What age for stockings/advent calendars?

[FreudianSlimmery]

What's the mn verdict on this?

My DD will be 3.6 and we aren't doing either - she's not really aware of all these things yet. Also don't want lots of little things around as we have DS 1.4. We aren't having our big tree either because of this, we will get DD a little tree to put in her bedroom and probably leave a couple of smaller presents under there.

I might leave it a couple more years until they're both old enough? Might get one of those wooden advent calendars with drawers instead of chocolate ones.

So what's the right age do you think?

[ForMashGetSmash]

Er...I did it right from the start.Mine was fully aware of stockings and advent calendars at three and a half. Loved them too. My younger DD was ne lasst year and we had a big tree and lots of little things...we just kept them out of reach tbh.

My younger DD is 2 now...she is well aware of christmas stockings.

[ForMashGetSmash]

Can I just ask what your fears are re. the tree in the living room? We're not having a big one either...but little ones adore them and the lights and ornaments are very stimulating and exciting for them.

When ours were at the eating everything in sight stage, we put it up higher than they could reach...and chose safe non breakable ornaments in case one fell off.

[FreudianSlimmery]

My DD doesn't really know about Santa... At least, she seemed rather when we suggested somebody coming down the chimney. Am I a terrible mum for not going the whole hog with it? I figured she will pick it up at school anyway...

[FreudianSlimmery]

Well, our house is too tiny to fit the big tree in if we put it up high. We'll be putting tinsel up etc but OMG DS is such a monkey with pulling stuff over etc I don't want to spend all day removing baubles from his iron grip :o

But I guess we could get a smaller tree and put it on the table!

[muddleduck]

Give them both a stocking.
That's how they become 'aware' of them.
Easy to fill with cheap but useful stuff. Crayons, socks, etc.

Agree that wooden ACs are great. Ours has little wooden decorations for a little tree.

[muddleduck]

In our house Santa does the stockings but we give the presents.
IMO not is the time to introduce and traditions that you want to stick. Don't wait for school.

[FreudianSlimmery]

Oh ok why's that? (this is all new to me tbh)

[muddleduck]

And IME trees with toddlers are fine :)
cats are worse...

[ForMashGetSmash]

We have a small room too...we buy a three foot tree in a pot and put iton the ideboard or on a tall table....the can't reach it and it doesn't reach the ceiling.

they won't become aware of any of it if you don't have it in the house...but by nextyear your DD will be 4 and all her school mates will be talking about their stockings and things...

[muddleduck]

She wil remember these xmas's from year to year and that is where the excitement comes from. Next year she'll remember the fun of stockings and trees and will be able to join in talking about that at school.

Not a big deal but it is all so much fun at that age.

And I love doing the stockings

[muddleduck]

And she'll be able to help her brother with his.

Go on. You know you want to!

[ForMashGetSmash]

Ooh now I like the idea of tose drawer calendars....I think I might get one and jus continue with the balloons etc when they're teens! They would still like it I think...if only for the naff-ness.

[muddleduck]

Now my boys are a bit older their AC drawers are filled with a mixture of decorations and jelly beans.
Not too expensive at all :)

[muddleduck]

[tootiredtothink]

Go the whole hog now. Seems a shame to make dd wait just because she has a younger sibling.

IME we've never had any problems with the 'bits' on the tree.

[FreudianSlimmery]

How much would a small tree, stocking and fillers cost then? We are pretty much entirely broke ATM - thank goodness I was organised and got all the actual presents a few months ago. DH has been off sick for a few months now and no idea what's going to happen, could be surviving on statutory sick pay for several more months

[muddleduck]

Stocking fillers can be cheap. The trick is to think of things you will need to get them anyway. For you ds they can be clothes in the next size up. He won't care if they don't fit yet. Add a few bits of fruit or other snacks to bulk it up.

And wrap them as lots of little bits.
At use a smallish stocking.

[FreudianSlimmery]

That sounds vaguely doable... Essentials are a good idea and snacks :) will have a look as I'm going to town now, will discuss with DH as we are watching every penny ATM. Definitely not doing advent calendar but last year the wooden ones went in the sale in tescos so I'll put some money aside for that.

[Fiddledee]

Go to poundland you can fill up a stocking very cheaply. DD has had a stocking from when she was 1 and loves it, DS had s stocking at 9 months old, in our house those are the presents from father christmas. She loves telling me how father christmas comes down the chimney and up the stairs and puts her stocking at the end of the bed.

We have had a large fake tree with two small children with no ill effect - presents only get put under the tree on xmas eve of course after they have gone to bed.

[ethelina]

FIL told me at the weekend they had a discussion in Tesco as to whether to buy DS an advent calendar this year. They didn't in the end, thank goodness. He's only 9 weeks old and I dont think he should be gumming the chocolate just yet. I think maybe next year is soon enough, chocolate or not.

He's getting a stocking though, DH and I are taking it in turns to put something small in, so its a bit of a surprise for both of us.

[muddleduck]

some other random "things I would have bought anyway" that I've used...

cutlery
beaker/cup
bath flannel
bubble bath
wellies (didn't fit very well )


btw I think you're very sensible to choose stockings over AC.
Do you have grandparents around? Lots of kids I know get their ACs from grandparents. But they all seem to be of the chocolate variety

[FreudianSlimmery]

Yes I think we will start AC in the next couple of years. Not too keen on choc ones, but would put sweets etc in some of the drawers - and stuff like hair clips and keyrings. I got my first AC at age 17 because my bf (now DH) felt very sad that I'd never had one! My mum was brought up as a jehovas witness so never did Xmas in a big way. Hence I want Xmas to be great for the kids but don't want to go so far as totally spoiling them tbh.

This'll be the first proper Xmas since having kids and I'm still finding my way with it.

One AC I did for DH was writing a romantic song lyric on a card every day - he still has them all :)

[hophophippidtyhop]

this site has some great stocking fillers that are cheap, and the postage is a good rate too- £2 for up to £10 spent on goodies.

[ForMashGetSmash]

For me Freudian, the best thing is building atmosphere...no loads of pressies. Mine love the run up to the big day...carols on the radio, making decorations, desorating the tree and making biscuits...all that is far more exciting to them than a load of stuff.