“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”
– A Visit From Saint Nicholas
These lines were written by Clement Clark Moore in 1823 and since then, the Christmas stocking has been a favorite of children (and adults) all over the world. St. Nicholas became famous for putting goodies in stockings when he was trying to help a family with money.
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It's Day 12 and we are ready to Hang the Stockings by the Chimney with Care!
Today I want to share with you Christmas traditions about stockings and maybe influence you to start some of your own! The Christmas stocking is our favorite tradition of all that we do throughout the holiday!
You can find stockings of all kinds. Ours is in the shape of an over-sized sock and personalized with a gold initial for each family member. My mother-in-law made gorgeous stockings for each grandchild that were needlepointed and had their names written out entirely across the top.
Our stockings are hung on each side of the fireplace, but in the past they have hung on the banister of the staircase, hanging from a shelf on a bookcase, hanging from a fireplace mantel that decorated our home (but no fireplace!!) and from the posts of our four-poster bed.
One of our traditions is to put a box of movie candy in the stocking for the movie we will watch or attend later in the day. Office supplies are a big part of our stockings, especially when we were both teachers. Often a fancy candy cane will appear or a golden Cutie in the toe of the stocking.
The stockings are the first thing we open on Christmas morning. Our daughter passes them out to everyone and then we open one wrapped stocking stuffer at a time, taking turns. It makes the stockings last longer! Once we have opened all the stocking stuffers, all the stockings are restuffed with the gifts, the paper thrown away and the stockings set aside.
Each year we give each other gifts of clothing. Some do fit in our stockings, like some of the fun items you will find at Rave Clothing. You have to check them out for those unique, fun clothing ideas!
What traditions do you have in your family?
What traditions do you have in your family?
Scroll down for even more Christmas Stocking Ideas you can use this holiday season!
Even thought all the kids are grown, I still hang and fill stockings for them, the grandkids and the dog. Whenever we have a new grandchild born in the family, I immediately order his or her stocking from the same place I ordered stockings for my kids. They have their names embroidered on them. I can't wait to check out all the stocking posts.
ReplyDeleteSanta always filled the stocking and laid them on the end of the kids beds. It kept them entertained for awhile while we slept longer
ReplyDeleteThese are some great stockings. Santa fills ours and leaves them on the couch. We do go through those first on Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWe've done stockings since I was a girl, and my family does them, too. Heck, my mom and dad STILL have a stocking on the mantle for me when we go over there.
ReplyDeleteI still like any Christmas stockings. I give one to my husband and my son. It's just fun to get small little gifts that you don't normally buy.
ReplyDeleteStockings are so much fun and really a great way to show your holiday spirit. All those different stockings looked so festive I loved all the colors and styles.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like hanging up your stockings ready for Santa to visit! I love how you have yours hanging around the home!
ReplyDeleteWe have a tradition of meeting at my mom's house on Christmas Eve. The kids get to open 1 present at midnight. We wake early for breakfast and then head home to open the gifts under our tree
ReplyDeleteMy family loves the tradition of Christmas stockings. The kids get to open their stockings Christmas Eve so they have something to open before Christmas morning.
ReplyDeleteI love learning about other people celebrate the holidays. Thanks for sharing your stocking traditions!
ReplyDeleteWe no longer do stockings since becoming empty nesters but we always wrapped each individual stocking stuffer like you do to keep the kids busy a bit longer so we could sleep a bit more. They always found them laying under the tree with their "santa gifts".
ReplyDeleteWe have a fun stocking tradition. Every year, I take each of my girls to the store and they each pick out what they want to buy for their sisters. Then we fill each stocking.
ReplyDeleteWe always open our stockings first on Christmas morning too. They are a lot of fun and we usually stuff ours with sweet treats.
ReplyDeleteWe always start with stocking and go around one at a time too! Sometimes the kids get impatient, but I love seeing the look on their faces when they open each gift.
ReplyDeleteWe always hang our stockings and that is the first thing that the kids open on Christmas day. They are always stuffed with lots of fun goodies :)
ReplyDeleteThe stockings are typically the first thing that everyone goes to when Christmas morning comes. There is usually a couple pieces of candy in it- but they also get necessities like socks or underwear or gloves, etc.
ReplyDeleteThat was our traditions that should not be missing in our home. I love choosing different kinds of stockings because they are really cute and beautiful! I love those stockings!
ReplyDeleteYou know we do stockings here and there but, have never done them every year. I just find it hard to come up with ideas to fill them with. These are great ideas.
ReplyDeleteI guess most of the people are running this kind of stockings tradition in their houses. Way back when I was young, I thought Santa is really putting gifts in the socks that I hang because I have been good all year round.
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