Why Christmas stockings?
These were not found in England earlier than 1854. The practice also came from Germany, but not exclusively; for in certain French and Italian convents, the nuns had long been hanging stockings on the abbess door, with notes inside asking for St Nicholas protection; and next morning they would be found to be full of sweets and trinkets. Traditionally, children woke up at dawn with these weighing down their toes. A lit candle was brought in, and if the family were decently traditional the stocking contained at the toe, an orange, followed by many objects done up in foil or coloured paper, including a new silver sixpence. This was all topped off with an apple.
