What is the meaning of putting an orange in a Christmas stocking?
They’re said to represent a gift of gold from Saint Nicholas The father eventually found out who the gift giver was and was so moved he told everyone in town about Nicholas. This was not only the origin of Santa Claus but also one reason for oranges—which represent bags of gold—in our stockings.
What country puts oranges in stockings?
The fruit was a special treat if you didn’t come from a family of means, and was likely purchased from merchants who brought the citrus from places like Valencia, Spain, or Ivrea, Italy, (where there’s a longstanding winter tradition of pelting one another with oranges).
What is the most popular color of Christmas stocking?
The most traditional Christmas stockings are red, green, and white; have a traditional Christmas theme, such as Santa, trees, or reindeer; and polyester or knitted fabric.
Where did the orange in the stocking come from?
St. Nicholas traveled to the house, and tossed three sacks of gold down the chimney for each of the dowries. The gold happened to land in each of the girls’ stockings which were hanging by the fire to dry. The oranges we receive today are a symbol of the gold that was left in the stockings.
Why do you put a satsuma in a stocking?
The practice of giving an orange in a stocking came from a story about St Nicholas. Nicholas was born in a village in the Mediterranean and his family was very rich. He spent his time helping the poor and eventually became a Bishop. One day Nicholas met a poor man who could not provide a dowry for his three daughters.
What are Honeybell oranges?
Honeybell Oranges, also known as Minneola Tangelos, are a citrus fruit. They are actually hybrids of a Darcy Tangerine and Duncan Grapefruit. Honeybells are usually the size of an adult fist and have a mixed sweet and sour flavor of the sweet mandarin and the tart flavored grapefruit.
Do Christmas stockings need to match?
Whether you’re looking for stockings just for kids or the whole family, you can create a matching set that has a different character for each person. Some of the most popular family stockings this year feature a mix of traditional and new characters, so you can find the perfect stocking for every family member.
What is a good size stocking?
Tips for Choosing the Best Christmas Stockings Christmas stockings range in size and are typically measured by length. Generally speaking, standard-size stockings range in length from 18 to 28 inches. Establish what size your family requires before committing to a style.
Why do we put nuts in stockings?
In the 12th Century, French nuns, inspired by the legend of St Nicholas – who gave gold to the poor – began leaving stockings full of fruit, including tangerines, and nuts at the houses of poor people.
Do you put an orange in a stocking?
The practice of giving an orange in a stocking came from a story about St Nicholas. Nicholas was born in a village in the Mediterranean and his family was very rich. He spent his time helping the poor and eventually became a Bishop. Oranges symbolise the bags of gold at the bottom of the stockings.
Are oranges good luck for Christmas?
The Chinese believed oranges brought joy, good luck and warded off evil. Ancient people considered orange and red fruits as magical, likely because of their vibrant colors, so it was an honor to receive one as a gift.
Do you put an orange in your Christmas stocking?
One of my grandmothers also valued the orange as a Christmas gift. She had her very first orange when she was age 14. She never forgot it. I put an orange in each stocking also. cardelean (author) from Michigan on November 06, 2011: I think that sometimes traditions are born out of necessities Dirt Farmer. Thanks so much for your comment.
What is the meaning of the Oranges in the stockings?
The gold happened to land in each of the girls’ stockings which were hanging by the fire to dry. The oranges we receive today are a symbol of the gold that was left in the stockings. 2. A treat during the Great Depression.
What did Santa put in your Christmas stocking?
Alex is enjoying his Christmas orange! Every year in our stockings, Santa would place an orange at the toe. Of course there were other trinkets and goodies that filled the stocking as well, but those changed each year. The one we could always count on was the Christmas orange.
Is it a luxury to find oranges in your stocking?
Instead, it was such a treat, even a luxury, to find things like a sweet orange or some walnuts in your stocking on Christmas. 3. Oranges were once a scarce treat.