Many people believe that the tradition of gift giving during Christmas and the holiday season stemmed from the story of the Three Wise Men giving gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But there are actually several more historical traditions of giving coins and other gifts that led to the modern act of giving presents to loved ones.
The Christmas stocking originates with Saint Nicholas, a 4th century Greek Saint who enjoyed anonymously giving presents to those who were less fortunate. Saint Nick once threw bags of dowry money through windows and down chimneys to rescue the daughters of impoverished families from being sold into slavery. In some versions of the story, Saint Nick placed silver coins into the girls’ stockings as they hung to dry on the chimney ledge. Hanging stockings over the chimney became a trend, in the hopes that Saint Nicholas would spread his generosity to more homes and families.
Other stories tell of children leaving their shoes in front of the fireplace or on the windowsill overnight so that Saint Nicholas could come fill them with candies, fruits, and small gifts. In some versions of this tale, children left carrots or hay in their shoes for Saint Nick’s donkey to eat. He traveled with a donkey laden with gifts for children. Saint Nick would take the hay and carrots and replace the donkey’s goodies with gifts for the children. This translated to the modern tradition of leaving out cookies and milk for Santa.
Another Christmas tradition involving coins originated in Britain, where families would gather in the kitchen to make the Christmas pudding together. A silver sixpence was added into the pudding mix and everyone in the household took turns stirring. Whoever found the coin in their piece of pudding on Christmas day was slated to enjoy a year of good fortune and wealth.
Continue the long-standing tradition of giving silver coins to your loved ones! Enter our giveaway by telling us one thing you’re looking forward to this holiday season. Commenting below will serve as your entry for our December giveaway. But remember to keep it classy; inappropriate comments will be deleted and disqualified. Submit your comment (one comment only please) by December 21, 2017. One winner will be randomly selected on December 22, 2017 to receive a Sobek 2 oz Ultra High Relief Silver Round from our Egyptian Gods series, along with an Air-Tite plastic capsule to protect your round.
Happy holidays to you and your family!
Taking some much needed time off to spend with family. I have been very busy working this year. Santa would be proud! 🙂
Looking forward to family, friends, health and silver bullion
Our first Christmas with our new granddaughter!
Im looking foward to having all the family together and spending time with some family members i haven’t seen in a while.
I’m looking forward to my fiance’ s son and wife visiting from Montana. It’s been 5 years since they’ve seen each other. Happy Holidays for sure.
Looking forward to spending time with family. Merry Christmas
A nice 3 day weekend to see my family. Happy hollidays thanks provident metals
I’m looking forward to getting back into the workforce after being fired at the beginning of November.
We’re expecting a child soon. Looking forward to the new memories we will create this holiday season.
Not going to lie, but I’m looking forward to all the goodies and treats this Christmas Season! Bring on the parties and edible gifts from friends and neighbors!
I’m looking forward to seeing my 2 grandsons open their Christmas presents.
I’m looking forward to time off and being surrounded by my loved ones.
Looking forward to receiving my pre-ordered Sobek round!
Cant wait to see the look on granddaughters face when she opens gifts of coins……..
I’m looking forward to seeing all my family on Christmas. Don’t get to see them enough.
Grandsons First Christmas
Looking forward to spending time with my family, other then being happy and reflecting on the investments in silver I made this year, time is the best gift you can give. Also, looking forward to getting my hands on the Four Horsemen Silver Rounds! Happy Holidays!
I am looking forward to surprising my family with silver in their stockings! And looking forward to the drop in spot price!
I am really looking forward to my sister and her family coming up to visit on Christmas. I got my vacation approved so I’ll be off work from Christmas Eve to after New Year’s Day. My parents are much older now and I really enjoy getting to spend any holidays I can with them. My sister & her family coming to visit makes it that much better. Quality time with my family on Christmas; more precious than silver and gold. Merry Christmas to you all, and I wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
These are very nice everyone should buy one for Christmas
I am looking forward to spending time with my niece who I haven’t seen in nearly a year.
I look forward to spending time with loved ones and watching the kids play together.
I’m looking forward to family time and card games on Christmas Eve. Won’t really see anyone in the family Christmas day.
I’m looking forward to my first Christmas with my new wife and daughter. Together on December 24 we will celebrate my birthday of one year sober. That in itself makes it the best Christmas present I could give myself or them.
I bought some of the Christmas theme silver rounds to give to my 2 nieces. This will be their first time receiving silver. I’m hoping to start a tradition, and a wise investment, for many years to come.
I am looking forward to getting turning 50 over with on December 19.
I look forward to visiting my family, who live across the country. One week a year for the holidays is not long enough.
Forgive me if I pontificate far to much.
I thought the magic of Christmas was gone after my kids grew-up. They are now are raising their own families. I missed the overnight assembly and the look on their faces when they rushed down-stairs to see what “Santa” left for them. Magic, wonderful magic!
But I had an Epiphany, awhile back and wanted to share with everyone.
The “Magic” of Christmas is all around us, and it is what you make it. While I no longer have little-ones staring at the tree in anticipation for the big moment Christmas morning,I still have magic in other things I selfishly ignored until I woke-up. The Magic of “Giving”. Giving to others less fortunate. Volunteering for “Meals on Wheels”. Adopting an Angel from the Angel Tree.
This is magic of a different kind, the magic of giving. Giving an arm-full of toys to the young Marine and the look on his face! Handing the meal to an older person, and the look on their face! The look on the fathers face after I anomalously drop off the bike and Barbie doll-house his kids wanted so badly, according to the neighbors in his neighborhood. The Magic of paying for the single mothers groceries ahead of me in-line using Snap to try pull a Christmas dinner together for her family, and having to pull items out of the check-out because they are not covered or she was over-limit. I’m not sure what the situation was but the look on her face-“Magic”..
I guess I’m looking forward to the “Magic” of Christmas, that magic all around us. If we simply look, that’s all, just open your eyes a little and notice something other than the race to grab that last popular toy or the biggest tree you can fit into the house. Remember those who may not know the magic of Christmas because of the struggle it brings for those less fortunate than us. To share our blessings is the true “Magic”..
Merry Christmas guys, (Mel I did not pontificate to badly I hope!)
My first grandchild just turned one. I am looking forward to seeing things through his eyes. Things like playing in the snow for the first time and gathering with family for Christmas.
I am looking forward to fondling those Perth Mint kilo lunar coins, and the Zombucks proof coins Provident had on sale last weekend. I guess I will be shinny this Christmas.