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Stockings for 17 and 19yo…when to stop?

124 replies

MonkeyTennis34 · 20/10/2025 16:12

Just that really…we also have a 28 yo but I can’t remember when we stopped with his stocking.
They usually get a stocking of about 10 small pressies then the big presents are around the tree, spread out over the day.

OP posts:
DressOrSkirt · 20/10/2025 23:15

My parents stopped ours at 18 but it's my favourite part of Christmas, so I do them for me, my DH, and anyone else that sleeps at my house on Christmas Eve!

thecatfromneptune · 20/10/2025 23:38

Gosh I don’t properly remember when my parents stopped — it must have been some time in our teenage years, as mum went back to work full time and checked out of stocking duties when I was about 14, so I took over the job of doing mine and my siblings’ stockings! (I enjoyed this a lot.) And I don’t remember doing it when I was a student… It had definitely stopped by the time I moved out properly at 21. So I reckon I probably stopped doing them when I was around 18 or 19. My siblings were 14 and 13 then so I must ask them if they remember. I think then it was much more common for stockings to just be a little kid thing (like Easter eggs; I don’t remember getting those after being a teenager either. Adults didn’t really get Easter eggs then like they do now).

My parents did quite a big stocking of lots of little wrapped pocket money toys; whereas DH’s family did stocking for everyone at any age, but they generally were actually woolly socks and only contained a satsuma and some sweets!

Relaxing22 · 21/10/2025 11:43

I LOVE stocking shopping and have no plans on stopping unless my children ask me to. My husband was disappointed when I stopped his so I restarted a couple of years ago.

My mum stopped doing ours when we left home but she always did the 1st Christmas of each of her grandchildren. My sisters and I give my mum a combined stocking each year,

I save ideas from mumsnet posts for future stockings. My DC are 17 and nearly 15, but I have saved ideas for when they have their own car and are uni students etc.

I have categories which I stick to which makes it easier. I don't have set amount to spend, nor do I count up how much I spend

Howtodealwithkids · 21/10/2025 16:23

I’m 38 and have started asking for prospectuses for nursing homes since my mum stopped getting me an advent calendar and Easter egg- if she pulls Santa’s stocking from me too then I will fully follow through with the nursing home plan!

Dliplop · 21/10/2025 16:40

ThisGentleRaven · 20/10/2025 21:21

yes!

I dont' want to start the debate that was raging the other day, but I use stocking to put the smallest presents, whatever they are.

Anyone who comes for Christmas does get a stocking, value will vary 😂

I even do one for the dog if someone is that keen.

I’ve had my cat ten years and so he’s had a stocking since before 5yo. Last year I skipped it and we could all see he was expecting it. Felt absolutely shocked and so guilty. I had truly never considered that he understood it and expected it.

boobot1 · 21/10/2025 16:52

Never stops in our family, everyone gets a stocking, even the dog.

SpookedMackerel · 21/10/2025 18:11

My mum stopped doing ours when we were 21, but we had a sibling agreement to carry on and do them for each other.

Then when DN was born, we stopped doing them for each other too.

I think the coming of the next generation is as good a time to stop as any.

Lidlisthebusiness · 21/10/2025 18:13

I was 41 the last time my Mum did me a stocking. If she were still here, she'd still be doing it at 43. I don't ever plan on stopping for my children, though they're young now, it's their favourite part of Christmas!

DeQuin · 21/10/2025 18:16

Everyone staying overnight in our house gets a stocking, including me

ETA: but in the living room by fireplace no sneaking into bedrooms!

CatBooksWineInThatOrder · 24/10/2025 15:07

I’m 47 and this will be my first year without an advent calendar or Christmas stocking from my mum and only because she died in August. She was a terrible parent in many ways but I will miss both of those things this Christmas!

MidnightGloria · 24/10/2025 15:28

In my family stockings are from Santa, therefore they're only for children, because Santa brings gifts for children! I think I had my last one when I was 16. I honestly wasn't bothered. I enjoyed helping choose and wrap the gifts for my younger siblings - and I still got Christmas presents, just not a stocking.

It's only on MN that I've come across adults still getting them and it seems a bit odd to me. If it works for you, do what you want, but I definitely don't think OP would be wrong to stop. With a 17 and 19 year old still getting them, maybe stop at age 20?

OMGitsnotgood · 24/10/2025 16:50

Adult stockings here too I’m afraid. I did suggest we stopped when they got into their 20s, that was met with absolute horror. Surprisingly as I don’t put expensive stuff in either. I think it’s probably the one thing that keeps their childhood Christmases alive.

AxolotlEars · 24/10/2025 16:56

Everyone who stays at our house on Christmas Eve gets a stocking...age is irrelevant as is relationship to me! We did have a family stay one year who did their own. I love a stocking 🙂

Aligirlbear · 24/10/2025 19:30

Everyone in the house for Christmas gets a stocking. The ages range from 8 - 91 !

TheScottishPlay · 24/10/2025 19:58

DS is 21 and I still do a stocking. He's a student so main gift is usually money. I enjoy doing a stocking of frivolous and practical bits for him.

hiredandsqueak · 24/10/2025 20:48

I still do stockings my eldest will soon be 40, they'd rather have a stocking than a big present as they buy whatever they want for themselves. It's their favourite part of Christmas. I do one for dgs now too so he gets one at home and another here.

LostInTheColonies · 24/10/2025 21:25

Stockings never stop! Everyone gets one here, with ages ranging from 7 to 87. They go out on the hearth, and contributions to fill them come from all directions - but must include a toothbrush 😆

Whichone2024 · 20/12/2025 19:46

DH suggested that maybe we don’t do stockings anymore for each other and just do for the kids ! And I said no that’s weird they’ll wonder why so he caved lol. My stocking actually doesn’t fit much so he is ok with that 😝

Whichone2024 · 20/12/2025 19:50

hiredandsqueak · 24/10/2025 20:48

I still do stockings my eldest will soon be 40, they'd rather have a stocking than a big present as they buy whatever they want for themselves. It's their favourite part of Christmas. I do one for dgs now too so he gets one at home and another here.

Also toothbrushes in stockings here! I once had people on here tell me I was mean for that 😂 I was like oh I thought it was normal for Santa to put in a fun or extra good toothbrush for all the sweets etc 😜
the older kids all get replacement heads for electric toothbrushes lol
dh and I both had it growing up and so it continues!

CandiedPrincess · 20/12/2025 19:54

I never intend stopping!

Happyher · 20/12/2025 19:57

I still do it for 34 & 31yo and now i have a son in law I do one for him too. It’s perpetual!

GoBackToTheStart · 20/12/2025 20:04

I’m 34 and still get one. DH grew up in a no-stocking family (his parents aren’t British) and when he spent his first Christmas with my family my mum bought us matching ones so he gets one every year too!

upstairsdownstairscardboardbox · 20/12/2025 20:27

Mine are 20 and 22, the 22 year old cried when I said we had a aged 21 cut off. Cried. They said they'd rather not have birthday presents. So we continue.

LBFseBrom · 20/12/2025 20:44

I still do a stocking for mine, aged 46. I used to do one for my late husband and he did for me.

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