The History of the Christmas Stocking
One of the most significant and meaningful traditions of the holiday season is the hanging of bright, festive Christmas stockings above the fireplace mantle. For years, families in the United States have been practicing this tradition in preparation for that special day of spiritual celebration and giving.
Although in modern times the Christmas stocking is often used as a festive receptacle for small gifts for children and loved ones, there are many legends associated with the actual history of the Christmas stocking.
The Dutch theory of the Christmas stocking
Many believe that the Dutch introduced the Christmas stocking to America. It's been said that during the 16th century, children in Holland would leave their clogs by the hearth filled with straw for the reindeer (or "donkey").
A treat for Santa was left in the house near the fire, and in return, "Sinterclass" would leave the children treats. Eventually the clogs would become stockings hung on a mantel, and the saint known to all would become "Santa Claus."
The poor, kind nobleman theory of the Christmas stocking
Some believe there was once a kind nobleman whose wife died after an illness, leaving the nobleman and his three daughters in utter despair. After losing all of his money in useless inventions, the nobleman and his daughters were forced to move into a peasant's cottage. When the time came for the daughters to marry, the father became even more depressed, as his daughters could not marry without dowries.
One night after the daughters had washed 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 after the family had gone to bed. He peeked in the window and saw the daughters' stockings hanging by the fire.
Inspiration struck Saint Nicholas, and he took three small bags of gold from his pouch and threw them carefully, one by one, down the chimney into 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.
The North American theory of the Christmas stocking
Others still claim that in North America, the traditional Christmas stocking actually dates back to the end of the 19th century. Some believe the first mention of Christmas stockings being hung from a chimney was in a story about a visit from Santa Claus. Written by George Webster, the book shows illustrations of these colorful stockings drawn by Thomas Nast, Webster's illustrator.
Cultural variations in the celebration of the Christmas stocking
No matter the origin of the custom, families the world over continue to practice some act associated with the tradition of the Christmas stocking. In Puerto Rico, children put flowers and greens in small boxes and place them under their beds for the camels of the three kings; Italian children leave their shoes out the night before Epiphany, January 5, for La Befana the good witch; and in France, the children place their shoes by the fireplace, a tradition dating back to when children wore wooden peasant shoes. An African take on the tradition is Christmas stockings made from mudcloth.
No matter the origin or history, the celebration and tradition of the Christmas stocking is a meaningful part of holiday cheer the world over.