Why We Do Stocking Stuffers
The origin of the Christmas stocking is thought to originate from the life of Saint Nicholas.
While there are no written records of the origin of the Christmas Stocking, there are popular legends that attempt to tell the history of this Christmas tradition.
One such legend has several variations, but the following is a good example:
the villagers whom were talking about "the girls" were people St. Nicholas wanted to help. St. Nicholas knew that the old man "the girls father" wouldn't accept charity. He decided to help in secret.
After dark he threw three bags of gold through an open window, one landed in a stocking. When the girls and their father woke up the next morning they found the bags of gold and they were, of course, overjoyed. The girls were able to get married and live happily ever after.
Other versions of the story say that Saint Nicholas threw the three bags of gold directly into the stockings which were hung by the fireplace to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas.
Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. And so, St. Nicholas is a gift-giver.
A tradition that began in a European country originally, children simply used one of their everyday socks, but eventually special Christmas stockings were created for this purpose. These stockings are traditionally used on Saint Nicholas Day although in the early 1800s, they also came to be used on Christmas Eve.
Do you carry the tradition of the Christmas stocking? What gifts are received from the stocking? I conducted a survey to find the twelve most popular stocking stuffer categories with an added twist to fit the new traditions of 2020.
1 Candy
Candy canes
Chocolate
Gum
Mints
The individual persons favorite candy of choice
2 Food
Oranges
Nuts
Cookies
Chips
Beef jerky
Hot chocolate mix
Bag of coffee
3 Small toys
Hot wheel / matchbox cars
Card games
Bouncy ball
Silly putty
Play dough
4 Beauty products
Lip gloss
Hair ties
Scrunchies
Cologne / perfume
Lip moisturizer
Lotion
Nail polish
Makeup brushes
5 Money or gift cards
6 Cozy items
Fuzzy socks
Slippers
Gloves
Scarf
Hat
7 A Christmas Ornament
8 A bottle of wine or sparkling grape juice
9 Craft and art supplies
Crayons
Coloring books
Glitter
Glue
Pens
Pencils
Stickers
Journal
10 Jewelry
Costume jewelry is perfectly fine
Earrings
Bracelets
11 Personal hygiene products
Deodorant (huge choice among the group surveyed)
Face masks
Hand sanitizer
Toothbrush
Bars of soap
Bath bombs
Hairbrush
12 Little gifts
Keychain
Wallet
Coffee mug
Water bottle
Candles
Umbrella
Book
The possibilities of what to stuff your stockings with are limitless. You can create simple little gifts or create from a theme.
How fun would it be to find a stocking filled with hot cocoa items. A theme stocking is always a great idea.
Coffee lovers stocking
Coffee mug
Bag of coffee
Sugar sticks
Sugar cubes
Hot Chocolate lovers stocking
Coffee mug
Hot cocoa mix
Mini marshmallows
Chocolate spoons
Caramel syrup
Smores lovers stocking
Graham crackers
Chocolate bars
Large Marshmallows
Chefs stocking
Pot holder
Apron
Jar of spices
Wooden spoon
A family recipe
Show us your stocking by tagging us in social media @ontrendmagazine on fb and @bygigigregg on instagram or with #ontrendstocking
Happy Holidays!
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