THE TRADITIONS LIBRARY
Christmas Stockings
A row of stockings hung with care can be one of the first signs that Christmas is almost here.
For many families, the tradition begins on Christmas Eve, when stockings are hung or placed somewhere special before bed. By morning, they hold small gifts, favourite treats, or other surprises to discover.
Stockings can be handmade and passed down, chosen to suit each person, or as simple as an everyday sock. Their contents and the stories families tell about them vary, but the anticipation of finding what is tucked inside is part of their enduring charm.
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The Traditions Library
0054
CATEGORY
Christmas
FREQUENCY
Annually
AGES
All Ages
COST
Flexible
The Story Behind It
The exact beginnings of the Christmas stocking tradition are uncertain. One well-known legend connects it to Saint Nicholas, who became known through stories of generosity.
In one version, Saint Nicholas learned of a family facing hardship and wanted to help without being recognized. He secretly left gold for the family, and it landed in stockings hanging near the fire to dry. Versions of the story differ, and the tale is a legend rather than a confirmed account of how Christmas stockings began.
References to stockings connected with Saint Nicholas appeared in North American writing in the early nineteenth century. Washington Irving described the custom in an 1812 edition of A History of New York. In 1823, the poem A Visit from St. Nicholas also described stockings hanging by the chimney in anticipation of his arrival.
The tradition continued to change as families made it their own. Ordinary stockings gave way in some homes to larger, decorated ones, but the idea of leaving out a stocking for small surprises remained.
What You'll Need
• A stocking, sock, fabric bag, or other small container for each person taking part.
• A place to hang or set them.
• Optional small treats, notes, useful items, or gifts to put inside.
A fireplace is not needed. Stockings can rest under the tree, sit on a chair, or be placed wherever works for your home.
Make It Your Own
Choose the parts that feel meaningful to your family. Use matching stockings, make your own, reuse the same ones each year, or let everyone choose an ordinary sock.
The surprises inside can be simple: a handwritten note, a favourite snack, a photograph, a small book, or something useful. Some families add an orange; others include an item connected to a shared joke or a memory from the year.
You might open stockings together with breakfast, take turns discovering one item at a time, or invite each person to contribute something thoughtful to someone else’s stocking.
The tradition can be adapted to your budget and circumstances. A stocking filled with a few familiar favourites -or one heartfelt note- can carry just as much anticipation as a larger gift.
How It’s Done
Before Christmas morning, each person’s stocking is hung or placed somewhere it can be found. Some families put them near a fireplace, while others choose a staircase, a shelf, the end of a bed, or another spot in the home.
Small surprises are tucked inside for the recipient to discover. Depending on the family, stockings might be opened first thing in the morning, before other gifts, or at a time chosen together.
Some families include stockings for adults, guests, or pets, too. Others exchange stockings with friends or put one together for someone who could use a little extra care during the season.