While Australian families may not follow the tradition of hanging Christmas stockings over fireplaces (how many of us have functioning fire places these days after all?) the tradition of the stocking continues and, as a motif, it appears constantly in contemporary Christmas imagery.

Like any phenomenon that has travelled the globe, survived for generations and been adopted passionately by myriad communities, the history of the humble stocking is a controversial one. Most intriguing though is the idea that the Dutch are the originators of the tradition, in keeping with the fact that, in yesteryear, Dutch littlies would leave their clogs by the fireplace with straw for the reindeer to eat. In return, Santa - or Sinterclass - would leave a thank you treat.

Another fascinating story is that of a widowed nobleman who, after a series of unfortunate events, ends up poverty stricken and unable to provide dowries for his three daughters to marry. One night Saint Nick sees the girls’ stockings hanging by the fire to dry and, knowing the father’s plight, he takes pity and throws three pouches of gold down the chimney and into the stockings. Voilà!

There are numerous other stories but, regardless, the practice continues all over the world today. An empty sock or sock-shaped bag is hung, most often on Christmas Eve, so that Santa can fill it with small toys, lollies, fruit, money or other small gifts when he arrives. These small items are often referred to as stocking stuffers or stocking fillers.


• In Puerto Rico children put flowers and greens in small boxes and place them under their beds for the camels of the Three Kings.

• Italian children leave their shoes out in January for La Befana, the good witch.

• In France the children place their shoes by the fireplace, a tradition dating back to when children wore wooden peasant shoes.

• Remember... the child who behaves badly during the year only gets a piece of coal.

While everyday socks might have been the forerunners of modern stockings, nowadays shops carry all kinds of styles and sizes of Christmas stockings and, of course, making  your own versions is a pastime we heartily support!

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