Guide Note

Christmas stockings are empty socks or sock-shaped bags that children hang on Christmas Eve so that Santa Claus will fill them with small presents.

Fast Facts

1. Common thought that the tradition began in Germany
2. Made from socks or fabric sewn into sock shaped bags
3. Commonly filled with small presents, including socks, candy and fruit
4. Hung on the fire place mantel traditionally, but can be hung anywhere if the home does not contain a fire place
5. Tradition states that a child who misbehaved throughout the year will receive a lump of coal in his or her stocking

Legend believes that originally wooden clogs were filled with straw and left by a fire place on Christmas Eve as a treat for Santa's reindeer. Once the reindeer were finished eating the straw, Santa would leave small gifts in the clogs for the children. Said to have originated in the 1500s, the tradition has become a mainstay of Christmas culture around the world.

Upgrading from hanging regular socks on the mantel, modern stockings come in a variety of colors, sixes and designs. The traditional stocking is red, with a white cuff at the top. Many stockings are decorated with the name of the child or owner of the gifts inside. Folk lore says that the "nice" children will receive gifts in their stockings, while "naughty" children will only receive a lump of coal.