Want the kids to have cool Christmas presents that aren’t tomorrow’s landfill? Here are five tips to swerve the tatGiving and receiving gifts is one of Christmas’ most joyous traditions, especially for children. Far from being an instrument of modern capitalism, as some believe, there is a long history of exchanging presents over the festive period. The party continued into medieval times, when Christmas was a time for feasting, drinking and being merry, with presents given at New Year instead – and mostly to adults. The prudish Victorians, however, were eager to promote wholesome, family based festive behaviour, and embraced gift giving on Christmas Day to bring people together in the spirit of goodwill.