One of the most powerful symbols of the season of goodwill is the Christmas stocking, which is positively one of the highlights of the time of the year - what wonderful treat is there than waking up on Christmas morning, reaching out to the side of the bed and hauling out Santa's Christmas gift delights; and the mere fact that they're just one of the other Christmas gifts to come makes the whole experience all the more exciting.

Traditionally a storage bag for coins, fruits, candies and toys, the modest Christmas stocking has a long and fascinating history. It is said to have begun in a place that used to be part of Greece, Christmas stockings were customarily placed right above a fireplace mantel as a vessel for Christmas presents from Saint Nicholas. The legend says, the tradition began when Saint Nicholas dropped some gold coins into the stockings of a nobleman's daughters, who apparently had placed them above the fireplace to get them dry. There are of course, many explanations to this specific tradition, including the one that says the Dutch were the first to introduce the Christmas stockings to store Christmas gifts to the Americans.

And while it remains absolutely all right for ordinary socks to be used, there are a lot of custom-made stockings available for everyone to enjoy. Whether one favors bows and bells, or something that is made from eco-friendly materials, there are basically hundreds to choose from. And for those who don't have a fireplace in their homes, placing them everywhere is more than acceptable ? the most common place to place these stockings is absolutely at the foot or top of the bed. But what should we place inside? It's a sad fact that Santa Claus isn't really the one accountable for filling up these little socks - something that the kids will soon discover eventually as they grew up - so it's essential to pick and choose the precise set of Christmas gifts with care. If you're picking presents for children, sweets, baked goodies, and chocolates are always a champion.

Children with green thumbs might like something to jazz up their little gardens, while others might like to take advantage of the holiday's goodwill by taking up a reindeer as a pet. And for the ones who like to play, there is always a selection of LCD games. Adult stocking filler fans might rather like other types of Christmas gift ideas such as things that either reflects their profession, or their personality. For people with jobs that make it impossible to get away from the desk, they might love a professional marble run, or maybe something that will ease up stress.

What about those naughty children - and maybe even adults - who don't really deserve to find exciting stocking items when they wake up on Christmas Day? Well, according to legend, any children who have spent the year being naughty, shall accept a Christmas gift of coal from Santa, and nothing more. But since its Christmas, it is best to forego their flaws and naughtiness, and instead encourage them to be good enough to receive a much nicer present the following year.

No matter what stocking item you finally decide on, just remember to give them something that would leave them wanting more, something that would excite them, but still leaves enough room for the wonderful Christmas gifts waiting downstairs under the tree. And what if your family never had a custom of putting up Christmas stocking and filling them up with treats? Well, it's never too late to start your own tradition.