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Show Traditional New Year's Gifts Were Sacred The Druids distributed branches cf the sacred mistletoe, cut with peculiar ceremonies, as New Year's gifts to the people and the Saxons observed the day with gifts and festivals. fes-tivals. The Roman custom of taking gifts to the emperor was introduced into England as early as the time of Henry HI- Queen Elizabeth is supposed sup-posed to have supplied herself with her jewels and wardrobe almost entirely en-tirely from these gifts. As late as 1692 the English nobility were accustomed every year to send to the king a purse containing gold. Under the Tudors and the Stuarts It was the habit of all classes to give presents to friends with the best wishes for the New Year. Ladies received presents of gloves or pins which were then expensive. Sometimes the gifts were wrapped In money and from this practice we have the term "pin money." j |