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Christmas

Why is a clementine put in a Christmas stocking?

9 replies

Numberfour · 23/12/2009 12:43

I grew up in South Africa and we did not have Christmas stockings as kids, but of course my DS has one.
I have always wondered why the tradition of a clementine (and chocolate coins) in the stocking??

Does anyone know how this tradition originated?

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purpleturtle · 23/12/2009 12:47

I'm sorry I don't. But DS1 put a specific request in his letter to FC not to have a squishy orange this year!

(Think I'll wrap it in bubblewrap, or put it in a box)

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hocuspontas · 23/12/2009 12:50

My three teenagers insist on a satsuma in their stockings, even going as far as writing to Santa one year when he forgot.

But I don't know the origin, sorry.

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mustrunmore · 23/12/2009 12:54

Because in true Dickensian fashion, you could only afford fresh fruit like that as a treat at christmas. Satsumas were the games consoles of the victorian era

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CherryChristmasEveryone · 23/12/2009 12:54

we have a satsuma rather than a clementine! no idea why, we always did as children and have carried on the tradition

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HeffaMerryChristmas · 23/12/2009 12:54

I didn't know it was a tradition I thought my mum just put them in there so that I had something healthy to make up for all the chocolate.

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norksinmychristmasstocking · 23/12/2009 12:58

reason for gold coins and oranges

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mustrunmore · 23/12/2009 12:58

Oh and the coins stem from the tale of santa leaving gold coings in the stockings of a girl who was poor and her Dad couldnt afford a dowry. She left her stockings to dry by the fire and he put them in there in secret, because the man was too ashamed of being poor. I cant remeber what country or any more details of the story tho. You can prob embellish it yourself!!

santa always used to give me a pack of batteries too

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mustrunmore · 23/12/2009 13:00

Lol, I typed too slowly! And apparently missed out 2 daughters Didnt know about the coal tho norks. I thought coal only came into play during first footing.

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Numberfour · 23/12/2009 18:56

thanks, everyone!! satsuma for DS it will be, then (if i can get to the shop tomorrow - may have to be a squishy pear!)

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