Teenage Stockings

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Please help: my teen DSes have all said they would like 'money' for Christmas.

I've always said no to money as main present because, frankly, it's very boring to open an envelope with money in and that's it. Present opening should take at least an hour with a sherry or two. Fine for birthdays but not christmas. Or so I've always thought.

But...ds1 (19) is at uni and could do with a cash injection. Ds2 (17) is saving for an end if A levels holiday with his mates. Ds3 (15) just wants money fullstop and if his brothers and he want it sobeit.

So..my plan is, we have never had stockings! I didn't have a stocking as a child so just haven't done it with mine. But I could get quite excited about just giving money, if they have the novelty of a first time stocking.

But what do I put in them?

[Sallyhasleftthebuilding]

Nice pen, socks, stationary, orange, chocolate, nuts,

[rosieliveson1]

I'm not sure on teen stockings but when my older brother's got cash gifts (I always wanted things!), my parents would put it inside opening baubles and it would always be in smaller notes so there were a few baubles per brother to 'hunt' on the tree. If you can't find the baubles you could always use fill your own Christmas crackers.

[Donge13]

I always put a few favourite things in stockings, peanut butter,Nutella, Costa gift cards, ticket master gift card, shower gel, pjs And my dcs like puzzle books .

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Thank you so much everyone.

Am getting a few ideas.

The bauble thing is a great idea, rosie. I'm not desperately creative but as its a first for us, maybe the idea of hiding money in baubles is actually quite a brilliant idea! That could take some time.

[Donge13]

A friend of mine spends xmas eve hiding money around the house and cams morning her dcs have their own set of clues for a xmas treasure hunt

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Donge-what a fantastic idea. Thank you.

I'm reading these out to Dh whose face is but mine is [happy]

Treasure hunts and unwrapping numerous parcels of money is so inspired. I get the elongated present opening I want, and the mad morning of Christmas Day. But with no presents!

So glad I started this thread. Thank you.

[GlitteryShoes]

You could hide chocolate coins and candy canes in the garden ( a different thing for each child) and swap each one found for £5. It will keep them busy while you sip sherry ( I generally hide 80% and then after an hour out the rest out to make it last even longer)

[Donge13]

I helped one year, we had a glass of wine or three and we forgot were we put the money!! Do it sober!

[bigTillyMint]

What great ideas! My DS is getting a laptop, but no idea what my DD would like - if it's cash, then a cash - hunt sounds fab!

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Thanks glittery another fantastic idea.

[bigTillyMint]

Done, I was just thinking that! We do an egg hunt at work and I can never remember where I've hidden them stone-cold sober!

[NorbertDentressangle]

Stocking ideas:

practical stuff like socks and pants
edible stuff - Jelly beans, sweets and chocolate
gadgetty things like earphones, phone cover, mini torch
silly things - have a look at somewhere like Hawkins Bazaar
Stationery - pens, post-it notes
Toiletries

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Oh blimey sober requirement -.tick

Probably good weather requirement for hiding stuff in garden - tick also?

[Donge13]

She normally buys pound shop crackers and takes them apart and puts money inside,each dc has there own cracker design, normally chuck a candy cane and a few sweets in the cracker

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Thanks norbert

[Sallyhasleftthebuilding]

I once got shiney coins and hid them in a treasure chest of choc coins, that worked well. I did 21 coins for a 21st in a purse ... that was received well.

[WhereDidTheYearsGo]

Ooh gosh all boys makes it harder but definitely alcohol (individual bottles of ale or cider or miniatures) at that age, Christmas Haribo, Toblerone, Pringles, shower gel, lynx, socks/boxers, gloves/hat/scarf (whichever they have lost recently).

When mine were students, I would also get any necessary books (usually second hand on eBay) as "extra" presents as a bit of a helping hand and I would definitely get jars of sauces for cooking meals and even big bags of pasta. Any excuse to help a bit really.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

I always put in hot chocolate powder, mini marshmallows and a can of squirty cream (that last one goes in first thing in the morning, from the fridge). I always put in boxers, socks and nice shower gel too.

[Themodernuriahheep]

Yup, toiletries, spare pair socks, comb, magazine, fruit, jam, wooden spoon, metre of Jaffa cakes, thank you notes for writing yo oaps, pens, batteries, mini cook book, football or bike gadgets, mittens and gloves, writing pad, emergency first aid kit, cocktail recipes, herbs, hangover cure, travel stuff eg labels or strap, silly joke stuff to share with blitzed friends.

If you want to make it special you wrap them up. If you don't have time, you don't.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Thanks everyone, some great ideas, I'll definitely do them. Now I need to go shopping for the stockings.

[TranquilityofSolitude]

How about some wind up clockwork toys for silly races?

[Sallyhasleftthebuilding]

We had those jumping toys one year, stole the show at the table!! Were there any silly must have retro toys they wanted or had when little? Packs of cards, marbles?

[Pranmasghost]

I bought my 17 year old grandson one of those money box puzzles. It's like a maze and you have to work a metal ball round the maze to trip the lock that opens the box. Folded money fits in nicely and they take ages to open. I have just finished (yes I know) stockings for dgds aged 12,15,16,16 and dgs aged 12 and 18 as well as little ones. They got a paperback book, toiletries, stationery, puzzles, pants and socks, gloves and a bobble hat with the bobble to poke out of the top. The toe will have a satsuma and some chocolate money. Debenhams have a great 3 for 2 offer on small toys and games for that age group.
Yesterday I got:
Plop Trumps for 12 year old, a wooden ruler shaped like a gun which works with an elastic band, a mini memory game, some metal puzzles, a box of Star Wars glasses, some novelty key rings and a 'whistle' key finder, a book of Mensa puzzles and more that I'd have to look in the bag to find!

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

You sound a generous grandma Pranma they are lucky to have you!

[Heathcliff27]

All the above stuff plus i've ordered a darth vadar memory stick from ebay. Theres loads of characters.