Gift giving could be considered an art form; while some people don’t care for it, others could spend countless hours trying to find the best present for each of their loved ones, and their work often leaves the latter in awe. Whether because of how funny, thoughtful, or surprising the gifts are, it’s clear that their personal Santa really put time and effort into it.
Today, we want to celebrate such people, so we combed through the internet to find some of the best examples of gift giving done well. Scroll down to find pictures of everything from Nicolas Cage-themed presents to touching gestures and creative wrapping, and get yourself into the holiday spirit.
Below you will also find insight on Santa and winter celebrations, shared with Bored Panda by the author of several books on the gift-bearing character, expert in children’s rights, and Professor of Healthcare Studies at Salem State University, Yvonne M. Vissing.
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As A Joke, I Said I Wanted A Painting Of My Dog. Received This As An Early Christmas Present
My Mother-In-Law's Christmas Gift To Me
“Shirtception” - My Favorite Gift Every Year From My Brother. We’re Now At Level 9
While looking for gifts for our loved ones, we usually hope to find something they would really enjoy or would find useful (or would at least have a good laugh about, as quite a few recipients of the gifts on this list likely did). But as fun as gifts are, no matter how big or small, they are just a part of what makes the holidays special.
According to the author of several books on Santa, expert in children’s rights, and Professor of Healthcare Studies at Salem State University, Yvonne M. Vissing, the joyful season should be all about community building and interpersonal bonding. “That is the spirit of joy and loving kindness that we should cultivate all year around,” she told Bored Panda in a recent interview. “It has little to do with presents, but gifts can be symbolic representation of the fact we care.”
Best Christmas Gift Ever, Thanks Ma
As An Early Christmas Gift, My Sister’s Boyfriend Got Her A Renaissance Portrait Of Their Dog. I Think He Chose The Perfect Picture
In many people’s heads, giving gifts is associated with Santa Claus, the beloved character in a red suit that might bring you something special for Christmas, if you were good throughout the year. But according to the expert, the character emerged during the winter solstice celebrations in order to bond the community together—to share food, play games, sing, basically to keep up the spirits and help people through the difficult dark times.
“Santas by different names have always emerged around the globe,” Vissing told Bored Panda. “Despite our differences, all around the world we have much more in common than we may think.”
I Used Wrapping Paper To Make A Bike For My Girlfriend
She has some really nice gifts in there, she also has no interest in bikes so I thought it would be funny to make one just to see her reaction. There is a whole lotta stuff in there: candles, tarot cards, a photo book, a necklace, and LED lights.
This Clock I Won In My Family’s Evil Santa Gift Exchange
Would love this, im always saying, jesus would you look at the time or holy mother of god where did the time go ☘️
This Grandpa Gave All 11 Of His Grandkids The Best Gifts
In her book, “Re-Imagine Santa”, the author emphasized that gatherings and communal celebrations—even if in different shapes or forms—would take place in numerous locations around the world; and while no two are exactly the same, they all boast the same message of unity.
Vissing pointed out that some of the main winter festivals revolved around the Winter Solstice. Marking the shortest day of the year (falling on the 21st of December in the Northern hemisphere), it put emphasis on the fact that the darkest time was over and provided hope that easier times were coming.
Best Christmas Gift I’ve Ever Received
This is at least a joke. It reminds me of an article I just read in New York Times that is true and BONKERS. It is about dog training and some gems are…”I will not project colonial, capitalist or patriarchal concepts on my dog”..” Of course, it would be silly to say that dogs can’t be political: Anyone who has seen photos of German shepherds at civil rights marches should appreciate that they can.”…” In an Instagram Live video in late summer, for example, he and his wife covered subjects ranging from pronouns and trans rights to racism in policing to toxic masculinity and how all of these subjects, in some way, relate back to dogs.”…”You should not pet your dog without consent” ………the end is nigh. Give the cats guns, I’m moving to the moon.
While obviously you should be observing your pet while petting them and stop if you're pîssing them off (and monitor your kids' time with them) that's just basic - or at least, it should be. "Scrumpy, I'd like to give you some fuss. You're getting on now and have arthritis and have been trained to not jump up, and have always been a grumpy bastard but like a good ear scratch. May I give you one?" F*ck all the way off. They need to get a damn cat. They'll learn about petting without consent when they get woken up by the damn feline walking on their face at 3am. Lol.
Load More Replies..."Ok Sparkles, always keep the safety on unless you are about to fire the weapon." *Cat grabs gun* Feed me or someone is going to get hurt...
I got this for my cousin last year for Christmas, this year it was a guide to stupid birds of North America 🤣
*Abstinence* is a threat to feline lives? Excuse us for a few minutes ...
