The stockings were hung...

It is the time of year when kids are checking their Santa lists, thinking about what kinds of cookies they will put out for the jolly man, and making sure that their stockings are hung by the chimney with care so that Santa Claus can pack them with good stuff. But do you ever wonder why we hang stockings for Santa?

It is thought that Christmas stockings became commonplace in 19th century Europe, but most people reference two different, much earlier, origin stories when considering the inspiration for Christmas stockings. One of the most popular stories dates back to the third century, when a kind priest named Nicholas (who would go on to be Bishop Nicholas, and later would be granted sainthood to become St. Nicholas) was known for his work in helping the less fortunate. During this time, it is said that he heard about a man who had three daughters. This family had lost all of their money, and had nothing to offer a potential suitor in the way of a dowry. The man worried about what would become of his daughters. Legend has it that Nicholas wanted to help this family, and late at night he left bags of gold for each daughter in the stockings they had set over the fire to dry. It is said that this may have inspired others to hang stockings over their fireplaces in hopes that they might be blessed with gifts as well. In some cultures, oranges are placed in the stockings to symbolize the gold that was said to have been placed in the girls’ stockings.

Another story has its origins in pagan mythology and involves the Norse god Odin and his flying white eight-legged horse, Sleipnir. According to mythology, it is said that children would put carrots, straw, and sugar in their boots for Odin’s horse as a gesture of gratitude, and Odin would replace the boot-fillers with treats such as candy. This practice continues today in some countries such as Germany, Holland, and Belgium, but now it is more common to associate the practice with Saint Nicholas, and in Holland the shoes are set out on December 5, which is known as St. Nicholas Eve.

No matter how the tradition started, kids (and some adults) today around the world look forward to waking up on Christmas morning and discovering what small gifts and sweets might have been left for them in their stockings.