Among Friends

[Shanus]

I don’t celebrate Christmas, but always wondered about the meaning of everyone in the family having a stocking. Is there a story or explanation behind this?

[2blonde]

@Shanus  That's a good question.......I'm sure someone here will have an answer for us.  I just wanted to say, Shanus, that I enjoy your posts and I hope today is a better day for you.  Sometimes misunderstandings come from the written word, as it's often difficult to know one's true feelings.  I feel that you and many others here are my friends, and I would never knowlingly do anything to hurt your feelings!  

[Shanus]

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@2blonde wrote:

@Shanus  That's a good question.......I'm sure someone here will have an answer for us.  I just wanted to say, Shanus, that I enjoy your posts and I hope today is a better day for you.  Sometimes misunderstandings come from the written word, as it's often difficult to know one's true feelings.  I feel that you and many others here are my friends, and I would never knowlingly do anything to hurt your feelings!  

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@2blonde  I really love to hear you say that. Most of us, myself included, try to be kind and if have an opposing opinion, do so in a kind way. I do post a lot. The law of averages, I’m bound to get a little flack...certainly never intended. 👩‍❤️‍👩 (Think that’s friends, right?)

[Shanus]

Ah, come on Ladies. What’s w/ my getting poofed inappropriate replies? This is not an awkward question re: Christmas stockings. 

[Sweetbay magnolia]

Ours is a family tradition, much enjoyed.  I'm not observant of a particular or recognized faith.

There are some "pioneers" on the rungs of my family tree, and seriously, I think just finding some land in order to farm and survive was the emphasis.  My family traditions are mostly secular.

[Shanus]

My ds and dd both married Catholic spouses. I wanted them to feel “at home” visiting during the holidays, so incorporated a pre-lit artificial Hanukkah tree into our decor. It has Hanukkah ornaments (Christopher Radko makes gorgeous ones), non-religious ones like china beagles w/ their names on it, an ornament of photo frame w/ each couples’ pic, etc. Now my granddaughters have added snowflakes, Star of David pictures they make/cut out and enjoy putting on the tree each year. 

My dil has a tiny tree on a table in their house, but so appreciates this tree because it brings back holiday memories when she was growing up. Of course, Hanukkah and Christmas gifts pile up quickly under the tree. 

I know the tree signifies our acceptance of their spouses. 

[BaileyBop]

GOOGLE would be a great place to start

[Shanus]

For anyone interested, according to Google, St. Nicolas placed gold coins down the chimney for 3 poor sisters and they landed in their stockings. Children began hanging their stockings on the mantel hoping St. Nicolas would fill theirs will coins, as well. More info available in Dutch lore.

[beckyb1012]

I never really knew for certain the real reason for stockings other than that was the only place for his gifts.  Nothing under a tree for a long long time.

When I was a child it was just for fruit, candy and very smallish inexpensive fun gifts.  For my son one item was always an M&M candy cane in his every year.  The year he was 19 he asked if I was mad at him?  There was no M&M candy cane in his stocking just small gifts and a bit of cash.  Well now he is 35 with his own family and I still give him and his family their own stockings with M&M candy canes in all four.  Children, regardless of their age you got love them!!!!!!!!!  Makes me smile to think he still wants that stocking on Christmas morning.