Where did the tradition of Stocking Stuffers come from?
Who is Santa or St. Nick and where does he originate from?
This essential tradition has many possibilities, but this one seems to be a popular belief though it seems a bit over the top.
A recently widowed father of three girls was having trouble making ends meet. His daughters were beautiful but he worried their financial status would make it impossible for them to marry without a dowry.
A kind man named Nicholas born in 280 AD in Patara, a city of Lycia in Asia Minor became Christian priest and used all his riches to help the poor, needy, sick and suffering. Nicholas overheard the plight of this family from local villagers and wanted to help out. The father refused help of any kind so Nicolas slid down the chimney and filled the recently laundered stockings, hung by the fire to dry, full of gold coins.
The girls woke to a wonderful surprise and the father could rest easy that his girls wouldn't end up lonely.
Nicholas became Bishop of Myra and became known for his kindness and generosity as the gift giver of Myra. He traveled giving to those less fortunate. He would give his gifts late at night so he could remain anonymous. For this reason children were told to go to bed and get to sleep right away so they could receive their gifts. Nicholas later became the saint of children.
Many who kept the tradition through the years have taken socks from their father's drawer and some have personalized them with decorations, names etc. Today we purchase foot shaped bags of various sizes, colors (and shapes frankly) from stores. In war times from the early 1900's many soldiers would hang socks on their riffles.
In recent years hanging the "stockings" over the fireplace has become optional as many places don't have fireplaces. This is where the tradition of the "Key" originated.
Oranges have been a tradition in the stockings as well. This beacons to a variation on the gold coins that St. Nicholas gave the girls. Some accounts say a golden ball was found in each of the stockings instead of coins. The gold balls and coins are difficult to replicate so Oranges and chocolate coins wrapped in gold have become a tradition of their own to symbolize these gold items.
“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”
– A Visit From Saint Nicholas
Looking for some stocking stuffer ideas? Here are 200+ ideas for every family member on Santa's list.
MOM & DAD
1. Paperback book & bookmark
2. DVD or Blu-Ray movie
3. Ear buds
4. Event tickets (theater, concert, sporting events, movies)
5. Massage oil (with a promise to use it)
6. Lip balm
7.Travel-sized hand lotion or hand sanitizer
8.Bath salts and bath bombs
9. Specialty soaps
10. Makeup palette
11 .Manicure or grooming supplies
12. Body wash and lotion set
13. Aromatherapy candle
14. Sleep mask
15. Chillable eye mask
16. Car charger for phone/tablet
17. Car organizers
18. Car decal
19.Travel mug
20.Hiking/camping/sports accessories
21. Key finder key chain
22. Hat and gloves
23.Scarf
24.Slippers or slipper socks
25. Fun socks
26. Fun or fancy underpants
27.Belt
28.Earrings
29.Lindt truffles
30.Ghiradelli squares
31.Candy cane
32. Gum or mints
33.Novelty candy (Lemonheads, Fun Dip, Pop Rocks)
34.Specialty coffee or tea
35.Snack-size packages of nuts
36.Beef jerky
37.Water enhancer
38.Refrigerator magnet
39.Favorite color items (scarf, mug, pen)
40.Stationery
41.Christmas tree ornament
42.USB flash drive
43.Pocket puzzles or brain teasers
44.Desk accessories
45.Mini flashlight
46.Gift card to a coffee shop (Starbucks, Caribou, Teavana, Lost Coffee, Dazbog)
47.Gift card to a bakery or ice cream/frozen yogurt store
48.Gift card to a favorite retail store (Nordstrom, Kohl's, Target)
49.iTunes gift card
50.Lottery scratchers
BABIES
1.Teethers
2.Bath toys
3.Sippy cup
4.Soft books
5.Board books
6.Stacking/nesting cups
7.Stacking blocks
8.Soft toys
9.Small stuffed animals
10.Small toys that make noise (rattles, crinkly paper)
11.Car seat and stroller accessories and toys
12.Socks
13.Onesie
14.Bib
15.Beanie
16.Cheerios, puffs, and other baby snacks
17.Hypoallergenic body wash
18.Hypoallergenic body lotion
19.Hypoallergenic sunscreen
20.Gum massager and fluoride-free toothpaste
TODDLERS & LITTLE KIDS
1.Crayons and coloring books
2.Color Wonder markers and Color Wonder books
3.Finger paint
4.Watercolor paint and paintbrushes
5.Foam stickers
6.Play dough and accessories
7.Silly putty
8.Sidewalk chalk
9.Snow paint
10.Art smock
11.Bath paint or bath markers
12.Bath toys
13.Bubble bath
14.Character toothbrush
15.Character training toothpaste
16.Sponge capsules (animals, vehicles, etc.)
