When I was in high school, the Latin teacher once organized an afternoon where all the Latin students in the school (grades 5 through 12 -- it was a small school ;-)) got together and recreated some of the rituals of an ancient Roman Saturnalia.

It started when the student playing the part of the priest carried in a tree to the altar and decorated it. Then he gave the benediction (In Latin, and it was some 20 years ago, so don't ask me what the words were!) Then a teacher came in dressed in long yellow robes and a long white beard, and wearing chains around his wrists and ankles. He represented the god Saturn, who ruled over creation during the Golden Age of mankind, before we suffered with war, hatred and poverty, and was later banished from Olympus by his successor. He gave a speech (again, in Latin) with the gist that he hoped humanity would recreate the Golden Age of mankind and live in peace with each other during his visit (During the seven days of Saturnalia, slaves were freed, and served by their masters, crimes were pardoned and gifts of food were given). Then the priest stepped forward and broke Saturn's chains (in this case they were made of paper) and the God Saturn stepped forth, and passed out sweet cookies shaped like himself to the assembled guests.

... The teacher couldn't get her hands on actual Saturn cookies, of course, so she substituted Santa cookies ;-).

Then we broke off for a lunch of Italian food, while the different classes put on skits of various Roman myths... It was a fun day.

Anyway, this shows me that gift giving has always been part of winter festivals, even if it hasn't always been so expensive. And I agree with Genie -- I think it makes much more sense to spread the giving out over several days *after* the starting holiday.

For one thing, it helps ease the post-Christmas blues (I don't celebrate Christmas, myself. I'm a solstice-honorer. But my favorite thing about "The Season" is all the specials on TV -- even with regular shows getting into the 'spirit'. It's the one time of year when adults are allowed to be sentimental and believe in magic without being scorned. But on Dec. 26, popular culture swings back to its old cynical self