The red plush Christmas stockings are 12 inches long including the hanger loop. The small Christmas stockings have a 3.25 inch white plush cuff. The body of the small Christmas stocking is red plush. Select this link to view our Christmas stockings.
The Christmas tree: The Christmas tree is one of the most dominant symbols of the Christmas season all over the world. The decorated and fully lighted Christmas tree has an aura in itself. It fills the air with warmth, love and happiness that are symbolic of the holiday season.
In the Middle Ages, the Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope for the forthcoming spring. The modern Christmas tree evolved from these evergreen trees that were regarded as a symbol of life. The tradition then spread to other parts of Europe and the entire world.
According to a legend, the Christmas tree is associated with the birth of Jesus Christ. It is believed that on the night of the birth of Christ, all kinds of living creatures came to Bethlehem with gifts. The olive tree came along with its fruit and the palm with its date but the fir had nothing to gift the newborn king. So an angel, taking pity on the fir, commanded a cluster of stars to shine on its beautiful boughs. Baby Jesus smiled on seeing the lighted tree, and blessed it. Consequently, the fir tree is always lighted with many decorations on it, to please little children during Christmas.
Even the decorations on the Christmas trees draw their root in traditional values. The crystal balls symbolizes the fruit of redemption, the electric light or the candles are ancient symbols that stand for the triumph of spring over the darkness of winter. The light also symbolizes the light that Jesus Christ cast upon the lives of the people. The dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit, while the bell symbolizes the joys of life. Select this link to view our unique angel gifts.
Santa Claus: Christmas would not be complete without Santa Claus. His laughter and gifts are an integral part of Christmas, more so for children. Children peer through the windows waiting for Santa’s arrival. He is believed to come riding through the snow in a sleigh pulled by reindeer, led by his favorite Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. Santa is also accompanied by Elvin, the elf, who looks after Rudolph.
Children believe that Santa Claus makes gifts for them. Many children leave stockings so that Santa can put their gifts in them. Others even decorate their Christmas list and put it on the windowsill along with a little bit of sugar so that Father Christmas won’t miss them. They also leave pies or cookies and some kind of drink as a snack for Santa.
The custom of Santa Claus coming along with a sack of gifts is related to the life of Saint Nicholas. Nicholas was a generous saint who lived in a town called Partara in the East. He was very fond of children and was kind to the poor and the downtrodden. For all the wonderful things he did, his life came to be symbolized in the legend of Santa Claus. Santa Claus is an integral part of the spirit of Christmas.
In 1881, political cartoonist Thomas Nast drew on Clement Moore’s poem, “Twas the night before Christmas”, to create the image we have of Santa Claus today. His cartoon, which appeared in Harper's Weekly, depicted Santa as a round, cheerful man with a full, white beard, holding a sack full of toys. It was Thomas Nast who gave Santa Claus his bright red suit, trimmed with white fur, his sleigh with reindeer, the North Pole workshop, elves, and his wife, Mrs. Claus.
Gifts: The Christmas spirit is all about caring and sharing with your loved ones. What better way to express these feelings than gifts. Christmas, in many ways is the season to give gifts to the loved ones, the tradition traces back to the birth of Christ.
In the legend, the magi from the East came with gifts to the newborn king. These three men brought gold, frankincense and myrrh as gifts for baby Jesus. The gifts the magi brought to Jesus symbolize faith, hope and love.
The Candy cane: The white color of the candy cane symbolizes the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus. The hardness of the candy symbolizes the foundation of churches and the firmness of the promises made by God. The candies are made in a “J” shape to represent the name of Jesus and the shape of the staff of the “Good Shepherd”. And the three red stripes on the candy represent the blood shed by Christ to let us have the promise of eternal life. Select this link to view our Christmas tree toppers.