Everyone would love to find a Christmas stocking overflowing with an assortment of amazing trinkets on a Christmas morning with their name written on it.

The practice of hanging an unfilled sock on the mantel on Christmas Eve started in Germany hundreds of years ago. It is said that the beginning of the Christmas stocking happened after a well-to-do businessman by the name of St. Nicholas threw three bags of gold down the chimney of a poor and hopeless nobleman who had no offering to let his three young daughters to marry. The money fell into the drying stockings of each girl, giving them the money they desperately needed to marry their beloveds. Since then, people have used the inspirational story to astonish those they love with little presents inserted within their own socks on Christmas morning.

One long-established practice in Europe is to set aside the stocking for five gifts that enhances each of the five senses, such as:

• Something sugary to eat, like an orange or a piece of candy.
• Something that makes noise, like a whiny toy
• Something that is pleasing to the eye, like a sparkling brooch
• Something that has tangible appeal such as modeling clay.
• Something that stimulates our sense of smell, like a perfume

There are places where the only Christmas present that family members receive are the ones placed inside the stockings. Even though it is mostly often reserved for the children, most American households have taken on the tradition of stuffing Christmas stockings as a custom for the whole family - including pets -- to join in the celebration. While Christmas stockings were initially just standard socks hung on the mantel to dry, today's holiday adaptation consist of an assortment of fashion, sizes and the kind of fabrics used. Homemade stockings seem to be most famous, with every individual family member's names embroidered on top. It is usually made of any kind of colored material the user may desire. The trendiest style remains a wooly red stocking with white feathery trim.

Here are a few simple tips in stuffing the perfect stocking:

-Always consider the recipient's hobby. Small pastime never runs out of popularity. For example, a person who loves to do some quilting, may love new sewing needles, fashionable thimbles or fat quarters; fishermen might like to receive some new one-of-a-kind bait items; while children constantly likes small toys, candies or card games.

-Consider the size of the item. Stockings are considerably small than you might think about. While you may be clever enough to load it with one or two bigger items, it's a lot more entertaining to pull out a group of smaller things throughout the morning.

-Think of something unique and extraordinary that the recipient will surely love. For example, your mom likes the scent of a certain type of perfume, or your Dad loves a unique cigar. Take in at least one additional special item that they wouldn't expect placed in their stocking this year.

-Make the stuffing activity enjoyable for yourself. Stuffing (and accepting) a Christmas stocking is meant to be fun for everyone. Don't stress yourself away thinking a lot about the right stocking stuffer gifts. As an alternative go for something peculiar and exceptional. Have fun searching the novelty shop for rare items that your recipient might like.