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 just love having my whole family together singing Christmas Carols at a Candle Light Service, the excitement of little ones opening their presents, and my table crowded with food, family, and friends.
Growing up as a kid my parents always gave me and my sister a 1 oz. Christmas Silver round for Christmas. I always enjoyed seeing what was engraved on the coin. Now that I have kids of my own I give them a coin and my dad a coin for Christmas too!
Looking forward to spending one more Christmas with my wife and Grandchildren before I succumb to this horrible Lung Disease
.
Watching my Dad’s face when he opens the silver Canadian Maple Leaf I bought him from Provident Metals. Beautiful coin! Also looking forward to more egg nog!
Having my wife go to Minnesota to see her brother, perhaps for the last time on this side of heaven.
Watching my neice open all of her gifts.
Looking forward to 3 weeks off to spend with the family!
Silver is affordable but yet valuable
No other metal like it .it says merry Christmas in a special way
Looking forward to spending time with my two year old grandson who lives 2500 miles away. Christmas is a wonderful time for children and grand parents alike 🙂
I am looking forward to starting my new life after struggling with PTSD for so long. I am looking forward to actually being there for my family. Now that I am healthy and that I have the mental tools to succeed I am looking forward to what comes next in my life.
The one thing I look forward to this holiday is sitting down with my new family and our new born daughter and just thanking god for what a great thing he has down for me and all of us and I couldn’t ask for anything more and wouldn’t change a thing and thank you provident metals for having great business and customer service and awesome products
I always look forward to seeing family from out of town that I don’t get to see very often. That, beyond any material gift, is what I look forward to most.
Enjoying my birthday on Christmas and spending time off from the firehouse with my family.
I am looking forward to spending time and Silver with family and friends, playing Santa as I share the fruits of my stacking, with the help from the Elves at Provident Metals!
I am looking forward to the Food, Fun, and Family of this Christmas for one that I will remember for a long time. Merry Christmas to All !!!
Merry Christmas! Only been in the silver market for a couple of weeks but Provident is my go-to shop!!!
Perhaps the best Christmas gift is being with loved ones. Reconfirming that family connection with hugs and stories of the past. Merry Christmas to all Providence clients and staff!!
Spending time with the family, a few days off from work and some good food!
Sharing blessing with family and friends.
My daughters first Christmas! 🙂
Looking forward to gifting my young relatives with silver rounds and explaining to them that they will witness the return to sound money in their lifetimes.
I am looking forward to going on vacation with my girlfriend and spending a whole week with her in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Spending time with my family and of course, pecan pie. Definitely pie
I’m looking forward to Enjoying and Sharing the Holidays with my Beloved
Family, Friends, Football, Food. And let’s all remember the True meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. Happy Holiday’s Everyone and thank you Provident, Enjoy and Be Safe All.
Vincent. L
I look forward to giving a silver coin as well as a small toy to all the little kids in the family. It teaches them about having something now and putting something away for later. It introduces them to the artwork involved in making coins too.
Watching everyone’s faces when they find an American Eagle silver dollar in their stockings.
Christmas in Phoenix
I will spend this holiday with my friend and we both dont have family to be with.
Watching the faces of the nieces and nephews when they see the silver eagles we gave them.
Looking forward to seeing my USMC daughter home for Christmas before she gets stationed in Japan for 3 years. Semper Fi!