Back to the Traditions Page Christmas Stockings Stocking hung by the chimney with care is an American invention first mentioned in the late 1800's. The idea came from illustrator Thomas Nast, through his Christmas drawings in "Harper's Weekly" magazine. They were also mentioned in a story about a visit from Santa Claus written by George Webster. In other countries, the custom was for children to put their shoes near the fireplace on Chrismtas Eve. In some areas of Canada, stockings were hung at the end of the bed. And the idea of leaving a lump of coal in the stockings of naughty children came from Italy. Most of these customs ended when it became popular for everyone to put their gifts under a Christmas tree. Today, Christmas stockings are mainly a way to decorate the house for the holidays. Christmas Stocking Legend There was a kindly nobleman whose wife had died of an illness leaving the nobleman and his three daughters in despair. After losing all his money in useless and bad inventions the family had to move into a peasant's cottage, where the daughters did their own cooking, sewing and cleaning. When it came time for the daughters to marry, the father became even more depressed as his daughters could not marry without dowries, money and property given to the new husband's family. One night after the daughters had washed out their clothing they hung their stockings over the fireplace to dry. That night Saint Nicholas, knowing the despair of the father, stopped by the nobleman's house. Looking in the window Saint Nicholas saw that the family had gone to bed. He also noticed the daughters stockings. Inspiration struck Saint Nicholas and he took three small bags of gold from his pouch and threw them one by one down the chimney and they landed in the stockings. The next morning when the daughters awoke they found their stockings contained enough gold for them to get married. The nobleman was able to see his three daughters marry and he lived a long and happy life.

Get Our Free Trivia Daily jokes, quotes, trivia and cards. add your email: Subscribe

Send Our Free eCards

© HiCards   All rights reserved.