How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (Full Version)

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Consecrated2God -> How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 1:47:56 PM)

I thought it would be fun to share what we do with our kids' stockings. Lots of candy? Do you put toys in there? Let them eat the contents all at once or make them wait?

Share your stocking traditions!



stampinlady -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 1:50:47 PM)

I always buy their favorite candy gum, lipgloss, chapstick,nail polish,small toys when they were little and maybe money depending on what I've bought.



artemis -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 2:01:14 PM)

I'm not sure what all my parents will be putting in my brothers' stockings this year-- probably some candy. a trinket or two and a gift card. Years ago, when they were dirt poor and I was a baby, my parents started the tradition of putting a box of animal crackers in our stockings. 28 years later, everyone still gets animal crackers for Christmas morning. I have no idea where my mom finds them... I haven't seen individual boxes of animal crackers at the store in years. And of the seven of us kids, only one of us likes animal crackers [:)] But it's tradition, so we keep getting animal crackers every year. Of course, it has also become tradition for my brother to make himself sick trying to eat seven boxes of animal crackers for breakfast [8D]

My son will only be 3 weeks old this Christmas, so we probably won't put anything in his stocking, but I'll be reading everyone else's responses to get ideas for next year [:)]



chris1138 -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 2:02:37 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God

Let them eat the contents all at once or make them wait?

Share your stocking traditions!


I sure like to let them decide how much candy to eat (although I'll remind them to ask themselves if they've had enough, with questions like "You know that belongs to you, right? Are you sure you don't want to save some for tomorrow?).

The freedom to make oneself sick with candy on the holidays is a gift in itself.



csl7037 -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 2:07:57 PM)

I put as little candy in it as possible. Stockings are a big deal here - everyone gets one...dh and I make one for each other (dh is getting two this year but he doesn't know it [;)]), Papa gets one (Nana, his girlfriend, if she comes), even the dog!!

But the kids have about 2-3 candies in theirs. Ds doesn't like chocolate so much...he's got some mints, some candies in a little Wii remote (like a pez dispenser), and some nerds. Dd and dh will both get nerds and some Dove chocolates, their favorite. But that's really all the candy. They'll get Webkinz trading cards, Redemption cards (ds), lip gloss (dd), markers, card games, a couple gift cards (TRU and Books a Million)...I just peeked in my hiding place but that's all I can remember. That's about it. I buy stocking stuff a little at a time and usually end up with WAY too much. Last year, with what I bought that wouldn't fit in the stocking, I had their Easter baskets about 3/4 done.

Dh didn't have a lot growing up and he was the youngest of four boys. When we first started dating, he was blown away by my mom's stockings...she went way overboard!!! She died when dd was just a baby so I've always felt this pressure to live up to her amazing stockings! I've got a video of her with dd at six months old (about 6 weeks before she died) opening dd's stocking - it was ridiculous, the baby was barely sitting up...so funny. Dh and I don't really buy each other gifts anymore; if we do it's usually a joint gift we decide on together for "us" but he still has to have his stocking. So it's a big deal for us.



zoebob -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 2:10:30 PM)

They get a naval orange and red delicious apple in the toe. Then they get things like candy, matchbox cars for ds, scented shampoo for the girls. It's mostly candy but there are some fun things. I usually get some kind of bigger candy like a larger $1 piece of something. I've also done lipglss, nail polish, that kind of thing. Sometimes they've gotten the little animal cracker boxes too. I still see them around.

I let them eat a couple pieces of candy but not till they get sick.

DD2 may start getting some inexpensive earrings in her stocking.



Consecrated2God -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 2:26:20 PM)

All of our stockings are homemade, and I actually have more stockings than I do children. That's because we kept losing them and I kept making more. [:D]

We usually fill them with items they can eat for breakfast, and that's what we eat on Christmas morning. Cereal bars, fruit, cheese sticks, Slim Jims, a juice box, and some Little Debbie cakes are standard stocking fare. We also throw in some candy, because it's just not right to have no candy at all. [:D]

We don't usually put toys in the stockings, though. We generally stick with edible things.

