It is a familiar sight in households around the world at Christmas. Stockings of all shapes, colours and sizes hung up ready to be filled with delightful goodies. However, who were the first people to put stockings out for Christmas? What is the tradition behind hanging Christmas stockings? In addition to this, what Christmas gifts do you put inside a traditional stocking? We hope this blog answers these and many other questions surrounding this seasonal custom.
A Long, Long Time Ago.
We need to travel back to the time of Saint Nicolas, and the era of the Roman Empire. In the early 4th Century, Nicholas of Maya (also known as Nicholas of Bari), a Christian Bishop, gained a reputation among the pious and the poor for his generosity and kindness. Though little is truly known about Bishop Nicholas, it is believed he was the son of wealthy Christian parents.
Legends surrounding Nicholas proclaim he restored life to three children, killed by a butcher and put in a tub of brine during a time of famine. Likewise, he reputedly calmed the stormy seas during a voyage, saving the ship he travelled on from a watery grave. Nicholas is therefore also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker and became one of the earliest Christian Saints. Likewise, his legendary habit of secret gift giving gave rise to his famous, traditional role, of Santa Claus.
One of the earliest attested accounts on Nicholas describes a time when he saved 3 young girls from being forced into prostitution. Secretly Nicholas visited the home of the poor father and threw a bag of gold, (some say through an open window, others say down the chimney), to be used as a dowry for the oldest girl. Legends say that the bag of gold, sometimes described as a ball of gold, landed in a stocking hung by the fireplace to dry! Once married he revisited the home and repeated his generous gift for each of the other two girls in turn. Therefore, often, 3 gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are associated with Saint Nicholas. Perhaps this is also the reason we often see chocolate gold coins in a modern-day stocking?
It is also believed this is the origin behind the use of the pawnbroker's symbol, of three gold balls! His legendary habit of secret gift giving gave rise to his famous, traditional role, of Santa Claus, and the first stories of stockings evolved!
A legend is born
Many believe that tales of Saint Nicholas' secret night-time visits of gifts spread far and wide. Children began hanging their stockings up, or placing shoes out, in the hope they too could benefit from his generosity. In the Netherlands, another legend, of a character called Sinterklass, influenced by the story of Saint Nicholas, also leads us to the history of Christmas stockings. Sinterklass and his assistant Zwarte Piet, travelled the land on a white horse and mule. Sinterklass represents Saint Nicholas as a Bishop, dressed in a red cape, with a long white beard and a red mitre. Children left hay, carrots and other food gifts out for the travellers in their clogs. In return, Sinterklass ans Zwarte Piet filled the clogs with sweet treats, nuts and small toys.
Traditionally these exchanges took place on the feats of Sinterklass, St. Nicholas' name day, 6th December. The Dutch colonists in America continued this tradition, eventually substituting clogs for their stockings!
Christianity and folklore combine
It is certain, therefore, that the tradition of the Christmas stocking, as we know it, originated from Europe. The stocking has morphed out of legend, folklore and the rise of Christianity. Mid-winter festivals and traditions merged with Christian teachings. Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Christ on 25th December became a firm date in everyone's calendar. Santa Claus visits homes on Christmas eve and fills the stockings with treats and delights! Just like the story of Saint Nicholas, the stockings have evolved too. From mere clogs or items of clothing, to elaborate, specially designed stockings in plush colours and styles. What do you find in the stocking on Christmas morning though? Are they only filled with treats for good children?
Stocking fillers, naughty or nice?
Traditionally, as explained earlier, stockings held gifts of fruit, nuts, coins and small toys or ornaments. Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, rewards good boys and girls by filling their stocking and often leaving wrapped presents under the tree. For naughty children however, there remains the ever-present threat of finding coal in your stocking.
There are a few theories to the origins of this. The first takes us back to the Dutch clog tradition, where Sinterklass filled clogs left by the fireplace with treats, if good, or just coal if naughty. In Italy, there is a tradition predating Santa Claus of an old woman (witch) called Befana. Befana visits children on Epiphany Eve, like Santa, leaving treats to the good girls and boys. However, she leaves onions, garlic or coal for the naughty! Of course, some might see coal as gift, in impoverished homes where fuel remained a luxury for keeping the home warm!
Hang your stocking!
What is the tradition behind hanging Christmas stockings? We hope to have answered your question! Your stocking can be a simple sock, or an extravagant, personalised decoration, but we don't think you'll beat the world record for the largest stocking! According to the Guiness book of World Records, that record is held by Pubblica Assistenza Carrara e Sezioni (in Italy). In 2011, their stocking measured a massive 51.35m in the leg and 21.63m heel to toe! Now that certainly needs a lot of treats to fill! Hang your stocking in the best place for you. The fireplace, your bedpost, a doorknob or under the tree, Santa will find it! However, it doesn't matter what it looks like, how big it is or where you hang it, just make sure you are good!
Thanks for reading our blog. Here at Sweet and Nostalgic we love sharing history and traditions and if you need inspiration for some cracking stocking fillers, please visit our online store. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
