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Stuffing the Perfect Stocking

Description: A history of the Christmas stocking and creative stocking stuffer ideas.

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On Christmas morning children rush eagerly to see what Santa left in their Christmas stockings during his yearly visit. Toys, gum, candy and fruit spill forth! The Christmas stocking is an ancient but still popular tradition in America and many other countries.

The legend begins in the fourth century when Saint Nicholas, a bishop known for his kindness and wisdom, was said to ride around on his white horse at night, leaving gifts to those who were in need.

One day Saint Nicholas overheard a father of three daughters lamenting their fate because he could not afford to pay a dowry so they could be married. He was heartbroken to think that he might have to sell one into slavery to pay the dowry for the other two daughters.

That night, after the daughters had done their wash, hung it to dry by the fire, and gone to sleep, Saint Nicholas rode by and threw three bags of gold coins down the chimney (or through the window, depending on which version of the legend you hear). The bags of coins happened to land in the stockings that had been hung to dry. When the gift was discovered the next morning, the father was overjoyed that he would be able to marry off all three of his daughters.

Whether the specifics of the tale are true or not is a matter of speculation, but the Christmas stocking is still one of our oldest and best loved holiday traditions!

You don’t have to be a child to enjoy receiving a stocking full of gifts. Traditionally, Christmas stockings are filled with gifts to tantalize the senses, and it can bring you as much joy to fill a stocking for someone you love as it brings to the recipient!

The Christmas stocking itself can be as simple or as ornate as you desire. A handmade felt or plush stocking adorned with the receiver’s name is a lovely, personal gift in itself, and filling the stocking with little gifts you know the receiver will enjoy is a rewarding endeavor. You can also buy stockings in many sizes and designs, if you are not the crafty type, and personalized them with white glue and glitter if you wish. Some merchants will personalize the stocking with any name you desire.

Keep the size of the stocking in mind as you fill it with gifts. Large stockings will look empty if all the gifts fit in the toe, and small ones may not hold all the gifts you have chosen! The gifts don’t have to be expensive, just chosen with their individual tastes in mind, to create the perfect Christmas stocking!

The first gift should be something to tantalize the taste buds. Fruit and candy are traditional, but choosing the recipients’ favorites snacks is a way to show you care enough to know what they like! Goldfish crackers, olives, hot sauces, or other favorite treats can be included. Toddlers love fruit snacks and animal crackers; older kids will get a kick out of candy in unusual shapes, flavors, or dispensers. Choose gourmet sausages, cheeses, teas, or coffees for more discriminating palates.

The second gift should delight the eyes. Coloring books and crayons, or snow globes, are always popular with children. Tuck in some real or play jewelry, toys that light up, trading cards for the sports fan, small framed pictures, or cell phone charms.

Next, add something to please the sense of touch. Modeling clay or finger paints, a soft toy, silky scarf, suede wallet, cozy Christmas socks, flannel boxers, or maybe a squishy stress-relieving toy for the harried businessman!

Include a fragranced gift to excite the olfactory senses, perhaps some sweet-smelling bubble bath or spicy bath beads, scratch-n-sniff stickers for the kids, cologne, a fragrant candle, potpourri, or auto air fresheners in the receiver’s favorite scent.

To please the ear (at least of the receiver!) you might include a plastic flute or squeaky toy for the youngsters, a small music box for older girls or ladies, wind chimes, or a new CD by a favorite artist.

You don’t have to stop at just five gifts! Keep in mind the receiver’s special interests, hobbies, and collections as you search for stocking stuffers With a little imagination, you can delight anyone with a lovingly prepared Christmas stocking.