Why Do We Hang Christmas Stockings? History Of The Christmas Stockings

Christmas stockings - whether hung on the mantel, draped over the banister, or tucked at the foot of the bed - are as essential to holiday magic as a mug of hot cocoa (with extra marshmallows, please).

Some are lovingly handmade, others are store-bought classics, and a few are treasured keepsakes that have seen many Christmas mornings. No matter the style, stockings are a tradition that brings out the kid in all of us.

But have you ever wondered where this tradition actually came from? The history of the Christmas stocking is filled with a dash of folklore and a sprinkle of wonder.

And stick around for our ultimate list of stocking-stuffer ideas - perfect for little ones, and for the “kids at heart” who never outgrow the joy of digging through a stuffed stocking!

The origin story of the Christmas stockings

As the story goes, in the 4th century, there was a nobleman with three daughters and a serious dowry dilemma. Enter Saint Nicholas: stealthy, generous, and all about spreading cheer. Instead of handing over the gold directly (that would be too easy), he decided to get creative. One night, he slipped by and tossed three gold spheres down the chimney. The gold landed - get this - right in the daughters’ stockings drying by the fire. Talk about a lucky shot!

The thrilled father spread the word, and Saint Nick’s reputation as the ultimate secret Santa took off. And thus, the Christmas stocking tradition was born, reminding us that sometimes, holiday magic really does come down the chimney.

When did we begin hanging up stockings?

The Christmas stocking tradition may seem timeless, but it’s taken quite the journey to get to the cozy, red felt versions we know today. It started with Washington Irving, who, in 1809, described stockings hung by the chimney on St. Nicholas Eve, magically filled by morning. Then Clement Clark Moore’s The Night Before Christmas sealed the deal in 1823 with that famous line: “the stockings were hung by the chimney with care.”

But by 1883, not everyone was sold. The New York Times lamented that stockings might become obsolete, thanks to the allure of German Christmas trees, which didn’t discriminate by stocking size. After all, New England stockings were snug fits (great for knitting needles but not much else), while Chicago-style stockings were so cavernous they practically required a bank loan to fill. The saggy woolen stockings weren’t exactly festive either.

Enter the “Smith Christmas Stocking” - an upgrade in form and function. Elastic, with a “water-tight metallic compartment” in the toe for sticky treats, it brought stockings back into style. By the late 19th century, red felt stockings had found their place by the fire, finally solving the holiday dilemma and giving us the stocking tradition that still brings magic to Christmas morning.

Why do some people put oranges in their stockings?

The humble orange has earned its spot in Christmas stockings for a few good reasons, each one adding a splash of sweetness to the holiday tradition.

First, there’s the legend of St. Nicholas and his famous gold spheres. When gold coins were hard to come by, people started substituting oranges, which just happened to look like little golden orbs. Talk about a citrus twist on a classic tale!

Then there’s the Great Depression theory: in an era when gifts were sparse, an orange was an affordable luxury - rare, juicy, and a genuine treat in the middle of winter.

And finally, the orange has a symbolic side, too. Its easy-to-share segments represent generosity and the spirit of the season. A single orange could be split among friends and family, reminding everyone of the joy in giving.

Why do we hang Christmas stockings?

Waking up on Christmas morning to a stocking stuffed with treats and goodies - now that's a holiday tradition that never gets old. But where did this charming ritual begin?

While there’s no official origin story, the most beloved tale centers around a down-on-his-luck widower with three daughters. According to legend, the father couldn't afford gifts for his girls, and one Christmas, kind-hearted St. Nick got wind of their plight. Noticing the daughters' stockings hung by the fireplace to dry, he dropped a few gold coins down the chimney. They landed perfectly in each stocking, sparking a tradition that would spread far and wide.

Another popular theory brings us to St. Nicholas’s feast day on December 6. In this version, kids would leave their shoes outside, stuffed with hay for St. Nick's donkey. In the morning, the hay had magically turned to gold coins. Who wouldn’t love to trade hay for treasure?

And if a few gold coins don’t make it into our stockings this year? We’d happily take some chocolate coins instead, Santa!