HISTORY OF STOCKINGS

HOLIDAY GIFT Guide

THE HISTORY OF Christmas Stockings

FROM WITCHES TO CLOGS, THE STORY BEHIND STOCKINGS.

Just when the excitement of opening presents abates after the last of the packages under COURTESY OF METRO NEWS SERVICE the Christmas tree have been torn open, children and adults alike may discover that there are more treats to be had nestled inside of stockings hung on the mantle.

The hanging of Christmas stockings is a tradition with an extensive history. Several legends attribute the hanging of stockings to different people or events. Here is a look at some of the stories that have made Christmas stockings so popular.

ST. NICHOLAS DAY

Rather than hanging stockings on Christmas, many countries celebrate Saint Nicholas Day on December 6, and this is when stockings are proudly left out for treats. The small, inexpensive trinkets are later unwrapped and enjoyed on Christmas Day.

MERCHANT'S FAMILY STORY

A popular tale tells the story of a merchant, his wife and three daughters. After the wife falls ill and dies, the man becomes devastated and squanders all of his wealth on frivolous things to mask his sadness. When it comes time for the daughters to marry, the man does not have money for a dowry. St. Nicholas hears of the plight and knows the man would be too proud to accept charity. Therefore, St. Nicholas anonymously tosses three bags of gold coins down the chimney. The man's daughters had done the laundry prior and left their stockings hanging by the fireplace to dry. The gold landed in the stockings, thus starting the Christmas stocking tradition.

DUTCH HERITAGE

One tradition says that, in 16th century Holland, children kept their clogs filled with straw in front of the hearth for Santa's reindeer to find. They also left treats for Santa Claus. In return, Santa would leave gifts in the clogs. Over time, stockings were swapped out for clogs.

ITALIAN GOOD WITCH

One stocking story does not attribute the tradition to Santa, but to a kindhearted Italian witch named “La Befana.” La Befana arrives on a broomstick the night of January 5 and fills the stockings of good children with sweet treats and toys. Bad children are awarded lumps of coal. La Befana is also credited with being the old woman who the wise men ask for directions to Christ's manger in the Christ child's story. After turning down an offer to accompany them, La Befana later carried gifts in search of Christ.

HOLIDAY GIFT Guide

Favorite Our MAINE GIFTS

We asked our staff and writers to share their favorite Maine-made gifts to give.

From CORALIE CROSS GRAPHIC DESIGNER

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE?

Beautiful furniture and toys from Woodshapers Shop of Maine.

WHY IT'S SPECIAL: They're handmade in Maine, beautifully crafted and you can't find toys like this in the box stores.

WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: The furniture and wreathes and arches make a wonderful addition to any home, outside or inside. The toys are a special gift for the kids. And their arches are perfect for a wedding or other celebration.

COST: Range from $10 to $300 depending on what you are looking for.

WHERE TO GET IT: woodshapershopofmaine.com

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE?

Maine-made jewelry with custom metalwork and local materials, such as sea glass, tourmaline or granite. FEATURE WRITER

WHY IT'S SPECIAL: Nice jewelry can make someone feel very special when they wear it, and certain designs and materials can remind them of a particular place or memory.

WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: Someone special in your life, whether it's your mother or sister or significant other.

COST: Varies greatly.

WHERE TO GET IT: The Rock & Art Shop in Bangor or The Lupine Cottage: From AISLINN SARNACKI

A Maine Artist Coop in Belfast.

HOLIDAY GIFT Guide

From MATT CHABE SPECIAL SECTIONS SENIOR EDITOR

WHY IT'S SPECIAL: Maine craftsmen and women often use natural resources, such as wood, stone, gemstones, and leaves found in Maine to make unique ornaments. WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: Any family member or friend; or for a gift swap. COST: Anywhere from $1 up, depending on materials used or how elaborate it is. WHERE TO GET IT: Many of the dozens of craft fairs held in Maine in fall and spring, as well as small independent shops sprinkled throughout the state. WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE? "A Walk In the Park: Acadia's Hiking Guide" by Tom St. Germain.

WHY IT'S SPECIAL: You could buy any number of Acadia National Park hiking guides written by the "big names," but this one's the real deal. St. Germain—also the owner of Bar Harbor staple Jack Russell's Steak House—takes an exhaustive approach to chronicling nearly every trail in the park, often dropping bits of trail lore in the process. I've owned my dogeared copy for nearly ten years, and it's one of the best guide books I own.

WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: Casual and serious hikers alike.

