MORRISONS Barrow is aiming to revive the tradition of putting an orange in a Christmas stocking by giving hundreds to parents and encouraging them to tell the story behind it ahead of Christmas Eve.

Oranges wrapped in Christmas tissue paper, along with a book telling the story behind the tradition, will be handed out at the supermarket in The Strand tomorrow, Saturday December 16.

Roger Taylor, Store Manager at Morrisons Barrow, said: “Like kissing under the mistletoe and putting out carrots for Rudolph, oranges in stockings is part of the magic of Christmas.

"We want to help keep these traditions alive and help Barrow’s parents pass on the stories behind them to their children. And if Father Christmas wants to swing by and pick up an extra sack of oranges we’ll be happy to help.”

So why do we find an orange in the toe of a Christmas stocking?

For many years oranges were such an exotic luxury that it was a rare treat to have one, and some people say that they are a little symbol of the summer sun to reassure us that the days will soon be getting longer.

But the earliest stories go back long, long ago, when Father Christmas was young.

Once upon a time there were three children whose father was so poor that they were sent out to work at Christmas.

He was too proud to accept charity.

Yet one night, when the family had all gone to bed, a kind and generous man went to the house and dropped three gold coins down the chimney for them to find in the morning.

The coins landed in the children’s socks, which were hanging by the fire to dry.

In the morning, when the children pulled on their socks, they each found a coin between their toes, so instead of working all Christmas they could now look after the family.

And who was the kind gentleman who put the coins down the chimney?

Father Christmas, of course!

And to remind us of those twinkling coins today he now leaves us a golden orange.

Nick Groom, folklore expert, author, and Professor at the University of Exeter has worked with Morrisons to re-tell the original story through story cards and a short film featuring puppets and says: “Behind every seasonal tradition there is almost always a rich story from long, long ago.

"These are usually linked to the natural world, particularly when certain foods are in season.

"But we are in danger of losing this treasure trove of stories.

"Oranges in Christmas stockings provide a moment to remember and reflect on these stories: what they tell us about life in the past, the present, and the future, and how to keep these messages alive for the next generation.”

The top Christmas traditions in danger of dying out:

1. Christmas caroling (observed by 2 per cent)

2. Putting a sixpence in your pudding (6 per cent)

3. Putting an orange in a Christmas stocking (13 per cent)

4. Kissing under the mistletoe (15 per cent)

5. Putting a carrot out for Rudolph (21 per cent)

6. Decorating a real Christmas tree (25 per cent)

7. Putting sherry and a mince pie out for Father Christmas (26 per cent)

8. Sending out Christmas cards (65 per cent)

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