Odin rode a magical eight-legged flying horse named Sleipnir. Our dear Santa Claus went down the chimneys and accidentally, letting small gifts fall out of his sack and into the socks and stockings which hung around the … Every year, you hang them on the mantle or by the tree, but do you ever stop to think about why? The poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas," published nearly 200 years ago in 1823, clearly describes the importance of stockings: "The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,/In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. Sometimes oranges are used to represent the coins, since they share a similar hue. As it turns out, this handy piece of hosiery has adorned fireplaces around the world for generations as both a jolly decorative element and useful gift receptacle — but pinning down the exact origins of the tradition is surprisingly difficult. According to tradition, the original Saint Nicholas (A.K.A Sinter Klaus, Santa Clause) secretly left bags of gold for three poor girls near their chimney. All rights reserved. We all know how the story goes; “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care…” But have you ever wondered exactly why do we hang Christmas stockings? The progression from shoe to stocking is not quite as clear — and in fact, the most popular myth explaining the origin of the Christmas stocking tradition has nothing to do with shoes or flying horses at all. 52 Christmas facts you never knew about the festive period. Classic Lip Balm by Labello | $5.50 | Shop Now →, Lemon Lip Balm by Sweet Comb Chicago | $3 | Shop Now →, Mint Intense Therapy Lip Balm by Jack Black | $7.50 | Shop Now →, Smith’s Rosebud Salve in a Tube by Rosebud Perfume Co. | $6 | Shop Now →, Black Forest Tin Candle by Archipelago Botanicals | $15  | Shop Now →, The Vices Votive Set by Malin + Goetz | $45 | Shop Now →, Holiday Votive Candle by Nest Fragrances | $16 | Shop Now →, Frosted Forest Votive Candle by Diptyque | $35 | Shop Now →, Nivea Creme (30mL) by Nivea | $2.95 | Shop Now →, Mini Christmas Chi Soap by Indigo Wild | $3.10 | Shop Now →, Marvis Classic Strong Mint Travel Toothpaste by Marvis | $6 | Shop Now →, 4711 Watch Bottle (Uhrflasche) by 4711 | $6.95 | Shop Now →, Violette Perfume Extract by L’Aromatheque | $9.50 | Shop Now →, Siren Song Natural Fragrance by Sfumato | $30 | Shop Now →, Eu Vent de Vous Soft Perfume by Sabe Masson | $24 | Shop Now →, Lovers Rock Rollerball Perfume by Hi Wildflower Botanica | $59 | Shop Now →, #iwokeuplikethis Facial Mask by BioBelle | $5 | Shop Now →, Soothing Sheet Mask by Eau Thermale Avene | $9.50 | Shop Now →, Cornflower Patches by Klorane | $24 | Shop Now →, Love Emoji Masque by Petite Amie | $10 | Shop Now →, Folding Mustache & Beard Comb by Kent | $15.95 | Shop Now →, Comfort + Joy Gift Set by Jack Black | $18 | Shop Now →, Micro.mini Beautyblender by Beautyblender | $18 | Shop Now →, Underberg 2 Pack in Collector’s Tin by Underberg| $6.50 | Shop Now →, The History of Santa Claus and Father Christmas. If you've ever wondered why stockings are filled at night, it is believed that St. Nicholas preferred to help those in need secretly so they might give thanks to God, hence stockings are filled while children sleep. But why do we hang stockings anyway, and how did the tradition start? Why do we hang stockings during Christmas? In some versions of the tale, St. Nicholas slides down the chimney and fills the stocking with gold, while in others legends, Bishop Nicholas is caught thowing bags of gold into the stockings.