Father Christmas and stockings.

[Fckthis]

DH doesn't want to lie to DS (3.6), so last Christmas he proposed we don't do traditional xmases and have no presents from Santa. Last year it didn't matter as DS was too small, but this year we have to decide. During the whole year I read about it a bit and convinced myself for the sake of DH. I sent dh Everything I read, and everywhere it was clear that nobody wants to rob children of some magic, but if they ask a direct question we would answer it honestly. So I agreed to this, but in conversation yesterday it became apparent that this was already a compromise for DH (he would tell him outright that the presents were from us). So good so far. Then we came on to where to put presents, for me they go under the tree, for him in a stocking, so I was happy to get stockings for the fireplace... Oh no, that's a compromise too, for him they go by the foot of the bed, AND they are actual tights! Well, one leg of a dark tight... Wtf? This was too much for me. I am not hanging a denier 40 tight in the mantelpiece!!! So it all came tumbling down...
Did you grow up using actual tights for Xmas? Are ok with it?
If you don't/didn't have Santa, would you tell me your experience of it?
Happy Christmas!

[wheresthelight]

is your dh having a laugh???

stocking are felt or cotton. mine always go on the bed mainly because until this year we never had a fireplace but I think I will hang the empty one on the fireplace and then when santa fills it it will go on the bottom of their beds.

as for telling/not telling ffs he is 3!!! he is unlikely to ask so I wouldn't be telling him the "truth" especially as your dh is likely to get lynched Wheb ds goes to nursery/school and spoilt it for everyone who does believe.

tell dh to stop being a scrooge

and have some cos it may be a battle

[ilovepowerhoop]

we hang a stocking (made from material with an xmas scene on it) on the handle of the bedroom door on xmas eve and it gets filled and left just outside the bedroom door.

when I was young we used one of our socks which was unfair as my big brothers had bigger feet than me so got more presents in there!

[Fckthis]

Thank you, I do need and !

I hope DS won't ask, just take things at face value and from stories we've read. I however have nothing against telling him that Santa is a tradition, etc. When he asks, and only if he asks a direct question. However, the stocking thing is taking the piss isn't it? I knew his parents are fucked up but this is beyond believable in my opinion. Watch this space.

[PandaG]

actually, we had real old lady stockings that we left out in the hall on Christmas eve along with the mince pie and whisky. Was just what we did in our family, didn't have them hanging up beforehand. We got a great deal though, as high denier stockings stretch and stretch and stretch, so can contain lots of presents - small things which are from FC - everything else is definitely from whoever bought the present.

[Theresadogonyourballs]

Yy to being careful once he goes to nursery / school. My DD is nearly 6 and very much still believes. A couple of months ago a child who has just started Reception, (aged 4), informed every child in KS1 via his extremely loud voice that, "There is no Father Christmas, it's your mum and dad who bring presents, and you're STUPID if you believe in him!"
Needless to say, I wasn't the only one to have to carry out some serious damage limitation that evening..........

[tootyflooty]

bah humbug !!! I only ever used a sock once as a child when I couldn't find my stocking!! outrageous, you can get some lovely Christmas stockings, in various sizes, and not have to spend a lot, its a magical time of year, why take the magic away sooner than you have to ( my three DC aged 23, 16, 16 still have stockings!!)

We've always said that Father Christmas brings the stocking presents and the selection box, the rest of the pressies are from us and family, that gets you out of the argument of why they can't always have very expensive gifts if FC brings them !!

We hang ours at the end of the bed, as is our tradition, but my brothers kids have theirs downstairs as they didn't like the thought of some man coming into their room when they were asleep!!

We ( I) still put out mince pies and milk, and sneak out the back with some sleigh bells ( yes, I know that's sad, the kids laugh and just humour me!!) Incidentally my kids teacher told the class when there were aged 7 that FC didn't exist, when they questioned me, I said he didn't visit her as she didn't believe , and had obviously been a naughty child!! I don't understand why anyone would want to spoil the magic for a child. My daughter for the last few years does a stocking for me and her dad, and we play the waiting game, as I won't fill the stockings until they are asleep and she won't do our until we are, its going to be a long night !!!!

[Fckthis]

I was hoping we could convince him to not tell anyone else... Perhaps that's harder than I thought.

DHs case for the ladies stocking is just that, all the presents would fit in it. I can't however get over the fact it would look so UGLY!!!

[MirandaWest]

My sister and I each had one of my granny's old stockings - they stretched so much and lots could fit in :)

[TheGirlAtTheJingleBellRockShow]

When I was growing up stockings were from Santa with little presents. Presents under the tree were from whoever bought them.
Stockings were always cotton or felt, and modestly sized! I wanted a huge sack but was never allowed

[HedgehogsDontBite]

We've always used a pillowcase, left near the Christmas tree in the living room.

[PigeonPie]

As children my sis and I had half an old 'tight' each from my Ma which we put at the end of our beds; my Ma would then fill 'spares' and then swap them when we were asleep, however, as we got older we used to choose odd ones which Ma couldn't match!

My DSs have pillowcases which are much easier to fill.

[Patilla]

I was relaxed about how we played the old FC debate but DS came back from pre school at about your son's age, a completed believer.

You could have told him that it was all a story and it wouldn't have sunk in at all.

We had always said we would let the DC lead us and so right now that means all bells and whistles FC pretence.

You may find that your child also takes the decision out of your hands this year too.

[Fckthis]

I think you are wise Patilla, and yes this year it will also probably be out of our hands.

[squizita]

My mum sewed bags about the size of pillow cases. They were from Santa - tree presents from people.
I remember an awkward night time conversation with my dad who claimed Santa had rung on the door bell and handed him the presents to put in the sack as he was running a bit late.

Even as an adult I love a bit of make believe and escapism! I wish Santa was real would save me a bloody fortune.

Once when reading Little House On The Prairie with some 11 year olds at work, I suddenly realised some didn't realise "santa" was really the family's neighbour dressed up. They were still in wide eyed wonder. To their credit the more worldly kids kept shtum! ! I couldn't bear to break it to them so the TA and I cobbled a different discussion/activity at lunch time!