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!
Provident- one of my best go to’s for precious metals.
Christmas is a great opportunity to give the gift of value over consumption or fiat…
Would love some silver to drop in my three beautiful grandchildren’s first Christmas stockings this year. Children make the holidays special and you can at least forget all the troubles in the world for a few days. Merry Christmas to all!!
I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends, good food and the looks on all the children’s faces as they open their gifts
After a year with bad health for me and my wife we are looking to spend a good Christmas with children and the grandchildren this year and wish a great seasons greatings to all of you and a happy new year (it has to get better) and god bless you all
I am looking forward to doing some deer hunting. Plan on smoking a prime rib roast and of course, enjoying pecan pie with family and friends. Some silver for my daughters stockings would be a wonderful surprise!
I hope world leaders will promote peace and economic well-being for all citizens of the world.
Being on the road for Christmas twice in a row I can’t wait to celebrate this magical time with family. Can’t wait to see my kids’ big smile while opening their presents. Hopefully Santa drops some of those Shiny Coins when he stops by. Thank you Santa and Mery Christmas.
Spend time with friends!! For me, they are family! =)
To my grandaughters 2nd christmas
Family!
due the murder attempt to force my mother to a nursing home. that I am looking forward to spending time with her. by keeping her mental they plan on denying her medical attention. her health is not so so good. I am looking forward to the time I get to spend with her.
I’m looking forward to our annual vacation with the family.
Happy Holidays to all!!
It would be nice to start my first daughters christmas with a sentiment of actual value along with the plethora of things that every little girl needs her first Christmas !
I’m looking forward to the continued peace that I enjoy knowing I’ve not sunk our family’s wealth into uncertain counter-party risk-on assets of equities or the flavor of the month cryptos, even though I’ve just retired from the military in October, but am still seeking a new career. I feel much more confident not having our emergency savings in $Dollars in a bank account. I feel our finances are on a solid metal foundation while the political, financial, and societal winds may blow.
Looking forward to taking a breath and resting and restoring myself with the closeness of our family – A little time off to reflect on the many blessings we’ve been given.
I’m looking forward to spending time with loved ones.
Looking forward to celebrating with family.
3rd grandson is old enough to understand and enjoy Christmas. Making smiles on all 3 of the boys makes my year. So it’s time with family. Every minute that goes by is a minute you never get back.
I look forward to good times with good friends and family and most of all celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ!
I have 2 grandsons that love coins, and we are looking forward to see them receive their coins for Christmas this year.
I never win anything, but still hoping for a miracle… 🙂
After suffering major depression, hopefully I am healing and looking forward to Christmas and the coming New Year,
dave
What a great family tradition it is to give a silver bar to each of my grown children.
I am grateful for my life.
Merry Christmas to all, I love spending time with my son looking at all the silver options. It’s a bonding memory time. Thank you Provident for making this possible.
Spending time with family
Looking forward to spending time with my 3 kids and watching them open presents.
My oldest son is nearing adulthood. I look forward to spending this Christmas morning with him as I won’t have many more before he ventures out on his on.
Looking forward to and hoping to get more silver for Christmas.