A Christmas stocking refers to an empty sock or sock-shaped
bag that children hang on Christmas Eve in the belief that
it is to be filled with presents by Santa Claus. The gifts
are generally of a small nature, consisting generally of
small toys, goodies like candies and fruits, coins or other
such items that are often referred to as stocking stuffers
or stocking fillers. The bigger gifts are wrapped in present
papers and placed near the Christmas tree.
 The
tradition of Christmas stockings is said to have originated
from the actions of a kind noble man named Nicholas, who was
born in 280 AD, in Patara, a city of Lycia, in Asia Minor.
While still young, his wealthy parents died in an epidemic.
A true follower of Jesus Christ's principles, Nicholas
became a Christian priest and used all his riches to help
the poor, the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He
dedicated his life in the service of God and was made Bishop
of Myra at a young age. Bishop Nicholas became known
throughout the land for his kindness and generosity. A true
celibate, Nicholas never married and had no children of his
own. But he loved children greatly and often gave gifts to
the kids of his hometown. This is why, he became known as
the gift giver of Myra. A rich man, he traveled across the
country helping people, giving gifts of money and other
presents. However, Nicholas always gave his gifts late at
night, so that his identity would remain a secret. He did
not like to be seen when he gave away presents, so the
children of the day were told to go to sleep quickly or he
would not come! Nicholas was eventually named the patron
saint of children and sailors (because of his concern for
sailors and ships) and came to be known as Saint Nicholas.
Through the centuries many stories and legends have been
told of Saint Nicholas' life and deeds. One popular account
tells us of a poor peasant who lived happily in a small
cottage in Patara, Saint Nicholas' hometown, with his wife
and three daughters. But their happiness was short-lived
when the wife suddenly died of an illness one day, leaving
the poor man and his three daughters in despair. All the
burden of household chores now fell upon the daughters while
their father trudged on with his life with a heavy heart.
When the daughters reached a marriageable age, the poor
father became even more depressed for he knew he could in no
way marry them off to good men. In those days a young
woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something
of value - a dowry. Without a dowry, this poor man's
daughters were unlikely to marry. The helpless father looked
around desperately for some solution while her daughters did
their own cooking, sewing and cleaning.
Meanwhile, Saint Nicholas had come to know of the poor
peasant and his daughters. Knowing the financial condition
of the father, the kindly saint decided to help him. But he
wanted to do this secretly. So he went to the peasant's
house one night with a bag of gold and waited for the family
to go to bed before he could throw the bag through the open
cottage window.
That night, after finishing their washing for the day, the
daughters had hung their stockings by the fireplace to dry.
Little did they know that their benefactor was hiding
nearby, waiting for them to go to sleep. A little later, as
they turned of the lamps and fell asleep, St. Nicholas
tiptoed to the cottage window and peeked inside. In the
light of the moon, he saw the daughters' stockings hanging
close to his reach. He carefully put in his bag of gold in
one of the stockings and went away as stealthily as he came.
When the father found the bag the next morning and opened
it, he was ecstasic. There was enough gold in the stocking
to pay for the dowry of one daughter. It seemed like a
godsend to him. Who could have sent it, he wondered. With
this timely gift the father was able to provide for his
eldest daughter and saw that she got married to a nice
groom.
On another night Saint Nicholas set off with one more bag of
gold, and threw it carefully into another stocking, so that
the second daughter was provided for.
When his daughters excitedly brought the bag to their father
the following morning and opened it, he could not believe
his eyes. With this gift the father was able to marry off
his second daughter too.
But by this time, the father had grown eager to discover his
mysterious benefactor, and next night he kept on the
lookout. Then, for the third time Saint Nicholas came with a
bag of gold upon his back and walked on to the window. The
old lord at once recognized his fellow townsman. He fell on
his knees before the kindly Bishop, cried out in joy and
gratitude and thanked him with all his heart. With his
blessings of Saint Nicholas, the poor father was able to see
his three daughters get married. He lived a long and happy
life thereafter.
And this is how the tradition of Christmas stockings is said
to have started in the European countries. It is also
believed that Santa Claus is actually an alteration of this
same Saint Nicholas, Santa standing for Saint and Claus for
Nicholas.
Since then children have been hanging Christmas stockings or
putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting for gifts from Santa
Claus. Originally, children simply used one of their
everyday socks, but with time special Christmas stockings
were created for this purpose. Today, Christmas stockings of
a wide variety of styles and sizes can be found in gift
stores across countries. There are also special Christmas
stockings available in the market.
In modern culture, Christmas stockings are also a popular
homemade craft. Some families design unique stockings for
each family member. Many families create their own Christmas
stockings stitching the name of each family member to the
stocking so that Santa knows which stocking belongs to which
family member.
In some countries, the contents of the Christmas stocking
are the only gifts that a child receives at Christmas from
Santa Claus. Western Christmas tradition dictates that a
child who behaves badly during the year will not get a gift
in their Christmas stocking and will receive a piece of coal
instead.
In many places, the Christmas stocking is to be stuffed by a
gift that will stimulate the five sensory organs.
Traditional celebrations of Christmas demand that the
stocking be hung on the fireplace mantel. However, since
many contemporary homes do not have fireplaces, stockings
are hung in almost any location.
Today, children all over the world continue the tradition of
hanging Christmas stockings. Kids of all nations look
forward to Christmas and when the stockings are hung, they
know the most anticipated time of the year is not far
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