HTSTHS Christmas Stockings

Christmas Stockings

   The concept of having Christmas Stockings seems to be a pretty solid tradition.  After all, "The stockings were hung by the chimney with care."  But are they just decorations, or are they filled and part of your holiday traditions?

   I asked my mom about her family and she said that they always had Christmas stockings.  They were poor, so often what was in them was a bit of candy, a used toy, and maybe some fruit.  But they were hung and filled.  Hung Christmas Eve and emptied early Christmas morning, before presents.  I have no idea about my dad's family.  The stockings were often socks, the largest ones the kids could find.

   So, it was probably my mom that brought the tradition of Christmas stockings to my family.  We didn't use socks.  Instead, mom found felt stockings that had our names put on them in glitter.  Yes, I still have mine.  They were larger than normal socks and had room for all sorts of treasures - everything from socks and hair ties to small toys and decks of cards.  And candy, of course.  None of the stocking presents were all that expensive and a lot of them were practical.  And always at least one toy.

   That was the tradition I brought to my marriage.  My husband had no problem with it, probably because it was similar to his own families traditions - and the fact that I did almost all the work.  We had stockings that I made.  Lots of love and thoughtfulness.  For many years the stocking presents would not get wrapped until late Christmas Eve.  Sometimes presents would go into the wrong stockings.  I invented and re-invented different methods to keep things straight.

   But not all families do this.  It's ok.  Some families just use them as decorations.  It's all about the traditions.  And remember, traditions change.  Once my children reached their teens I made them Santa's helpers.  I would give them a bag with stocking presents for someone else in the family for them to fill.  And then I would make them help me wrap said presents.  Gradually I got them involved in helping but the presents too.

   Speaking of buying, where and what do I put in stockings?  Still usually practical presents.  At my son's request he no longer gets socks or underwear.  Target is a great place for hair stuff,( including combs) small toys, socks for people that want them, etc.  I still buy small candy (usually at Sees, my favorite).  Keep an eye open all year for the small stuff.  If I'm on vacation I look for thimbles for my mom's collection.

  I also want to remind you about budgeting.  Everything you put into a stocking, no matter how much you think the recipient will love it, costs money.  Try really hard not to over spend.

   Remember what I said about traditions changing?  When my kids were young, on year I put stuffed animals in the tops of their stockings.  It became a tradition.  My kids, as young adults had fun finding just the right plush for others stockings.  But now they're adults and that tradition is dying out.

   Changes in finances can change things too.  This year, we're all adults and all of us are on very tight budgets.  So this year we have decided to hang the stockings in faith that the coming years will be better.  The exception will be my mom.  At 85 and dealing with dementia, she deserves the joy of a Christmas stocking.  It's been fun looking for little things for her.

   The big thing about Christmas stockings is not the tradition.  It's not the presents.  It's the love shown that matters.