Christmas Stockings – Our Favourite and a Brief History

It’s now become an important part of a traditional Christmas in the UK and around the world for children to leave a Christmas stocking at the end of their bed, on their door or by the fireplace on Christmas eve, in order for Santa to deliver gifts to it in the middle of the night.

There has been a big rise in the number of people choosing to buy a personalised Christmas stocking or a Christmas sack, this is because they are something that the child will feel is unique to them and something they can get out each year and hang up with excitement. But how did this tradition start and transformed over the years?

Personalised Retro Reindeer Luxury Stocking

The red velvet stocking with soft plush white cuff combined with the stylish personalisation has a traditional feel to it that would fit in whatever the Christmas decoration theme you choose, which makes this a perfect Christmas stocking for anyone.

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Stockings Then & Now

Though there is no definitive explanation, it is thought the history of stockings is based on the legend of St Nicholas who left gold in stockings of one poor man’s daughters. Some sources mention that the tradition dates back to the 12th century when nuns in France started leaving sacks or stockings which had food, such as fruit and nuts, in them for people in need, being inspired by the St Nicholas story.

The sock shaped sack which is now the traditional shape for any Christmas stocking often features a Christmas design or theme, typically in green, red and gold, is left out on the 24th, which is Christmas eve in the UK, for Santa/Father Christmas to fill up.

A long running theme is that if a child doesn’t behave well and is naughty then they will receive a lump of coal in their stocking. Luckily for kids, this isn’t something that is actually practised and rather serves as a leverage for adults who want their children to behave well in the run up to the special day. The stockings are filled up with small gifts, chocolate coins, sweets, toys, fruit or little useful items such as a new toothbrush, pencil case or colouring book, depending on each family’s tradition.

Stockings are not necessarily placed by the fireplace anymore as the tradition of stocking has relaxed over the last century and families have been experimenting with the location, fillers and designs. Some popular location alternatives include staircases, mantels, stockings being perched atop entertainment stands or strung across an open wall. So where do you like to leave your stocking and what are your traditional fillers that can’t be missing in your stockings?