In most families, it’s a long-standing tradition to hang
Christmas stockings for every member of the family. In some houses, even the
pets get their own stockings. These stockings are usually oversized socks that can
be personalized with a name, and they’re filled with toys, candy, and small
gifts, often called stocking stuffers. Here’s how this tradition got started.
Christmas Stocking History
Written records don’t really indicate how the tradition of
Christmas stockings got started, but there are several legends surrounding this
tradition. The most trustworthy legend maintains that Saint Nicolas learned
about a poor man who couldn’t afford to pay a dowry for his three daughters,
and he was worried about them. Saint Nicolas decided to help the man, and he
took three bags of gold with him down the chimney of the man’s home. Once
inside, he found the girls’ stockings hanging on the mantelpiece after washing,
and he added the gold bags to the stockings and then went about his Christmas
Eve rounds. As the story spread, children began hanging their own stockings or
putting out shoes, waiting for their own gifts. Usually, they used their own
socks, but later, specially decorated stockings were created for the holiday.
Christmas-Themed Stockings
The idea of special Christmas stockings comes from Odin, a
figure in Germanic history. Originally, children would take their boots and
fill them with straw, sugar, or carrots, so Odin’s flying horse Sleipnir would
have a treat to enjoy on Christmas Eve. In response, Odin would reward the
children by replacing Sleipnir’s food with gifts and candy. Eventually, the
children replaced the boots with special Christmas stockings. Later, the
practice became associated with Santa Claus when Christianity came to Europe.
Today, many families order their own custom Christmas stockings with their names personalized, so Santa knows which stocking is which. Christmas stockings are traditionally hung on a fireplace mantel, but in homes without fireplaces, they can hang on a wall, on the Christmas tree, or from a table. And that’s the history of Christmas stockings!
Christmas Stockings from Signature Little Ones.
Nothing better on Christmas Day then for a child to awaken
and discover the magic of all the wonderful gifts. Last but, certainly not least, is the
Christmas stocking packed full of small goodies to delight their hearts with
desire and amazement.
Create a warm welcome for Santa with our elegant, rich
velvet and fur Winter Wonderland Personalized Stocking! Santa is sure to know whose is whose, with
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to fill with treats and small gifts, each generously-sized stocking measures
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personalized Christmas Stockings at Signature Little Ones and if you
have any questions, contact us, and our excellent customer service staff will
assist you with your purchase.