Christmas stocking

American  

noun

1. a stocking or stocking-shaped bag traditionally hung on a mantelpiece or Christmas tree by children on Christmas Eve to hold small gifts that Santa Claus is credited with bringing.

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Christmas stocking British  

noun

1. a stocking hung up by children on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus to fill with presents

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Etymology

Origin of Christmas stocking

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, investors may be hoping for some gold and silver in their Christmas stockings.

From The Wall Street Journal

Curtains that once graced the windows of a royal retreat have been turned into Christmas stockings to be auctioned for charity.

From BBC

"I insist the children have coal in their Christmas stockings, which is a luxury item in Wales," he joked.

From BBC

If I got one of those suckers in my Christmas stocking or trick-or-treating, I was like, “All right!”

From Los Angeles Times

The commission’s rulings “grant PG&E an enormous Christmas stocking stuffed with ratepayer money for the bloated extension of Diablo Canyon,” said David Weisman, legislative director at the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility.

From Los Angeles Times