In the beginning of the New Era, Christianity was the new kid on the block, a monotheistic religion that sought acceptance in a pagan world. December was a month filled with major pagan holidays and festivals, so logic demanded that Christianity make use of a time when people were used to celebration. So, as in the case of most of their major Feast Days, the Catholic Church chose a pagan time of celebration as the momentous beginning of Christ's life. On the day of his birth, three Kings gave Jesus gifts. The gold, frankincense and myrrh must have gone a long way in providing for all the homeless and soon to be refugee family's needs.
Gift giving has a long tradition throughout recorded history.
What made the Magi's gifts different was that have's were giving to apparent have-not's. December was an important time in the Druid religion of medieval Britain. On the 21st they celebrate the festival of Alban Arthurian, when gifts are bestowed on those less fortunate. It was the fourth station of the year, which is a time of enlightenment. To Viking peoples, December 6th was the day of Thor and of Nicholas.