Andreas Önnerfors, docent in the history of ideas and learning, explains that the concept of clap in the word Christmas present is about an actual clap – or a knock – on the door. The object was then thrown into the house. That’s how the Christmas present came about.
And the purpose of the Christmas present was not the gift itself – but the mystery behind it.
It all started sometime in the 17th century, but since then the Christmas gift has changed drastically.
In the clip above: That was the meaning of the Christmas present – from the beginning