. It started with Saint Nicholas, a Christian Bishop who lived in the 4th century and went down in legend as a patron of children, sailors and many other vulnerable groups. Whenever a mysterious gift was received by anyone, it was believed to be brought by St. Nicholas. Over the centuries, the legend of Saint Nicholas as a magical gift-bringer began to fade in popularity and he slowly transitioned into Father Christmas, and eventually into the Santa Claus that we all know today.
Although today’s tradition of giving gifts on Christmas has evolved over the years, it is grounded in our human need to express gratitude and affection for our loved ones. Receiving gifts from those we care about makes us feel appreciated and warms our hearts.
But you know what? Life is not about material stuff. It’s about experiences.
So this Christmas, you can treat your loved ones to an unforgettable experience by gifting them a voucher for one of our escape room adventures!
Escape rooms are a unique opportunity for bonding with your friends and family. They are also an excellent team-building exercise, and a game voucher can even be given to your business partners as a corporate gift.
We also have a special surprise in store for you if you come to see us during the holiday season. A surprise that will let us rekindle the magic of the Christmas spirit.
So go ahead and get creative with your gifts this year. No matter who you decide to give one of our game vouchers to, you can be sure it will be a gift they will remember for many years to come!
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