by Betty Carew

Created on: December 10, 2008

It's absolutely amazing that we follow a tradition that has been a part of Christmas for many years by hanging our stockings up on Christmas Eve for Santa to fill yet very few of us have knowledge of the history of how the Christmas stockings got started. We do know that it just wouldn't be Christmas without the hanging of the stocking and the anticipation of what we will find in there the next morning. There are a few explanations of how this tradition came about and each country seems to have its own version.

Holland's theory is that the children would leave their shoes (clogs) by the fireplace on Christmas Eve filled with straw for reindeer or donkeys. Near the fire the children would leave a treat for what was called Sinterclass. They hoped that in return for this kindness Sinterclass would leave the children treats. It is thought that the Dutch introduced the stocking to North America during the 16th century and when you think of it there is not a big jump from Sinterclass to Santa Claus.

Another theory goes that there was a nobleman who had fallen on hard times after the death of his wife fell into a deep depression. This nobleman had three daughters. At that time daughters could not be married if they didn't have a dowry. The nobleman and his daughters moved into a small cottage and as his daughters came closer to the marrying age the father became more depressed due to his financial circumstances.

One night after washing their daily clothing they hung their stockings by over the fireplace to dry. After they retired for the night Saint Nicholas knowing the depression the father was in took three bags of gold from his pouch, with great care he threw them down the chimney right into the stockings that were hung there. The next morning when the daughter arose they found the gold in their stockings and went on to marry three fine men. The father and daughters lived happily ever after.

North America has its own theory. It is said that the Christmas stocking dates back to many years and the earliest mention of stockings being hung was by Thomas Nast who was an illustrator along with writer George Webster. They put together a story about a visit from Santa Claus.

Each country offers their own version of how the stocking got started for example in Puerto Rico a child will place a small box under their beds, in this box are flowers and greens. These are meant for the camels of the Three Kings. In Italy children leave their shoes out on the eve before Epiphany which

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