Free Market Innovation Saves Christmas Tradition
There was a time during the 19th century when it was all too possible that the Christmas stocking tradition was dying.
In the latter part of the 19th century, the Christmas tree rapidly took over as the holiday decoration of choice both in American homes and elsewhere in the world.
As evidence of that, in the year 1883, The New York Times wrote an article lamenting the decline of the Christmas stocking.
The Times complained that the Age of Enlightenment had all but eliminated the legendary aspects of Christmas.
To refresh our memories, the Age of Enlightenment is dated by historians as roughly the period between 1637 to 1789.
Scholars choose 1637 because in that year Rene Descartes published his major philosophical work, Discourse on the Method, in which, for the first time, the famous "I think therefore I am" is presented.
Historians like 1789 as the end date of the Age of Enlightenment because that is the year intellectual life theoretically ceased for a time in France. It is the age of revolution, the age of chaos in the capital of the Enlightenment, Paris, France.
Why is the Enlightenment important to our discussion of the Christmas stocking?
Well, so the argument goes, if all cultural and intellectual life must be based on reason as the Enlightenment posits, there is no room for anything except reason. That means that all information based on legend is considered unacceptable, including the Christmas stocking and its uncertain beginnings.
In addition, the Enlightenment aside, there was another, perhaps even more serious problem threatening the Christmas stocking tradition.
Although the so-named New England Christmas stocking could accommodate small presents, like sewing needles or hard candy, there was no room for toys and other items that children and adults alike preferred.
In addition, when the very large Chicago stocking was introduced, often a family of modest means could not fill it, thus giving Christmas an appearance of emptiness or want.
Therefore, families were turning more and more to the Christmas tree which provided as much or as little room for gifts as the family could afford.
In that way, the children and adults were not disappointed, at least not by the size of the container.
If the Christmas stocking was going to survive, something better had to be introduced.
Enter Smith's Christmas Stocking.
Smith's solution to the size dilemma was to make the Christmas stocking of an elastic material. The stocking could then expand to huge proportions or remain a modest size depending on the gifts available. Smith's Christmas Stocking could also be beautifully decorated, thus becoming a real piece of art for all to enjoy.
Once the Smith Christmas Stocking was introduced, the Christmas stocking made a remarkable comeback, and there were far fewer dead trees to haul away in either New England or Chicago.
Today, with the environmental movement taking hold, more and more trees are being preserved, and Christmas stockings replacing them.
For those who still prefer a tree, there are artificial trees which appear so lifelike that one must look very closely to determine that they are synthetic.
Christmas is a time for joy, for giving and for rebirth. Whether your family chooses the Christmas tree or the Christmas stocking, this author wishes you a happy holiday season whatever time of the year it happens to be as you read these words.
by: Ron Toy Tech Shoes And Bags Bags And Shoes Tips To Keep Your Motivation Long After The Coach Is Gone Buy Now Technologically Advanced Rfid Reader/writer Future Positive Interview Skills Vis Carbon Fiber Trunk Guide To Finding The Best Cleaning Service Pure Sterling Silver As Material For Photo Jewelry Handmade Silver Jewellery Techniques For Getting Perfect Pearl Jewelry Necklaces Places To Look To Help You Find Great Paintings For Sale Top Quality Paintings Are Not Out Of Your Reach