Christmas presents and gift ideas! We've delved into the history of Christmas presents and found out a lot of other exciting facts about Christmas gifts. Plus, we have some great offers and discounts on selected products in our online shop!
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Fifteen interesting facts about Christmas presents
Let's start with some interesting facts about Christmas presents! For example, do you know how Christmas presents are named, or did you know that children around the world receive presents on different days?
1. Giving gifts around Christmas is an old tradition
Giving each other gifts around Christmas is an old tradition. Already in pre-Christian times, people gathered to celebrate Christmas. Not much is known about the nature of the celebrations at that time, but it is quite possible that gifts were given to some extent. The oldest evidence of Christmas gifts dates back to the 16th century, but by then the custom was probably long established.
2. New Year's gifts were also popular in the past
Giving gifts at New Year was common until the 19th century, but over time it was almost completely replaced by Christmas presents.
3. The name Christmas gift comes from a "joke gift"
Another tradition, which gave the Christmas gift the name "Christmas present", is linked to the fact that young people in the countryside used to make joke presents out of straw or wood. They affixed a verse or rhyme to the 'gift', which could be humorous or witty, and gave it away anonymously by knocking hard on the recipient's door, throwing the gift inside and running away. The tradition has been known since the 17th century.
4. Christmas presents used to be sealed with sealing wax
Christmas presents are usually wrapped in beautiful wrapping paper. In the past, Christmas presents were sealed with sealing wax and it was customary to write a Christmas rhymes. Nowadays, tape and perhaps string are most often used, and Christmas rhymes are no longer as common.
5. The Christmas goat was Santa's predecessor
The Christmas goat has been known in the Nordic countries since the 18th century and in the 19th century the goat took on a role as a Christmas gift giver. The main difference between the goat and Santa Claus is that the goat was not only kind, but also a bit scary.
6. Santa Claus knocks - or comes through the chimney
In some countries, Santa Claus knocks on the door and asks if there are any good children. In other countries, he comes down the chimney at night. That he takes this particular route can be traced back to a book by Washington Irving from 1812 (FREEDOMtravel does not recommend the chimney route).
7. Some children receive Christmas presents in a stocking
In many English-speaking countries, Santa Claus leaves presents in a Christmas stocking above the fireplace (where he entered during the night) or in the children's room. The Christmas stocking is particularly common in the UK.
8. St Nicholas distributes Christmas presents in some countries
The good-hearted St Nicholas lived in the 3rd century and, among other things, saved three girls who had no money for a dowry from prostitution. In many European countries, this saint has the honour of distributing Christmas presents, often at the beginning of December.
9. Christmas gifts can be given via an advent calendar
A special way to distribute Christmas presents is to use an advent calendar. Every day between 1 December and Christmas Eve, instead of just seeing a picture, you open a door and receive a gift (or maybe chocolate).
10. Christmas presents are opened on different days in different countries
In Sweden and the other Nordic countries, Germany, Poland and Austria, Christmas presents are opened on Christmas Eve. In many other countries, Christmas presents are opened on Christmas Day. In some countries, Christmas presents are opened on 5 or 6 December, or on 6 or 7 January.
11. Several Christmas magazines have been entitled "The Christmas present".
Several Christmas magazines throughout history have had the title "The Christmas present".. The longest-lasting one, according to Wikipedia, was published by Folkskolans barntidning (1893-1955).
12. The Christmas gift tradition has been criticised for consumerism.
There is a long tradition of buying Christmas presents, but the habit of buying presents in bulk increased in the 1950s and 1960s. From this period onwards, Christmas shopping has been criticised because of consumerism. A counter-reaction has been to give away time together or to donate money to charity, for example.
13. Children can write to Santa Claus in Tomteboda.
Children who want to write letters to Santa, whether they want to wish for a Christmas present for themselves or have other concerns, can write to The plot in Tomteboda. A funny detail is that we send all our parcels from our webshop from, well... Tomteboda!
14. More and more people buy Christmas presents online
In 2019, Svensk Handel wrote that 35 per cent of consumers buy the majority of their Christmas presents online, 54 per cent buy some Christmas presents online and 12 per cent buy Christmas presents from foreign online retailers.
