One of the things that kids used to look forward to most about Christmas wasn’t actually the main present but rather the stocking that they hung before bed the previous night. The stuffed stocking was the first sign that Santa had successfully found their home and when they woke up and saw it dangling at the end of their beds they would be wide awake in seconds, rummaging through it and digging down for all those goodies. Most stockings would be filled with clever little novelty items and candy and of course, in some countries, a fresh Satsuma orange.
Origins and Traditions
What goes into a Christmas stocking is generally based on the traditions of the country in which it is hung. The country may have specific traditions according to cultural or legendary stories, which means that something special might go inside every stocking for every child. The idea of the Christmas Stocking originated, allegedly in Europe—possibly of Germanic or Scandinavian origin—and the children used one of their actual socks before the Christmas stocking was created.
Many stories indicate that the actual stocking contents are all the presents that only Santa brings for the children, whereas the bigger present under the tree are from the parents. However, other stories differ and many stories are an amalgamation of all the favorite parts so that no one misses out. But on the flip side, any child who had been bad was always threatened with the customary lump of coal in their stocking, encouraging children to behave throughout the year.
Christmas stockings can be made from more or less any pliable material, such as wool, cotton, silk, satin, lace and anything that can be stitched without splitting. You can even get a burlap Christmas stocking or something made from jute—more or less the same material—and hemp or sisal fibers. As long as the material is natural and safe it could be used. Most stockings can also be dyed in accordance with regulation Christmas colors of either red and white or green and white. In true Santa tradition, most stockings are hung either on the post at the foot of the bed or on a nail over the fire place mantle.
To locate your own perfect burlap Christmas Stocking check out the Burlap store website for a list of their products and prices.
