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!
Christmas is a time to be thankful for all the blessings we received throughout the year and to pay it forward.
As my children get older and more into their lives I see them less and less so now that Christmas is near I will be looking forward to all of us being together again.
Happy Holidays to all!!!
My loved ones, while not abundant, live far from me… Instead I’ll be working but also, maintaining gratitude for being employed, and look forward for that opportunity to develop my craft everyday… Merry Christmas to all and best wishes
Looking forward to spending time with friends and family.
Friends and family
Looking forward to silver prices continue to drop, so I can buy more for the holidays!
Looking forward to good cheer, music, laughter and love with family and friends close at hand.
I like the holidays my grandkids are going crazy trying to guess what they will get for Christmas and a gift for Grandpa low spot price on silver ho ho ho
Christmas is a time for giving. So giving a silver round as a gift will make it a future family tradition to come.
Hi all I enjoy buying 10 oz silver bars from provident metals ! Merry Christmas !!!
I really love and enjoy Christmas time each year. It was after my second war when I traveled with a group of friends and loved ones via train to another country….not so distant Eastern Europe at the time, former Soviet Bloc….I learned the true meaning of Christmas that year. Not long before I didn’t much mind being gone from it at war in the name of, what we perceived to be, a greater cause as, we all know, the scent and smoke and sweat of a holiday gift shop are nauseating at three in the afternoon. Then the soul-erosion produced by such profiteering – a compost of fear and nervous tension – becomes unbearable and the soul is reminded to retract from the unclean…
But I learned that year with my comrades in arms and loved ones that Christmas isn’t about the presents under a German tannenbaum — it’s about the presence of those you love, and the love Christ has for us. I wish that for this nation, and for all its citizenry.
Having my children and grandchildren coming home for Christmas. As my family moves to different parts of the country they always return home for Christmas. Going to Christmas eve candle light service. Seeing how excited the little ones are when they see what Santa left on Christmas morning.
Spending time with family and friends that we do not see during the year due to distance and/time constraints.
Forgetting about my Cancer and spend the most wonderful time with my wonderful and supportive Family.
Looking forward to time off from work and relaxin’ with family
Hear Those Silver Rounds Chinging
Going Ching Ching Ching Ching~A~Ling!
I love this time of the year because it’s a way to give back to others. We will be helping out with Toys for Tots tomorrow to those less fortunate. I can’t wait to see the glow on some kids face.
Visiting relatives!
Quality time with the whole family!
The sseason is all about appreciating what you have in life and spending time with friends and family.
Being happy with my family
I’ll be looking forward for some peaceful time off with the whole family. All of kids are at ages that is fun to watch them open their gifts. Paper flying, squeals of excitement, and sugar fueled fighting. Gotta love it!
Wishing all employees at Provident metals a great season and thanks for the help making Christmas fine.
Looking forward to spend Christmas with my son and his wife and two daughters Chloe’s going to be 3 in a baby’s going to be 6 months I like to bring the the turkey for the mill and they make the the trimmings
May everyone have a wonderful holiday!
*******PEACE********
After a experiencing a tremendous loss recently, I want to reach out to others who are hurting and help them. I starting a tradition year round and not just at Christmas of helping others.
God Bless
All I want for Christmas is peace and happiness.
With the birth of my great niece a few days ago I see our family growing. Growing by numbers is always a good thing but more than that I am looking for us to grow closer and provide the strength a few of us need to overcome some physical problems we have encountered in 2017. To give love and get love are the greatest presents anyone can receive.
I’m hoping for a special day with my family and not having to worry about everything else that’s going on around the world. Peace on Earth for a day wouldn’t be so bad would it?