We always splurge at Christmas. I have a husband, three grown daughters, three sons-in-law, and seven awesome grandchildren – all under the age of seven. On Christmas Eve, my home is the scene of a virtual unwrapping frenzy. A “gift orgy,” if you will. My husband and I spend a modest amount on the kids’ and grands’ birthdays. Between the two of us, we usually get each other only a card for Valentine’s Day, our anniversary, and for each other’s birthday. As I said, however, we go “all out” for Christmas!

When the girls were little, they had stockings that were “hung by the chimney with care,” of course. Somehow, I never was able to end the tradition. When the grandchildren began arriving, I tried to discontinue the stockings for the grown kids, but after much pouting and lip poking, I changed my mind. Now my living room fireplace is crowded with 7 stockings for the grands, 6 stockings for the adult kids, 3 stockings for the grandpups, and 2 stockings for my own dogs…and a partridge in a pear tree.

The funny thing is, I’m always amazed by how excited the grownups get about the contents of their stockings. The items are small and relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to the much more expensive gifts under the tree. I think they like the stocking stuffers so much because they know how much thought I put into selecting the items. At least, that’s the only explanation I can come up with!

Let me add that all my children struggle financially. One just started a new business, one is still attending college, and one just had a new (surprise!) baby. This will help explain some of the choices I make in regard to their stocking stuffers.

The following items have ended up in the stockings at some point in the last few years:

 

For the ladies:

-          Trouser socks

-          Funky toe socks

-          Toe rings

-          Slipper socks

-          Mittens/gloves

-          Scarves

-          Panties

-          Pantyhose

-          Cool sunglasses

-          Small bottles of cologne

-          Nail files/emery boards

-          Breath mints

-          Bubble bath

-          Shower gel

-          Facial masks

-          Fancy soaps

-          Lip Smackers flavored lip balm (they love these!)

-          Lotions

-          Nail polish

-          Mascara

-          Eye shadows

-          Eye liner

-          powder

-          Gift certificate for a pedicure

-          Gift certificate for a manicure

-          Gift certificate for a haircut/style

-          Costume jewelry

-          Small picture frames

-          Scented votive candles

-          Scented candle tarts

-          Disposable ladies’ razors

-          Bleach pen

-          Safety pins

-          Personalized jewelry

-          Mugs, notepads, ornaments, totes, etc. that are personalized with their initials, names, or their careers

 

For the men:

-          Warm work gloves

-          Stocking caps

-          Thick work socks

-          Dress socks

-          Thermos

-          Inexpensive work watches

-          Thermal undershirts/underwear

-          Hand cleaner

-          Nail clippers

-          Baseball cap

-          Sunscreen (to use while fishing)

-          Flashlight

-          Fishing sunglasses

-          Deck of cards

-          Poker chips

-          Golf balls

-          Golf tees

-          Guitar picks

-          Guitar strings

-          Guitar tuner

-          Small tools

-          Aftershave

-          Cups, coffee mugs, key chains, etc. with their favorite sports team logo

-          Razors/razor blades

-          Fishing license

-          Fishing lures

-          Fishing line

-          Shotgun shells

-          Pocket knives

-          Whet stone

-          Lighters (they all smoke and never seem to have a lighter)

 

For both, I include several gift certificates for little luxuries, along with other things:

-          Restaurant gift certificates

-          Coupons for baby sitting

-          Cinema gift certificates

-          Certificates for movie rentals

-          Grocery store gift certificates

-          Walmart gift certificates

-          Cold, hard cash

-          Handi-wipes

-          Hand sanitizer

-          Travel size toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, mouth wash, and conditioner (I see these in their travel stuff whenever we go on vacation together!)