17.Expandable washcloth
18.Matching mittens and beanie
19.Hair accessories
20.Character underwear
21.Character t-shirt
22.Slippers or slipper socks
23.Character bandages
24.Stickers
25.Temporary tattoos
26.Character dishes
27.Snack-size packages of cookies or crackers
28.Animal crackers
29.Single-serving box of sugary cereal
30.Fruit cups or fruit pouches
31.Santa-shaped chocolate
32.Christmas-themed PEZ dispenser and candy
33.Candy necklace
34.Ring pop
35.Crazy straws
36.Shakers or rattlers
37.Musical instrument
38.Kazoo
39.Books
40.DVD or Blu-Ray movie
41.Toys for fine motor skills
42.Travel toys
43.Wooden puzzle
44.Plastic animals
45.Plastic bugs
46.Doll clothing Dollhouse accessories
47.Dress-up clothing
48.Dress-up jewelry
49.Glow-in-the-dark necklace
50.Finger puppets
BIG KIDS
1.Craft supplies (chenille stems, craft sticks, googly eyes)
2.Art supplies (colored pencils, sunprint paper)
3.Play dough and accessories
4.Origami paper
5.Modeling clay
6.Decorative duct tape
7.Art smock
8.Bath paint or bath markers
9.Bath toys
10.Bubble bath
11.Mittens and beanie
12.T-shirt
13.Fun socks
14.Slippers or slipper socks
15.Favorite character clothing
16.Snack-size packages of cookies or crackers
17.Single-serving box of sugary cereal
18.Gummy candy or fruit snacks
19.Sour candy
20.Santa-shaped chocolate
21.Christmas-themed PEZ dispenser and candy
22.Novelty candy (Lemonheads, Fun Dip, Pop Rocks)
23.Crazy straws
24.Favorite character dishes
25.Favorite sports team dishes
26.Slap bracelets
27.Temporary tattoos
28.Kazoo
29.Harmonica
30.Musical shakers or rattlers
31.Books
32.DVD or Blu-Ray movie
33.Action figures
34.Hot Wheels cars
35.Trading cards (Pokemon, baseball)
36.Mini LEGO® kits
37.Jump rope
38.Frisbee
39.Snowball maker
40.Silly string
41.Card game
42.Travel game
43.Dice
44.Flash cards
45.Yo-yo
46.Activity kit (craft, science, model airplane/car)
47.Pocket puzzles
48.Glow-in-the-dark ceiling decals
49.Gift card to ice cream or frozen yogurt store
50.Gift card to movie theater for snacks
TWEENS & TEENS
1.Keychain
2.Cell phone case
3.Cell phone or table screen protector
4.Novelty flash drive
5.Handheld electronic game
6.Backpack or purse accessories
7.Wallet or coin purse
8.Calculator
9.Ear buds
10.Diary
11.Book
12.Comic book
13.Magazine subscription
14.Bookmark
15.Stretchable book cover
16.Reusable water bottle
17.Water enhancer
18.Gum
19.Mints
20.Novelty candy (Lemonheads, Fun Dip, Pop Rocks)
21.Santa-shaped chocolate
22.Gloves and hat
23.Fun socks or tights
24.Slippers or slipper socks
25.T-shirt
26.Lip balm or lip gloss
27.Makeup palette
28.Body wash and lotion set
29.Body spray
30.Perfume or cologne
31.Hair accessories
32.Watch
33.Earrings
34.Bracelet
35.Necklace
36.Binoculars
37.Card game
38.Hacky sack
39.Dominoes
40.Rubik's cube
41.Movie tickets
42.Hiking accessories
43.Stress ball
44.Pocket puzzles
45.Magnetic mirror (for school locker)
46.Hand sanitizer
47.Gift card to favorite store
48.iTunes gift card
49.Gift card to bowling alley or batting cage
50.Movie tickets or gift card to movie theater
Give the gift of memories for anyone to make a memory that will last a lifetime.
Boxes. Wrapping Paper. Bows. These items aren't needed for these gift ideas, although we're sure you can figure out some way to wrap them up!
In early years small items would go in the stocking plain and larger ones are wrapped.
While the holidays are certainly a time of giving and receiving, it is also a time for creating memories and traditions. This year give your family the gift of togetherness and create long-lasting memories.
