GIFT, in English Law, in its general sense, is a conveyance that passes either lands or goods. But when restricted to things immovable, it is applicable only to lands and tenements given in tail.
New Year's Givrs. The custom of giving presents on the first day of the year is very ancient, the origin of it among the Romans being referred to Tattius king of the Sabines, who reigned at Rome conjointly with Romulus, and who, having considered as a good omen a present of
some sprigs of vervain gathered in a wood consecrated to Strenia, the goddess of strength, which he received on the first day of the new year, authorized this custom afterwards, and gave to these presents the name of strenæ. But however this may be, the Romans on New Year's Day gave one another presents of sweetmeats, and of copper coins stamped with the double head of Janus, to whom this day was specially dedicated. Clients, that is to say, those who were under the protection of the great, carried presents of this kind to their patrons, adding to them a small piece of silver. Under Augustus, the senate, the equestrians, and the people presented such gifts to the emperor, and in his absence deposited them in the Capitol. Of the succeeding emperors, some adopted this custom, others did not; but it always continued among the people. The early Christians condemned it as a relic of paganism, and a species of superstition; but when it began to have no other object than that of being a mark of regard and esteem, the church ceased to disapprove of it.