Tag Archives: stocking

Christmas Stocking History

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Hanging a Christmas stocking is a tradition that has been followed since times immemorial. It is believed that St. Nicholas would fill the stockings with gifts, on the eve of Christmas. Small kids eagerly wait for his arrival and the gifts that he would bring along with him. They decorate their stockings beautifully and hang them nearby fireplace. Although there are no written records of the origin of Christmas stockings, there are some popular stories that have been believed since generations. One of the most popular legend talks about the history of Christmas. In the article, we have provided interesting information on the origin and history of Christmas stockings.

Origin Of Christmas Stocking
Many centuries back, there lived a poor man in a village. He had three beautiful daughters. His wife had passed away due to some illness and he had spent all his money to cure his wife. Thus, he was left with no money to marry off his daughters. The three daughters were very kind and strong and this is what worried their father even more. He was concerned what would happen to them after his death. One fine day, St. Nicholas was passing through the village, when he overheard the discussion of some villagers talking about the pitiable condition of the three girls. St. Nicholas wanted to help the poor father, but he knew that the old man wouldn’t accept money from him.

St. Nicholas decided to help the family secretly, without letting anybody else know about it. He waited until it was night and stealthily sneaked into their house, through the chimney. He had three bags of gold coins with him, one for each girl. As he was looking for a place to keep those three bags, he noticed stockings of the three girls that were hung over the mantelpiece for drying. He put each bag in each stocking and then went away. When the girls and their father woke up the next morning, they were thrilled to find the bags of gold coins. He happily married off his daughters, one after the other, and they remained happy for the rest of their lives. The story about St. Nicholas being so generous spread throughout the village and then all over the land. Since then, it has been a tradition to hang stocking on Christmas in the hope that St. Nicholas would bring a present
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Christmas Stocking Of Every Style

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A shoe-stocking for everyone

Here’s your chance to cobble Christmas shoe-stockings that play up the interests or per­sonalities of family members. Whether you have a young ballerina, cowboy, basketball star, or other sport or hobby enthusiast, there’s a style that fits. Copy our examples, work from other shoe styles, or invent imaginary footwear. No names need go on these stockings—one look announces for whom they’re intended.

To construct each stocking, start with a piece of off-white artist’s canvas that’s been folded in half. On the top layer, draw the shoe outline and details lightly with pencil, then trace over the lines with permanent markers meant for fabric. Next, paint between the lines with fabric paint.

With the cloth still folded in half, pin through both layers of canvas. Cut around the shoe image, leaving a 1/4  to ‘/2-inch border. Stitch the halves together 1/4 inch from edge, leaving the top open. Zigzag-stitch around the border and along each top edge.

For easy hanging, stitch a loop of sturdy ribbon to the top of the back of each stocking. Finally, stuff the foot with tissue paper or a soft, space-filling gift to give the shoe a three-dimensional look.