 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Shop by Department
|
Gifts & Gift
Baskets |
|
|
|
|
Santa's Suit and Stockings
|
|
The traditional explanation for the custom of hanging stockings involves
the historical Saint Nicholas. According to legend, Saint Nicholas saved
three daughters from being sold into slavery by anonymously giving them
gold for their dowries. The girls had left their stockings drying by the
fire, so Saint Nick secretly put bags of gold in the stockings.
Christmas Depot |
|
Angels & Angel Treetops
|
|
Christmas Ornaments
|
| This illuminated angel features a
porcelain head and arms. She is dressed in a white satin dress covered by a
gold lace overskirt. She holds a scintillating fiber-optic flower in one
hand. Her wings illuminate in a prismatic
pattern.
Click Here! |
|
This elegant glass orange ornament
features a delicate hand enameled finish. Revive the traditions of the
Renaissance by adding the look of fresh fruit to your holiday display. This
ornament is perfect for decorating centerpieces and garlands.
Click Here! |
|
Christmas Lighting
|
|
Christmas Trees |
| Ideal for indoor and outdoor use.
This short needled wreath is ready to be mounted! It is accessorized with
100 multi colored lights along with the finest weatherproof cones and
berries. These wreaths are flame retardant, extremely rugged, and guaranteed
to be impervious against all weather conditions.
Click Here! |
|
The Imported Deluxe Arctic Pine replicates the tall trees of the northern forests. It features variegated foliage that gives it the realistic look of a still-growing tree. This is the perfect tree for industrial and commercial uses, or any place where an impressive size is a necessity. This replicates the look of new growth.
Click Here! |
|
|
An older version of the story states that he put the gold in their shoes, rather than their stockings. Since stockings weren't invented until the Middle Ages in Europe, and Saint Nicholas lived in 3rd century Lycia, if the story actually happened, it must have involved shoes, not true stockings. Indeed, in some parts of Europe the children still leave out shoes, rather than stockings.
The classic American tradition is to leave the stockings hanging by the chimney. Unfortunately, few modern Americans live in houses with chimneys. Therefore, stockings are often hung on banisters, or off of shelves. Specially weighted stocking hangers make it possible to hang stockings without damaging woodwork with nails or screws.
How Santa Got His Outfit
The earliest depictions of Saint Nicholas show him in his Bishop's miter and robes. This was the image that as popularized across Europe, and which remains in Roman Catholic and Orthodox countries. He was, and continues to be, honored as the patron of children. His feast day of December 6 was the beginning of the holiday season, and children received a gift on that day. When the Reformation occurred, however, the honoring of saints was abolished in Protestant countries. Despite their confession of Protestantism, the Dutch loved the figure of Saint Nick too much to get rid of him altogether. He therefore evolved into purely a holiday icon.
The Dutch brought Saint Nicholas with them to New Amsterdam. They called him Sinter Klaas, which was anglicized into Santa Claus. Since he was no longer a Saint, they took away the attributes of sainthood, and depicted him instead as a personification of the Holiday season.
Santa's modern form was largely created by Thomas Nast, an illustrator for Harper's in the late 19th century. His depictions of Santa as a rotund man, dressed in a red suit edged with fur and carrying a sack full of toys, has become the standard. When Coca Cola was looking for a holiday icon for a Christmas advertising campaign in the 1930s, their artist chose Nast's depiction of Santa. While the Coca Cola ads are sometimes erroneously given credit for creating Santa's red and white outfit, they did help to solidify the image in the American imagination.
Santa's hat is a soft version of the conical hat worn by fairies in European art. Divorced from his religious roots, the Dutch Sinter Klaas became more and more elf-like. He was often said to be followed by fairies. In fact, Santa is referred to as elf in the classic American poem The Night Before Christmas. The fairy connection, of course, is still found in the form of Santa's elves, tirelessly making toys at the North Pole.
Christmas Depot.com carries high-quality Santa suits and hats, perfect for bringing a touch of jollity to any holiday celebration!
Christmas Depot |
|
|
We offer the best selection of Christmas trees,
lights, garlands, ornaments, animated figures, holiday music boxes and outdoor
decorations available anywhere on the Internet.
Christmas Depot
Christmas |
Angels |
Christmas Bells
| Christmas
Collectibles | Christmas Crafts |
Christmas Decorations |
Christmas Gadgets
| Christmas Garlands |
Christmas Gifts
| Christmas Gift Ideas
| Christmas Lights
| Christmas Music
|
Christmas Presents |Christmas
Ornaments
| Christmas
Ornaments Tradition
| Christmas Trees
| Christmas Trees
Tradition
| Christmas
Wreaths | Nativity Scenes |
Nutcrackers
| Santa Suit & Stockings |
|
|
|
Christmas Shopping:
Christmas
Christmas Beer
Christmas Gift Ideas Christmas 2004
Christmas Collectibles
Christmas
Cigars Christmas Decorations Gift Ideas
Champagne
Wine
Personalized Christmas Gifts
Christmas Crafts
Christmas
Chocolate
Christmas
Decorating Ideas
Christmas Dinners
Christmas
Fashion
Christmas Flowers
Christmas Fragrance Christmas Gifts
Christmas Gift Baskets
Christmas Gadgets
Christmas Gourmet
Christmas Jewelry
Christmas Perfume
Christmas Presents
Christmas Recipes
Christmas Special
Personalized Christmas Mugs
Unique Christmas Gifts
|
|
|
This site was last
updated on 05.10.2006
Copyright © 1997-2006 GiftsGiftBaskets, All right reserved.
|
|
|
|
Gift for Him |
Wine Gift Crates
On Sale
A great selection of wines from famous vineries, Beringer, Robert Mondavi, BV Georges Latour...
Gifts for Him |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Are you looking
for
Gifts
|
|
|
|
