Quote Originally Posted by blackmage_nuke View Post
I thought presents usually went under the tree. Are you saying you people get two sets of presents or is this just a cultural difference?
The story goes that you hang stockings by the fireplace so that when Santa comes, he will see them hanging there and put things in it, presumably because he doesn't have time to wrap presents. Plus, they look colorful hanging up on the mantle, all red and white! (or recently, other colors) There are still presents under the tree, but anything from santa will mysteriously appear on Christmas morning, and any child worth his or her salt will have memorized every package that was under the tree and exclaim in glee at there being new ones.

(of course stockings are also good for perishables or items too small to wrap easily, or batteries. who wants to open a present and find batteries I mean wtf)