The Legend of the Christmas Stocking

“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there”

There was a kindly nobleman whose wife had died of an illness leaving the nobleman and his three stockandaughters in despair. After losing all his money in useless and bad inventions the family had to move into a peasant’s cottage, where the daughters did their own cooking, sewing and cleaning.

When it came time for the daughters to marry, the father became even more depressed as his daughters could not marry without dowries, money and property given to the new husband’s family.

One night after the daughters had washed out their clothing they hung their christmas stockings over the fireplace to dry. That night Saint Nicholas, knowing the despair of the father, stopped by the nobleman’s house. Looking in the window Saint Nicholas saw that the family had gone to bed. He also noticed the daughters stockings. Inspiration struck Saint Nicholas and he took three small bags of gold from his pouch and threw them one by one down the chimney and they landed in 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.

Children all over the world continue the tradition of hanging Christmas stockings. In some countries children have similar customs, in France the children place their shoes by the fireplace, a tradition dating back to when children wore wooden peasant shoes.

In Holland the children fill their shoes with hay and a carrot for the horse of Sintirklass. In Hungary children shine their shoes before putting them near the door or a window sill.

Italian children leave their shoes out the night before Epiphany, January 5, for La Befana the good witch. And in Puerto Rico children put greens and flowers in small boxes and place them under their beds for the camels of the Three Kings.

EPN

TY Beanie Baby 1998 Santa Christmas Tag Protected  picture

TY Beanie Baby 1998 Santa Christmas Tag Protected

$9450.00



VTG Christmas Needlepoint Stocking Hot Air Balloon SANTA Red White Blue Vibe 19

VTG Christmas Needlepoint Stocking Hot Air Balloon SANTA Red White Blue Vibe 19"

$4289.00



Christmas Joys Red Jasper Carved Skull with Stocking Cap and Bag of Toys picture

Christmas Joys Red Jasper Carved Skull with Stocking Cap and Bag of Toys

$2749.00



Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Kid's Christmas Stocking picture

Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Kid's Christmas Stocking

$2700.00



Woof & Poof Christmas Stocking | Collectible Set | Set of 6 picture

Woof & Poof Christmas Stocking | Collectible Set | Set of 6

$2500.00



JAY STRONGWATER ANGEL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY NATIVITY ENAMEL CRYSTAL FIGURINE picture

JAY STRONGWATER ANGEL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY NATIVITY ENAMEL CRYSTAL FIGURINE

$1995.00



1955 Topps Baseball Unopened Pack Christmas Xmas Novelty Toy Stocking Sock NWT picture

1955 Topps Baseball Unopened Pack Christmas Xmas Novelty Toy Stocking Sock NWT

$1899.00



Faux Fireplace Life Size Resin Statue Christmas Theme Holiday Stocking Holder picture

Faux Fireplace Life Size Resin Statue Christmas Theme Holiday Stocking Holder

$1608.85



Handcrafted Olive Wood Nativity Set with Cave from the Holy Land - Bethlehem picture

Handcrafted Olive Wood Nativity Set with Cave from the Holy Land - Bethlehem

$1440.00



1994 Tiffany Sterling Silver Christmas Ornament Stocking Extremely Rare  picture

1994 Tiffany Sterling Silver Christmas Ornament Stocking Extremely Rare

$1200.00



title: christmas