HANGING A Christmas stocking is a tradition that has been followed since times immemorial. It is believed that St. Nicholas would fill the stockings with gifts, on the eve of Christmas. Small kids eagerly wait for his arrival and the gifts that he would bring along with him. They decorate their stockings beautifully and hang them nearby fireplace. Although there are no written records of the origin of Christmas stockings, there are some popular stories that have been believed since generations. One of the most popular legend talks about the history of Christmas.

What better gift for a quilting friend than a stocking full of fat quarters held together with a colorful holiday ribbon? Small, useful gadgets, tools, or a quilt pattern can be included. What quilter wouldn't like a pieced wooden key ring that looks like a quilt block? Buttons, pieces of antique lace, skeins of silk ribbon, or specialty fibers make great gifts for art quilters or crazy quilters. A deck of playing cards with quilt images might be welcome. If you are crafty, you can try creating your own "art quilts" by altering an existing deck of cards. Gift shops sell tiny hardcover books on various subjects, including quilting, that would fit nicely inside a stocking. These are just a few ideas, but there are countless others.

A mall jewelry box can be tucked into a stocking, as can hair ornaments and bows, makeup, or tickets to a concert of show. In fact, when you think about it, there are many items that you can acquire throughout the year specifically for the purpose of giving as stocking gifts.

Many centuries back, there lived a poor man in a village. He had three beautiful daughters. His wife had passed away due to some illness and he had spent all his money to cure his wife. Thus, he was left with no money to marry off his daughters. The three daughters were very kind and strong and this is what worried their father even more. He was concerned what would happen to them after his death. One fine day, St. Nicholas was passing through the village, when he overheard the discussion of some villagers talking about the pitiable condition of the three girls. St. Nicholas wanted to help the poor father, but he knew that the old man wouldn't accept money from him.

St. Nicholas decided to help the family secretly, without letting anybody else know about it. He waited until it was night and stealthily sneaked into their house, through the chimney. He had three bags of gold coins with him, one for each girl. As he was looking for a place to keep those three bags, he noticed stockings of the three girls that were hung over the mantelpiece for drying. He put each bag in each stocking and then went away. When the girls and their father woke up the next morning, they were thrilled to find the bags of gold coins. He happily married off his daughters, one after the other, and they remained happy for the rest of their lives. The story about St. Nicholas being so generous spread throughout the village and then all over the land. Since then, it has been a tradition to hang stocking on Christmas in the hope that St. Nicholas would bring a present.

Another stocking legend has it that in Holland, children would leave their clogs by the fireplace filled with straw for Santa’s reindeer. Santa appreciated the gift, so in return for this kindness Santa Claus left the children treats in place of the straw. Later the clogs would become Christmas stockings.

Another possible creator of the Christmas stocking tradition comes from Germany in the 16th century. German children would hang their socks by the fireplace to dry after washing them. On Christmas Eve, St. Nicholas would fill these stockings with five gifts designed to stimulate each of the five senses. A typical stocking would be filled with:

• Something to eat -- fruit, or candy

• A toy or toys that make noise

• An item that is visually pleasing like jewelry, cuff links, or a coloring book

• An item with a good scent such as cologne or perfume

• Something soft like modeling clay or a soft toy

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Here is a little Christmas Stocking song written many, many years ago and was sung by children all over the globe.

5 Little stocking hanging by the fire

the first one said "I'm getting tired"

the second one said "But Santa's in the air"

The third one said "Yeah and we care"

The Fourth one said "oh FUN FUN FUN"

The Fifth one said "Christmas time is fun"

Ding went the clock and out went the fire

And 5 little stockings were filled by Santa that night.

Now that you have learned a little history behing the Christmas stocking, have a great and Merry Christmas this year.