NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Christmas stocking

A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock-shaped bag that children hang on Christmas Eve so that Santa Claus can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins, or other small gifts when he arrives. These small items are often referred to as stocking stuffers or stocking fillers. In some Christmas stories, the contents of the Christmas stocking are the only toys the child receives at Christmas from Santa Claus. Other presents are wrapped up in wrapping paper and placed under the Christmas tree. Tradition in western culture dictates that a child who behaves badly during the year will receive only a piece of coal. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Christmas stockings hung on the fireplace Taken by Elf | Talk December 2003 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Christmas stockings hung on the fireplace Taken by Elf | Talk December 2003 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolutionâ€Ž (1,704 Ã— 2,272 pixels, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolutionâ€Ž (1,704 Ã— 2,272 pixels, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 491 Ã— 599 pixelsFull resolutionâ€Ž (2,316 Ã— 2,826 pixels, file size: 463 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) SC 126784. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 491 Ã— 599 pixelsFull resolutionâ€Ž (2,316 Ã— 2,826 pixels, file size: 463 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) SC 126784. ... The Christmas Eve (1904-05), watercolor painting by the Swedish painter Carl Larsson (1853-1919) Christmas Eve, the evening of December 24th, the preceding day or vigil before Christmas Day, is treated to a greater or a lesser extent in most Christian societies as part of the Christmas season. ... A typical depiction of Santa Claus. ... A teddy bear A toy is an object used in play. ... For other uses, see Candy (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... This article is about monetary coins. ... A typical depiction of Santa Claus. ... Love gift Man presents a cut of meat to a youth with a hoop. ... For other uses, see Christmas tree (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Tradition (disambiguation). ... For this articles equivalent regarding the East, see Eastern culture. ... Coal Example chemical structure of coal Coal (pronounced ) is a fossil fuel formed in swamp ecosystems where plant remains were saved by water and mud from oxidization and biodegradation. ...

By tradition, the stocking is hung on the fireplace mantel, but, since many contemporary homes do not have fireplaces, stockings may be hung in almost any location. Winter (fireplace), tacuinum sanitatis casanatensis (XIV century) A fireplace is an architectural element consisting of a space designed to contain a fire, generally for heating but sometimes also for cooking. ...

The tradition began in Germany. Originally, children simply used one of their everyday socks, but eventually special Christmas stockings were created for this purpose. Today, stores carry a tremendous variety of styles and sizes of Christmas stockings, and Christmas stockings are also a popular homemade craft.Also many other traditions are known oround the world ! For other uses, see Sock (disambiguation). ...

Many families create their own Christmas stockings with each family member's name applied to the stocking so that Santa will know which stocking belongs to which family member.

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Categories: Articles lacking sources from November 2007 | All articles lacking sources | Christmas traditions For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... Image File history File linksMetadata JuletrÃ¦et. ... Topics in Christianity Movements Â· Denominations Â· Other religions Ecumenism Â· Preaching Â· Prayer Music Â· Liturgy Â· Calendar Symbols Â· Art Â· Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul Â· Church Fathers Constantine Â· Athanasius Â· Augustine Anselm Â· Aquinas Â· Palamas Â· Luther Calvin Â· Wesley Arius Â· Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury Â· Catholic Pope Coptic Pope Â· Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box: Christianity is... The Nativity by Caravaggio, 1609. ... A traditional nativity scene from Naples, Italy A nativity scene, also called a crib or crÃ¨che (meaning crib or manger in French) generally refers to any depiction of the birth or birthplace of Jesus. ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... Virgin Mary redirects here. ... For other uses, see Saint Joseph (disambiguation). ... This article is about the archangel Gabriel. ... Three Kings, or Three Wise Men redirects here. ... Anbetung der Hirten (Adoration of the Shepherds) by Carlo Crivelli (1490) The Adoration of the shepherds, in Christian iconography, is a scene in which shepherds are near witnesses to the birth of Jesus, at his birthplace, typically depicted as a barn, near Bethlehem. ... Adoration of the Magi by Florentine painter Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337). ... Herod the Great. ... The Holy Innocents by Giotto di Bondone. ... For other uses, see Nicholas. ... Twelfth Night is a holiday in some branches of Christianity marking the coming of the Epiphany, concluding the Twelve Days of Christmas, and is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as the evening of the fifth of January, preceding Twelfth Day, the eve of the Epiphany, formerly the last day... The Wise Men (Magi) adoring the infant Jesus. ... Î¼ This article is about the Christian season. ... Christmastide (also Christmas or the Christmas season) is one of the seasons of the liturgical year of some Christian churches. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Excerpt from Josiah Kings The Examination and Tryal of Father Christmas (1686), published shortly after Christmas was reinstated as a holy day in England Father Christmas is the name used in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and several other Commonwealth countries, for the gift-bringing figure of Christmas... For other uses, see Nicholas. ... A typical depiction of Santa Claus. ... Mrs. ... Santa Claus reindeer are a team of reindeer which pull his sleigh and help him deliver Christmas gifts. ... Read psychedelic section for amazing info! on the experiments of real elves good for school projects This article is about the small mythical creature, for the 2003 film, see Elf (film). ... For other uses, see North Pole (disambiguation). ... This article is about the religious period from Christmas to Epiphany. ... For other uses, see Christmas tree (disambiguation). ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... For other uses, see yule log (disambiguation) A chocolate yule log. ... Christmas bauble (called a Christmas ball in American English) Christmas ornaments are decorations (usually made of glass, metal, wood or ceramics) that are used to festoon a Christmas tree. ... Christmas lights (also sometimes called fairy lights, twinkle lights or holiday lights in the United States) are strands of electric lights used to decorate homes, public/commercial buildings and Christmas trees during the Christmas season. ... Alternate meaning: Christmas Card, an album from The Partridge Family. ... Erfurt, Germany A Christmas market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, and Weihnachtsmarkt, is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas. ... Christmas around the world redirects here. ... The following is an incomplete list of Christmas songs (hit singles and tracks) recorded by well known and obscure artists, many of which have hit on various charts around the world. ... For other uses, see Society (disambiguation). ... Christmas controversy refers to publicized controversy surrounding public acknowledgment or celebration of the Christmas holiday in media, advertising, government, and various secular environments. ... Christmas Creep is the commercial phenomenon of merchants advertising for Holiday Specials earlier and earlier every year. ... A cross, left near Ypres in Belgium in 1999, to commemorate the site of the Christmas Truce in 1914. ... Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving and is the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season in the United States. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 is an Act of Parliament of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that prevents shops over 280 sq m/3,000 sq ft from opening on Christmas Day. ... This is an incomplete list of festivals and holidays that take place during the winter in the northern hemisphere, especially those commemorating the season. ...