This custom dates back to a myth: once upon a time there was a kind-hearted aristocrats, his wife due to illness died and left him and his three daughters. This noble tried many inventions, failed, therefore also spent money, so they had to move to a farmhouse life, his daughters also had to personally cooking, sewing and cleaning. Perky expression for the daughters to marry the age in succession, the father became even more depressed because he didn't have the money to buy the dowry daughters. One night, washing clothes daughters will hang stockings at the fireplace drying. Saint Nicholas know their father's situation, that night, came to their doorstep. His family are all from the window to see already asleep, simultaneously also noticed that girls stockings. Immediately, he from his pocket three packets gold from the chimney each cast, just dropped on the girls stocking. The next morning when the daughters awoke they found their stockings contained enough gold for them to get married. The nobleman was able to see his three daughters marry and has since lived a long and happy life. Later, kids around the world has inherited the tradition of hanging Christmas stockings. In some countries children have similar customs, in France, the children place their shoes by the fireplace, etc.