It is believed that the tradition of the Christmas stocking started with the legend of Saint Nicholas.
A man lived with three daughters, but the family was too poor for the girls to get married. One night, Nicholas dropped a bag of gold down the family’s chimney, and the gold fell into a stocking that was hanging near the fire. The oldest daughter was able to get married because she had enough money.
The next year, the same gift was given to the second daughter, and the third year, Nicholas gave the gift to the youngest daughter. Then the legend of Saint Nicholas started.
At Christmas, people hang stockings by the fireplace or on the wall. In some countries, people put an orange or tangerine in the stocking as a symbol of gold. In other countries, people leave shoes by the fireplace or at the door, and others put gifts inside.