COST: $14

WHERE TO GET IT: There are old editions on Amazon, but you're better off ordering the current edition from Jack Russell's website (do a Google search)

From

JULIE HARRIS

COMMUNITY

EDITOR

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU

LOVE TO GIVE? Ornaments.

or find it at select business around MDI. No one said it would be easy. From MICHELE DWYER CREATIVE MANAGER

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE?

I love giving gifts from Willy Wags, anything from funny cards to air plants to Maine ornaments, soaps, bath bombs and more.

WHY IT'S SPECIAL: The Willie Wags is owned by Jamie Clark, a 30-something mommy, wife and multi-tasking maven. Inspired by spotlighting the best female owned businesses and products she could find, she hand picked, packed and shipped the very first Willie Wags subscription boxes out of her house in Levant. Since 2016, The Willie Wags has grown and opened a brick & mortar store in downtown Bangor.

WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: You can find something for everyone and anyone.

COST: Varies depending on the product.

WHERE TO GET IT: Online at thewilliewags.com and at the store at 78 Harlow St. in downtown Bangor.

HOLIDAY GIFT Guide

From ABIGAIL CURTIS FEATURES WRITER

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE? Lip balms from Long Winter Farm in Damariscotta.

WHY IT'S SPECIAL: These small-batch products are crafted with natural ingredients, care and often a sense of humor and even political engagement. Also, they smell great.

WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: Anyone! I like giving these as stocking stuffers because they are a little off the beaten track and are likely to make someone smile, especially if you go for one of the more unusual varieties such as Pony Breath, Coffee Brandy, Flapjacks or Spoiler Alert. Winter is the season of chapped lips, but you can get through it with flair with the help of fun lip balms.

COST: Lip balm is $5.

WHERE TO GET IT: Online at longwinterfarm.com or at their new bricksand-mortar store at 11 Friendship St. in Waldoboro. Around Bangor, The Rock & Art Shop or Tiller & Rye in Brewer both carry the products.

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE? American Stonecraft slate boards and coasters.

WHY IT'S SPECIAL: I discovered these while on a trip to Boston last winter. Though the company is Massachusetts-based, they produce platters, cheeseboards, coasters and more with slate from farms around the northeast. All are marked with the farm they came from. I love how this gives new life to something that was essential to agrarian life here in Maine. I bought one made of slate from a Maine farm for serving cheeses and love it so much.

WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: Food lovers, farm fans, anyone who wants to own a little piece of history.

COST: Prices vary, but typically $40-$100.

WHERE TO GET IT: Available at several stores in Maine including Ricker Hill Orchards in Turner, Eventide Specialties in Boothbay and Weston’s Farm and Market in Fryeburg. Also available online at americanstonecraft.com.

From SARAH WALKER

CARON

BANGOR METRO EDITOR & BDN FEATURES EDITOR

PHOTOS: GRAFVISION, JAKKAPAN21/THINKSTOCK

HOLIDAY GIFT Guide

From AMY ALLEN ART DIRECTOR

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE? LiveME T-shirts. Specifically, my brother (whose last name is Bowler) has a "Bowl ME" T-shirt coming his way this Christmas.

WHY IT'S SPECIAL: LiveME shirts and apparel are printed in Portland and come in lots of simple fun designs, with phrases like Fish ME, Hike ME and Beer ME. With T-shirts, hats, drinkware, posters, baby onesies and more, there's something for everyone. They're perfect for people who love Maine — whether you live here or you're an out-of-stater.

WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: They're perfect for people who love Maine — whether you live here or you're an out-of-stater. Their ornaments, totes and other trickets also make great hostess gifts if you're traveling this holiday.

COST: Varies depending on product. Most T-shirts are around $25.

WHERE TO GET IT: Online at livememaine.com and at various retailers.

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO

GIVE? A bag of 44 North Coffee.

WHY IT'S SPECIAL: Not only is it roasted in Deer Isle by some wonderful people, but it's also some of the best coffee you'll have in Maine.

WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: Coffee lovers of any age.

COST: $7.75 for a half-pound/$15 for a pound.

WHERE TO GET IT:

44northcoffee.com, or Bangor Wine & Cheese Company, the Natural Living Center, Belfast Co-op, Blue Hill Co-op, others. From EMILY BURNHAM FEATURE WRITER

HOLIDAY GIFT Guide

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF POPULAR Christmas Movies

COURTESY OF METRO NEWS SERVICE

Television is full of feel-good movies come the holiday season. Choose from among classic flicks you have watched year after year or new movies vying for spots as soon-to-be favorites.

