12.07.07
Christmas Stocking Ideas
Everyone loves a Christmas stocking! Isn’t it fun to discover all the hidden treasures? We think of stockings for children, but adults enjoy them, too! Tradition has it that an orange is to be placed in the toe of the stocking. When I was growing up, there was always a shiny apple, something chocolate, a small hand-held game, and a new toothbrush.
Stockings are getting larger all the time, as are Halloween collection bags! So, there is plenty of room to add a paperback book, a small stuffed animal, a new watch, or a pair of earrings, and a box of crayons, or colored pencils for drawing.
At a time when entertainment prices are skyrocketing, think about giving gift certificates to the movies, or a bookstore, or purchase tickets to a concert. Provide a gift membership to a museum. Add a music CD, a bobblehead doll, or a pair of woolen socks. A gift subscription to a newspaper, or to a magazine that addresses the interests of the receiver, is always welcome.
Red and green foil-wrapped Hershey kisses seem to be a “hit,” as are the gold-foil wrapped chocolate “coins.” Of course, for those who want a dramatic presentation of an engagement ring, that could be tucked into a stocking, too!
Fruit for health, chocolate for happiness, music of some kind to give us joy - these are the main things that come to mind when I think of Christmas stockings. A membership to a fitness club or to a local hotel swimming pool could be a very welcome gift for those who want to tone up in the new year.
Oh, another idea is to make up a little needlework kit for a child to embroider, perhaps a bookmark or some other small project that is readily finished.
Children who would like to give a gift but don’t have a lot of money of their own can make a little booklet and write down chores that they will gladly do, such as taking out the trash or doing the dishes. Alternatively, the child could promise to do his/her homework without being nagged, or to just pick up his or her own “stuff” around the house, on a regular basis.
If you use your creativity intuition, you are bound to please the loved ones on your Christmas stocking list.
While you are at it, don’t forget to bake some yummy sugar cookies for Santa! My mom always found that while he liked her cookies, he preferred her delectable coconut layer cake with buttercream frosting and apricot preserves in the middle! Have fun!
Merry Christmas!
Patricia Cummings
