We have a creepy sky going on right now. If I look to the right, it’s a gorgeous bright blue with white fluffy lamb-clouds. If I look to the left, the clouds are so thick and dark they look dirty, like they’re full of ash. I tried to take some photos, but they completely failed to capture the WHAT DOES THIS BODE?? quality.
I am starting to think about Christmas stockings. Last year I kind of blew it: I kept thinking it was too early to think about it, and then suddenly it was too late, and I basically filled them with candy and snacks. That would have been MY dream stocking as a child, but the children were surprisingly keen on the one or two non-candy things I DID put in, such as new gloves. So THIS year I’m putting in some things I would have bought for them anyway as they needed them, just in regular shopping trips:
* new gloves again
* new winter hats/earmuffs
* new socks (but more fun than plain white)
* new crayons/markers
* more stuff as I think of it
For example, one child complained he couldn’t find a protractor, so he and Paul and another child are all getting protractors in their stockings. Basically, anything a child needs/mentions between now and Christmas is going to be put in a stocking. My mom remarked that this makes for expensive stockings, but it actually makes for CHEAP stockings, since it’s going to be a lot of stuff I would have bought ANYWAY. I won’t go so far as to give them cold medicine and paper towels, but this older-kid stage has been harder than the days when I could fill stockings with clearance party favors and small board books and new bath toys.
I’m also preparing the children that this year I’m planning a repeat of the “one book gift, one clothing gift, two gifts’ worth of things you want” system. (I like the catchy “Something you want/need/wear/read” poem, but have trouble putting it into practice exactly as recited.) It was gratifying how excited they were last year about new clothes when they knew to EXPECT new clothes as a gift. That is, opening new shirts when you were hoping for a video game = sad. Opening Minecraft shirts when you were expecting boring shirts = AWESOME.
I totally put cold medicine in my kids’ stockings every year. Cough drops, nyquil, shampoo, etc.
I’m considering getting a couple of mandala coloring books and good pencils for the kids this year. For their “big gift” they want a new PC that can be used as a Minecraft server. That’s not exciting, but I applaud them for practicality.
I was amazed that my children liked lip balm and nail clippers in their stockings. Every year. Also combs, small mirrors.
My mom always used to get my cousins socks for Christmas and we were mortified, we’d tell her what a horrible gift that was, so one year she didn’t do it. Of course, my cousins were like, um, Aunt Rose? We were really counting on those socks! Ha! I am dreading, DREADING Christmas. Two of my kids want kind of expensive big gifts, which I’m fine with because they’re not so expensive that it’s unreasonable but what I’m worried about is that it’s really all I want to get them and I’m afraid that won’t be so fun, opening one gift. My two middle kids are only 16 months apart so I basically have to get them exactly the same thing or there is hell to pay. I always do lip balm in stockings because they love it but I might add some barrettes/bobby pins this year, as two of them are growing out their bangs.
My dad puts cherry Chapstick, nail clippers, files, toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash in our stockings every single year. I love it! I plan my toiletry buying around it. Of course, he also buys me the same perfume (my favorite) every single year, too. Again, I am not really bothered by it, because I never have to spend my own money on it. The best part is that he asks me via text every year what my fave fragrance is. Nevermind writing it down, or even just remembering it after all these years, lol.
I keep thinking of little gifts while I’m in a store, but failing to either BUY them or WRITE THEM DOWN, DUH. So now I’m starting to feel a little panic (as usual for me) about Christmas. But I think you’re right that fun socks and lip balms sometimes ARE fun for kids, despite how boring they seem to us. Have a very protractor-y Christmas! Hee!
I am now imagining families buying really high-quality tweezers for their increasingly hirsute moms.
I like the poem you mentioned, but also find it limiting. Instead, Santa brings my kids 3 gifts each because, as the friend I got the idea from said “that’s all baby Jesus got, and do you think you’re better than him?” I know you’re not religious, but the idea works well for us.
This is exactly what we do! We are religious (well, Catholic), and it’s a great way to tie the season back to the reason. Also, some friends get like 15 gifts from Santa. That is crazy to me! Growing up we only got a few Santa gifts (unwrapped, which apparently is another debate between friends), one big one to share and a few small gifts from mom and dad.
