A look back on the evolving nature of this annual celebration
Venturing out into the particular metropolis these past weeks has reminded me of the Carmageddon of the pre-pandemic world. It hits you along with the warm toxic exhaust fumes from cars lined bumper in order to bumper on the roads. Why? Because Christmas is upon us and everyone has been conditioned to believe in the Xmas spirit associated with gift-giving. With gift-giving you have the particular buggy and horse relationship with gift-buying. Christmas after all is the story of giving and hope (hope that you can pay off the bills later)!
The act of giving gifts on Christmas Day can be attributed to the three Kings, who offered Jesus at the time of his birth gold, frankincense, plus myrrh, coupled with the tales of a fourth-century bishop, who later was known as St. Nicholas (then inferred to be who we now know as Santa Claus). Thanks to them, kids and adults alike for centuries have been able to enjoy the excitement of receiving gifts on Christmas and, for most, the dread of having to see what’s been charged against their bank or credit card balance after the holidays.
We commemorate the historic event of the birth associated with Jesus every year. Records show that the first Xmas celebration was held in Rome on Dec. 25, 336 AD. December. 25 was deduced to have been the day of the particular birth of Christ because it falls nine months after the Annunciation on March 25. The particular Annunciation has been when the angel Gabriel told Mother Mary, who was married to Joseph, that she was carrying another man’s child inside her belly. Before you get riled up, through the mouth of babes: My son William (who was in kindergarten then), after rehearsing the nativity scene for their Christmas play, where he played Paul, asked, “Mommy, if Mary is the mommy of Jesus plus Jesus will be the child of God, then who is Joseph? ” I had been not prepared to have to answer such a convoluted Pandora-esque question so soon, but I did my best. I called his teacher Mrs. Gaynor Domiszewski and told her in order to clear the particular conundrum with regard to my four-year-old son!
Gift offering and Xmas toys seem to be a given, but not always so. The ritual associated with celebrating Christmas started off as a “public feast, ” organized by the haves for the have-nots. In his paper, “ Toys, Christmas Gifts, and Consumption Culture in London’s ‘Morning Chronicle, ” 1800-1827, Joseph Wachelder wrote that before the mid-1800s, “Christmas was a public feast, characterized by revelry, wassailing, and abundant eating and drinking. ” This changed because of economic and social circumstances at that time that promoted a more domestic family gathering instead. “The family became the core circle regarding the festivities. Christmas grew to become a family affair with gifts expressing an affectionate relationship in the family, ” published Wachelder. “Toys after all provided immediate happiness to children. ”
The rise of consumer culture plus the department stores in Britain in the particular second half of the 19th century solidified the need to give presents at Xmas, toys in particular for children.
A hundred years before, toys had a different meaning. According to an 18th-century dictionary by Dr . Samuel Johnson, a toy is defined as “a trifle; a thing of no value, the plaything or even bauble. Any small object or trinket sold in order to young and old alike. ” At the same time it could also mean expensive luxury trinkets made out of gold and silver. But the character of toys soon evolved into objects “constructed for that amusement of the young. ”
Along with changes within how Christmas is celebrated and its corresponding effect on the particular nature and meaning associated with toys geared to be enjoyed by kids, Wacheder pointed out that the advent of the modern Christmas ritual began to include decorating the Christmas tree (underneath which presents were kept), the particular Christmas cards to accompany the Christmas present, plus the increase of Father Christmas. To make it convenient for consumers to purchase all of the above, the times saw the rise from the gift shop.
Xmas in the end is the story of giving and hope (hope that you could pay off the particular bills later)!
We almost all know the convenience associated with the present shop, which usually in the particular Philippines can be equivalent to our glorious airconditioned malls. Consumer culture in the country certainly peaks during Christmas, yet I know one such person who is resolute inside spending low over the vacations.
For decades, my family has been receiving these types of calendars plus Christmas cards from the Ilocano cousin, now Chief executive Ferdinand Marcos Jr. People might be surprised, thinking his gifts would become more bongga or glamorous, but no. This has usually been the norm.
The few years ago, I found myself on Balesin Island along with BBM and his wife, now first lady Liza Marcos, at a friend’s wedding. On a moonlit night, we were driving to dinner when BBM and We had an exchange. I was telling him about my Ulthera procedure that helped tighten aging skin and the pain I had in order to endure when he scoffed and declared, “You are so vain! ” Indignant, I retorted, “This coming from a guy that gives calendars with their face plastered on them as gifts! ” I remember Liza trying to hold her laughter in the background.
So , each Christmas, whenever I receive my BBM’s Christmas gift, I can’t help but remember and chuckle… Thank a person Bongbong, Liza, and loved ones!
SIGN UP TO DAILY NEWSLETTER