I have special memories of this book. My lovely late father would read parts of it and laugh and laugh.
Part of me thinks our cat I sometimes call Malice Aforethought could use this information. But if he doesn't know about guns, I don't want to be the one to introduce the concept.
I have gotten this book a few times over the year, we now have a collection 🙂
My only problem with that book is I know it's supposed to be satire, but when the thing it's satirising (in this case ultra-right wing MAGA, Q, Alex Jones type rethoric) is actually pretty close, is it still satire or a simple exposition of actual oppinion?
Not a joke. Funny title, seriously s****y book full of bigotry and conspiracy theories.
And the cat goes, "Hey, we both went to the same store and I didn't point mine at the salesman..."
Hubby Just Received This Through The Mail. A Christmas Present From A Colleague
I Wrapped My Nephew’s Gifts Like Super Mario Blocks
According to Dr. Vissing, there was a wide range of winter solstice type of festivals around the world in the ancient days. For instance, people in Japan would celebrate Amaterasu in order to commemorate the sun goddess who emerged from seclusion in a cave and restored sunlight in the world.
The Saami people of Scandinavia would take part in the Beiwe Festival to worship Beiwe, the sun goddess of fertility and sanity who would reportedly travel through the sky in a structure made of reindeer bones, herding back the greenery.
The Kalash people in Pakistan would commemorate winter solstice by celebrating Chawmos—a festivity dedicated to appreciating nature, the deities, and the community, among other things, which would mark the start of new year.
The Big Present On The Right Is My Gift To My Brother’s Family And The Big Present On The Left Is My Mom’s Gift To My Brother’s Family And I’m 100% Sure We Got Them The Same Thing
A third identical present has entered the chat. Sure enough! Wagons for everyone!
I Got Tired Of Giving Envelopes With Gift Cards In Them. This Year, Everyone Gets A Paper Mache Animal Filled With Candy (And A Gift Card)
Christmas Present From My Hilarious, Insightful, Very Wise Colleague
Shirt, mug, poster.. this theme is hundred's of possibilities. check out here amzn.to/48a8jQC
The list of winter solstice celebrations continues with Goru celebrated by the Dogon people of Mali, Inti Raymi by the Incas in South America, Junkanoo in the Bahamas and Jamaica, Maruaroa o Takurua by the Maori people in New Zealand, Sewy Yelda celebrated by some Kurdish peoples, and many more.
There are clearly many winter holidays that would encourage people to get together during the dark months of winter back in the day, as there still are now, which makes it a special time for people with or without gifts. But for many of them around the world, gift-bearing Santa Claus is an integral part of the winter holidays.
I Wrapped Our White Elephant Gifts In The Shape Of Toilet And A Giant Plunger
Inside the toilet was a cute cat coffee cup and a box of hot chocolate mix, and inside the plunger was a fun wine bottle opener that looked like a bat with some lottery scratch-offs.
Showed My Daughter-In-Law A Post Here A While Back Of This Mug And This Is The Christmas Gift She Gave Me Today
My Sister Used Her Old-School Notes To Wrap Her Gifts This Year
“Santa means different things to us at different ages,” Prof. Vissing suggested. “For young children, he is a transitional character to learn that people care and watch out for you, which you may not realize, and that giving to one another can be joyful. Inspiring children to make things, sing, cook, and find joy together is the big focus—more on giving than getting; the emphasis in regards of getting is the delight we feel when we think about others and put effort for them.”
My 12-Year-Old Picked This Shirt Out For Her Papaw For Christmas. He's So Proud To Wear It
I Had An Idea For The Office White Elephant And I Turned It Into An Office Suite Of Art
My Group Got Me This Hilarious Home Alone-Themed Christmas Present. I'm Still Impressed By How They Tricked Me Into Taking A Picture In That Kevin McCallister Pose Without Knowing
The expert continued to point out that teenagers often use Santa and the holidays to bond and frolic, while new parents, for instance, turn to Santa to rediscover sweet moments of their childhood and to help their little ones to realize that there is goodness and magic in the world.
“Older people view Santa as a legacy to be carried out and receive pleasure by thinking how to teach children that they are loved and are always cared about, and that they should see the world for the glorious and amazing place it is,” Vissing said.
I Found This Year's White Elephant Gift
My Wife Is A Teacher And Just Received This Gift From A Young Student Who Is Still Learning English
As A Dad, I Have Ascended. Best Christmas Gift Ever
I dream of getting one of these!. I'm not a dad, but I live in hurricane country, I use a LOT of batteries! (The rechargeable batteries can't be recharged if the power is out for 2 weeks).
