<P> The tradition of gift - giving is an old one , but it became associated with Christmas more recently . It is a relic of a pagan custom , namely , the winter solstice which in Europe occurs in December . This was celebrated in ancient Rome with gift - giving during the Saturnalia holiday , which took place that month . As Christianity became increasingly widespread in the Roman lands , the custom of gift - giving continued . Around the year 336 AD the date of December 25 appears to have become established as the day of Jesus 's birth , and the tradition of gift - giving was reinterpreted and tied to the story of three Magi giving gifts to baby Jesus ; together with another story , that of Santa Claus based on the historical figure of Saint Nicholas , a fourth - century Greek bishop and gift - giver , it slowly became a part of Christmas celebrations . </P>
where did the tradition of gift giving come from
in ancient Rome with gift - giving during the Saturnalia holiday