What is a Stocking Present

[NachoAddict]

What kind of things do you call a stocking present, is it literally a small present that goes in the stocking or is it just a present that's not the main present?

If it is the present that goes in the stocking, what kind of things do you buy?

[zipzap]

Along with the usual chocolate coins, satsuma and small bits and bobs, I often include a brand new pair of pants, socks and a vest, conveniently the ones to be worn that day, so they are to hand and keen to wear their new stuff. (rest of the packet is just wrapped as a present - they haven't yet spotted that there is one missing from each packet!). There's also a toothbrush (maybe with a favourite cartoon character on), a new comb if needed, a lip salve, etc - basically the sort of thing they would be getting anyway when theirs run out but much nicer to get from Santa

I also include a comic - preferably one with a toy on the front (loads around at christmas!) and make sure there is a pencil and/or a small cheap pack of colouring pencils so that the dc can read it, do the activities and play with the toy whilst dh and I doze off and have a longer lie in. This year there are playmobil comics, I have one from last month with a knight on and hopefully I'll get one for next month too, should come out in the next day or two, no idea what is on it (fingers crossed it isn't a princess!) then both ds will have a figure to play with... It also (when rolled up!) fits into a stocking very nicely and although it is usually £2-4 it fills up the space relatively cheaply.

Somebody on here said they included a small box of favourite 'treat' cereal ready for breakfast - mine would love that although it probably wouldn't make it downstairs for breakfast, but be eaten upstairs out of the box, which I guess is half the fun of christmas! and would again allow for a longer lie in without the need to go downstairs for me or dh

[callmekitten]

For those of you who's DCs don't .like oranges, we do a chocolate orange instead-enough like the traditional to satisfy me and won't get wasted.

[ICameOnTheJitney]

I don't do the oranges thing...I can't see the point as I never have so the DC would just think it odd! I do a couple of tubes of sweets, a chocolate santa, there are some troll dolls and a mouse in a box each. I will probably get them some little bits of jewellry too...cheap things though!

[TrucksAndDinosaurs]

DS aged 3
Socks (he loves socks)
Satsuma
Choc coins
Small pack mini Oreos/similar
Peppa Pig mag
Wooden Thomas and Friends train
Bubble mix
Book

DH
Choc coins
Satsuma
Nuts
Socks
Shower gel
Miniature of scotch or brandy
Fancy snack
Posh chilli sauce

Me: similar plus body lotion.

[MrsCakesPremonition]

Only "the children" get a stocking (although DSis qualified as a child in my parents house until she was 30).

Always:
1 satsuma (stuffed in the toe of the sock)
1 toothbrush
£1 coin
a pair of pants

Optional:
a tube of wine gums
a packet of gold Haribo
a bath bomb
a puzzle
a tiny toy or five.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

My mum always used to do Chocolate oranges for us, I never did like them, but it took me years to pluck up the courage to tell her, I didn't really twig that it was a sop to tradition, just thought it was one of her things. One of my DCs likes satsumas, the other isn't all that bothered with them, but really don't think I'm going to start now, they would just think that a bit odd as they don't know about the tradition. Don't think they would like chocolate oranges either, but might try one and see.

I'm not sure how old we were when we stopped having stockings, probably when we stopped believing in Santa by about 9 or 10. My DCs are nearly 8 and 10 so we will see how it goes over the next few years, if they want to carry on we will, but certainly not into adulthood.

[fuzzpig]

My DCs eat satsumas several times a week but they are still excited by the one in their stocking :o

DH got them some chocolate coins in Boots the other week so instead of getting the same again for the stocking, I'm going to get the huge individual ones and they can have one each!

[notso]

DS2 and 3 would get excited about a satsuma, they each had one from DH's nan on Halloween and discarded sweets in favour of it!
DD and DS1 not so much, DD loves chocolate oranges though.

[apocketfulofposy]

here the stockings go on the end of the bed and santa fills them up when they are asleep.

satsumas and chocolate coins are a must.

mine have small books,dvds,pens,joke toys,tattoos etc in theirs.

[apocketfulofposy]

we do stockings for each other too,we dont buy each other big presents so the idea is we buy each other things that will fit in a stocking,that eems to make it easier choosing things,so again books,dvds,toiletries,socks etc.Its nice to have something to open.