 | Scott Dwyer has over seven years of full time experience in the retail industry. His parents Harold and Sue Dwyer started Dwyer’s Hallmark in 1982 and will be celebrating twenty-five years in 2007. Scott’s new venture is Nifty Fifty in Andover. The store offers a wide variety of gifts all at 50% off of retail prices. Scott received his degree from the University of Kansas in Business Administration. You may contact him at swdwyer@cox.net or by phone at 316-733-8826. or 316-733-8567. |
Gifts
2006-12-01 15:48:00
A “stocking” tradition
Why are stockings hung at Christmas time?
ANSWER: "The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there." Nothing signifies Christmas like the hanging of fluffy red stockings with white trim above the fireplace mantle. In the United States, families have been practicing this tradition for years in preparation for that special day of spiritual celebration and giving. Up until lately, it was traditional to receive small items like fruit, nuts and candy in your stocking, but these have been replaced in the last half-century by more expensive gifts in many homes. But where did it all begin?
Many believe there was once a kind nobleman whose wife had died of an illness leaving the man and his three daughters in despair. After losing all his money in useless and bad inventions, the nobleman and his daughters had to move into a peasant's cottage. When it came time for the daughters to marry, the father became even more depressed as his daughters could not marry without dowries.
One night after the daughters had washed out their clothing, they hung their stockings over the fireplace to dry. That night Saint Nicholas, knowing the despair of the father, stopped by the nobleman's house after the family had gone to bed. He peeked in the window and saw the daughters' stockings hanging by the fire.
Inspiration struck Saint Nicholas, and he took three small bags of gold from his pouch and threw them carefully, one by one, down the chimney into the stockings. The next morning when the daughters awoke, they found their stockings contained enough gold for them to get married. The nobleman was able to see his three daughters marry, and he lived a long and happy life.
And for everyone that is on the naughty list? Giving coal as a humorous Christmas gift originated a very long time ago. The actual tradition of giving coal is said to have originated in Italy. It is believed that throughout the year Santa would compile two lists: one with the names of good children and one with the names of bad children. Bad children who did not show improvement in their behavior would be given coal for Christmas in lieu of presents. Children who were nice received gifts.
