How does Santa do stockings at your house?

[mlwear]

I have so enjoyed reading how Santa presents gifts at your homes that I thought I'd start a thread that branches off onto the stocking side of things.

Some posts already touched on their tradition. Wow, there are some lucky kids out there! Some general questions--do your kids get their stocking before or after Santa Christmas tree gifts? How much is in their stocking? Does Santa leave a lot of candy or mostly gifts (wrapped or unwrapped)? If gifts, what sorts of things? I'd love to have ideas. Here Santa I has a hard time coming up with ideas that will fit in stockings. Are the stockings regular size for those who get several gifts? Do only the kids receive stockings? Lots of questions, share only what you want, if you are so inclined.

Here, the kids don't go through their stockings until after they have open their Christmas tree gift. I think it slows down the "it's all over process", esp. since Santa leaves mostly boring things in stockings. Nothing is wrapped (but that may change this year). Santa is only imaginative enough to come up with things like baseball cards and a yo-yo, maybe chapstick and a new cool toothbrush the rest is candy. Stockings are regular size. Only the kids get stockings. (My mom always made sure Santa left one for my dad, but I haven't done this).

 

[EthansMom]

In our house, Mom, Dad and both kids get a stocking. They are regular-sized (not small). Santa wraps some of the items and leaves some unwrapped. There are usually a couple of candy items (Pez, chocolate) and some Cracker Jacks in each stocking and LOTS of small toys.

The kids usually get things like Hot Wheels cars, small books, lip balm, computer games, Leapster games, a watch, inexpensive jewelry, hair doodads, stuffed beanie animal, etc. Their stockings are usually so heavy and overstuffed that Santa has to leave them on the floor because they make the hangar fall right off the mantel.

Mom's stocking has things like a new book, refills for her Day Planner, body spray, and stretch gloves. Dad's stocking has a book, tools, super glue, mechanical pencils, Starbucks gift card, etc...

The kids are allowed to get up and open their stockings early in the morning so long as they allow Mom and Dad to sleep in and don't wake us up.

 

[minkydog]

We don't hang our stockings until Christmas Eve, so as to avoid the heavy stocking-hanger bashing someone on the head. Then Christmas morning the kids go straight to the stockings, first thing, and dump them out. Usually there is candy,roasted peanuts, small things like razors, earrings, or a gift card, large things like shave cream, body wash, deodorant, and some soft things like a bra, underwear, or stocking cap. If Santa brings something really nice, he stuffs it into the tree My kids love to search the tree for little gifties.

Years ago my sister had someone make the kids' stockings--they are crocheted red, green & white and they hang down to...
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there. We once made the mistake of putting an orange in the toe I thought we'd never got those stockings filled up. They get so heavy that usually Santa has to lay them on the hearth because the stocking holder won't hold them. But they are pretty

 

[kissy]

In our house, the stockings are the most important thing. Everyone gets one (both DD's, DH, MIL, and I) ....actually everyone gets like 5 because "Santa" really gets carried away with the stocking stuffers! When I was growing up we always did stockings first. DH always did them last so as one our "since we've been married compromises" we do stockings last. (the other compromise is that santa wraps everything! (which santa didn't do when DH was growing up but did do when I was growing up!)
There's all kinds of stuff in the stockings, lipbalm, hair stuff, little trinkets from disney store, books, socks, jewelry, pretty much anything small that I don't feel like wrapping.

 

[corie161]

The kids stockings are full size, and the Mom and Dad stockings are the little ones, although I may have to change that since it seems I can't find things small enough to fit.

When I was growing up Santa always brought an Apple, Orange, a pack of Juicy Fruit, candy, and a couple of toys, or CD's. I've starting doing the same with the apple and orange, and gum, but I tend to get more carried away witht the items that go in it.

This year, DD8 is getting a CD, Body Glitter and Lip Balm, a Mad Lib book and a PS2 game.
DS6 is getting a CD, Mini Nerf Gun, a Dot to Dot book and a PS2 Game.
So far DH just has a PS2 game and I have socks and a PS2 game.

We are getting as a family gift a PS2 system that will be opened on Xmas Eve.

The stockings can be opened before they get Mom and Dad up in the morning, sometimes it gives us a little more time to sleep, but generally not.

When I was growing up, we could open our stockings in the morning and play with the things in them, but couldn't wake Mom or Dad until 8am to do the other gifts.

