Presents?

by John Willmott of Celtic Ways

Ever thought what the ancient folk bought for their children for Yule and Christmas before Play Station, Barbi etc."

Before the days of freezers, food storage and trade for food with the southern hemisphere in winter food storage and management was a very serious business.

At Yule time, the time of the darkest day, the ancients would celebrate the discipline of their rationing knowing that lighter days are to come and that rationing does not need to be intense.

They would look amongst their supplies to see what they had in excess needs and then hand out these surpluses as gifts to others who may not be so lucky.

This would usually be food items, but also maybe fuel and even items to bring light such as fire and candles.

Even today, amongst adults, the gifts of food, candles, sacks of coal, logs and even personal care stuff like soap
..... and may I add socks and underwear here, are usually the most welcome.

I still grin with delight when someone give me a gift of soft shortbread cookies.