By the Chimney with Care: phxazlaura@gmail.com

History of the Christmas Stocking

The custom of hanging Christmas stockings on the fireplace mantel Christmas Eve night originated with the real St. Nicholas, a Catholic bishop from the ancient Mediterranean city of Myra. Hearing of a destitute family in need of dowry money for their daughters’ marriages, Nicholas threw gold coins through the window of their humble dwelling. As the story grew into legend, the coins were said to have landed in the stockings of the family, which were hanging by the fire to dry.

The Christmas stocking tradition was given a tremendous boost through the poem A Visit From Saint Nicholas, by Clement Moore in 1822 … better known as The Night Before Christmas. Long before Christmas became a windfall for savvy entrepreneurs, with their promotion of gifts, tinsel, fancy paper and ribbons, the Christmas stocking was the high point of delight in children’s awakening on Christmas morning to find what St. Nick had left for them.

This current collection by Laura Orsini is a modern version of an old custom. The intention here is to create heirlooms and traditions that can be passed on through time, with stockings to match every taste and household decor.

To this day, in anticipation of a visit from old St. Nicholas, we still find hanging legwear on the mantel at Christmas Eve … or, as in the case of those homes without fireplaces, on the bookcase or entertainment center. Children and adults alike awake to find their stockings, or socks, as they are also called, filled with a variety of goodies: nuts, fruit, candies, and handmade trinkets.

Customs From Other Countries

In some countries, it’s not stockings, but shoes ... such as French children who place their shoes by the fireplace, a tradition dating back to when children wore wooden peasant shoes. In Holland, children fill their shoes with hay and a carrot for the horse of Sintirklass. Hungarian children shine their shoes before putting them near the door or a window sill.Italian children leave their shoes out the night before the Epiphany, January 5, for La Befana, the good witch. And in Puerto Rico, children put greens and flowers in small boxes, which they place under their beds for the Three Kings’ camels.

For further information, please eMail phxazlaura@gmail.com.

Our Story

Hello, and Happy Christmas!

If you are looking for the perfect, one-of-a-kind gift for that hard-to-please person, these Christmas stockings are your answer! Perfect for newlyweds, new babies, Fido, or someone who will cherish a personalized gift.

Personalized Stockings

We’ve received requests to personalize everything, from stockings for musicians, Frank Sinatra fans, actors, and ladies’ favorite flowers. Stockings are available in traditional colors and designs, along with funky, contemporary designs to fit any home, hobby, or lifestyle. The stockings on this site are for sale, as is – but we also accept custom requests. Please allow one week for delivery.

How We Got Started

I’ve been sewing for my whole life. My older sister taught me after she learned from my dad, who taught her how to make Barbie clothes. The very first things I made were a bandana (really tough – you cut a square and put a hem on it!) and a pullover top. But I was hooked from the first moment! Fabric stores and I go wayyyy back – my first job, at 16, was as a clerk at House of Fabrics in Park Central Mall in Phoenix. I learned a lot working there – including how to look for and find remnants and sales on fabric. And boy, do I have fabric … mountains of it. Some of it followed me from HoF in my move to New Jersey… and back.

The Christmas stockings came about because I offered to make a stocking for a coworker at Lehman Brothers who’d recently had a baby. She liked it so much, she asked me to make two more, for herself and her husband. That was all it took. I’ve been making and selling stockings ever since. The mother of one friend has the biggest collection of them – I think she’s had me make 8 or 9 for all the various members of her family.

What I love most about making Christmas stockings is the diversity. There truly is something for every taste. My new favorites are the Red Hat Ladies. I hope you enjoy looking at the pictures … and that if you see something you love, you’ll decide to grab it while you can. Custom orders are, of course, accepted!

Happiest holidays -

Laura