Christmas Stocking History
Made of wool, felt and fabric, Christmas stockings are decorated with glitter, lace, tassels, ribbon, beds and fringes.
Usually, the colors resemble Christmas were red, white and green e predominantly used. However, deeper colors may also be used such as royal purple, navy blue and pink. There is no hard and fast rule in making Christmas stockings. In fact, there are many patterns to choose from.
Did you know that there is a story behind every Christmas stocking that hangs just above the fireplace? Legend has it that the first stocking was made by a poor man who was widowed. He had three beautiful daughters and all of them lived in poverty.
Soon after, the daughters grew up to become lovely ladies. Unfortunately, the three daughters were not capable of being married since they have no dowries. At that time, dowries are required for girls to bring into the family of their potential husbands. This made the father very sad and disappointed.
One night, the girls hang their newly washed stockings to dry just above the fireplace mantel. Saint Nicholas knew and heard of the unfortunate plight of the daughters and their father that he visited the family’s place while everybody else was sleeping.
At that very instance, Saint Nicholas took some gold coins that have been placed in three small pouches and tossed each of them in the girls’ stockings. When the girls woke up the following morning, they were surprised to find out that inside their dry stockings was a pouch of gold coins. With all these treasures on hand, the ladies are now eligible for marriage. Further, the legend also mentioned that the girls were able to marry noblemen and they lived happily ever after.
At present, Christmas stockings are something that one home cannot live without during the holidays. They are for special gifts that you least expected to receive. There are gifts that come in small packages while there are those that are big enough that the stockings will not be able to accommodate.
Personalized Christmas Stockings
Visit Gifts for You Now for a large selection of personalized Christmas Stockings for decorating your own home or for giving as a gift!
Make a difference this year by filling your Christmas stockings with mementos that you once had when you were small. This is just for the laugh but the gesture will remind you of those good old days where you will find fruits, homemade clay ornaments, children’s drawings, and toys crafted from wood, baked sugar cookies or candy canes in red and white stripes.
Presently, some of the most common items that are ideal for Christmas stockings are cologne, cherries that have been dipped and covered in chocolates, scented lotion, fancy shoelaces, key chains, flashlights and magnets. Actually, you can put just about anything. What is more important is you are able to re-create the legend at your own place.
What a cute story ! Never knew there was so much history behind these stockings. Thanks for sharing this.
Happy Thanksgiving !
November 24th, 2011 at 8:02 am