Narrative Disorder+FollowWhat Saturnalia Actually Was (And Why It Wasn’t Christmas) Part 2 One of the strongest claims made is that Christmas gift-giving comes from Saturnalia. This also falls apart when examined closely. Saturnalia gifts were typically small novelty items such as candles, wax figurines, or joke gifts. They were often exchanged satirically and emphasized humor, social inversion, or mockery rather than generosity. Gift-giving was tied to Sigillaria, a minor sub-festival within Saturnalia. Christian gift-giving developed with a different meaning entirely. It emphasized charity, care for others, and remembrance. Giving was moral rather than theatrical. Sharing the act of giving does not establish shared origin. Humans give gifts at weddings, birthdays, and funerals. Meaning defines the practice, not the motion. Saturnalia gifts reinforced inversion and excess. Christian giving reinforces generosity and restraint. They are not the same tradition. #Christmas2025 #xmas #ChristianGifts #HolidaySeason #Christian #PaganTraditions00Share
