Help me stop doing this, this year!

[Acunningruse]

EVERY year, I buy new socks/pants/toothbrushes etc and wrap them up as stocking fillers. And every year, DC are polite but distinctly underwhelmed, understandably so. I KNOW this, but in town just now I found myself reaching for knickers thinking, "I'lol out those away for Christmas".
Why?! Why do I do this? And how do I stop it?!

Why stop? Not every gift needs to be awe inspiringly breathtakingly amazing. Just make sure they’re nice pants, socks, etc

I hear ya. Every year novelty socks as stocking fillers, every year find them in the back of a drawer unworn with tags on.

This year it's going to be actual things people want/like even if the stockings end up less "stuffed".

Nothing wrong with socks and pants in stocking. I always put socks in my dcs stocking, I do tend to buy named ones now their teens.

Because these are traditions! They might be underwhelmed now but as adults, they will be nostalgic for it

Xmas themed socks are required here (and worn year round) although I shall be splitting the pack of 5 I’ve bought! I’ve recently given up on fancy pants as DS1 is no longer into character stuff. DS2 might still get some as he is. But if DS1 ever discovers brands then I guess a pair of branded pants will start to appear. It’s all about nicer than normal or Xmas themed stuff here.

Is it the wrapping that’s an issue, maybe just put them in the stocking so they aren’t getting excited about something else. My dcs love getting these things but wouldn’t be overly excited to get them Xmas day, though they did enjoy the fluffy Xmas socks last year.

No presents this year my in-laws are no longer talking to me so they’re off the list. Stbx while I’m still here he’ll have little things but nothing big (we are keeping things friendly so a Christmas we’ll have) . So yes I’m not going to feel guilty anymore.

I think most will do this for adults just say budget presents

Can you be my mum and do that please?

We don't have this tradition but last year my kids loved their novelty not festive socks and DS2 was thrilled with his rather snazzy pants. Maybe do something different this year.. other small value mundane things but different things to before.

Repeat after me -

"It is my job, not Santa's, to provide my child with underwear and a toothbrush"

"My child will have socks when my child needs socks, not when the fictional birthday of a religious figure is celebrated"

"Pants are for bums, not just for Christmas"

I've bought Christmas socks for everyone this year, but I'm thinking 'the elf' will bring them on about the 18th, so we'll all get wear out of them (and they'll do future years) before the big day.

I always get mine underwear for their stocking. Yes, of course, they would be getting it anyway - but it’s part of the tradition.

Another tradition is cooking a couple of sprouts and nobody eating them. Also, putting out a drink and biscuit for Santa even though they are teens now.

it’s wee things like that kids remember when they get older.

I would still continue
But go for novelty / Fun / Christmas themed

As others say if you've always done it it's a tradition.

I'll be 44 this Christmas & my mum still puts a satsuma & an apple in my stocking - I eat the satsuma and the apple goes straight back into her fruit bowl, she knows this, I know this, but if it wasn't there I'd be a bit disappointed as I've had an apple in my stocking for as long as I can remember.

Mine always expect socks and pants! It's tradition! It comes from the clothing budget not Christmas but goes in the stocking!

Well just remind yourself of their faces last year. And think about your fuel bills, are you really going to buy “stuff” just for the sake of it this winter?
Im going to be very strict with myself about Christmas this year. We will have a lovely Christmas don’t get me wrong, but there will be no buying nonsense just for the sake of it.

I used to like getting new socks and pjs from my mum. Not sure about the toothbrush though! 😁

Just think of the poor elves with their cold little hands, sewing all those teeny tiny knocker stitches while all the other elves are having fun building exciting toys.

Mine,and dh, get socks and pants in their stockings.Kids are now in their 20s and 30s so cant see it stopping any time soon

Both girls get knickers and socks in their stockings. Always have done. They also get a toothbrush! I find they are the useful things that go along with the less useful things. They would be surprised if they weren't in there now

I put socks and pants in too but ensure they are the type they like and not just whatever’s on special offer.
I do however look for a good deal on Nike socks etc.

I always got knickers and socks in my stocking. I remember being gutted one year in my teens when I didn’t. It felt so wrong having to go rifling through my drawer for some to put on on Christmas Day. I say still do it, but don’t bother wrapping them.

New socks and pants are a yearly necessity anyway, so keep putting them in the stockings!

I usually do fluffy socks, but not pants..however this year I'm jumping on the pants train!

I do for the Dec 1st Box (took the place of the Christmas Eve Hamper )
My DS will be 23 and my DD is 20

I buy pants - some branded like Victoria Secret / Calvin Klein
Pyjamas ( not Christmas ones though)
Socks
Leisure wear for mooching about

They are not the most exciting but necesary .
Not in the Christmas Presents pile though .