Giving presents actually goes back to the Romans, presents called Strenae were exchanged at the festival of the Kalends, corresponding to 1st January. The gifts were boughs of evergreens picked from the grove of Strenia, cakes and honey, representing a new year full of sweetness, and gold, that the year would bring prosperity. The Emperor issued an edict which stated that he MUST be given gifts at Kalends by the high ranking officials of the Imperial Administration. Gifts of fruit and nuts, small toys and useful things came in much later, with the Kriss Kringle legend.

So presents predate Christianity - but not by much! Originally, presents were shared out on Boxing day, the day the box for the poor & sick was opened in the church.

LTS & knowitall