A Christmas stocking is often an empty sock or sock-shaped bag hanging on Christmas Eve and filled on Christmas morning. They are traditionally loaded with fruit and nuts, or toys and sweets. Other gifts such as books, CDs, and DVDs have been known to be included. The word "stocking" comes from the old English word stang, which means "long slender rod". The first stockings were probably made from bamboo or hemp. Later they were made of wool. People would go around their houses on Christmas Eve checking to see if any children had left gifts behind. If so, they would hide them in the stocking. This way, all the kids would know what was inside the stockings when they were opened on Christmas morning. In America, it is traditional for children to leave their shoes by the bedside on Christmas Eve. When they wake up on Christmas Day, they find a gift in each shoe. This is called "Santa's Little Secret". In England, there is no such tradition. Children go to school dressed as elves or Father Christmases and get presents at lunchtime. Then they go home and open their bags/baskets of gifts - usually found under the tree - and play games with their friends!