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!
I am looking forward to a small rise in scrap metal. So that I can sell my mountain that I have amassed this year. My wife and I will spend it all on silver.
Happy holidays and I would love to win that coin
I’m looking forward to family time and silver
peace on earth and goodwill towards all god knows we need this now more than ever
Watching the smiles on my kids faces on Christmas morning!
I really don’t know what to say except it’s the day Christ was born. I have never had any family well for the last 30 years anyway. My wife has a very good mother and brother and she spends time with them on Christmas. Me I would rather just be bye myself well until my wife gets home. Coins are all I have besides her, I was disabled 8 years ago and all I do is stay bye myself so coins help me and I have a lot. So I’m not just saying that to win I hope if someone needs it worse than me they get it.
Merry Christmas to everyone. …
Looking forward to getting a new pedal for my guitar…
I’m looking forward to the coming year in my very first home.
Waiting for the turkey and some coins!!!
I’m looking forward to my family coming in from California
What a beautiful piece of silver!!!
I am looking forward to the four f’s food, friends, family, and fun.
I look forward to our children and grandchildren spending Christmas eve with us. This year we have a new addition, our youngest granddaughter Emily was just married 3 weeks ago (I had the honor of walking her down the aisle ) and her new husband will be sharing Christmas with us
My wish for this Christmas and the New Year is simple. I wish that both the politicions (any political party) and the major news outlets would stop all the posturing, making wild statements, just being hateful because they can and start working to benefit the citizens of this country. Thank you
Seeing my children enjoy time with family and friends.
I would love the chance to win the silver coin to give to my handicapped son. He likes to collect them.
I thank Provident Metals and wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
I Wish For Heath & Happiness For Everyone – Merry Christmas To All !!!!
I’m looking for some adult leadership from our elected officials. I try to be optimistic about our future as a species but sometimes it’s difficult. I try to be the best kind of person I can be and make the world better by being part of it, my little piece of it at a time.
That is one beautiful coin…would make a nice addition to my collection…
Merry Xmas!
I have four nephews and 3 children and they all getting silver in their stockings!
Cheers!
Nice stories. Thanks for the opportunity to win silver.
I am looking forward to what I hope to be a year of good fortune and growth. I’ve recently bought my first house and I am exited to watsh my family and house develop and grow as we settle into our new life. There is mutch work ahead but me and my family are looking forward to the satisfaction of a house we are proud to call our home! I hope to continue to build my collection of metals and coins more steadily now that I have moved on to the next step of my life.
Happy Holidays to all!
I wish you all the best of luck in the new year!
Would love to be able to give this to my daughter for Christmas.
I am looking forward to Mom’s pumpkin pie on Christmas Day…
A little drink and a little silver
This Christmas I look forward to spending time with family to make new memories and talk about the good old ones. Watching the young kids excitement as they open up gifts and telling them stories about your past Christmases. Remember to not forget to teach the kids the true meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas to one and all!
Spending time with my grandkids
Sitting down and eating all that great food with the whole family.
This year I wish for integrity and honesty from those chosen to represent all of us in the Great USA….until then I stack with Provident…!!!
The day we celebrate Jesus birthday, Merry Christmas everyone.