The tradition of hanging stockings from the fireplace originated from one of the most famous Christmas stories of St. Nicholas.

The story comes from the 1800's, when the father of three young maidens could not afford a dowry for his daughters to be married. From his castle, St. Nicholas heard of the poor misfortune of the maidens, and secretly threw three bags of gold coins down their chimney. It is said that the gold coins landed in the girls' stockings, which were hanging in the fireplace to dry.

Later, in Holland, children would leave out their wooden shoes in hopes that St. Nicholas would fill them with goodies.