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Christmas Stockings Hanging Over the Fireplace
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Posted at 2:36 PMh in News by Steve
The nights are drawing in, the cold is getting deeper, and the holidays are approaching faster than you care to think about. Look on the bright side though… It’s time to get the fireplace going in earnest and let the dancing flames and their healing warmth work their magic. Whether you are an ‘early decorator’ or a ‘last-minute rusher’ to get your home ready for Christmas, we are here to help you make sure it is a safe and warm one this year. Read on for our tips on how to keep your fireplace free from hazards, yet still have a beautifully decorated home. And we haven’t forgotten about the little ones who are probably already overexcited and wondering how Santa can squeeze down through your wood-burning stove pipe.
While Christmas brings its own additional hazards in the form of decorations, there are a few basic safety measures you can put into place, if you haven’t already, to minimise fire risks. They include:
- Have your flue and chimney inspected each year. A check will identify and remove any potential blockages from debris that has blown in, any animal or bird nests that may have appeared, cracks in the brickwork, or a build-up of creosote – better known as soot.
- Checking that your damper is open. You want to open it before you light the fire and only close it once the ashes have cooled.
- Use a screen for an open fireplace or glass enclosure for a stove. Check them for any cracks or holes and make sure that the seal around your stove’s glass door fits well and is not cracked or has come loose.
Decorate safely
It just isn’t Christmas without a tree and decorations, and if you have a fireplace or wood- or gas-burning stove then you are bound to want to use them as one of the focal points in your living room. Our tips for putting up your Christmas decorations without compromising your safety include:
- If you want to hang your Christmas stockings on the mantelpiece, go ahead. But remember to remove them before lighting a fire. In fact, remove anything that is hanging below the mantel – stockings, Christmas cards, garlands, and other decorations. You may be better off hanging things either above the mantel or to the side of the fireplace to avoid having to remove and re-hang things each time you want to light the fire.
- Always, always, always use a screen for an open fireplace, especially at Christmas when your room is filled with flammable items that can easily ignite from a flying spark.
- Keep your Christmas tree at least three feet away from your fireplace and stove. If you are using an artificial tree, check that it is a fire-resistant one.
- If you have a wood-burning stove, avoid hanging any decorations on it. Instead, place them on either side at a distance of three feet. On Christmas Eve, while you can hang the stockings on it you should only do so after it has fully cooled.
If you have any questions or would like any further advice on staying safe during the holiday period, or if you are considering a wood-burning stove as an early Christmas present, talk to one of our team at Fiveways Fires & Stoves today. Give us a call on 020 8127 4747 or drop us a line at whenever you need us. And have a wonderful Christmas, whatever you are doing this year.
Why do we hang stockings by the fireplace?
The famous Christmas poem, ‘Twas the night before Christmas, succinctly describes the age-old practice of hanging stockings by the fireplace and gives an accurate account of the origins of the tradition.
“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”
One of the most famous stories of St. Nicholas revolves around the concern he had for three girls who did not possess a dowry to get married. The father of the girls was afraid that they would not be able to find husbands and may even be sold into prostitution. When Nicholas heard of the situation, he endeavored to make it right by providing the dowries.
Wanting to be an anonymous donor, Nicholas threw a bag of gold coins through the window of the family’s house, which landed in a stocking (or shoe in some accounts) that was left by the fire to dry. He did this three times for the three girls and thus saved them from future shame.
Over time the story was passed down to each generation and when the Germanic countries were Christianized, they adopted the custom in line with a previously held pagan ritual. According to different historians, “Children would put carrots, straw and even sugar in their boots as food for Sleipnir, Odin’s flying horse, and as a way to repay the gratitude, Odin would replace the stocking stuffers of children with treats such as candies.”
The two traditions melded together and eventually became a custom for children on the eve of St. Nicholas’ Day on December 6. As the celebration of Christmas developed and the Santa Claus figure arose, the stockings on December 6 were transferred to Christmas Eve and Santa Claus came on that night to do what was previously done on December 6.
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