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!
Thanks Provident, you guys are by far the best!!!!!
Happy Holidays to Everyone!!!!!
Having time to go through and admire all the great silver & gold coins I purchased from Provident this year and giving some as Christmas gifts of course !
I’m hoping that this year can turn around a little. I know its the holidays but I’m looking forward to the new year. Recently I have been struggling in a few of my classes and my grades have been suffering. I was a little careless and chose some courses I probably shouldn’t have or simply wasn’t prepared. But with the new semester coming up, I hope to tackle my classes and fix my past mistakes.
I look forward to spending time with family. There is far too little of that these days.
I’m looking forward to: Time with family and friends, silver prices going back down to 15.00 or a great coupon/deal so I can buy more. My country waking up to the fake scripted reaity that is bringing on the N.W.O. May god’s truth and love bless the world.
Looking forward to spending the day with loved ones and enjoying each other!!
Looking forward to some time off and spending some time with the family playing in the snow.
Happy holidays to all.
I hold dear to my heart the silver dollars I used to find in my stockings.
Looking forward to watching my 2 grandkids open their presents and see what Provident silver Santa brings me.
A fresh cut Christmas tree brings the outdoors inside during the darkest and coldest part of the year. I love the smell of spruce needles and the sight of old-time bubble lights glowing on the tree, just like when I was a little kid. After all these years, the Christmas season remain a magical time for me. MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and to all a GOOD NIGHT!!
I look forward to seeing the Happy faces with Joy in their eyes of people when they open the gifts I gave them.
I am looking forward to spending time with family . Spending the the day watching Christmas movies and having a day off from work.
Looking forward to spending time with loved ones and eating too much fruitcake.
I am looking forward 2 a wonderful Christmas my beautiful girlfriend and our lovely children Merry Christmas to all
Family and food, awesome every year! Football on the tv in the living room, kids in the family room with their toys, can’t go wrong.
Watching “A Christmas Story” with my family. We watch once every year and always marvel at how we “forgot that part” or how much we “love that part.”
I’m looking forward to having some time off to relax!
I am hiding rounds in their presents, I like to see the look on their faces! My granddaughter likes horses, so she gets year of the horse round, and my son likes the American flag bar. Can’t wait to see all my family. Merry Christmas
My holiday tradition is watching a year without Santa. It started before I can remember with my brother and sister and mother. On my father’s side is the German movie about a donkey that gives gold with my father Oma and Opa. Now a few short of people and adding a few the traditions continue.
Christmas breakfast with friends from work.
Sobek 2oz UHR Silver Round will be good to hang on the Christmas tree, spend time with my family, pray and thanks to God for all I have.
Looking forward to spending time with family. And food… definitely food.
Looking forward to a fun time of fellowship with family and friends.
To celebrate the birth of Jesus gifts of silvier and gold was brought. So to have family and friends and good food and gifts to share with.
Looking forward to spending more tim3 with family and friends. Getting closer to a new year
FUDGE!
Looking forward to spending time with loved ones eating lots of good food and giving away some silver as gifts to my children.
Seeing the Family and friends. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Festivus to one and all!
Watching the Christmas parade , a special dinner , family and our Aegean cats enjoying each others company . Falling asleep during the football games and snacking on Christmas treats .