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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu Christmas stockings

101 replies

Xmaslights · 21/12/2014 07:25

First time poster Aibu thinking gps shouldn't do Christmas stockings and expect the gc to open them before Christmas?

OP posts:
Altinkum · 21/12/2014 07:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sirzy · 21/12/2014 07:31

If they want to give them presents what's the problem?

Rinkydinkypink · 21/12/2014 07:40

Op we had this and it drove me mad. We also had the assumption from somewhere that they would arrange the Santa presents and deliver them ShockShockShockShock

We explained nicely that we were doing Christmas our way. Our house, our rules! They were welcome to be involved but we did it our way.

Small gifts go in the stocking. Some are from mum and dad but we find Santa tops them up. Presents and stockings wait till Christmas except small things like gifts from Santa when the kids have seen him, presents off teachers etc.

Everything else is for Christmas morning. We tried presents being given by people as they arrived after Christmas but it didn't work. The kids got tired, bored and didn't like it.

Purplepoodle · 21/12/2014 08:07

Meh not end of the world. If kids know the stockings are from granny and grandad I can't see the harm in it. Nice way of granny and grandad to share in christmas esp if they aren't going to be at your Xmas day.

TempusFuckit · 21/12/2014 08:20

Whether DGP should buy the presents is endlessly debatable.

But of course they don't get opened before Christmas morning! Shock

Original poster
Xmaslights · 21/12/2014 08:20

There is nothing wrong with them giving presents. All presents in our house come of Santa with a little help from mummy and daddy and all relatives presents come of them. We do the stockings and ask that no presents are given before Christmas Day. The kids then thank the people for the presents as they open them and they will be here on Christmas Day. Every year we have the same discussion they like the stockings opened at there house no where else and always before Christmas not after and me and my husband believe all presents should be Xmas day or after

OP posts:
Original poster
Xmaslights · 21/12/2014 08:22

Ment to add wouldn't mind the stocking being given Xmas day i don't believe they should be opened before Xmas day

OP posts:
YellowFern · 21/12/2014 08:22

I wouldn't mind opening the odd present in advance but wouldn't allow them to make a stocking. That's for Santa to fill. On Xmas eve, surely?

calmexterior · 21/12/2014 08:23

YANBU .

Grandparents here randomly do stockings but at least they wait until Xmas day has been...

Sirzy · 21/12/2014 08:23

What harm does opening them a few days sooner do really? I really can't see how this is an issue other than you wanting everyone to do things your way. Personally I always let the present giver decide when they want the present to be opened as some people want to see the child open it if they can.

InternetFOREVER · 21/12/2014 08:24

For me, if anyone wants to buy my DS a present I'm happy to let him receive it in whatever way they want, I don't think it ruins the specialness of christmas or anything. What reasons do you and your DH have for not wanting your DC to opens anything prior to christmas?

FunkyBoldRibena · 21/12/2014 08:25

As Santa doesn't actually exist, you can make your own 'rules' up about it.

Mehitabel6 · 21/12/2014 08:29

I can't see the problem. They know it is from grandparents- they just happen to have put it in a stocking. Easy to explain to children.

Mehitabel6 · 21/12/2014 08:29

Even easier to explain when they come before Christmas.

Original poster
Xmaslights · 21/12/2014 08:33

But they would get to see them open it?!? All our family live close and get to see them open there presents Christmas Day. We don't believe they should have presents before Christmas we like the build up and the special atmosphere it creates on the day

OP posts:
MangoBiscuit · 21/12/2014 08:35

I wouldn't be too comfortable with this either. On a practical level, there's a good chance you'll have both put the same or similar things in a stocking. Opens up a whole world of why questions about Santa that I'd rather avoid. It also takes some of the shine off Christmas day, which I love and hope to enjoy to the fullest, with my DDs all exciting after having waited for their presents. Why can't they wait until Christmas day to give them?

MangoBiscuit · 21/12/2014 08:36

All excited, not exciting. And Xpost with OP. "we like the build up and the special atmosphere it creates on the day" I agree. :)

Mehitabel6 · 21/12/2014 08:41

I like to spread it a bit- they actually play well with things they get a bit early. There is still a special atmosphere and it doesn't open up difficult questions. You just say granny wants to see them open presents and she likes to put them in a stocking.

Maybe83 · 21/12/2014 09:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CakeAndWineAreAFoodGroup · 21/12/2014 09:01

I can never understand why grandparents want to do the things that the actual parents do! They've had their turn with bringing up their dc's so time for them to take a step back and let their adult children do those same things for their dc's!

Horsemad · 21/12/2014 09:07

Hear hear CakeandWine!
I remember having to say 'you've had your turn at bringing up children' to my MIL on more than one occasion. She eventually got the hang of it!

Mehitabel6 · 21/12/2014 09:20

I don't know why people get so caught up in unimportant things- not really the spirit of Christmas!

fredfredgeorgejnr · 21/12/2014 09:22

No in the grand scheme (or indeed any other scheme) it doesn't matter, no-one really loses out, but equally no-one loses out by not doing it.

It's certainly an odd tradition that grandparents should give a stocking before christmas and have it opened, as a compromise next year perhaps you could have them do sinterklaas in the Dutch/Belgian style with shoes out and presents... (unless they're a bit BNP, when probably best to avoid that holiday as they might take the more unsavoury part.)

YANBU to say no to the stockings before.

PoinsettiaGordino · 21/12/2014 09:23

Are they from a country where presents are opened on Christmas eve?

Mehitabel6 · 21/12/2014 09:24

Build it into your family tradition and the problem is solved!