On the New Year, it is customary to put presents under a tree. However, after the New Year( and Catholics, on the contrary, back in December), there comes a series of Christmas holidays, and in order to enjoy their atmosphere, one can borrow an interesting Western custom of hiding gifts in a Christmas sock.
In Europe and the USA on Christmas Eve, parents decorate the fireplace with decorative socks, stockings and boots, and in the morning children find gifts in them. It seems that this tradition was invented just as another amusing way of presenting the long-awaited toys and sweets. But, in fact, the habit of hiding gifts in Christmas socks has a long and informative history.
Today "Dream House" offers its readers to plunge into the fairy tale and learn a long tradition, thanks to which in many families it is customary to hang socks, stockings and boots on Christmas night. In addition, you will learn how and from what you can make such socks and where to hang them. Read, see photos of Christmas socks and boots, be inspired and decorate your house!
Christmas knitted socks on the fireplace
White Christmas socks for gifts
How the Christmas socks appeared
For the first time socks for Christmas gifts were used in America and Western Europe. As is known, in fairy tales of these countries it is believed that Santa Claus gets into the homes of obedient kids through the chimney. However, why did he begin using hosiery as a gift wrapper? It turns out that there is an interesting explanation for this.
One of the legends says that once in a small English town lived a widower, whose only wealth was his three daughters. The man was worried that because of poverty he would not be able to provide daughters with decent dowries, and no one would marry them. On the eve of Christmas, the widower shared his sorrows with a friend. By a lucky coincidence, the complaint of the man was heard by Santa Claus, who decided to help the disadvantaged family. Santa Claus realized that the pride and modesty of the widower would not allow him to take money from him, so he decided to present the gold dots to the men's daughters as a Christmas present.
When night fell, Santa Claus, as usual, descended the chimney to the widower's house. However, instead of Christmas decorations and a festively decorated Christmas tree in the girls' room, he saw only washed socks and stockings hung on the fireplace. Santa Claus had no choice but to put gold coins there. In the morning, when the girls woke up and found precious gifts, they shared such pleasant news with their friends and neighbors, and gradually the entire population of the town learned about this Christmas story. Ever since, on a festive night, people have been putting on stockings and socks on fireplaces, in the hope that Santa Claus will also make them happy with their gifts.
White knitted Christmas socks
Red Christmas socks as an interior decoration
Red Christmas boots with a snowflake
How to make decorative Christmas socks or boots
Of course, everyone understands that the history of Christmas socks is only a beautiful pre-holiday fairy tale, however this way of presenting gifts to thesehas not lost its relevance, and in many respects due to the fact that these products become a bright element of festive decor.
Christmas socks
Christmas stockings, sock or boots can be done on their own, in addition, in several ways. Most often this element of festive decor is made of felt, any dense fabric or woolen threads.
To sew a Christmas sock from felt or fabric, first you need to draw on the cardboard the shape of the future product - the template. The size of the sock depends on the size of the gifts. If desired, you can make even miniature products, which will be an excellent decoration of the New Year tree or other decorative compositions.
Next, using a ready-made template, two parts of a future boot are cut out on felt or fabric. After that, the cut out material is tightly sewn to each other along the edges from the wrong side, and is turned outward.
To the sock has become a truly festive decorative element, it will need to be decorated additionally. For example, the top of the product can be decorated with white fluffy fur, and then the sock will look like a Santa Claus boot. Instead of fur, you can also use shining rain, satin ribbons, bows, lace or bells.
Christmas boot from felt
Christmas boots with own hands
Red-green Christmas socks on fireplace
Large-sized Christmas boots are often decorated with additional details. For example, the product can be decorated with figures carved from felt - in the form of snowflakes, snowmen, Santa Claus, deer, etc. In addition, very beautiful look socks, sewn from fabrics of different colors. If you make socks for several children, embroider on them the initials of the recipients of gifts, so that the kids know that Santa Claus does not deprive anyone of attention.
Decorative socks for Christmas gifts
Christmas socks with your own hands
If you like to knit, you will probably get a knitted Christmas boot. They are made in almost the same way as conventional knitted socks. It is only desirable to make them as dense as possible, so choose the thickest threads possible.
If desired, the boot can be made volumetric. To do this, cut out a solid foundation from the solid cardboard-sole and sew it inside the sock. And, of course, the ready boot should be decorated with a bright edge. However, instead of the edge, you can also use beautiful decorative cuffs. Just do not forget to attach a small loop on top of the sock, for which it will be suspended.
How to tie a boot for Christmas
Knitted Christmas boot
How to tie a Christmas sock
Christmas knitted socks
Where to hang a Christmas sock
Traditionally, these socks are hung along the mantelpiece. However, do not worry if there is no fireplace in your house , because Christmas socks are for giving gifts and decorating the interior, so you can hang them anywhere: near the baby's bed, above the door, on the wall, on the window frame, etc.
If you have a few Christmas socks, you can make them a kind of garland. To do this, just attach the socks to a suitable thread or decorative beads, and then hang them along the wall, on the cabinet door, on the stair railing , etc.
Small-sized socks can be hung directly on the tree, and then they will become not just a beautiful gift box, but also the original festive decoration of the Christmas tree .
Christmas boot on the front door
Christmas socks photo
How to sew and decorate the Christmas sock
Light green color boots Christmas photos
Choosing in the store or making Christmas socks alone, draw to this process of the child. The kid is sure to like the story of a good wizard who leaves gifts, and he will want to add a sock to his ornaments.
