This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Gift vouchers can be used for everything on-site, including our luxurious rooms, riverside restaurants, afternoon tea and in our award-winning spa. Treat the special people in your life to gift voucher experiences at The Runnymede on Thames this Christmas. With everyone from the Romans to Father Christmas involved, giving gifts at Christmas is part of our heritage that isn’t going anywhere. Across the world nowadays, he’s known as everything from Father Frost and Papá Noel to Grandpa Frost and Christmas Gnome. He was said to represent the spirit of good cheer at Christmas. It was the Professor of Theology, Martin Luther, who made the suggestion to give gifts to children later in the month at Christmas instead, so the focus was on Christ rather than on glorifying saints.įather Christmas himself is first seen in drawings in the 16 th century, wearing red or green robes lined with fur. During the Middle Ages, ‘Saint Nick’ was celebrated on his name day of 6 December, where children were given gifts in his honour. The original Saint Nicholas was a fourth century Greek bishop who became famous for giving generous gifts to the poor. The festivities – and lawlessness – lasted for a week in total until 23 December.Īnother fun side of gift giving today is the mythical winter gift bringer, known most commonly in the UK as Father Christmas, Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas. During this time, the courts were closed, many crimes were not punishable and even gambling was permitted – against usual Roman protocol. After a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn, the festivities that followed included banquets, parties and gift giving. Saturn was the Roman god of agriculture, so people worshipped him at this time of year to help the sun return in the New Year, ensuring their harvests would grow. Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival that started on 17 December every year, to honour the god, Saturn. While this has undoubtedly influenced the gift-giving tradition we experience at Christmastime nowadays, the roots of giving gifts in winter actually go back much further. It’s commonly believed that the tradition of gift giving started from the Bible story of the three wise men bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. As Christmas approaches, it’s a time when we start thinking about spending time with family, huge turkey dinners and those all-important Christmas gifts.
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