(Ed: This is brought as an interesting idea and would be a good starting point for discussion and consultation with your LOR. Source: Hakhel reader)
Other Poskim discuss this and conclude that it is not a problem of chukas akum, as in all likelihood the akum’s minhag of giving gifts on their holidays was taken from us and not vice versa. (See Emes L’Yaakov from Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky, Z’tl, Siman 670 in the footnote who says this.) The Ponovezer Rav, Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, Z’tl, said that after the Greeks forbade the Jewish children from learning Torah, their parents had to ‘bribe’ them with gifts to get them to learn once again.
Giving gifts on Chanukah commemorates that aspect of the Chanukah miracle. Indeed, children should be told when receiving gifts that it is for this reason and that they are expected to increase their Torah learning because of the gifts (see Sifsei Chaim from Rav Chaim Friedlander, Z’tl; Moadim Vol. 2 page 134). See also Shu”t Avnei Yashfeh Vol. 1 Siman 129:2 and Sha’arei Halacha U’Minhag Vol. 2 page 283. “
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