Hanging up
Christmas Stockings -
The stockings were hung by the chimney
with care. This is a rather odd tradition when you think of it's
history. Why would anyone hang stockings by the chimney?
Centuries ago, hanging items of clothing by the fireplace (chimney) was
the only way to dry washed items when hanging clothing outside was not
an option.
It is thought that the tradition of
hanging stockings came about from the Dutch who used to leave their
clogs by the fireplace on Christmas Eve. The Dutch children would
fill their clogs with hay or straw for the reindeer to eat and they
would leave food for St. Nicholas as well. Eventually, the clogs
were replaced with the tradition of hanging stockings.
Another story of the Christmas stocking
comes from the United Kingdom. Once upon a time there was a
nobleman who had 2 daughters and a wife. He squandered away the
family fortune and the family was forced to move to a peasant cottage.
The daughters had to learn to cook, sew and launder for the family.
Being reduced to poverty, the once nobleman realised that he would not
have a dowry to give when his daughters married. He was crushed
and depressed.
One evening the daughters had washed the
clothes and hung their stockings up to dry. St. Nicholas, who
happened to live in the area, was passing by and knew of the family's
situation. St. Nicholas knew of the daughters who remained happy,
kind and hopeful despite their rather bleak future. St. Nicholas
peered into the windows of the peasant cottage and taking pity on the
girls, put gold coins in their stockings so that they might be able to
marry into a better station in life.
Christmas Presents
Under a Christmas Tree
There are various explanations about why
presents are put under a decorated Christmas tree. One of our
favorites of course comes from the old Rankin & Bass "Santa
Claus is Coming to Town" movie from the 1950's.
Christmas Caroling through the Neighbourhood -
