Beech Tree News Network

Recently, I have been thinking about Christmas stocking gifts. I want to stuff the stockings with items my family members will like. However, I am not creative in the Christmas-stocking realm, and my children and grandchildren can probably predict their stockings’ contents. 

Thinking about my own predictability, I asked friends and family, “Does your family fill Christmas stockings? If so, what kind of items are in the stockings?” Their responses are listed below:

-Yes! Mostly candy/snacks, gift cards and small gifts.

-Yes. Small items like gift cards, razors, ear buds, gift certificates, and of course candy.

-Yes, and the stocking contains everyone’s favorite candy, socks, Chap Stick, and little things that we might use all year.

-Yes. Small items - just little knickknacks and candy.

-Mom used to, but I don’t. Not sure why I don’t – probably just one more thing I don’t make time for.

-We only have stockings at Granny’s and at Dad’s house. It’s one of my favorite parts of Christmas at Dad’s house. He researches the best products on the market and puts so much love and thought into it! I’ve gotten the best pens, socks, and face masks in there. And I love getting my favorite candy in my stocking, too!

-The only stockings I do are with Dad, and he goes nuts with stockings! They are filled with our favorite things that are small in size. Chap Sticks, nice pens, face masks, makeup items, gum, mints, socks, gift cards, candy, and little knickknacks. 

-Yes! Stockings might be our kids’ favorite. Their Dad shops for a month for cool things to put in them. I loved opening my stocking growing up and so do ours!

-We do! Lots of candy and gift cards.

-Yes. Just candy and small things like Chap Stick and batteries.

-We do small toys (monster trucks, hot wheels, and dirt bikes) or card games that the boys like. We also do Christmas-themed candy and chocolate. Sometimes they get toboggans and gloves. 

-Stockings are my favorite. I always put in socks, lotion, Christmas ornaments, and snacks. I try to pick everyone’s favorite. Books, hot wheels, and small toys for the younger ones. Everyone gets socks.

-Yes, even my grown kids. They still want stockings. What’s in them depends. I do favorite candy in each. Adults can be contact lens supplies, can of deicer for their car, dental supplies, an IOU for a favorite cake or pie, etc. The kids might be a body wash, new toothbrush, a $5.00 gift card to Dairy Queen, pair of crazy socks, little cash, etc. The kids change with age. I never do the same; I always mix it up each year. Depends on how my money is stretching! They love stockings!

-I do stockings for everyone. Usually I try to get the person’s favorite candy and candy canes, along with a new toothbrush and toothpaste. Since they’re adults, they also get deodorant. Kids get a small gift.

-Yes. Toothbrushes, razors, shaving cream, Chap Stick, gift card to McDonald’s, candy, lotion – things like that.

-Our Louisville family does. With COVID, who knows? Playing cards, candy, gum, lottery tickets, toothbrush.

-I do stockings for kids and grandkids. I try to make them like what I got as a child. Now, I include toothpaste, toothbrushes along with fruit and candy. 

-Yes, we do, one of my favorite traditions! All the goodies in there usually include a variety of candies, gift cards, small tools, and gadgets.

-Yes. We hang stockings on the mantle. Then we actually have a bag filled for each person with little things from Santa, and that is the stocking. There are different kinds of things in the stocking bags from Santa sitting on the hearth where Santa fills them. Santa leaves things such as batteries, makeup items, ink pens, chap sticks, nail polish, hand sanitizers, small hand lotions, razors, deodorant, socks, slipper socks, little flashlights, jewelry, nuts, chewing gum, and candy.

Bob Hope said, “When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things — not the great occasions — give off the greatest glow of happiness” (https://christmas.365greetings.com/christmas-holidays/short-christmas-qu...). Because of space limitations, Christmas stockings must be filled thoughtfully – kind of like the IOU for a favorite cake or pie mentioned above. Stockings gifts are also like bonuses – they show a little extra love.