Dutch Tradition

When Dutch settlers came to colonial America, they brought with them many of their holiday traditions, including children leaving a treat for "Sinterklaas" on Christmas Eve, and placing their wooden clogs--later stockings--by the hearth, according to Plump Stocking.

Story of the Nobleman

Plump Stocking recounts a legend of a nobleman who squandered his fortune, leaving his three daughters poor and without a dowry. One evening, after the sisters had hung their stockings to dry by the fireplace, St. Nicholas happened by their cottage on his horse. Seeing the empty socks, he tossed three bags of gold down the chimney and into the stockings, to the joy of the family.

Stockings in America

Clement Clarke Moore, in his famous 1822 poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas," describes how "the stockings were hung by the chimney with care." Illustrator Thomas Nast, who is frequently given credit for creating our modern-day interpretation of Santa Claus, drew a mantelpiece decked with stockings for an 1886 Christmas Eve story by George Webster.

French Tradition

In a French tradition, children left their wooden peasant shoes in front of the fireplace on Christmas Eve for Pere Noel to fill with candy, according to the website, Christmas World.

Italian Custom

In Italy, children left out their shoes on the night before Epiphany on January 5. This was the time when "La Befana," the good witch, left gifts for good children.

Source:

Plump Stocking: The History of the Christmas Stocking

Christmas World: Christmas Stocking

Christmas World: Christmas Stockings History

More Information:

WorldBook.com: Holidays Around the World - Christmas Around the World - In France