What do y'all do for stocking stuffers? My parents always gave toothbrushes, gum, socks, maybe some perfume, and some small trinkets. I've carried on that tradition, this year I'm getting socks, undies, toothbrushes, some small books, and some candy in the kids' stockings. Do you fill stockings for the adults? It seemed that my dad never did for my mom, since she filled everyone else's stockings, so when I was a teen I would sneak down and fill her stocking.
How about traditions? When I was a kid, we got my mom's side of the family together on Xmas Eve to exchange gifts. Now, since we don't have family nearby, we open one gift on Xmas Eve. The kids will be in FL with their dad's family, so they are going to unwrap their PJs before they go, and we'll have our Xmas when they get home. We also wear holiday PJs on Xmas Eve, a tradition my grandmom started. childhood, so it's nice to watch the collection grow! Every year, I personalize an ornament for both children. I have all of mine from myI'm a little sad the kids won't be here to watch Santa on NORAD, this is only their second Xmas away from me.

By Marcia on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 11:28 pm:

I made the mistake of buying them BIG stockings, so it takes a lot to fill them. I always put socks and undies, candy and some little toys in. I'll be putting some Teen Beat type mags this year, which will take up space.

We have Nicole's birth parents for dinner on Christmas Eve. We exchange our gifts with them, and then we all go to church. On Christmas day we do the Santa thing at our place, and then go to my mom's for breakfast. She's moving Dec. 21, so this year we'll be having breakfast at my sister's place. We all go home for a quiet afternoon, and then they all come back to my place for dinner. There are about 25 of us if everyone shows up, and it's so much fun!

I started the Christmas jammies thing with my kids. Money is a bit tight this year, so we might just wear the ones we got last year.

By Yjja123 on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 11:38 pm:

Stocking stuffers:
Jewelry, candy, perfume, DVDs, Playstation games, CDs, candy, ornaments, etc.
Everyone in the family gets a stocking.

Traditions:

We have an elf that "hides" in the house. The kids find him each day and they receive a small treat.

A few years ago we started a day before Christmas Eve pajama party/sleepover (December 23). The kid's friends spend the night. They hang out and watch Christmas movies in their PJ's. They decorate cookies to take home.

Christmas Eve we have fondue dinner. We all open one gift. After dinner we drive around and look at the lights.

Christmas, we take turns opening gifts. One at a time, no mass ripping open of gifts. It prolongs the fun. We have filet minon for dinner.

The kids collect Christmas ornaments and usually get 2 or 3 a year. They will have no trouble decorating their own tree when they move out.

(((hugs))) I am sorry you will not be with your kids on Christmas !

By Dandjmom on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 11:43 am:

Yes we wear the pj ton Christmas Eve. We'll venture out on the 15th to finish everything up. Yeah I buy the big stocking too but I usually need the room, but he basics, undies, socks, books, etc. But this year I''m going to start a new tradition. Im goingto add things they need to go with there gift. For Example, My ds he has a easle, so I'm goingto put in a back o fthe washable paint brushes, some chalk, and a eraser, cd for his cd player, batteries for his game. My daughter games for her xbox wrap a few put a few in the stocking, batteries, perfume, she getting a new prepaid phone so i'll get her soem phone cards. For my boyfriend, he is gorwn so I'm going to do packs of razors, he likes taking advil so i got a big jumbo bottle form this flea market I went to in Baltimore last wee I think with like 500 count( never seen a bottle that big) the basicas and some other little things I know that he will like.

By Dandjmom on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 11:43 am:

Yes we wear the pj ton Christmas Eve. We'll venture out on the 15th to finish everything up. Yeah I buy the big stocking too but I usually need the room, but he basics, undies, socks, books, etc. But this year I''m going to start a new tradition. Im goingto add things they need to go with there gift. For Example, My ds he has a easle, so I'm goingto put in a back o fthe washable paint brushes, some chalk, and a eraser, cd for his cd player, batteries for his game. My daughter games for her xbox wrap a few put a few in the stocking, batteries, perfume, she getting a new prepaid phone so i'll get her soem phone cards. For my boyfriend, he is gorwn so I'm going to do packs of razors, he likes taking advil so i got a big jumbo bottle form this flea market I went to in Baltimore last wee I think with like 500 count( never seen a bottle that big) the basicas and some other little things I know that he will like.

By Vicki on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 12:49 pm:

Dh and I don't do stockings for each other. In dd's, it is usually small things like gum, mints, candy, toothbrush, crayons etc. She is allowed to open her stocking stuff while we are tending to the dogs morning needs and making a pot of coffee. So it is never anything too exciting in there. LOL

By Reds9298 on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 03:38 pm:

Our stockings are B-I-G. I love them though. DH and I both do stockings for each other, and it's one of our favorite parts of Christmas morning. Natalie so far in her 3 years has gotten smaller toys, candy, toothbrush, crayons, markers, paint... anything that's a smaller toy and pretty cool.

By Debbie on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 07:56 pm:

Dh and I don't put anything in each other's stockings. We do fill the kids, usually with candy, books, small toys, etc.

As far as traditions, we always go to mass on Christmas Eve. We go to the early children's mass. Dh does the cooking for Christmas Eve, he makes Mexican food every year. We usually eat and drink way too much when we get back from church. After dinner, the kids put on their pjs. I always buy special ones for that night. We have game night until the kids go to bed. When the kids go to bed, we wrap their presents. It is usually my parents, and us, sometimes my brother and SIL. We are usually up VERY late wrapping, but it is fun to do it all together. On Christmas day, we always have prime rib. My mom cooks it no matter who's house we are at.

By Luvn29 on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 09:40 pm:

The kids always get to open a present on Christmas Eve, and it is always a new pair of pajamas for them to put on.

The kids both have large stockings, and I go all out for them. I LOVE finding great stuff to stuff their stockings with! I usually end up with way too much! I'm with Deanna, I get small toys, and other cool things for them. Opening their stockings are just as fun as opening their gifts. It's the very first thing they do, and it just builds their excitement.

I remember getting underwear from Santa one year and thought it was the most horrible thing so I swore to NEVER give my kids anything like that from Santa. He's the big guy who only thinks of fun, not socks! LOL!

Usually hubby and I will put just a few things in each other's stockings. Nothing very expensive. Special candy we like, a small wrapped gift...just a couple of things.... The kids know that those are actually from us, though. Santa only leaves things for the kids.

By Reds9298 on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 10:18 pm:

Our traditions are Christmas Eve with one set of grandparents, then home and reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas before bed. Christmas Day is ALWAYS at home and that's when we open all of our gifts. We will never be anywhere else on Christmas Day barring a tragedy. Natalie opens all of her gifts, then DH and I take turns opening ours. Big breakfast and big dinner on Christmas Day with not much in-between. No standard meals though - I think we're having meatloaf for Christmas dinner this year, and instead of an egg casserole for breakfast, just TONS of pancakes!!