Watching Christmas movies is a holiday tradition for many families. So much so that lines from popular movies are easily remembered and recognized. Those who can recite movies verbatim might enjoy testing their mettle with the following Christmas quiz loaded with memorable quotes from some holiday classics.

1. "It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags." 2. "Uh, since the United States Government declares this man to be Santa Claus, this court will not dispute it. Case dismissed."

3. "I want an official

Red Ryder, carbine action, 200 shot range model air rifle." 4. "Bless this highly nutritious microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner and the people who sold it on sale. Amen." 5. "Iris, in the movies, we have leading ladies and we have the best friend.

You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason, you're behaving like the best friend."

6. "Now I have a machine gun. Ho-ho-ho.." 7. "We all know that

Christmas is a big commercial racket.

It's run by a big

Eastern syndicate you know." 8. "Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."

10. "Tell me something,

Billy. How come a cute little guy like this can turn into a thousand ugly monsters?" 11. "That's not 'my' Christmas! 'My' Christmas is filled with laughter, and joy... and this: my Sandy Claws outfit.

I want you to make it." 9. "Light the lamp, not the rat, light the lamp, not the rat! Put me out, put me out, put me out!"

12. "I fear you more than any spectre I have seen.

But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear your company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?"

13. "I passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the

Lincoln Tunnel."

14. "I want to wash my hands, my face, my hair with snow."

15. "If TV has taught me anything, it's that miracles always happen to poor kids at Christmas. It happened to Tiny Tim, it happened to Charlie

Brown, it happened to The Smurfs, and it's gonna happen to us!"

16. "Wanna see some magic? OK, let's watch you disappear!"

16. "Bad Santa" 15. "The Simpson's Christmas" 14. "White Christmas" 13. "Elf" 12. "A Christmas Carol" 11. "The Nightmare Before Christmas" 10. "Gremlins" 9. "The Muppets Christmas Carol" 8. "The Polar Express" 7. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" 6. "Die Hard" 5. "The Holiday" 4. "Home Alone" 3. "A Christmas Story" 2. "Miracle on 34th Street" 1. "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas"

Reindeer Games

6. In "It's a Wonderful Life" what movie is playing at the theater in Bedford Falls?

7. What's the name of the rabbit in the magic hat in "Frosty the Snowman"?

Find answers on page 45!

HOLIDAY GIFT Guide

The gift of

EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE GIFTS ARE OUT-OF-THE-BOX EXCITING.

COURTESY OF METRO NEWS SERVICE T he holidays are a season for decorating, WINE TASTING: Find a local winery that offers tours and entertaining and, of course, figuring out what other wine-tasting experiences. Many areas of the country to get all of the special people on gift lists. Instead of not particularly known as meccas for wine are still homes navigating crowded stores to find a gift that may just take to local wineries. Treat a loved one to a day at a nearby up space in their loved ones' closets, more and more people winery or vineyard, bringing along some snacks, such as are giving the gift of an experience. bread and cheese, to pair with the wines.

According to Dr. Thomas Gilovich, a professor of psychology at Cornell University, new belongings will only be FITNESS CLASS PARTY: Enable fitness enthusiasts to try exciting at first, but then people adapt to them. If shoppers' out new and trendy exercise classes by giving the gift of a goals are to prolong those feelings of excitement, then personal class or membership. Consider tagging along to a class so experiences can be more effective than material goods. the recipient doesn't have to go it alone.

When shopping for those who seemingly have everything, a gift of an experience may be a smarter choice, especially HEAD IN THE CLOUDS: Book a trip aboard a sight-seeing if the experience is something the recipient may never have plane, balloon or helicopter for the high-flying thrill-seeker done before or wouldn't think to get for him or herself. For on your holiday shopping list. Contact a nearby airport or those who need a little inspiration, the following are some sightseeing company to find out what is available. Some ways to treat loved ones to special experiences. tours circle national monuments and points of interests, providing more bang for the buck.

ACTION AND ADVENTURE: There's adventure to be had on land as well. Racing fans can sit behind the wheel of a race car and lap the racetrack like their favorite NASCAR® stars. Those who prefer getting a little wet with their wild may enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion.

THE CHOICE IS THEIRS: If you're stuck on what to get, let recipients choose their own experience. Companies like Cloud 9 Living enable individuals to choose their experiences from a wide variety of options.

Reindeer Games

8. What is the capital of Christmas Island?

9. According to the 1964 TV special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," who is Rudolph's father?

Find answers on page 45!