Every single Christmas, for as long as I can remember, I've received an orange in my stocking. Or sometimes a clementine, depending on what's in the fridge. I always have a little chuckle at the tradition and, after drinking about five cups of tea and eating half the chocolate from my stocking, I eventually get around to eating it. Now I'm the one who adds an orange to my husband's stocking, and vice versa. But even after all these years, I've never even thought of why this is a tradition at all, until now. So, I dug into the history to learn more.
My research started out with my parents—the original orange-givers in my life—and contrary to what my Dad thought, the oranges were not actually "used to fill up space in the stocking to make it look fuller." They were, however, a rarity, especially in England, where my Mom—and her Mom—grew up. Oranges haven't always been the grocery store staple we know today, and when they were available, they weren't cheap, so as my Mom said, "Getting an orange in your stocking was a real treat." This wasn't just a thing in England—many articles I read noted that oranges were, at times, the only gift under the tree, especially during the Great Depression.
They're Said to Represent a Gift of Gold from Saint Nicholas
One theory behind the tradition of oranges in the stocking stems from the generosity of Saint Nicholas (also known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle and Old Saint Nick), who was the son of a wealthy merchant and later in life a bishop. It's said that he lived near a father and his three daughters who had fallen on hard times, so Nicholas secretively threw three bags of gold through their window, which were rumored to have landed in each of the girl's stockings that were hanging on the mantelpiece to dry. The father eventually found out who the gift giver was and was so moved he told everyone in town about Nicholas.
This was not only the origin of Santa Claus but also one reason for oranges—which represent bags of gold—in our stockings.
They Exemplify the Season of Giving
This last theory might be my favorite. Some say that the orange exemplifies the season of giving, as the orange segments can be easily shared with others—and I just love that! And it makes me think of the times I've shared an orange with someone. I'll always remember splitting an orange with my friend, Brooke, in English class senior year, which was the last period of the day before lacrosse practice. Maybe it was a placebo effect, but I swear it made me play better and was one of the reasons I became interested in how nutrition affects the body.
I also think of the countless times my mom would reach back in the car to hand me half of her orange, and the numerous dried-up orange peels we'd always find in her van. And just like there's an unwritten rule in my family that if you're making a cup of tea, you need to ask everyone else in the room if they want one too (and never finish the milk without leaving some for Mom's tea), the same can be said for sharing oranges. And those juicy little segments just make it so easy to share.
St. Nicholas traveled to the house, and tossed three sacks of gold down the chimney for each of the dowries. The gold happened to land in each of the girls' stockings which were hanging by the fire to dry. The oranges we receive today are a symbol of the gold that was left in the stockings.
They're Said to Represent a Gift of Gold from Saint Nicholas
The father eventually found out who the gift giver was and was so moved he told everyone in town about Nicholas. This was not only the origin of Santa Claus but also one reason for oranges—which represent bags of gold—in our stockings.
The holiday tradition may have started during the Great Depression, a time when many families couldn't afford to buy holidays presents and gifted these sweet and hard-to-come-by fruits instead, according to the Kitchn. Waking up on Christmas morning and finding a fresh orange in your stocking was considered a luxury.
Laura Ingalls Wilder referenced her delight in receiving an orange at least twice in her autobiographies of pioneer life. Then the Sunkist brand was created in 1908, making oranges the first produce to have its own ad campaign.
Saint Nicholas knew the family was very poor, so he threw three bags of gold coins down the chimney. The money landed in the sisters' stockings. Since then, children have hung up their Christmas stockings on Christmas Eve, hoping to find them filled with gifts in the morning.
Christingles are oranges wrapped in red tape, decorated with dried fruit or sweets, with a candle on the top. There is no one way to hold a Christingle celebration.
A man would give the orphange a box of oranges for Christmas, and a tree would be put up on Christmas Eve. Each of the children were given an orange on Christmas morning, and this was their only Christmas gift. It tells of the wonderful gift the children gave to Rose and to each other. This is a beautiful little book.
During times when fresh fruit was harder to come by in some areas during the winter months, a sweet apple was as welcome a treat as candy in a Christmas stocking!
So, an orange in the stocking to represent the “ball” of gold. At the end of the 19th century in Europe, gift-giving at Christmas came in rogue. The orange (or any citrus) was a rare and expensive fruit. Thus, it was a treat for children of homes of modest means to get an orange on Christmas morning.
The tradition of receiving an orange at the bottom of a stocking is also an ever-green Christmas tradition. The significance of the orange is thought to have multiple meanings, the first being that the orange symbolises the gold in the tale of St Nicholas.
A Prairie Girl's Faith provides the first extended, in depth discussion of the Christian faith of one of America's most beloved pioneer women–Laura Ingalls Wilder.
A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock-shaped bag that is hung on Saint Nicholas Day or Christmas Eve so that Saint Nicholas (or the related figures of Santa Claus and Father Christmas) can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins or other small gifts when he arrives.
Experience the journey of Rose, an orphan who teaches the meaning of hope to all those around her. Share a slice of Christmas sweetened with friendship in this poignant story based on a clas... Read all.
St. Nicholas traveled to the house, and tossed three sacks of gold down the chimney for each of the dowries. The gold happened to land in each of the girls' stockings which were hanging by the fire to dry. The oranges we receive today are a symbol of the gold that was left in the stockings.
When is the most popular stocking-opening time and who isn't taking part in this pastime? The most popular time for opening stockings, with 32% of respondents, is before the gifts on Christmas morning. My family always does stockings post-gifts, but I'll allow it.
One of the most well-known legends says that he was a guest to a strikingly poor family. To save three daughters from misfortune, he threw three bags of gold into socks that were hung on a chimney to dry. From that time on, stockings or socks were used for gift-giving.
Throughout the Bible, red and green symbolize the life of Jesus. Red is the blood of Jesus Christ, and green is the evergreen tree, representing eternal life as it stays this hue throughout the winter.
If they're willing to peel an orange for you, it indicates a healthy relationship. If they refuse, it's a major red flag. It represents the importance of acts of service in relationships. The 'orange peel theory' symbolizes small acts of kindness in a relationship.
Cultural Significance and Symbolism Throughout history, oranges have held symbolic importance in various cultures. They symbolize fertility, prosperity, and good fortune in many traditions, often featuring prominently in ceremonies, festivals, and religious rituals.
What is the connection between Christmas and oranges? In the Victorian era, only wealthy families could afford the import fees of oranges, which came from Spain and Africa. It was a luxury, so families of modest means would splurge on this delicacy for their children on Christmas, hiding them in their stockings.
Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking
Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-859357714-2000-cacf34941a98436a8ce9ba37af6d6e1f.jpg "Here's Why You Get an Orange in Your Christmas Stocking (1)")
