Ah, the magic of Christmas stockings! Who doesn’t love to see what’s inside those festive socks on Christmas morning?
You’ll find all sorts of goodies in your Christmas stockings, all meant to delight, amuse, and entertain you. But have you ever wondered what kinds of items you usually find in those Christmas stockings?
In a typical Christmas stocking, you might find candy, small toys, practical items, and personalized gifts. From the humble candy cane to high-tech gizmos, each item is meant to add to the fun and make your holiday special.
Here’s a peek at some of the typical items you might find in your Christmas stocking.
What Kind of Candy Is Often Found in Christmas Stockings?
One of the most common things you might find in your stockings is candy. These sweet treats come in all shapes and sizes and are meant to add some sweetness to your Christmas morning.
Candies like candy canes, chocolates, and gummy bears are all staples. They satisfy your sweet tooth and add a festive touch to your morning.
Candy canes are a Christmas must-have. What better way to celebrate the holiday than by sucking on a minty fresh candy cane? Chocolates in all shapes and sizes, from Santa to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, can be found. Some people like to include some locally made candies in Christmas stockings. This is where those giant bags of individually wrapped chocolates come in handy, allowing you to fill half a dozen stockings for less than $10!
What Small Toys Are Typically Included in Christmas Stockings?
Tiny trinkets often find their way into Christmas stockings, leading you on a treasure hunt as you reach inside.
Tiny toys like little cars, figurines, puzzles, keychains, and more are all great examples of stocking stuffers. Cool toys small enough to fit in a stocking satisfy your need to play while reinforcing the fun of the holiday season.
Disney toys are always a hit, featuring characters from today’s hottest movies. For the pet lover in your life, how about a tiny rubber dog toy found hiding in their stocking? Kids (and kids at heart) love a DIY craft you found for less than $5.
What Practical Items Can You Find in Christmas Stockings?
Christmas stocking gifts that are a little more practical can come in handy during the holiday season.
Socks, gloves, lip balm, and hand sanitizers are all examples of practical items you might find in a stocking. These are great everyday essentials that everyone needs during the winter.
Travel-size toiletries, keychains, and small tools can also be both practical and appreciated. Adding a few things people need and a few things people want shows you put a little thought into things. Who knows, you may stumble onto the perfect stocking stuffer—a $2 bottle opener that looks like a key stuck in a door that Johnny will love next summer.
What Items Are Traditionally in Stockings?
Some gifts passed down for generations have special significance.
In the old days, stockings were stuffed with nuts, fruit, and a few handmade items. These items were thought to bring good luck and a sense of abundance in the coming year.
A citrus fruit at the toe of your stocking meant you were prosperous and would have plenty of money to spend in the coming year. Nuts like walnuts and almonds also brought hope for the future to those lucky enough to find them hanging in their stockings on Christmas morning.
What Are Most Christmas Stockings Made Of?
Stockings are woven from a variety of materials, each with its own unique tradition.
Most stockings are made from felt, velvet, or knitted wool. The choice of material can tie into a certain style or family tradition.
If you’re crafty, making your own stockings is super easy and allows you to create something unique from year to year. You can find Christmas stocking kits at craft stores designed around a single theme or style to help you create a super-cool look. You can still opt for the traditional knitted yarn stocking if that’s your jam or mix in some off-the-wall design or material to keep things interesting.
What Fruit Do You Put in Stockings for Christmas?
Filling stockings with oranges was a tradition that started with the celebration of St. Nicholas.
The most common fruit to put in a stocking is oranges. They are widely accepted citrus fruits often thought of during the Christmas season.
This tradition goes back to when citrus fruits were hard to get and were considered rare treasures. Continue this tradition but choose Valencia oranges instead. Oranges and other citrus fruits can be expensive but if you keep your eyes out and talk to the right people, you can usually get enough for everyone on your list for only a few bucks.
Why Do We Put Nuts in Christmas Stockings?
Nuts in their shells were traditional stocking stuffers going back centuries.
Nuts symbolize good fortune and well wishes for health and prosperity. Common nuts would have been walnuts, hazelnuts, or almonds.
Nuts were once treasures for our forefathers; there was even a belief that if you carried silver in your pocket along with some nuts in your left sock, you’d never be broke. There’s charm and allure associated with nuts that adds mystery and fun to the mix of goodies.
Why Do People Put Up Christmas Stockings?
People hang stockings to receive presents from the jolly old elf we know as Santa Claus.
We hang stockings to receive gifts of all shapes and sizes from Santa Claus. The tradition started from tales of blessings, gifts, and sharing good fortune.
Including things like stocking holders and personalized stockings with name tags adds fun to this cherished tradition.
Summary
From sweet treats to practical items, Christmas stockings are filled with goodies that excite and delight while honoring traditions of the past—making this holiday season ever more special.