15. Christmas present of the year since 1988
The year 1988 was the first time that HUI Research named "Christmas gift of the year". Back then it was the baking machine, and who doesn't remember that? Since then, many different Christmas hats have been chosen, all of which say something about the year they were chosen.
Christmas present of all time
The Christmas present of the year must fulfil one or more of the following three criteria:
- The product must be new or have gained new interest during the year.
- The product must represent a high sales value or be sold in a large number of units.
- The product should represent the time we live in
The Nordic Museum has been documenting the Christmas Gift of the Year since 2011. Every year, HUI Research donates a copy of the Christmas Gift of the Year to the museum's collections. Do you remember these?
- 1988 The baking machine
- 1989 Video camera
- 1990 Woken
- 1991 CD player
- 1992 TV game show
- 1993 A scent (perfume)
- 1994 The mobile phone
- 1995 CD disc
- 1996 Internet package
- 1997 The electronic pet
- 1998 Computer game
- 1999 The book
- 2000 DVD players
- 2001 A tool
- 2002 Cookbook
- 2003 Hat
- 2004 The flat screen TV
- 2005 A poker set
- 2006 Audio book
- 2007 GPS receiver
- 2008 The experience
- 2009 Spiked carpet
- 2010 The tablet
- 2011 The pre-packed lunchbox
- 2012 Headphones
- 2013 Raw juice centrifuge
- 2014 Activity bracelet
- 2015 Robot vacuum cleaner
- 2016 VR glasses
- 2017 Electric bike
- 2018 The recycled garment
- 2019 Mobile phone box
- 2020 The Storm Kitchen
Christmas gift tips in our online shop (advertising)
We would also like to take this opportunity to offer some really nice Christmas gift ideas in our online shop! Please note that you get free shipping if you order over 500 SEK.
Personalised Christmas gifts for anyone who loves motorhomes, caravans, boating or the outdoors.
Some time ago, we started an exciting collaboration with the Swedish company Pufz, and together we developed more fun and beautiful products with a motorhome and caravan theme in the spring of 2020. Previously, we also had products with a boat or outdoor theme.
Check out our various themed products - trivets, coasters, dishcloths, towels, potholders, bedding sets, blankets, key rings, lanterns and much, much more. All products are made from eco-friendly materials and are easy to use in a caravan or boat.
What are your experiences with Christmas presents?
Did you believe in Santa Claus as a child, or did you have completely different traditions on Christmas Eve? How is it today, do you usually buy Christmas presents?
You might also like:
Christmas rhymes - 25 tips for Christmas presents with rhymes
Christmas markets in Europe - 12 cosy markets at Christmas time
Inspiration for New Year's Eve 2023 - lots of tips and readings
Facts about lussekatter - 12 things you (maybe) didn't know?
English (UK) 
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Polski
Matts+Torebring says:
A memory from a Christmas in the mid-fifties, which I will never forget, especially in a time like this, with all the abundance. I had managed to save up five kronor, which I spent on baubles... The most expensive Christmas present was a table decoration for my mother, consisting of a few glass balls on a branch. When mum opened the package, one of the glass balls was broken. I remember that it was painful for a six or seven year old. In my adult life, this is my 45th Christmas rush in retail. Never before have we experienced a Christmas trade like this year and already had to say no to a lot of orders,.
29 November 2020 - 8:11
Helena says:
What a special memory, as if taken from a book! And what a change in your life around the Christmas rush!!!
29 November 2020 - 19:51
Monica says:
When I was a child, we always varnished all the Christmas presents. Rhymes were written for each parcel! We also got a Christmas present in a Christmas stocking in the morning. Dad had been to the USA and was inspired. I would say that it is the number one country for Christmas stockings, there is no home without them. Happy Advent!
29 November 2020 - 9:52
Helena says:
How nice to paint the Christmas presents! We didn't do that, but I thought the rhyme was fun to write! Wishing a continued nice 1st Advent!
29 November 2020 - 19:52
Ama de casa says:
Here in Spain, Santa Claus seems to come through the balcony, you can see how he clings to every other balcony at Christmas time. Probably due to the lack of chimneys or too narrow ones 😀.