Whether it’s Santa bringing the presents, your grandmother wrapping up your annual subscription of mittens, or your friend Steven giggling as he’s putting down the gift he spent weeks planning into your outstretched arms, it’s important to remember that any gift is a token of appreciation and symbol of togetherness. So, during the festive season, as you celebrate whatever winter festivity it is that you are celebrating, don’t forget to share the joy with those around you and put them into the holiday spirit the way this list hopefully put you.
This Is My First Time Participating In The Secret Santa Exchange And I Had No Idea What To Expect
My Secret Santa completely blew my face off and these treats will surely be gone in 60 seconds.
My Mom's Christmas Present This Year, Painted By Me
I Had To Wrap A Golf Club So I Turned It Into A Giant Lollipop
This Is How I Wrapped The Christmas Present For My Boyfriend (He Really Likes Cats And The Gift Was Also Cat-Themed)
If I received this, I would expect to get a real one at one point!
My 16-Year-Old Nephew's Christmas Present
I Got This In The Mail Today In A Suspicious Package, Roommates Were Lowkey Freaking Out
I already got a mug that I assume was from my Secret Santa but I'm gonna guess this is also from my Secret Santa. If it is, thanks!
Thank You Santa For This. Hopefully, Now I Won't Be Running Late All The Time
I Just Got The Best Christmas Gift. Not The One I Wanted, But The One I Needed
My Wife Loves Movies, But Dislikes Unnecessary Sexual Scenes. This Is A Gift She Got From Some Work Friends
I Got A Hodor Door Stopper. I Had A Good Laugh Opening This Gift. Thanks, Santa
I had to google to find our what this was. I never watched GOT
I Put My Coworker Fred On A Redbull For Christmas Gifts And Passed Them Out To The Entire Company
My Stepdad Said He Wanted Nothing For Christmas. I Made Him This
Magnet Santa Has A Great Sense Of Humor
How Do You All Like My Gift This Year?
I Made A McDonald's Meal Out Of Banknotes To Give My Father-In-Law For Christmas
My Little Sister Is Obsessed With The Office So I Made This Box Full Of Inside Jokes For Her For Christmas
One Of The Mom's Christmas Gifts This Year
Being The Older Brother On Christmas (Again)
Oh, man. You wear pajamas and a felt cap in the inside... what did you expect?
Ceramic Bowl. Upping My White Elephant Game
An Old Lady At One Of The Facilities I Work At Got This For Christmas
Received The Last Part Of My Secret Santa Gift. He Thought It Would Be Helpful For When I Start Teaching
This Christmas Ornament And Card I Got From Mint Mobile
The Most Hilarious Christmas Gift Ever
You Can’t Tell What I Got My Dad For Christmas
My Mom Did Tell Me Christmas Was Going To Be Different For Me This Year
from the OP: avenga24 OP: Just want to clarify: this is my sister in law. My mom gifted her the Keurig coffee machine for Christmas. My parents gave me a box of diapers as my gift. Which I’m very thankful for! The stare was for comedic effect lol I had a wonderful Christmas! My wife and I can’t wait to meet our baby girl in February! Edit: thank you to some redditors for the parenting tips and advice! You all are very kind! And no I’m not made of wax unfortunately lol Second edit: No, John Cena and Ryan Reynolds are not my parents.
I Got A Life-Size (6’5") Jeremy Clarkson Cardboard Cutout For Christmas, What Should I Do With It?
Fish Sandals I Got For Christmas
Note: this post originally had 110 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
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My dad led me on a wild goose chase by giving me wildly unclear instructions as to what he wanted, and once I'd finally worked out what the hell I was supposed to be getting I grumpily told him "I'm keeping the receipt in case later on it turns out what you *actually* wanted was three wooden spoons and a chicken!" Today at family Christmas lunch I presented him with the item he requested, an expensive bottle of Scotch, and a chicken-shaped salt pot complete with wooden serving spoon. He really liked it! ^_^
My brother wanted Aston Martin lego. So this year, I bought it for him, but I wrapped all Lego pieces in foam, so they won't rattle, and put it into shoe box. You should have seen his confused face when he ripped wrapping paper and received 'high heels'.
My dad led me on a wild goose chase by giving me wildly unclear instructions as to what he wanted, and once I'd finally worked out what the hell I was supposed to be getting I grumpily told him "I'm keeping the receipt in case later on it turns out what you *actually* wanted was three wooden spoons and a chicken!" Today at family Christmas lunch I presented him with the item he requested, an expensive bottle of Scotch, and a chicken-shaped salt pot complete with wooden serving spoon. He really liked it! ^_^
My brother wanted Aston Martin lego. So this year, I bought it for him, but I wrapped all Lego pieces in foam, so they won't rattle, and put it into shoe box. You should have seen his confused face when he ripped wrapping paper and received 'high heels'.