PriceCheck Explores The Origins Of Some XMAS Traditions

Ever wonder why we decorate a tree for Christmas? What is the significance of the actual decorations? And further more – why do we exchange gifts on 25 December? PriceCheck has done some research and found out some interesting facts about the origins of Christmas, the fancy decorations and those gifts we wait for Santa to bring us.

Lets start with the big green tree. There are many stories pointing out its beginnings so let’s explore one or two in more detail. The Christmas tree, according to legend, finds its origins with St. Boniface and the German town of Geismar. St. Boniface is said to have chopped down the sacred tree of Thor and replaced it with the fir tree we use today. This was thus used as the first Christmas tree, which is also known as “Tannenbaum” in German.

There is another story about the Christmas tree which claims that while visiting family in Germany during the 19th Century, Queen Victoria fell in love with Prince Albert. After being wed Prince Albert decorated a tree in celebration and ever since then the English have shown their love for the Queen by decorating a Christmas tree.

What is the meaning behind the traditional Christmas decoration colours? Ever wondered about the significance of the decorations? We found out that colours traditionally used for Christmas are red and green. The green represents the continuance of life during the winter season and also the eternal life though Jesus. Red signifies all the blood that Jesus lost when He was crucified. The decorations should ideally only be put up on Christmas Eve and not a moment sooner as this is seen as bad luck.

And now for the best part – the gifts! Let’s explore why we exchange gifts (toys, electronic goods and especially jewellery) with each other on Christmas. Much like the Christmas tree the origin of gift giving has many different sources.

It is believed that presents being exchanged for Christmas comes from Ancient Rome during a feast called Kalends. Since the winter solstice celebrated the birth of the Sun God, to whom the Emperor was directly related, high ranking officials were expected to offer him gifts to honour the occasion.

Another source suggests that gift giving on Christmas started with St. Nicholas – who was solemnly remembered for being an extremely charitable Saint. On the day of his feast parents would give their children small gifts or fruit. This later came to be associated with the Feast of the Nativity on 25 December.