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!
Merry Yule to everyone! I wish you all health and happiness. May your silver hoard also increase in the coming year.
I’m looking forward to seeing my family all together again for the first time in a long while!
Seeing the faces of my grandsons when I add more silver to the collection I started for them when they were infants. Every year on their birthday and Christmas I add to the collection.
the time spent with my granddaughter.
Looking forward to tallying up how much silver i’ve picked up this month, due to the spot drop!
Time with the family, Good food, and a cold cocktail!
I”m looking forward to time with family, a week-long vacation I’m taking, and quiet time to reflect on my life and planning for 2018.
Good story i didn’t know the story behind the tradition,my wife’s uncle give’s her a silver coin every Christmas and now i no way.I wish everyone has a blessed holidays.
Nothing like silver and gold for the holidays.
Merry Christmas to all of you.
Looking forward to the coming bitcoin bubble burst.
Looking forward to spending time with my family during my Christmas vacation.
Being with family and enjoying a vacation!
I’m looking forward to a profitable year in 2018 and the arrival of my free Sobek round if I win the contest!! 🙂
My wife would be thrilled.
My children have looked forward to finding Christmas silver rounds in their stockings for many years. It’s a great tradition.
Thanks for continuing to create great products! The craftsmanship and artisanal appeal are tops!
Kudos and Merry Christmas.
I’m looking forward to seeing my children’s faces as they open their presents!
Looking forward to starting this tradition with my new grandson as I have with my daughters since they were born.
Retiring and spending more time with family and doing things we enjoy.
The gathering of family members that I don’t/haven’t seen in a while.
I look forward to giving my nieces & nephews silver coins. They look so astonished when they get silver coins, it’s almost magical. They get silver for Christmas and birthdays. They each have a pound.
Watching my granddaughter pick two children from the Angel Tree at her university to help over the Christmas holiday. Otherwise, these kids would have nothing.
Seeing friends and family
My families faces light up when I uncover my silver collection on Christmas!
I pray that everyone is blessed and will remember why we celebrate Christmas in America! Receive your blessings they will be given if you ask for forgiveness. Merry Christmas to all.
I’m looking forward to good company, great food, and ugly Christmas sweaters. Haha.
Looking forward to the first Christmas as a retiree with more time for the family.
I enjoy watching peoples faces as they open the gifts i have given them.
Hello. I am looking forward to gifts, food and football..
Looking forward to being with family and friends and helping out with this years Cowboy Santa.