We're trying something new with stockings this year...

[BearSoFair]

At the request of DC, they're going to be responsible for eachother's stockings this year. I feel like this could be great fun or a nightmare

DS2 (10) is buying for DS1 (17)
DS1 is buying for DD (12)
and DD is buying for DS2

£20 budget each (provided by us). All in agreement that it's a bit of fun and a nice way for them to start thinking about eachother a bit more. Wish us luck!

That's a wonderful idea - I love it!

That's lovely : )

I could never give this up... buying the stocking presents for my children is my favourite part of Christmas!

That's an amazing idea!

My dd would be horrified at this suggestion...

She is 30!!

If everyone is in agreement, that sounds ace.
I got given shopping responsibility for my mothers stockings aged about 12. Dad and Gran usually added to it as well. Some years she got a fantastic stocking!
The controlling part of me would make sure the house contained enough bits to make an emergency stocking tho! Memories of Mum trying to pull a stocking together for my uncle at 9pm on Xmas eve when it was discovered his mother (aged nearly 80) had forgotten to do anything about it.

We give dc money to buy present to each other. They really do know what another one likes.

I give them money to buy present for their dad. Not sure if dh does the same though...

Great idea!

Lovely idea! But I buy stocking contents in January sales the previous year so wouldn’t work here... plus we keep Santa story going for 7 year old dd. Sounds like a fab thing for stockings to evolve into though once Santa is done.

Definitely going to keep up with who has what to make sure I can step in with emergency stocking supplies if needed!

I've started giving my teenage DD and DS £25 and tell them to go to the shops together to choose some small things for their DF once they're on their school holidays. It's been great and they come up with some really quirky ideas which has been fantastic. It's also made them feel more part of the preparation of Christmas so I think it's a great idea.

Ah lobe this!! Makes me wish I didn't have an only just to do this too

Sounds like a fantastic idea! Good luck, I hope they all get wonderful stockings.

That is a wonderful idea!

This is our first year without a ‘believer’ so I think this will be our new tradition!

That is such a lovely idea

This is lovely. Great idea OP.
I'll definitely think about doing this after the youngest have moved on from FC

This is the first year we definitely haven't had a believer, last year DS2 was pretty sure there was no Santa but not quite 100%, so it does feel like a nice way to maybe start a new tradition. I'm loving their initial ideas, DS2 has asked if he can include a jar of gherkins for DS1 as he always has everyone's pickles at McDonalds I do actually think DS1 would appreciate that so gherkins are in!

That's a nice idea.
I have an only but he chooses presents for all the family (aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins). This year rather than just give him the money I'm making him earn each present with a chore. He has a chart and he ticks each time he does one. Once he has enough we will go shopping. I thought that was better than getting him to buy them from his pocket money since he doesn't get that much!

Thought I'd come back with an update as they're all finished buying for eachother now!

DS1 (bought by DS2) has:

Brussels sprouts puzzle
Finglerless gloves
A jar of gherkins
Mini Reeses peanut butter cups
Novelty high top style socks
Henry Hoover screen cleaner
Suduko book

DD (bought by DS1) has:
Wreck This Journal
Sloth snowglobe
Sloth socks
Niffler eye mask
Cactus erasers
Popping candy chocolate

DS2 (bought by DD) has:
Tube map mini puzzle
Sprouts juggling balls
Drumsticks tube
Shark slipper socks
Poo stress ball
Dinosaur keyring
Match Attax cards

I'm impressed at how well they did, DH did have to stop DS2 buying DS1 a mini fart machine but it was 90% their own ideas. If they want to, I think we'll maybe make it a new tradition!

My 3 DC do this for each other. They get a budget of £10 and are limited to charity shops. We've had some amazing things found. It started as a joke, but we've stuck with it.

I gave DS1 who is almost 12 some money to go and choose some presents for DS2 who is younger and he chose amazing things! It’s definitely something I’m going to do again next year. He’s so proud of himself and can’t wait to give them to his little brother, it’s lovely he’s getting involved.