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You are here: Home / Language / Where Did the Tradition of Hanging Stockings At Christmas Come From and What Does it Symbolize?

Where Did the Tradition of Hanging Stockings At Christmas Come From and What Does it Symbolize?

February 13, 2020 by Karen Hill

According to legend, the very first gifts St. Nicholas gave were to three very poor girls who needed money for their wedding dowries.

On Christmas Eve they hung their stockings to dry by the fireplace.

St. Nicholas slipped in at night and left gold coins in each of their stockings so they could marry the men they loved.

Until recently, Christmas stockings were filled with nuts and fruit.

The Italians introduced giving a lump of coal to naughty children.

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Filed Under: Language

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

Previous Post: « Where Did the Tradition of Offering Fruits and Nuts During Christmas Originate?
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