Christmas Stockings: The History Behind Them

by Tina M. Porter

Each year on Christmas morning, when it is time to gather around the Christmas tree to open gifts, the first thing my children do is reach for their Christmas stockings. They cannot resist the fluffy red stocking lined with white fur that is stuffed to the brim with mysterious little gifts and candies. It is a wonderful tradition that has always been a big part of our family Christmas celebrations, as it is with many families, in one way or the other, across the world. How did the giving of a sock stuffed with goodies become such an integral part of Christmas to begin with?

In order to answer that question, I decided to do some research and I found that there are several possible stories behind the Christmas stocking. No one is exactly sure which story, if any, is true. However, the most accepted story entails a man whose wife had passed away and left him with three daughters to take care of. He was not a rich man and he was worried that even though his daughters were kind and gentle, they would never get married because he could not afford to pay their dowries.

One day St. Nicholas, also known as Saint Nicholas of Myra, was walking through town and overheard the townspeople talking about the mans dilemma with his three daughters. St. Nicholas wanted to help but he knew that the man would never willingly accept money from him. So he waited until it was dark and went to the mans home and dropped three bags of gold down the chimney, one for each girl.

It just so happened that the girls had washed their laundry that evening and had hung their stockings by the fireplace to dry. When St. Nicholas dropped the bags of gold down the chimney they landed in the girls stockings. When the girls woke up the next morning and went to get their stockings they discovered more than enough gold to pay for each of their dowries. Each girl then got married and lived happily ever after. Once word spread of how the girls had found gold in their stockings, everyone started hanging their stockings by the fireplace in hopes that they would be as fortunate.

While we do not hang our laundered stockings or socks by the chimney to dry, most of us do honor the Christmas tradition of hanging a stocking on Christmas Eve. The biggest difference is that now our stockings are made in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and textures and they are made especially for use as Christmas stockings. Instead of putting gold in the stockings, we put special gifts in them. If we are really bad during the year, we might just get a lump of coal instead of gifts.

I am intrigued by the fact that what may be an old wives tale could create such a wonderful tradition as Christmas stockings. The story of the father and his three daughters started a tradition that is now as much a part of Christmas as Santa himself. Christmas just would not be the same without Christmas stockings.

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Great Information for Stocking Stuffers for Kids

by Tina Andersons

It can be a real treat to hunt for the perfect stocking stuffers for kids. Finding the right gift for your child is no longer a problem since today's technology and variety has made it easier to find the perfect gift. Before we go any further, have you ever thought about the origins and history of stuffing Christmas stockings? If you are wondering about its origins, let me give you some idea.

Obviously, people all over the world have different views on how this practice came about. For example, in Holland as well as Italy, children would put their shoes outside beside the door and then find it filled with treats and goodies the next day. On the other hand, children in France left their shoes indoors and find goodies in the morning still. In the United States, the history was a mixture of the different myths surrounding the practice and those brought by immigrants to the country. Sooner or later, hanging Christmas stocking as a practice caught on. Another instance that has pushed this practice was the poem by Clement Moore entitled, "The Night Before Christmas."

Thus, today we all hang socks in hopes of getting some treats when we check it Christmas morning. Moreover, children today hardly use any wearable sock, most of the time, kids prefer the specialty Christmas stockings, giving them more room for plenty of stuffed treats. Children are particularly fond of this tradition and any parent would be happily and carefully thinking of what stocking stuffers for children would be ideal.

Being a parent does mean a lot of responsibility and decision making, especially come Christmas time. One thing that tops the list would be what the best stocking stuffers for kids are. There are so many things to consider, like the age, gender, likes, dislikes and even the budget. Here are some things that you can try out.

Talking about Boys

The first things that top the Christmas gift list for boys would be games or small toys. It is best if you save the awesome gift as the main gift and just give something that he can enjoy still. For little boys, the perfect stocking stuffers would be any of the following, mini toy cars, bath toys, colorful yo-yo's, paper airplanes, a slingshot or even candies, chocolates and a jigsaw puzzle.

For the Girls

The girls are also a lot like the boys since they would also enjoy games and toys. However, they are more practical and easier to give presents to. For little girls, it is not difficult to find them the right gifts. Here are some things that they will definitely enjoy: jewelry, dolls, lip gloss, handbags, purses, or even candies will make them happy.

No matter what you come up with for the perfect stocking stuffers for children, just be certain that it won't diminish their excitement for the main gift that's waiting to be unwrapped from under the Christmas tree downstairs. Moreover, don't ever think that only children can hang a Christmas stocking on the chimney during this season, both men and women can enjoy this traditions and put up their own stockings ad expect treats of their own.

Article by Tina, also worth doing to the lords prayer and 10 commandments

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A Personalized Christmas Stocking - The Perfect Christmas Gift

 by Jennifer Carter

Most of us have enjoyed having our own Christmas stocking, an empty sock or shaped bag that we hang up on Christmas Eve so that Santa Claus can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins, and other small gifts. These are called stocking fillers or stuffers. Tradition claims that a child who has misbehaved during the year will only receive lumps of coal in his/her stocking. Usually Christmas stockings are “hung by the chimney with care,” but if a fireplace chimney is not available, the Christmas stockings may be hung anywhere. Santa will find them!

In the beginning, children used one of their own socks or stockings for a Christmas stocking, but today specially-created stockings are used. Stores carry an almost unlimited variety of styles and sizes. Many families make their own and put names on to make sure Santa will know whose stocking is whose. A perfect gift for Christmas is a personalized Christmas stocking!

Three Ways To Personalize A Christmas Stocking

Each personalized Christmas stocking should have the owner's name or initials on it. You can needlepoint a monogram, sew on store-bought initials, or use a sewing machine to monogram or appliqué the name. Or, you can use calligraphy to put the name on. You can add a “gift tag” to each personalized Christmas stocking with the name. (Make them from cardboard or use large, laminated tags meant for gifts.)

The second way to personalize a Christmas stocking is by its attributes. You can sew a pocket on the outside for small items. You can use appliqués, rick-rack, lace, or pearls and beads to decorate it. You can use a different kind of fabric beside traditional felt, such as needlepoint, gingham, silk, patchwork, or knitted wool.

The third way to personalize a Christmas stocking is to link it to the owner's likes, hobbies, or occupation, etc. A man's stocking could be made in the shape of a work boot or sewn from plaid flannel with a pocket on the front. Use an old shirt. A woman's Christmas stocking can be in the shape of a nylon, or bustier made from silk.

A gardener's stocking could be made from burlap. An executive's stocking could be made from striped shirting with a tie in front. What about one in the shape of roller blades?
How about a bone shape for dogs? Or make a paw print for cats. A sports lover could have a tennis racket-shaped stocking. For a teacher, make an apple. For a cook, how about a large pot holder?

For children, the same types of ideas will work. For a baby, sew two bibs together. For a little boy, create a baseball or basketball; for a little girl, create a pretty dress stocking.

If you're not comfortable creating your own, handmade, personalized Christmas stockings, you can find out more from http://www.my-christmas-stockings.com

Whether you knit, sew, crochet or cross stitch your gift - you can be sure that it will be treasured for many Christmases to come.

Jen loves celebrating Christmas and the joy and fun of the festive season.

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