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!
Looking forward to spending time with my children ang grandkids
I’m looking forward to see my family who I’ve been estranged from for quite a number of years. We decided it was silly to hold old grudges against each other and we should spend time together while we still can. Merry Christmas all, I know it will be merry for me!
I will be teaching my son about collecting and stacking this year.
I look forward to spending time with my family and seeing the joy of all of us being together for the first time in over a decade.
Time with family that we don’t get to see but about once or twice a year. Merry Christmas!
This year I will be spending time with my granddaughter for the 1st time..I love this time of year to get close with family..
Looking forward to all the Christmas lights!
Seeing the happiness on my daughters faces.
BRING ON THE FREE SILVER!!
Definitly looking forward to seeing family and the food for christmas
Great food and spending time with family!
Spending time with my son and his wife, it been over 35 years for this to happen.
I’m looking forward to dinner with the family, it only happens once a year.
I’m looking forward to visiting with the three ghosts of Christmas with my friends and family; the ghost of Christmas past, the ghost of Christmas present and the ghost of Christmas yet to come.
Reminiscing about Christmases past, carrying on traditions and making new memories during the present Christmas and looking forward to Christmases yet to come.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Looking forward to spending time with family and getting a three day weekend
Fixing a roast duck with honey-orange sauce from scratch for my wife and girlfriend of 32 years.
I would love to spend it with the whole family. I know many friends this year that are not with us anymore.
Being with family.. My mom and dad comes over and eat dinner on Christmas Eve. I watch my 7 year old opening her gifts from Santa.. On Christmas morning we eat breakfast and exchange presents with my brother. And then, we going to my wife brother’s house and having dinner with them and exchange gifts.
I look forward to watch my kids open presents. They are 3 and 4 so they still get really excited just seeing them. I hope they like what I got them.
Looking forward to my son’s last xmas living at home before going to college next year.
Spend time with loved ones and watch the kids play with their new toys
I’m looking forward to watching College football bowl games, GO IRISH!
Spending time with the family and getting a little extra time off from work.
Im looking foward to visiting with my granddaughter for the holidays.
Love spending time with my beautiful wife and three sons!
Happy Holidays!
Your coins are beautiful! Happy holidays!
Looking forward to spending a quiet Christmas at home reflecting on the reason for the season.
First Christmas in our first home with all the family.
Im looking forward to spending time with my family.
I look foward to the cooking and cleaning jk. I love spending time with all the family and friends and enjoy seeing the little ones opening up gifts.
Looking foward to working on Christmas. The bills don’t pay themselves and my boss is scrooge.