 

[Caitsmama]

We all get stockings here too (me, dh, and dd) - All are regular size. Acutally, dd has 2, b/c she also has a small princess (pink) Christmas tree in her bedroom, so i put a Princess stocking in her room as well.
We always do stockings first.. always have, even growing up. When i was a kid, me and my sis always use to get up EARLY.. on Christmas, i am talking sometimes 3am! LOL So, the rule in my house growing up, was that we could open our stockings when we got up -- Now, i know why my mom put "busy" stuff in our stockings like candy, magazines, books.. etc. -- So we would be entertained and let them sleep til at least 6am - That was the magic hour! LOL
So, We do stockings first - This year i got my dd lots of Disney stationary stuff (thanks to Michaels and Target!) and i usally get her a few chocolates, a new toothbrush, and stuff like that.
I guess for us, the stockings are like the "prelude" to good things to come! LOL

When i first got married though, i was in for a shock - in my stocking from DH, was only food! LOL, Candy, chocolate, and cookies.. I was SOOOOO confused.. Til he explained that growing up, this was all they did in their stockings.. and nothing was wrapped!
Now, he is educated as to what i expect in my stocking, and he wraps it all, LMAO.

 

[DaisyD]

We get to the stockings after we are finished opening gifts. At our house it is pure chaos in the morning. We aren't a one gift open at a time family! Stockings are given out after all the other stuff has been open and we open them all at once though not on purpose. It happens when one of us remembers the stockings after our gift opening frenzy. I stuff them full of gift cards, nice perfume or cologne, and tons of other stuff. I can't fit in all the stuff so I always put it on the hearth next to the stocking. Everyone gets a huge stocking even the cats, dogs, birds, fish, and hermit crabs!

 

[Caitsmama]

I forgot to mention - That we go to my mom's on Christmas day, and even though i have been married for 8 yrs, and i am almost 30, Both me AND my dh AND my dd all have stockings filled waiting for us at my mom's....... It's so cool. LOL

 

[feedindy]

I am making stockings this year because Santa gets pretty carried away here, too. They never all fit! It is filled with gifts and very little candy-usually just a few kisses in the toe.

The gifts are wrapped until Santa's elves get tired of it. Then they just start sliding gifts into the stocking so it's a fun mixture of both. The gifts are mostly small items picked up throughout the year-mittens, notepads, crayons, gel inkpens, hairbows, small games, cheap unasked for DVDs and often an ornament.

The girls come down the stairs to find their major Santa present in front of their overflowing stockings. They immediately play with their gift for a few minutes, then set it aside to start unwrapping stockings. I used to try to make them go one at a time, but it drags it out so much since they are very full. Plus a lot of their items are somewhat matching so it wasn't as fun for the 2nd girl.

Now they dive into stockings together and then open gifts from Mom & Dad one at a time, youngest first. I always make sure we buy them the same number of gifts so there isn't one left out at the end. Right now I don't stress over the total costs as they are too young to get that part, but my plan in a couple years is to set a budget and stop shopping when I reach my set number (it's 8-5 from us, 1 from Santa and 1 from each sister). Then they will receive an envelope with the rest of the money I had budgeted. Everyone will have the same amount spent on them and get the same amount of presents so there will hopefully not be any issues about that.

 

[Hedy]

Stockings 1st on Christmas morning:
I have a stocking, as does my mom. My brothers, SIL's and Nephews get bags from Santa. They contain things such as candy, lip balm, lotion and the like. Traditonally, there's a stuffed animal and the top of my nephews', my mom's, and my stocking.

 

[bizeemom4]

In our house, the stockings are last....after all the presents are opened and we've stopped for a breakfast break.

All the stocking presents are wrapped. The gifts vary depending on the child but it's usually Xmas pencils and pens, boxes of crayons, markers, batteries for the toys that Santa has brought, gift cards, jewelry, gum, candy, and toothrbushes. Oh, and a $20 or $50 bill for an after Xmas purchase.

 

[Todd&Copper]

DH, my 2 furbabies, and I each have a regular sized stocking. DH gets chocolate candy in his, and maybe something small like a keychain or some aftershave gel; I think he also go a pound of coffee last year. My furbabies get a few strips of jerky or some snausages in theirs (yes, dogs love Christmas, too; and besides, they'd get jealous if only Mommy and Daddy got presents from Santa). I usually get some candy and some body wash or after bath splash. I think this year, DH might also get a few gift cards, esp. to Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts.
DH originally had the idea of putting an item or two for "adult pleasure" in my stocking, but we have since heard that my parents and sister will be visiting form the 23rd to the 27th, so he decided the rest of the family didn't need to be apprised of our bedroom habits and gave me those gifts early.

