Why do you put nuts in a stocking?

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, money was tight, and many families simply didn't have the means to buy gifts. Instead, it was such a treat, even a luxury, to find things like a sweet orange or some walnuts in your stocking on Christmas.

Why do people put nuts in Christmas stockings?

Later, when the pagan holidays were folded into Christmas it was said that the three parts of the nut—the shell, skin, and kernel—represented the holy trinity or the bones, skin, and soul of the Saviour himself. Whether it's pagan or Christian, the idea of nuts bringing good luck at Christmastime appears to have stuck.

What is the tradition of walnuts at Christmas?

At Christmas, gilded walnuts were often tied with a narrow red ribbon and hung to the upper boughs of the Christmas tree, at times concealing a hidden fortune or a small trinket. Tradition has it, that this style of ornamental gift must hang on the tree until New Year's Day.

Why do we put stuff in stockings?

Saint Nicholas knew the family was very poor, so he threw three bags of gold coins down the chimney. The money landed in the sisters' stockings. Since then, children have hung up their Christmas stockings on Christmas Eve, hoping to find them filled with gifts in the morning.

What is the tradition of putting oranges in stockings?

They're said to represent a gift of gold from Saint Nicholas

One theory behind the tradition of oranges in the stocking stems from the generosity of Saint Nicholas (also known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle and Old Saint Nick), who was the son of a wealthy merchant and later in life a bishop.

Why do we hang stockings during Christmas?

What is traditionally in a Christmas stocking?

A filled Christmas stocking is usually an empty sock or sock-shaped bag that is hung on Christmas Eve to be filled for Christmas morning. Traditionally they are filled with small gifts such as fruit, nuts, sweets, or toys.

Which fruit is traditionally left in Christmas stockings?

You can eschew the mall madness in favor of sticking a humble orange in your Christmas hosiery. The orange became part of Christmastime tradition in the 19th century, in concert with the rise of hanging stockings near the fire.

What are stockings girls for?

Today, stockings are primarily worn for fashion and aesthetics, usually in association with mid-length or short skirts. A pair of nylon stockings.

What is the history of hanging up stockings?

But where exactly does the holiday tradition come from? According to History.com, hanging stockings comes from a legend about Saint Nicholas. In that legend, Saint Nicholas gave three poor sisters gold coins and dropped the coins down the chimney.

Do you open stockings first or last?

The most popular time for opening stockings, with 32% of respondents, is before the gifts on Christmas morning. My family always does stockings post-gifts, but I'll allow it. That's the runner-up, actually, with 23% of respondents.

Why do we eat 12 on Christmas Eve?

Why do Poles eat 12 dishes during the Christmas Eve dinner? Tradition calls for 12 traditional courses to be served during the Polish Christmas Eve. This number is a symbol of wealth, the 12 Apostles and a representation of the 12 months of the year.

What are 3 traditions of Christmas?

What do walnuts symbolize?

Walnuts are associated with intelligence, wisdom, knowledge, and inspiration. Some Native American tribes believed it symbolized clarity and focus.

How did the tradition of filling stockings begin?

Legend has it that one night Nicholas secretly dropped a bag of gold down the man's chimney knowing that he would never accept the gift willingly. The gold slipped into a stocking that was hanging to dry over the fireplace.

What does fruit in your stocking mean?

The holiday tradition may have started during the Great Depression, a time when many families couldn't afford to buy holidays presents and gifted these sweet and hard-to-come-by fruits instead, according to the Kitchn. Waking up on Christmas morning and finding a fresh orange in your stocking was considered a luxury.

When did the tradition of stockings start?

As far back as 1823, when Clement Clarke Moore (or possibly Henry Livingston Jr.) wrote “A Visit From Saint Nicholas,” stockings were hung near the fireplace, awaiting a visit from Santa Claus.

What are some fun facts about Christmas stockings?

The Christmas stocking tradition started in Europe. Christmas stockings traditionally have the owner's name written on them, so that Santa knows which presents belong to each person. Christmas stockings were originally plain socks, but soon, stockings made especially for the purpose of holding gifts, were designed.

Who started the Christmas stocking?

The Legend of How Christmas Stockings Started

The origin of the Christmas stocking involves a folkloric tale of a kindly Saint Nicholas and a despondent family. This folklore tells the story of a nobleman whose wife had died, leaving him penniless and the sole parent to their three daughters.

Why do we put up Christmas trees?

Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season with pine, spruce, and fir trees, ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness. Did you know?

Why you should wear thigh high stockings?

Thigh-high stockings ensure you are getting the benefits of compression and improved venous circulation up and down the entire leg, which is especially important if you're recovering from surgery or have limited mobility.

Why do people wear stockings with dresses?

Classic sheer, nude pantyhose are worn with dresses to keep from baring legs, and all their imperfections, in formal and professional environments. They're not exactly a style statement, but more of a practicality.

When did stockings go out of style?

But by the 1980s the glam was wearing off. By the 90s, women looking for comfort and freedom began to go au-natural, leaving their legs bare as often as not. In 2006, the New York Times referred to the hosiery industry as “An Industry that Lost its Footing.”

What snack is traditionally left for Santa?

The Christmas Eve snack usually left for Santa consists of milk and cookies, but sometimes he gets carrots as a healthy alternative.

What two food items are traditionally left for Santa on Christmas Eve?

English families leave Santa Claus (also known as Father Christmas) a glass of sherry and a slice of mince pie to warm up on Christmas Eve.

What food is often left out for Santa?

In the United States, many children leave a glass of milk and a plate of cookies for Santa. Some families deviate from the norm by leaving Santa and his reindeer carrots, pizza, or even celery.