Just like today, many Christian residents of Lexington County in the 19th century would have gone to church for a Christmas service, with many attending Midnight Christmas Eve services, too.

That night the children would have hung their stockings (or socks) from the mantle of the fireplace.

Children then as well as now would have found it hard to sleep in anticipation of what they would find Christmas morning.

They would awaken on Christmas morning to find gifts mostly consisting of fruit, cookies, homemade gifts, or small toys that could fit into the stockings.

Other small gifts may have been placed in and around the Christmas tree branches.

JR Fennell is Lexington County Museum director.