The Stockings Were Hung from Leisure Arts

Festive stockings hung on the mantel are as much a holiday tradition as the Christmas evergreen. The custom was founded with the famed generosity of St. Nicholas of Myra, a fourth-century bishop. According to legend, a poor Italian father was faced with selling one of his three daughters into slavery in order to afford the dowries needed for the others to marry. The good saint heard of the family's plight and, late one night, secretly tossed three bags of gold down the chimney. The bags miraculously fell into the sisters' stockings that were hanging by the fire to dry, thus saving the family from their fate. Today, children of all ages joyously hang their decorated stockings, anticipating the goodies that they'll discover on Christmas morn. Inside this complete volume of glorious stocking designs, you'll find styles befitting each member of the family.

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