Does anyone of you hang stockings, (or even pillow cases or linen bags ) anywhere in the house during the season for Santa Clause to fill with toys? It’s an age-old tradition which is still observed by many.

As most of these traditions have roots in foreign lands, Christmas stockings were originally hung near the chimney on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus to fill it with goodies.... Generally what is symbolised as a Christmas stocking is an empty sock or a bag that is given the shape of a sock.

stockings

The children in the United States and some other countries have been following this tradition of hanging a Christmas stocking, believing that Father Christmas (as he is known in the US) will fill it with sweets and gifts for them.

The items that are believed to be stuffed in the Christmas stocking by Santa Claus are known as stocking stuffers.

As with the origin of the famous jolly old man who captivates the heart of both the young and the old during the season, there is an interesting story to the origin of the

This tradition is said to have originated with a story told since ancient time about a kind noble man who had three daughters.

How the story goes....

The wife of the nobleman had died leaving him and the daughters in a state of sorrow. The daughters had to do all the work in the house. When the daughters became young and it was time to give them in marriage, the poor father could not afford to give the huge dowries required to their husbands.

One evening the three daughters had hung their stockings near the fireplace to be dried, after washing .

The ever generous soul, good old Santa Claus who had been deeply moved by their plight had secretly put a bag of gold in each of the stockings hanging by the chimney. The next morning the family noticed the gold bags and was so jubilant because now the the nobleman had enough money to give his daughters in marriage.

The daughters soon got married and they lived happily ever after thanks to the three bags of gold put inside the stockings.

Since then children have been hanging Christmas stockings either near the chimney or elsewhere in houses that do not have chimneys.The Christmas stockings are traditionally hung on the fireplace.

But as most of the modern homes do not have a fireplace, any location is suitable for hanging the Christmas stockings.

Gifts play a prominent role at Christmas time and usually Christmas stockings are supposed to have only the gifts given by Santa Claus while all the other gifts given by parents, family and friends are wrapped in beautiful papers and placed near the Christmas tree. And remember your overall conduct is very important for the stocking to be stuffed with gifts.

It is believed that a child who misbehaves during the year will not get a gift in his or her Christmas stocking.

In many traditions the Christmas stocking is to be stuffed by a gift that will stimulate the five sensory organs.

The gift given by Santa Claus would be something to eat, a thing that makes a sound and gives a pleasant view to the eyes or gift which has a lovely fragrance.

In the modern culture there are special Christmas stockings available in the market. Some families design unique stockings for each family member.