The custom of exchanging presents on a certain day in the year is very much older than Christmas, and means very much less. It has ob- tained in almost all ages of the world, and among many different nations. It is a fine thing or a foolish thing, as the case may be; an encourage- ment to friendliness, or a tribute to fashion; an expression of good na- ture, or a bid for favour; an outgo- ing of generosity, or a disguise of greed; a cheerful old custom, or a futile old farce, according to the spirit which animates it and the form which it takes. Taken from "The Spirit of Christmas" by Henry Van Dyke published in 1905.
