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Christmas

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Original poster

‘Things to do on your own while we sleep’ stocking ideas for DS11

50 replies

yellowsun · 30/10/2020 20:56

We normally put a little Lego set or similar in DS11’s stocking to keep him occupied until we are ready to wake up and go downstairs to open his main presents. However, the last set he was bought sits unopened and he’s reached the age where, sadly, he’s not really enjoying Lego.

Does anyone have any ideas of other little things we can put in his stocking that will keep him occupied?

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No91 · 30/10/2020 21:04

Is this a thing 🤣
Mine would never wait 🤣

Isadora2007 · 30/10/2020 21:06

Is he an only child? If so I don’t think I’d want him to sit alone- but if I really did I’d give him an Xbox-PlayStation voucher and I’d deffo get peace for an hour or so out of that!!! 😂

Findahouse21 · 30/10/2020 21:07

Magazine
Adult colouring
Adult puzzle Book
Small but tricky jigsaw
DH has a star wars dot to dot that goes up to about 800 dots on each picture that he loves

Coriandersucks · 30/10/2020 21:11

Can’t you just get up with him it’s only one day and it just seems so sad making him open a present all by himself.

The one year my sister and I woke up ‘too early’ by our parents standards who then made us go back to bed, the only thing that stopped us from demanding they get up was finding the tin of biscuits at the bottom of our beds (one whole tin each). I think we ate the lot. It was the last year they tried to have a lie in!

Floralnomad · 30/10/2020 21:14

At that age I’d just be telling him that presents are being opened at x time and don’t bother you before that .

PumpkinsPatch · 30/10/2020 21:18

Aw. How sad to spend Christmas morning presents alone.

It's the one day of the year we just expect to be awake at 5am and not be mad at the kids for it.

DC get in bed with us and open stockings/cards so at least it's not too early to be out of bed.

Then can stagger the big "has Santa been" reveal until it's more of a decent hour.

thelegohooverer · 30/10/2020 21:24

Comic or whatever the latest Dogman/Captain Underpants offering might buy you an extra 20 minutes.

But I’m also firmly in the get up at silly o’clock with the dc camp Smile despite being up ‘til all hours waiting for them to fall asleep. We have an early dinner and a nap afterwards to compensate.

Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons · 30/10/2020 21:57

Watching them open their stockings is my favourite bit!
My 11 yr old loves those sticker mosaic books (not the kids ones), a comic book or much better the long awaited next book in a series would also distract for a while.

Original poster
yellowsun · 30/10/2020 22:19

Just to clarify, we don’t send the poor child off while we sleep until midday! We open his stocking on our bed (normally at 6am as he’s always been an early riser) then we sit up and recover until 7/7.30/8 when we get up. During this time he plays with his toys. He has a big stocking!

I don’t think it’s unreasonable for an 11 year old to wait an hour or so to open his main presents!

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Original poster
yellowsun · 30/10/2020 22:19

Sorry I forgot to say thank you for your ideas!

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aToadOnTheWhole · 30/10/2020 22:27

Something like this Just make sure it's already charged up, it's preloaded with games.
A book? Some jazzy type snacky bits to munch on?

Original poster
yellowsun · 30/10/2020 22:30

I will definitely pack lots of edible goodies in there. A hand held game thing sounds good.

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nicerbeing · 30/10/2020 22:46

We open his stocking on our bed (normally at 6am as he’s always been an early riser) then we sit up and recover until 7/7.30/8 when we get up.

I just get up when mine get up, so if that's 6am then that's 6am.

Why on earth do you need an hour or 2 to recover Confused

Lovemusic33 · 30/10/2020 22:55

I do the same with mine 🤣 they are allowed to open stocking before I get up (but only when the suns up), I just wrap all the little gifts in loads of tape so it takes ages for them to open it 🤣 and I try and add a few things that will keep dd2 entertained (dd1 never wakes early).

Original poster
yellowsun · 30/10/2020 22:55

Generally because we’ve had a really late night as he can’t sleep and wakes up due to sharing a room (with family staying). I suppose that won’t be an issue this time!

Well done to all those parents who get up at 5/6am on Christmas Day. I won’t apologise for not getting up until after 7!

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WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 30/10/2020 23:23

Santa always put our stocking on the end of our beds, (rugby socks, not the ones you get now that you could hide Rudolph in!) & 1 of our presents. We were allowed to open those at whatever ungodly hour we woke up. We loved it, we didn't see it as any form of exclusion or not being wanted or whatever. It was something 'extra' to look forward to. (Extra as in 'another bit of fun, not as in an extra present)

@yellowsun. You can send any unwanted Lego to me I'm 51, but wint leave it unopened.

For the first time in over a decade I won't be buying my nephews Lego. Sad state of affairs (though I suspect Evil Witch AKA SIL will be pleased).

Original poster
yellowsun · 30/10/2020 23:26

@WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants I feel very sad that he’s not wanting any for the first time. End of an era. Sorry- Myself and DH will do the current kits if he doesn’t! Grin

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RainbowRaine · 30/10/2020 23:32

Cereal bar
Carton of juice
Other snacks

M0rT · 30/10/2020 23:42

Rubik's cube
Juggling Balls
YoYo
Tin of Danish Butter Biscuits or whole packet of Tunnocks Tea Cakes.... whichever he would prefer.

QueenPaws · 30/10/2020 23:46

I was going to say is that not the entire point of stockings Grin
I always had a book in mine plus a box of cereal/mini ones that mum would never buy as "too sugary/crap/chocolate"
Would sit eating the cereal out the pack and reading the book until they woke up, it was actually a really nice time. Completely silent, still dark and tucked under the covers knowing Christmas was here

megletthesecond · 30/10/2020 23:50

We don't open presents until after parkrun around 11am.

Mine are usually happy with Guinness book or records, something sciency to do and chocolates to scoff before breakfast. And they haven't forgotten the time they woke at 2am and 4am and I lost my rag with them.

Lurchermom · 31/10/2020 00:44

We always had this as children (though for us it was one gift) and I love the tradition.
Don't ever do a tub of marbles Grin my DF put it on the end of my bed as usual, I kicked it off in the night, DF came in to see what the noise was, kicked it, lid popped off and marbles everywhere in the middle of the night Grin

Does he read? Or is he of an age where he might enjoy a puzzle book, or physical puzzle? Or perhaps a magic trick box with a note saying he has to put in a show after dinner?

SionnachRua · 31/10/2020 00:55

Would he build with Knex - something a bit different maybe? Or even PlusPlus.

A diabolo, a pin impression toy or a light up board with letters might be nice for more 'grown up' toys.

Poppins2016 · 31/10/2020 01:08

I don’t think it’s unreasonable for an 11 year old to wait an hour or so to open his main presents!

I was allowed to open stocking first thing with parents, then had to wait until after Christmas dinner and the Queen's speech to open any presents! An hour is nothing! Grin

ZombiePara · 31/10/2020 01:20

@Poppins2016

I don’t think it’s unreasonable for an 11 year old to wait an hour or so to open his main presents!

I was allowed to open stocking first thing with parents, then had to wait until after Christmas dinner and the Queen's speech to open any presents! An hour is nothing! Grin

So glad to hear someone else with a similar tale!

I woke up, had my stocking/breakfast/shower/dress/poked the presents and got told off/helped prep lunch/get majority of it cooking/set the table/round of drinks then hours later we sat and did presents..then had a late lunch for Christmas day!

My work colleague was shocked when I told her... her family wake up, stocking, presents, breakfast then get on with the rest