Stockings Filled with Goodies Are a Welcome Part of Holiday Tradition

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

~ Clement C. Moore

(Vienna, VA) – ‘Tis the season to hang stockings by the chimney with care in anticipation of receiving candy canes, chocolate Santas and lots of other goodies – and hopefully not a lump of coal. Receiving a bulging Christmas stocking is a holiday tradition most parents enjoyed as children and now continue with their own kids, according to a survey conducted by the National Confectioners Association.

In the survey, 81 percent of parents said that when they were kids, they received stockings filled with candy and other goodies at the holidays. Now, 85 percent said they have continued the fun tradition by giving their kids holiday stockings.

Exactly what are the roots of this seasonal merriment? And why do we hang out stockings as opposed to empty sacks, for instance?

The origin of this wonderful tradition dates back to the fourth century, to the real Saint Nicholas who was especially noted for his kindness to children. St. Nick heard about three poor sisters whose father was desperate because he could not afford to provide them with dowries so they could marry. As the legend continues, the sisters washed their stockings as usual and hung them by the chimney to dry. That night, St. Nicholas secretly visited their home, tossing a handful of gold coins down their chimney. Where should they fall but in the stockings, giving birth to the tradition of the Christmas stocking.

What will jolly old St. Nick leave in stockings this holiday season? Expect to find a candy cane or two – nearly 1.8 billion candy canes will be made for the season, destined for stockings, Christmas tree boughs and candy bowls. While peppermint may still be the most popular flavor, kids may also find a variety of fruit-flavored and even super sour candy canes poking from the tops of their stockings.

Chocolate and candy Santas also will abound, ranging from solid chocolate to marshmallow and jelly-filled treats, lollipops to jolly little jelly varieties. An estimated 150 million chocolate Santas will be made for the season. Look for boxed chocolates, too, which come in sizes small enough to tuck into a stocking to large enough to be enjoyed by a house filled with family and friends. More boxed chocolates are sold between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than any other time of the year. Gold foil-wrapped chocolate coins also will be popular treats tossed into stockings and enjoyed by kids during Hanukah celebrations.

But in addition to traditional goodies, lucky kids may find “interactive” or novelty candies, one of the fastest growing segments of the candy industry with double-digit growth in each of the past four years. Interactive candies combine sweet treats with a toy, making them perfect stocking stuffers. Look for battery-operated lollipop holders featuring popular characters that talk or move, Santa Claus candy and gum dispensers and candies packaged in personal-size carrying containers shaped like race car tires, miniature make-up bags and other items.

“As Americans gather to ring in the Christmas and Hanukah season this year, our traditions may play a stronger role than ever,” says Larry Graham, president of the National Confectioners Association and the Chocolate Manufacturers Association. “Throughout centuries of celebration, candy has held a special place as a welcome gift, festive decoration and tasty ingredient in the foods we enjoy. It’s hard to imagine the winter holidays without candy canes, stockings and boxed chocolates.”

Best of all, enjoyed in moderation, these goodies fit any lifestyle.

“Candy and chocolate add a little extra measure of pleasure and joy to our lives not just at the holidays, but year-round,” says Graham. “And eaten in moderation, they certainly fit any active lifestyle.”