 

[Mari annie]

These are already hung on the mantle, and the kids (teen/older teenager) favor these alot!
We do them Christmas eve now they are older. Filling them (and wrapping each little trinket) the stockings are the first thing they go to.
We all do!
Dollar store items to expensive items, we make them according to wait they enjoy, eat, hobby, etc. They are fun for DH and myself to do for them.
Since our trips to FL are a couple times a year, they get extra special disney things as well..............

I love the stockings myself!
A big kid at heart!!!

Happy Holidays to all!!!

 

[KristiA]

We dig into the stockings after kids are done looking at their gifts from Santa which are left unwrapped around the living room. Stocking goodies are unwrapped. This year for the girls it will be lip lickers lip gloss, earrings, undies, socks, lotions, pencil grippers, lottery tickets, candy. For son, lots of Cars and super hero figures.

 

[alikat99]

At our house, since we have young children, they get things like snack bags of goldfish & pretzels, fruit snacks, some candy and then little goodies like fancy hair ties, play jewelry, etc. All gifts inside the stockings are wrapped, and the girls get to open the stockings first. Mom and Dad get stockings from Santa too, with things like CDs, fruit and candy.

 

[ChrisLei]

In our house, Mom, Dad DD7 and DS4 get a stocking. Santa's Elves come and fill the stocking periodically the weeks prior to Christmas. It's a tradition in our house to open the stockings on Christmas Eve. IT is a nice way for the kids to go to bed with sweet dreams that the next day Santa will be there with lots of goodies on his sleigh.

We used to get those cute little Christmasy things they sell at the stores, but we realized we were throwing money away since after Christmas they were not to be looked at again and were at the bottom of the toy boxes. So since last year, we started buying them toys they like that fit in the stockings. Much better!!!! This year DD7 is getting a Digital Pet, 8 different Littlest Pet Shop animals and a miniature doodle bear. DS4 is getting 8 different star wars figurines, A POC miniature playset and a Mickey magicmarker paint book.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

In our house all of the kids and DH and I have stockings. Dh and I just started ours last year and the kids know that we fill ours (we told them Santa only comes for kids), we have a $25 limit. For the kids we usually put small toys and/or craft supplies and a little bit of candy and gum. This year I found these cute bags of "coal" gum. I have 4 boys and a girl so they always get a hot wheels car, then something specific to their interests so ds9 is getting a Reds baseball hat and a couple of other small things, ds7 is getting craft supplies to make puppets, ds 5 is getting Russian nesting dolls, cats actually, and ds2 is getting a Dora coloring book, washable crayons, and some Dora memo pads to use as handy dandy notebooks. DD10 is getting LPS stuff, lip balm, beads, stamp pads, and soduku books. I'm also going to try to fit their Webkinz in each one, but we'll see.

I don't wrap what's in the stocking, Dh and I are always too worn out after helping Santa put stuff under the tree and assembling big toys. Except I do wrap what goes in Dh's stocking so it's still a surprise in the morning. When the kids wake up in the morning they find a wrapped book at the foot of their bed that they're allowed to open and read until 6am (they know it's from Mom). Then they can get up and check out their stockings while I put cinnamon rolls in the oven and wait for a decent hour to wake up the baby (he gets a stocking, but he just opens it later).

 

[Trip2Disney]

When I was growing up, Santa always took our stockings off the mantle, filled them & then snuck into our bedrooms & left them hanging on our bed posts. When we woke up, we were allowed to open up & play with the gifts we found in the stocking, but we had to stay in our rooms until Mom & Dad got up. It worked pretty well & thankfully Santa has continued that tradition with my girls.

Since my kids are still young, they get things like notepads & stickers, little dolls or stuffed animals & other small toys that are safe for them to play with unsupervised while DH & I get a little more sleep.

 

[3darlings]

It is so good to hear that I am not the only one with the problem of buying more than will fit in your stockings! Everyone is our house gets one and we open them first on Christmas morning. I just feel like that makes them more special. My kids love their stockings! I just put small candy and a few small presents (usually wrapped) in them. I always top them off with a beanie sticking out of the top - that is their favorite part! This year I will use ones I got during our Disney trip.

 

[mamacatnv]

Everyone has one including the cats and this year the rats got one.

The stuff is unwrapped and is a combo of Santa goodies and parent goodies.

DH always gets a bag of Hershey Kisses from his Mrs. Claus.

The stockings are opened before presents. Mom loves stocking stuffers and finds little trinkets all year long.