Every year we decorate our homes for Christmas. We light and decorate the tree and put Holiday Christmas Stockings on the mantle. Christmas Stockings have become a special tradition in many homes. Whether you use 21 inch Burgundy Soft Plush Fireplace Stockings or a 60 Inch Giant Christmas Stocking, having a Christmas Stocking to fill is an important part of the holiday season.

The Dutch and Stockings.

One origin is that Christmas stockings come from the Dutch. Dutch children used to fill their clogs with straw for the reindeer, and in turn Sinterclass (Santa Claus) would leave a small gift behind for them. Sinterclass soon became Santa Claus and stockings replaced the clogs.

The Christian Nobleman.

There is also another version of how the Christmas stocking came to be. In the town of Myra, there was a widowed father with three daughters. His wealth had been spent on his dying wife and he was left with nothing when she passed away. This man worried he would never be able to marry his three daughters off without a dowry for them. A Christian man named Saint Nickolas came through this village and heard the villagers talking about this poor mans problem. Knowing he would not accept any money outright, he threw three bags of gold into each of the girls stockings that were drying by the fireplace. In the morning the gold was found and the girls were soon all married off.

Styles of Stockings.

Now a days, there are many styles of Christmas stockings to choose from. There are 45 inch Extra Large Christmas Stocking and 12 inch red plush Christmas stockings. For the animal lovers out there you can buy puppy dog stockings or a kitty queen photo frame stocking. If you like a western theme, there is the cowboy boot stocking or a western Christmas Stocking. For more Christmas Decorations Ideas.