Stockings or no stockings? That’s the question.
People are deeply rooted in traditon – do they have stockings, what do you put in them, and when do you open them.
We usually have a few standard goodies in each stocking:
- Chocolate Gold Coins
- Gummy Bears
- Tooth Brushes
- Playing Cards
- Thank-you Notes
Yes. Thank you notes. These are suppose to inspire the kids to actually write the notes (it happens about 50% of the time…)
Here is how I get ready for the stockings:
I have a Ziploc bag with each person’s name on it. As I gather up little treats for them, I wrap them and keep them in their own Ziploc. When it comes time to fill the individual stockings, all I do is dump the content of each bag into the appropriate stocking.
You’re Own Stocking
After the first couple of years of marriage and Roger noticing that I didn’t have anything in my stocking (it really didn’t bother me, promise…) So our third Christmas he went to Bath and Body and loaded up (I got a dozen hand sanitizers. No, I wasn’t offended…) But I still buy myself a little treat to put in my own stocking. Nothing extravagant, but just a little something I wouldn’t normally buy for myself.
At the last event I spoke at, I had a rush of women come up to my booktable and get the My Husband is a Hottie Shirt. I normally sell quite a few of the shirts, but this was unusual…. I finally asked one of the ladies what was up a
nd she explained that her whole table decided to purchase the shirts to put in their own stockings – a gift for her, a gift for him. Genius.
If you tell me in the comments what the best part of the Christmas Project has been for you, I will put you in a drawing for your own T-shirt to stuff your stocking with.
The winner will be randomly cho
I signed up a little late for your Christmas project, but even so, I seem to be on track, which is a great encouragement! I love all the little hints that I can incorporate for something different this year. Thanks!
I’ve just been gauging my progress against what you say I should have done, and that has been nice to know that I’m coming along fairly well 🙂
Instead of being overwhelmed by the feeling of being under a heavy load of “I should’s,” I wake up excited to see what my Christmas task for the day will be. And with only one task a day I feel great that I can keep up and stay on top of it all. And with my handy dandy notebook, it will be just that much easier next year!
And I am so relieved to know that I’m not the only one who stuffs my own stocking!
The best part has been having someone tell me what to do:) I know what needs to be done, but having it broken down into daily steps has been fabulous!
I have loved seeing your blog post show up in my google reader each. Taking steps each day to be ready for Christmas, sure makes it less stressful. I have appreciated each one. Tonight I layed out my stocking stash and inventory what I had. Love the ziploc idea for each person!!! The binder is a great idea and I already started one a couple yrs ago. Sure helps having budget in there (current and year’s past – i list what i got each person) and my favorite of all my Christmas recipes in ONE spot!!! Thanks so much Kathi!!! Sure not feeling stressed!!! Tonight I also spent time wrapping gifts and preparing for gifts to be mailed so I don’t have to pay more to have there before Christmas. =)
I think the binder is pure genius–so simple, yet so fantastic for next year! i just have to finish getting it organized…also, I think breaking down all the steps so I’m a nicer mom and wife, not just a crazy lunatic. Thank you! And thank you for keeping it Christ-centered!!!
The best part for me has been the Christmas cards. This year I attempted the picture cards and they were beautiful!! And the added bonus? They were mailed out today! That’s 2 days earlier than expected!! Also, having Kathi reminding me to keep CHRIST in Christmas has helped my stress level tremendously! HE truly is the reason for the season! Happy Holidays 🙂
The best part of the project for me is a daily dose of keeping me on task. Doing a little something each day keeps me from going nuts the closer it gets to Christmas. (And trust me, no one wants that.)
Definitely the binder and of course seeing your smiling face every day.
The best part of “My Christmas Project” has been Kathi’s continual encouragement to keep the focus on Christ while maintaining one’s sanity during the busy season.
The best part of this has been that it has broken down the overwhelming into small achievable tasks that at the end of the day if I haven’t already done the “job” for the day it’s achievable in a few minutes. I feel I am able to breathe a bit this season because of the project!
The binder has been helpful!
Definitely the binder. I LOVE having everything in one place. I’m an OCD, anally-retentive, organized kind of a person anyway, so really, you are my new enabler!! Congratulations!!
Our stockings are usually full of candy, oranges, nuts, and little dollar-store type gifts. This year, however, I’m doing it a bit differently. Because we are in a situation where we have moved to a new house but haven’t been able to sell the old, and because we had had a Disney vacation planned *before* the whole notion of moving came into play, we told the boys that they had 2 options: 1) still do the Disney vacation, but it counts towards Christmas which will now be “reduced”, or 2) forgo Disney and have a big Christmas. Let’s just say Florida in late October is perfect. 🙂
They are each getting one big gift as they both have asked for an iPod Touch. I have them, the Otterboxes for them, and have been strategically purchasing apps on my phone (which is password protected against prying eyes), and movies in iTunes (where they don’t even think of looking). I’m loading the iPods, wrapping them, and sticking them in their stockings. We always do stockings last. I’ve been called cruel. I say, “Genius!!” 🙂
The best part of this blog is the binder idea. Who knew Christmas could be so organized! Thank you so very much, Kathi, for taking the time to share all these awesome ideas!!
My vote is for the binder for sure!
The best part has been the binder, no wait, the christmas card project. No wait, the binder. Okay the binder AND the christmas card!