The birth of Christ is celebrated by two billion Christians all over the world on 25th December. Most Christians today probably can’t imagine Christmas on any other day than December 25, but it wasn’t always that way. In fact, for the first three centuries of Christianity’s existence, Jesus Christ’s birth wasn’t celebrated at all. The religion’s most significant holidays were Epiphany on January 6, which commemorated the arrival of the Magi after Jesus’ birth, and Easter, which celebrated Jesus’ resurrection. The first official mention of December 25 as a holiday honouring Jesus’ birthday appears in an early Roman calendar from 336 A.D. The Bible doesn’t mention his exact birthday. No one knows for sure on what day Christ was born. Dionysus Exiguus, a sixth century monk, was the first to date all of history from December 25, the year of our Lord 1. Other traditions gave dates as early as mid-November or as late as March. Christmas come to be celebrated on December 25 probaly to woo cultures around the Mediterranean and across Europe that observed feasts on or around December 25, marking the winter solstice.
Throughout history, the 12 Days of Christmas were a time of feasting and fun. The holiday season starts in late November and isn’t until early January that it ends, including not only the definitive 12 days of Christmas (Dec. 25 to Jan. 6) but also the period of shopping in anticipation. Now is not the opportunity for you to catch up with your sleep or satisfy ravenous appetites; now is to re-connect with your family and friends. As such, you have to get in the spirit and prepare yourself to take a tour of the stores.
Wait a sec! Did the fear of spending countless hours among throngs of impatient people, loud music, and dizzying lights scare you? Are you now officially the last minute shopper? You are the one who wanted to buy their favourite peeps a special gift this holiday season but failed to survey any online or brick-and-mortar stores.
Guess what? You can still be the secret Santa you wanted to be - and that has nothing to do with flowers and gift cards. Sure, Christmas shopping is a tricky affair. But Us has it covered for you; from luxury surprises to gifts within your budget, we have short-listed some choices to pamper even the choosiest of the recipients in your gang.
Top three gifts for him
1. A watch + a tracker
Buying the young guy a timepiece is a classic gift. What’s more, you have a great variety of colours, designs, and materials to get him a watch that suits his fashion taste. He won’t have an excuse to not be organized or late. Feel it’s cool but somewhat traditional? Pair it with an activity monitor. Knowing that the system will give him a personalized analysis regarding nutrition intake, sleep, etc. to set better goals will make him love it. Together, these are perfect motivational devices he’d need in the next year.
2. Headphones + VR gear
A must-have for the tech geek is a pair of headphones to balance and deliver outstanding audio. Snoop around the Sony stuff and you’d likely be seeing him wearing it to both at work and travel. Capitalize on it and treat the child he is at heart with an easy-to-use and fun viewer. Again, a product engineered by industry giants like Samsung will provide him with a product that is Hulu and Netflix enabled besides being compatible too with the newest Samsung smartphones. A significant experience indeed, don’t you think?
3. An espresso machine
How about we save the space and not blab about you getting warm clothes (and associated accessories) for the young man? Instead, there’s a better idea for what would be a perfect gift: a coffee machine. Addicts aside, even your boy won’t be shy about brewing in style whenever he wants. Buy one with advanced features and your guy might as well enjoy your preferred drinks. Where others were meant more to be symbols of ambition and confidence, this one can be all personal.
4. Extras
Following will make prized possessions as well: a popular scent; a premium-quality wallet or laptop sleeve; portable speaker; DVD collection; powerbank; hoverboards, electric scooters; action figures; e-reader; gaming keyboard and mouse. Each shows him you are attentive to his interests.
Top three gifts for her
1. Book + book holder
She may be hard to shop for but supposing she is a voracious reader, you know what’s stashed in the bags, right? Books and some more books. Appreciate her love for reading and let her breeze through creative, empowering stuff. Is a best-selling author’s novel due? Does rich illustration in a cookbook catch your eye? It would be great if you splurge on a travel book holder, which can also fold up for travel action. Or if she approves of a tech-friendly reading, then the best thing is to get her an all-new Kindle product.
2. Beauty gifts
You don’t need to buy her a diamond to get it right. From pretty colours to adorn their nails to skincare products, there are brilliant options in the market: a skin-primer, bath oil, a cleansing oil, a chic eye-colour palette, a bush set, and bright shades of lipsticks all zipped together in a makeup pouch to make carrying them easier and you will win her heart. With winters around, she would be struggling with dry or dull skin; she’d need it all the more while travelling. How about you help her treat these problems and change her look?
3. Bling
Valuable, glamorous, and budget-friendly, these are not three different types of goodies you can surprise your friend, sister, mom, or daughter with. From the edgiest hair accessory to totes to funky phone cases, from chic, cosy moccasins to statement jewellery, shop stuff that will bring life to her cosy, everyday wardrobe. She is the girl who has some fancy taste; your ticket to spoil her silly is to ask her girl friends or look through the brands she tends to use or wear along with the magazines/blogs she is fond of reading.
4. Extras
Following will brighten their day as well: smart lighting, trinket tray, wine accessory set, sleep mask, a Polaroid camera, smartphone lenses, scented candles, mani/pedi kit, candy doodle pen, emoji pillows, fancy lingerie, and athletic apparel. Remember, in this case, it is the thought that counts: the gift need not be a branded luxury, but something that shows your love.