This year we're going to be spending Christmas Eve night at my parents' house, and so we're bringing our stockings there. My dad and I are both buying a bunch of stuff and we'll divvy it out among my kids and younger siblings. He's also going to have stockings for my nieces. There will be 13 stockings hanging along the stair banister. That's where we've always hung them, since we've never had a fireplace. [;)]



csl7037 -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 2:31:51 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God
There will be 13 stockings hanging along the stair banister. That's where we've always hung them, since we've never had a fireplace. [;)]


That'll be an awesome picture!

BTW, my dh always puts protein bars in mine because he knows he shouldn't get me candy. [:D]



Tinkerbell_ -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 3:01:01 PM)

The Things will have an apple, an orange, a banana and a handful of nuts for sure. I usually pile a couple of handfuls of candy. Non chocolate for Thing 2 so I have to shop creatively. [8D]

A toothbrush, gum, gift cards to McDonald's, or iTunes or something like that, usually about 5 or 10 bucks. Keychains, and little trinkets for them. Colouring books, markers, crayons, magazines, puzzle books. Whatever I happen to pick up. This year I won't get to shop until Christmas eve so they'll get what they get and they don't throw a fit and that's it. [8D]

My mum is GREAT at stuffing stockings and manages to get perfume, clothes, and the likes in them.



Sideways -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 3:15:36 PM)

Our boy is only 20 months, so we don't have much in the way of traditions. This year I got him arts & crafts supplies, because he enjoys it, and with a new baby in January and a few more months of winter left - I figured he would enjoy creative things to do indoors.

We don't give him any hard candy and occasionally a bit of chocolate or a brownie.



PrincessDonna -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 3:35:09 PM)

Candy, of course. And whatever little things I find...this year, monster trucks for the boys, lip gloss for Hannah, binkies for Esther.[:D]



isaacsmom -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 3:50:40 PM)

DS (almost 4) is getting candy (they have some really neat candy at Dollar Tree, gigantic Christmas lollipops, etc.), his very own tea mug, and a box of flavored tea bags. The kid LOVES his hot tea in the mornings. He'll also get a couple of books.

DD (will be 2 on Sunday) is getting candy, nail polish, Princess sippy cups, and a couple of books.



zoebob -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 3:52:26 PM)

I would say that the total cost for stuffing stockings is less than $10 each kid.



christsstar -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 4:02:44 PM)

I always got things like pens, socks, cheap earrings ... small, useful items. And they were always wrapped!

I never got candy in my stocking.

DH does candy for the kids. So we compromised. Candy AND something small. LOL We got DD (12) a couple small things of anti-bacterial hand stuff, a pair of socks to wear to bed (she LOVES socks) and carmel kisses (just got her braces off). We got DS (14) chocolate kisses and FANCY chocolate. We got them both new wheels for their skateboards (more money than should've been spent on a stocking gift).

I went crazy with DH. I got him kitchen towels from William-Sonoma (he's been complaining about our kitchen towels forever), a Rachael Ray cookbook (his favorite), black socks for work, and some undies (it's a health reason, and he'll appreciate them).



Mrs.Wifey -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 7:24:01 PM)

We do candy, toys, favorite hot drinks, fruit, pretty much whatever strikes our fancy.



rawr.ben -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 7:42:52 PM)

Everyone once and a while, our family will mix it up, and put one of the bigger, expensive items in a stocking, as a surprise, if it is small enough.

Things like cell phones, mp3 players, etc, fit nicely inside.

We always go through our stockings last, so it's always a surprise when you see something like that in there.



manda59 -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 7:46:39 PM)

I find it curious how Americans stuff stockings but we in the UK fill them. lol



Consecrated2God -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 7:59:45 PM)

quote:

We always go through our stockings last, so it's always a surprise when you see something like that in there.


