christmas stocking question Post Reply

[Mum2Monkey]

So, as I spend the evening wrapping up stocking presents, my husband tells me that he didn't have a stocking as a child, he reckons less than 25 percent of kids in London get one and I shouldn't be bothering. My kids are 5 and 3. Coming from a family where we had stockings pretty much until we'd completed our GCSEs, I find this view of no stockings rather odd.

Just checking that stockings are the norm for young kids and looking to settle an argument with my (scrooge) husband!

[3littlemonkeys]

We had them until we were about 30

Definitely doing stockings for ours and I don't know a single family who aren't (except maybe 1 child families with a baby..)

Stockings are the greatest pleasure so make sure you win the argument!!!

[Canook]

Stockings all the way!! Our family loves stockings. Everyone gets one, no matter how old they are....even the dog gets one. Tell your hubby he's definitely the Scrooge

Our stockings were filled with little gifts, fruits and chocolates. Love them!

[misstemple]

I can't help but make a few comments on this delicious topic!

First of all, most children (and the young at heart) have a stocking. Even if it's not a proper stocking, for example, we grew up with old baskets or odd socks, whatever!
One year a lovely neighbour made all of us stockings with our names on - even mum & dad got one. They were (and to my knowledge still are) pinned to the mantlepiece and filled near Christmas.
Our stocking fillers were never wrapped. I would love to know if this is typical. I think the point being they are small, typically lower value items and the stocking is a kind of wrap. We would get a little game, chocolate coins, hairbands for the girls, bubble wands, magic tricks, little statuettes.

Perhaps if you all had a stocking it would turn it into more of a family activity? As the children get older they might enjoy filling mum & dad's stockings (with your help).
I bet the clincher will be seeing the children's faces on Christmas day as they get to take down their stocking.
I do understand a weariness over children "these days" getting piles and piles of stuff all the time. Maybe keeping it simple and getting the children to take part in gift giving is something your husband would like. Could they make shortbread with him on the weekend as gifts for neighbours?

Am I cheesy beyond belief? Merry Christmas all x

[Mum2Monkey]

Thank you everyone. The stocking fillers I have bought are little bits and bobs - mostly from the 99p shop and wilkos - plus a Satsuma and chocolate. Same sort of thing that I had a kid. (Definitely recommend wilkos in tooting if anyone is struggling - lots of great things for a pound or two each).

Interestingly, mine were never wrapped as a child. But I have chosen to wrap for my kids. Not sure why that is.... maybe I won't next year and I get an evening back.

Good to hear that stockings are the norm. I can't imagine waking up on xmas day as a child and not having one... and I loved trying to stay awake as long as possible to try to see Santa creep in. All part of Christmas!

Happy Christmas everyone! May the Christmas force remain strong in these challenging times!

[Canook]

Hey Misstemple, I love it!! You are definitely not cheesy (or maybe we are both super cheesy). We wrapped our stocking stuffers....but I guess it's a preference thing. My mum was obsessed with beautiful wrapping paper so maybe that's why!

But I vote for wrapped stocking stuffers as it adds to the festiveness and surprise!