Everyday essentials for Christmas?

[Fuuuuuckit]

I'll begin by saying that 10 years ago I was a broke (and broken) newly single parent, just having secured my first post-sahm/divorce part time job, struggling to make ends meet.

Christmas was looming and to bulk the stockings/gift pile up a bit I decided to save up the everyday essentials from about September time for Christmas. Things like a fancy character toothbrush, packet of pencils, shower gel, packets of generic hair bobbles, pyjamas, socks, leggings etc.

Fast forward to today and I've just done the supermarket sweep - I'm fortunate to not have to scrimp from August onwards now - but my haul is very similar. Fancy Colgate toothbrushes, Lynx shower gel, biros for school/college, socks, leggings, pyjamas, pants. The dc are now old enough for me to have included replacement razer blades, an everyday clear nail polish, face masks, mini coffee sachets and the like, plus a couple of tubes of sweets which may need replacing by xmas and of course, chocolate coins.

Money is still tight but nowhere near as horrific as 10 years ago, and today's haul (though all in one go) wasn't cheap, whereas I could have spread it out for weeks now, but am I being tight? I really have no idea what else I'd put in a stocking, the pjs, leggings and socks will be worn, and there are a couple of other presents to be added, so they're not just getting the everyday bits?

YABU - that's tight, replace stuff when it's needed

YANBU - genius idea, great tradition, it'll all get used rather than random shite

Also, what do you vipers put in stockings?

I don’t have children to buy for, but my cousins always had presents like toiletries etc, and were very happy with them - though things might have changed since the 70s and 80s in terms of expectations! My mum still puts posh socks, nail varnish, fancy Cath Kidston flannels etc in my stocking. I am 50. And I love and use it all.

We put consumables on DD stocking with some fun stuff too. It’s better to give them things that will use rather than something that will be just left sitting on the side.

I haven't put shower gel in this year, as we still have some left from last year! (I got them some. Both sets of grandparents did. And a couple of Aunts. Seven massive bottles each!)

But generally... a book, some essentials, some sweets and a few fun things (stuff they collect, small puzzle, card game sort of thing). Not bigger clothes.

Fab idea. My MIL still does us a stocking with useful bits like washing up sponges, toothpaste, shampoo etc and we are in our 30s with kids

A mixture. I think a toothbrush is a bit wide as a gift if not essential as it is an essential item.
Things like nail varnish, leggings, stationary, nicer coffee/ sweets feel different as whilst useful and will be used, they aren’t day to day essentials.

Practical items in the stockings and proper presents under the tree.

Toiletries in the stockings are a more luxurious brand than my dc would buy everyday.

Chocolate coins always.

Mine have always had everyday stuff in their stockings and will do this year; 22, 20 &19. Same here re: money, this was very tight for last 15 years so essentials like toothbrushes and deodorant were always included.
They get shower gel, wrapped £1 coin (DH's tradition), Primark gloves, boxers/thongs, socks/fluffy socks, nail stuff, sweets, car bits and condoms!

My dc are 11/13...I always put things like that in their stockings...yes, I'd get them essentials anyway but it bulks out the gifts! They both get new pjs, body spray, perfume or aftershave, socks, pants, stationery for school

It’s perfectly fine - stockings are very much about tradition and ritual, building up layers of memories. By the time they’re teenagers it’ll 100% be expected and appreciated ‘oh, the annual socks/pants/lip balm/key ring/etc’ even if they’re not wholly aware of it.

All families are different 🤷🏼‍♀️

Personally, I didn't grow up having everyday essentials in my stocking. Rather, it would tend to be smaller gift items such as fancy gel pens, polly pockets, books, etc. Think I'd have been a bit bemused if I'd been given a toothbrush.

I tend to feel the same way about doing it for DS and just include a few small gifts I think he'll enjoy, to play with on Christmas morning. I also don't think I'd give clothes in any form as presents, at least until he's older and asks for specific things.

Yes but they point is you wouldn’t have been bemused if that’s what you’d had in your stocking.

Of course whatever is done in each family is what they’ll be used to and is what’s right for them. The point here is that there is no need for OP to change it - that’s her and her family’s tradition now.

🎄🎄🎄

Mine are also getting toothbrushes in their stocking. I'd much rather buy things they need and that will be used than buy a lot of extra things to just add to the pile. They are also getting bath bombs and bath puffs, a new jumper, a new duvet set, new gloves, new pyjamas, new swimming towel and plenty of books. All things I'd have to buy throughout the year if they didn't get them for Xmas. They are also getting a switch between them with a game each and a couple of small playmobil sets and a few extra bits so still plenty of fun things.

I think it's just perfectly fine, my dd (3.5) gets knickers, socks, bubble bath, hairslides etc. Obviously we would buy her those anyway but I choose ones I know she'll particularly like rather than just plain ones. I do put in some other bits too, such as a book or magic painting but these are mainly to keep her entertained in the morning while we all get ready etc.

Bath bombs
socks
sweets
pens
note book
Maltesers ( family tradition)
Small soft toy

In churches on Christmas day, it's very common for the vicar to take a walk around the congregation to admire the presents people have had in their stockings. One year, the teenage girls in the choir had conferred, and as he got to them, chorussed "knickers!"

I get really upset if I don’t get new socks at Christmas…

Always put toothbrushes in! This year they've both got a small loofah, their favourite chocolate bars, quite often charging cables, as I'm sure they chew them! I like to give them usable things, rather than stuff that will just get put on the side and ignored. This year they will both get nicer than normal conditioner, as they're both using loads of it.

@PurBal

I get really upset if I don’t get new socks at Christmas…

My brother said that about 10 years ago, and guess what he gets every year now, and big time!

I would do a mixture. One or two useful bits (but nicer versions e.g. character socks rather than plain black ones) and then fun stuff. I don't think it would be very fun to open a stocking of just everyday essentials.

I haven't brought socks in the 19 years I've known my MIL because she's gets me a pack every Christmas. I've had things like toiletries, socks, PJ's every year since a teen from my parents (well mum, dad doesn't know anything about presents). Tbh, I'm pleased because it means I get to spend my cash on what I'd like rather than shower gel.

It sounds like you've started a good tradition where everyone actually gets practical things rather than Christmas tat!

OP does do a mixture - she has put several nicer little gifts and some chocolates. Plus the essentials.

Completely normal.

I once had a boyfriend and one Christmas his one and only gift from his parents was a pack of underpants. That was pretty rubbish. I’ve never forgotten the look on his face.

I thought stockings were meant to be luxury essentials, sweets and some small toys/art stuff/ stationery.
I.e. character / fluffy/ generally nicer socks than usual, a bar of nicer soap, a magic flannel - or one with a nice picture on etc. Plus say chocolate coins and a lollipop. Yoyos, spinning tops, pencil sharpeners, small pack of plasticine, nail polish in favourite colour are all making appearances in the stocking as I suppose the fun/toy stuff. Plus a satsuma of course.

A stocking without any essentials in seems a bit wrong. PJ'S wouldn't fit in our stockings. I'd say ours are 'luxury' stockings because they have quite a few non-essentials, small toys etc. Everything is appreciated.

Stockings are meant to be whatever you want them to be. There aren’t any actual rules...

Some households don’t even do them.

Some households the stockings are from Santa and the presents are from everyone else, in others it’s vice versa. It really doesn’t matter one bit how you do it.