Socks

For many people socks are meaningless. They are either black or white, and they are in a drawer, until the time they are to be worn. I have a far deeper feeling for my socks. I enjoy socks, when I put them on it is like giving my feet a hug. I am someone that spends most of her inside hours in bare feet, all year long. My socks are worn when I leave home and are rarely worn when I am in my home.  

I was delighted when I found this interesting fact about socks. Socks are more than a practical item; they carry symbolic meanings of comfort, protection, and affection. When you give a gift of socks it shows that you care about the recipient's well-being, offering physical warmth and emotional reassurance. Cozy or high-quality socks can make the recipient feel cared for, while quirky or personalized designs can bring joy and laughter, highlighting a playful or humorous connection. 

Specialty socks are becoming very popular. Currently, the Waves of Hope team are selling what we call "Campaign socks". One of the team members designed them with the hope we could sell the 500 pairs we nervously ordered. In just a few months, to say they are popular is an understatement. The socks have taken on a social life of their own and actually could do with their own manager to organize their busy calendar. Someone on the team is always responsible for "the socks" making sure they show up at an event. It is an easy sell, people hand over $20 and away they go socks in hand. Thankfully, we have a new order coming, they are wonderful Christmas gifts. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the box office at the Keystone offered to sell our socks. The socks have an encouraging message on each foot. Just having words of encouragement on your feet gives a girl strength.  

I decided that when I travel, I will buy socks, they are my new souvenir item. A sock is something I will wear, they are small to pack, and they are a nice memory of where I have been. 

These socks are from Germany

My good friend knits socks and often gifts them, they simply last forever. At one time I decided I would knit socks. I got halfway through the first one and for some reason I put the needles down. Well, my mom picked them up and finished the pair. She then went on to make many pairs of socks. At one time mom received a huge amount of sock wool. I was working at the time and she knit socks for my colleagues. In lieu of payment, we asked them to donate to a charity of their choice. What a win win situation.  

Where does a sock go? It is a pair one second and then a single sock the next. It seems the washing machine is a big part of the problem. There has to be some area in a washing machine that is the home for socks. Not a single person knows where that spot may be. The mystery is, two go in and one comes out.  

Wearing socks has different meanings for people. Some never wear matching socks. I honestly, don't think that would ever be me. An unmatched set is when I accidently put on one black and one dark navy sock on. Often if I don't have a matched set, away they go in the garbage. It is stylish for men to wear a suit with no socks. I personally cannot put a shoe on without socks. Many seem to manage; I just don't like it. 

Some people only wear one color, for me it would be black. Some only wear white and others wear whatever is on top of the sock pile. I start wearing Christmas socks on December 1. I have a number of them, and why not. A gift of novelty socks is just perfect for me. 

                      

I am not sure if you are aware there is a proper way to fold socks according to Marie Kondo, a professional Japanese organizer. Recently, after I folded my camisoles correctly, I had room to add them to the sock drawer. According to Marie, a pair of socks should be folded to lay flat. That way you can stack the same colors or put them in a row. I took on the Marie Kondo way of organizing years ago and my sock drawer looks like this all of the time. 

When you look at your sock drawer and think you have a lot of socks, probably some without a match, here is a thought. Socks are a basic human need for people experiencing homelessness. They are the most requested clothing item at homeless shelters and are highly valued by those living on the streets. The average homeless person walks a lot, often in ill-fitting shoes, which can lead to foot problems and infections. 

"Socktober" is an initiative that has taken place in Brandon and other areas. In 2025 a Socktober Sock Drive was done by Brandon & Area Overdose Awareness. They wanted to get 587 pairs of socks, which is the number of people in Manitoba who lost their lives to a toxic drug supply in 15 months.  

How many pairs of socks does one person need? Is it time for us to think about a purge and give them a better home? When I think about how I feel to get a gift of socks from a friend and the meaning behind it, I get all warm and fuzzy. Can you image how someone that has no socks would feel if a total stranger made that happen. I am going to finish this post by saying my new line, "together we can make a difference".