Now that we have three kids, I start Christmas shopping in October. I have a running Amazon wish list, google doc and keep a list on my phone when ideas pop into my head. I got caught taking a photo of something they would like from Santa (oldest scrolled through my photos on my phone)….
Lip balm, paperback novel or puzzle/game book, hair bands for girls, some sort of character item, gel pens, a longer charging cord, a special candy treat like those chocolate rocks or chocolate covered sunflower seeds.
I bought Elizabeth a bag of edible pearls from the cake decorating section of the grocery store today for her stocking and that strikes me as something that could be fun for older kids too. (Fun cake decorating stuff that is, not necessarily edible pearls as perhaps they are not obsessed with them like my Elizabeth is.) Also, I saw an origami book at the store today that I am putting on Elizabeth’s list for next year. I think she’s a hair too young for it this year.
If you would consider doing another gift guide this year, I would very definitely click on any and all affiliate links because you pick amazing gifts.
Help! Last year I stumbled upon a blogger who had compiled a fabulous list of gift ideas. I used several to great results. But if I saved it, I can’t find it. I know it’s not much to go on, but does this resonate with anyone? One of the great ideas was assorted bitters, if that helps at all. I think she’s done it several years, and I’d love to find it. Also: my contribution to the Christmas stocking list is lottery tickets (for the adults) and gift cards to favorite fast food places/ice cream stores etc. for the kids. The little ones are so proud to pay for themselves.
It’s Caitlin!! http://www.caitlinhannah.com/blog/2015-holiday-gift-guide
Yes! Yes!! Oh, thank you!! Swistle readers are the Best!
Man I hope this comment section becomes a long, long list of stocking ideas I can steal.
In our house all wrapped gifts are from people, but Santa fills the stockings. Santa is a surprisingly practical man, in addition to chocolate and the odd small toy, he tends to bring socks/underwear and toiletries like lip balm and hair styling goo. He usually drops off a new colour of Manic Panic in my girl’s stocking – I have pics of her with bright pink hair post-Christmas at age 6, though at 9 she usually goes in for the greens and blues more. :)
This year, I have finally caved and agreed we could get a puppy. However, I think it’s not ideal bringing one home in the dead of Canadian winter, so we’re getting the actual dog in the summer; the kids have eagerly agreed to getting some of the dog paraphernalia for Christmas because it’s means we’re actually committing to getting one.
If we’re making suggestions for non-stocking gifts, I’ve been on the lookout for reasonably priced faux fur throws for both my kids. I know they’d love them for cozying up in front of the TV.
I don’t know if these are what you are looking for, but Cabela’s has some Sherpa fleece throws and blankets that are my favorite for snuggling up in.
I think I saw some from Land’s End too. Here’s the Cabela’s link for the larger blankets. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Polartec-reg-Fleece-Sherpa-Blankets/1404944.uts?productVariantId=3157826&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=40-109829230-2&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03441993&rid=20
I love all these non-candy ideas. I think I am going for small manicure kits and some small bottles of decadent hand lotion and pretty soaps for the ladies. And some nice aftershave for the men. And socks. My mom used to put new underpants in my stocking which I always liked. Fun! Pretty!
I always put a new set of earbuds in the stocking for my teen/preteens. Those things wear out and get lost so frequently around here that they can always use an extra set.
Pens (fun colors), journals, little notebooks, pencils. We used to get a small box of Whitman’s samplers (chocolates) and life savers. Also little tickets good for one trip to the zoo or amusement park or whatever (something to look forward to).
Our stockings always have a new toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. Also, things like mail polish remover and nail files, hair rubber bands, barrettes, and other small toiletry items. And we know something is wrong when our stockings lack an orange and a banana.
I LOVE to fill stockings with stuff I would buy ANYWAY – it’s a win-win. And lucky for me my daughter gets ridiculously excited over things like pencils, post-it notes, and markers. Socks, not so much, unless they are funky soccer socks:)
I really wish I had known about the “one thing you need/one thing you read/one thing you wear/one thing you want” thing 11 years ago when my daughter was born. But now since she’s used to being spoiled (mostly by Grandma), I can’t really pull it off – it’s too late. However, since she’s getting older and the gifts get pricier, she ends up getting less stuff.