Everyone has their favorite thing about Christmas morning. Sure, waking up and rushing into the family living room to see what Santa left under the tree is on the top of the list for many, but for me, nothing beats sitting down on the couch with a stocking stuffed to the brim with tiny presents.
There’s just something about what will be found in that red and green stocking with a perfectly, imperfect Santa on it that brings me back to my childhood.
My mom knit my stocking almost 40 years ago and it’s been the only one I’ve ever used. It doesn’t hurt that it’s rather large, so the excitement likely stems from the fact that it usually included a lot.
Back in the day, the bottom of my stocking was always filled with an apple, orange and pear, but now I’ve graduated to more sophisticated gadgets, trinkets and who knows what else. Every year is a bit of a mystery and that’s the best way.
As an adult, presents are typically what I asked for – mostly either things for around the house or clothing items I need. There’s not a lot of shaking the boxes to figure out what’s under the tree. But my stocking is always a wild card and who doesn’t love a little suspense?
Now with the holiday shopping season upon us, it’s time to start thinking about what makes for a good stocking. And if you have a few ideas, there’s still time to add them to your list destined for the North Pole.
While they’re not the most exciting to open on Christmas morning, items that help you on a daily basis are always much appreciated. As a writer, pens and little notebooks are a must for my stocking – my wife has learned – so getting a few extra to restock the briefcase can be a life saver.
A toothbrush and small toothpaste aren’t flashy at all, but it’s nice to have replacements on hand when needed. Pocket tissues can come in handy with flu season around the corner.
For the ladies out there, some new cosmetics for the purse/bag is probably welcomed, but for me it’s all about a new Burt’s Bees or Badger chapstick.
If you have a planner to buy for, consider adding a daily calendar. They’ll thank you when they don’t forget that January cleaning at the dentist.
New gloves or mittens also make a great addition.
Who doesn’t like a little chocolate in their stocking? It makes for a great precursor to breakfast and if there’s enough, it can make for a tasty treat throughout the day.
A good place to start is a person’s favorite candy bar. Adding a few peanut butter cups or chocolates wrapped in holiday foil is an added bonus to the stocking, but don’t forget about some fancier choices from a local chocolate shop, and around hear that means Ava Marie, Vicuna (Peterborough) and Nelson’s Candies (Wilton).
A couple truffles, some almond bark or a in-house made candy cane can make for a nice surprise, or go for something a little crazy like chocolate covered bacon.
No stocking is complete without a little gag gift or something that will completely shock the one who is opening it.
Simple things like a daily comic calendar or a desk top game will surely lead to closer inspection. But if you have a jokester in your mix, why not throw in a whoopie cushion?
Socks normally would go under the necessity category, but ones with a fun Christmas design, of the cozy variety or a favorite sports team are both fun and needed.
If an after work drink (if they’re of age, of course) is a thing, add a couple of their favorite nips. And don’t forget a scratch ticket or Powerball numbers. There’s nothing like dreaming of winning big on Christmas morning.
And at Steele’s Stationers in Peterborough they have a really cool set of New Hampshire playing cards.
Now for most, stockings are a collection of small, inexpensive gifts. But have you ever considered making the stocking the star of the show? Maybe even having it be the only gift a person gets?
If so, there are plenty of small items that could be included that would typically be wrapped under the twinkling lights.
While summer is months away, a new pair of sunglasses will give someone a quick feeling of the warm weather that appears so far away. Do you have a rabid sports fan on your hands? Why not get a pair of tickets to an upcoming game and with any luck you could be the plus-one.
Gift cards are a nice way to tell someone you’re thinking about them (check out the best sellers on page 10), but at the same time giving them the option to pick out whatever it is they so desperately want. Just remember to get it from a local shop.
But no matter what fills your stocking this year, just enjoy the feeling of being a kid again.