Many of the traditions of the Canadian pioneer carried through to half way or more of the 20th century. Settler’s stockings usually held nuts or an apple, as well as a smaller treasurer that would have been hand made, such as a cornhusk doll or a beautifully carved little horse complete with mane and tail.After the year 1860 or so, gingerbread became a Christmas tradition and was sometimes included in the stockings. Of course, they were made completely by hand, being shaped by the baker without the use of modern materials such a cookie cutter. It probably goes without saying that icing bags did not yet exist to decorate the cookies with.
Whereas our stockings are hung by the chimney with care, early Canadian settlers hung theirs on their bedposts. Apparently, Santa was still able to locate and fill them, despite their distance from a mantel.
I'm not sure that in today's high-tech, consumer-driven world, that people would appreciate waking up to find the simple gifts in their socks that our fore bearers did. Then again, maybe reverting back to a simpler time when we were far happier with far less, wouldn't be a bad thing. Perhaps if we were to do that, we as a country could once again feel the true specialness of the Holidays.
Canadian Christmas pioneer stockings - maybe the time is right for a revival.
I'm not sure that in today's high-tech, consumer-driven world, that people would appreciate waking up to find the simple gifts in their socks that our fore bearers did. Then again, maybe reverting back to a simpler time when we were far happier with far less, wouldn't be a bad thing. Perhaps if we were to do that, we as a country could once again feel the true specialness of the Holidays.
Canadian Christmas pioneer stockings - maybe the time is right for a revival.