The children get their presents on the 13th of July when the Kings (the wise men) bring the presents. More right really if you look at the original story 😉 But the children seem to have adopted the traditions of other countries and get presents even on the "real" Christmas. Smart kids!
However, we have stopped buying Christmas presents many years ago, which makes Christmas more peaceful and less stressful 🙂.
29 November 2020 - 10:11
Helena says:
Yes, in southern Europe we have seen lots of Santas along balconies and facades! Smart of the kids to get Christmas presents both now and then 😉 A less stressful Christmas sounds nice by the way!
29 November 2020 - 19:54
Maria's memoirs says:
3 reminds me of my childhood, but we threw in Christmas cards instead, and the "little Christmas" that we celebrate in Finland? It was very important not to be seen and nobody would know who the cards were from.
I love Christmas gifts (both to plan and give, and also fun to get some gifts myself), even though I am 30+ and should realise that it is not so sustainable... ? But a Christmas gift can be as sustainable as you make it of course, it does not have to consist of unnecessary gadgets that no one uses ?
29 November 2020 - 13:59
Helena says:
But how interesting that you had such Christmas traditions when you were little!!! I know Little Christmas well, as one of my closest colleagues lives in Åland 😉 And of course you can make a Christmas gift sustainable! Wishing a continued nice 1st Advent!!!
29 November 2020 - 19:56
Maggan and Ingemar says:
1948 is probably the Christmas I remember most. Then, as a 5-year-old, I was still sucking my thumb, which my parents didn't like. I was promised the biggest doll available if I stopped by Christmas Eve. I did and the last package that was handed out was for me and as big as I was (tall). Inside was an incredibly beautiful cellophane doll and clothes made by my grandmother. There were small underpants with lace, a bodice (as they had in those days), a pleated skirt with matching blouse with small pearl buttons, a fur jacket with a hat, knitted socks and shoes made of oilcloth. All homemade and knitted by my grandmother. I was probably the happiest 5 year old that Christmas and there was no more thumb sucking. ? Later on, the Christmas presents have escalated and become many expensive things. Today, we grandparents can hardly buy anything for our grandchildren....they have almost everything and it's mostly computer games that the schoolchildren crave. ? This year it will be a quiet Christmas and we are looking forward to that. Christmas is mostly for the little ones, we think. Have a continued nice advent with lots of candles.
29 November 2020 - 15:45
Helena says:
What a nice and special memory!!! How fun that you wanted to tell us! 🙂 Certainly it has escalated with Christmas gifts and a little difficult to handle. Nice with gifts, but it should feel positive in the long run!
29 November 2020 - 20:12
BP says:
Oh I believed Ama who wrote a few days ago that Santa Claus lives in Torrevieja up in a palm tree during the summer. From there he comes down and distributes Christmas presents, but only on Epiphany...?
A fun read about how the Christmas gift came about.
We stopped buying Christmas presents a long time ago. We focus on extra good food instead.
29 November 2020 - 18:31
Helena says:
Who knows? Haha! We also like good food. Since we are currently on a diet, we are thinking about seafood 😉.
29 November 2020 - 20:13
Ruth in Virginia says:
The only Christmas present I remember as being very special,
was a gramophone that was for me and my 4 year old brother.
And that was the only clap, but who needed more?
It was a black suitcase with a crank. We must have got some discs,
but do not remember. The discs went 3-4 minutes and the spring
started to slow down after about 10 minutes.
Common gifts were flannel pyjamas for my sister and woollen socks, which
Mum knitted, and earlier when my feet grew, I got new ones
ski boots. The "Girls' Christmas Book" and some marzipan pigs were extra.
Now he has adopted US habits but Swedish Christmas ham and red cabbage
it should be. And when the kids were home, we baked thousands...
gingerbread Christmas presents have never been very important in our family.
I now subscribe to magazines for those who want them.
It must be said that in the last ten or so years, Christmas has been ruined...
It starts at Halloween. When the real Christmas comes, you are
totally out-Christmased. We don't know what it will be like this year.
30 November 2020 - 7:03