We always do our stockings first. They are allowed to get their stockings as soon as they wake up. It gives the kids something to do until it's time for the presents.

quote:

I find it curious how Americans stuff stockings but we in the UK fill them. lol


Maybe we cram more stuff in them than you guys do. [8D]



iampiper13 -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 8:02:06 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: manda59

I find it curious how Americans stuff stockings but we in the UK fill them. lol

lol On the main forum page you can only see part of the post titles and I thought it was funny when I saw "How do you stuff your kids'" gave me a little laugh.

We put fruit, candy, pencils, and little stuff from store like Dollar Tree. As a kid I remember getting those gold foil wrapped chocolate coins and the packs of LifeSavers.



Sideways -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 8:03:49 PM)

Before children dH and I spent a lot more on gifts for each other. dH was always especially generous with me. Well, one year I didn't get a whole lot from him at first. I took note of it, but it didn't especially bother me.

Until we opened the stockings, which came last. At the very bottom of the toe was a sapphire necklace I'd been wanting for years. It was a very nice surprise.[:)]



zoebob -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 8:04:49 PM)

We do stockings first too. This year my parents are coming over to do presents with us at a time yet to be determined: either 8 or 9 AM. I will let the kids do their stockings and then wait on the rest till they get here.



garsyt -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/18/2008 11:33:37 PM)

My first answer after reading the title of the thread was "with their feet." [8D][:D][;)]

But really this is how it is. Right now in their stockings are a small bag of m&m's and a candy cane sent by their Auntie. In addition to that each child will get some sort of small trinket gift. My eldest ds is getting an electric toothbrush that sings to him, and my eldest dd is getting a cheap children's cake decorating kit (icing decorating thingie and tips), youngest ds will get a matchbox car or maybe more darts for his nerf gun, and my youngest will get some sort of lip gloss or cheap necklace. All these small trinkets are something that matches their personality and interests. They each get a new cereal bowl, an individual box of cereal and a piece of fruit (I currently have apples, oranges and bananas in the house, I might have to see about getting a couple of pears too as they are Zoe's favorites). Then a handful of candy. Then when the aunties and grandparents get here on Christmas Eve, a little bit more gets into the stockings.

The kids are allowed to get into their stockings as soon as they get up as their breakfast is IN the stockings. (we also make a bit more in addition to the cereal and fruit.)

Blessings,

Garsy



PinkCarnations -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/19/2008 1:40:25 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God

All of our stockings are homemade, and I actually have more stockings than I do children. That's because we kept losing them and I kept making more. [:D]


Is it the stockings or children you keep losing and making more of? [sm=angelhalo.gif]

Apple, orange, banana and age appropriate items and some candy.



brandynorris -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/19/2008 3:57:46 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God

All of our stockings are homemade, and I actually have more stockings than I do children. That's because we kept losing them and I kept making more. [:D]

We usually fill them with items they can eat for breakfast, and that's what we eat on Christmas morning. Cereal bars, fruit, cheese sticks, Slim Jims, a juice box, and some Little Debbie cakes are standard stocking fare. We also throw in some candy, because it's just not right to have no candy at all. [:D]

We don't usually put toys in the stockings, though. We generally stick with edible things.

This year we're going to be spending Christmas Eve night at my parents' house, and so we're bringing our stockings there. My dad and I are both buying a bunch of stuff and we'll divvy it out among my kids and younger siblings. He's also going to have stockings for my nieces. There will be 13 stockings hanging along the stair banister. That's where we've always hung them, since we've never had a fireplace. [;)]


I would love to see some photos of your homemade stockings i think this is a great idea and was thinking of making some for next year!



csl7037 -> RE: How do you stuff your kids' stockings? (12/19/2008 6:23:03 AM)

Oh, I always put a new toothbrush in theirs too.

I have to ask why the fruit? Oranges and apples? I've never heard of that! Is that a Regional thing?



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