This post was supposed to be all about Baby’s First Christmas. However … and I’m going to sound like a right Scrooge when I say this … for his first Christmas poor Jenson will only be getting one token present. The reason being that for Lyra’s first Christmas, we spent a crazy amount of money on toys and keepsakes, but on the day all she was interested in was the satsuma at the bottom of her stocking. She crawled around clutching this satsuma all day and wouldn’t even let go of it during her first Christmas dinner.
What’s more, being the second child, Jenson already has what seems like all the toys under the sun. So Rich and I have decided that other than one token present for him, which will definitely be of the loud and plastic variety (his favourite toys at the moment are the Fisher Price remote control toy and an all-singing-all-dancing-all-flashing drum), we will be saving presents for poor J-Dogg until he’s a little older.
As such it made more sense to ask the team what they will be stuffing into their littles’ stockings, come the night before Christmas.
Becky
For me the stocking is about a few small fun objects that don’t cost much. Leo has a little digital watch (bagged in a sale for £2.50!), some unpoppable bubbles, chocolate coins and a Hexbug to add to his collection. I always put a clementine is as well because it’s something my Mom always did.
Tayo has the same bubbles, a flashing ball, a plush peppa pig toy and a book!
Laura
I had to check in with the big guy to see what was going into B’s stocking as that’s his area of expertise. He’s said the following is in the bag, but her much dreamed of Woody and Buzz Lightyear dolls are dependent on continued good behaviour. Two matchbox mice to add to her growing Maileg collection, pretty hair bows, the Believe Bell from the ever magical Polar Post, a Fingerling (because there has to be some plastic tat right?), yummy chocolate coins, a wooden bracelet making tin, a fairy doll, vests and a magnetic dressing up set.
Lottie
I’ve made the mistake in recent years of buying too many little bits for the stockings and then realising they won’t actually all fit in! This year I’ve scaled it back so they all fit in neatly. We use the stockings for small things and then the main presents from Santa are left by the tree so I tend to stock up on stuff throughout the year that I think the girls will like. This year their stockings are being stuffed with hairclips, socks and some sweet necklaces. Then crafty things like stickers sheets (Paperchase are great), glitter glue and new stamps and stamp pads. There are a few toys like a small lego set, disney figure and of course a new cuddly toy to poke out the top. Finally, there are the obligatory chocolate coins, milky bar buttons and ‘a baby orange’, as Alice calls them. Luckily it’s the one fruit she actually likes so she won’t mind that being stuck at the bottom!
Oh, one other thing…
Last year the girls started questioning why Mummy and Daddy don’t get a stocking from Santa so we now we get one too! It’s actually lots of fun choosing a few fun bits for each other and it means the chocolate collection normally gets topped up too!
Amy
Stockings, right well. In each of the children stocking they will find, without fail a satsuma, chocolate coins and a £1 coin. A couple of years ago I introduced personalised pencils into the stocking stash with a small book to draw in. I also pop in small toys that will entertain them for that horrid, sleepy time between them waking at crazy o’clock until an acceptable time to come downstairs. A mini Princess for Meade, a mini lego kit for each of the boys, and a pair of novelty Christmas socks for them all to pop on straight away.
The stockings are hung on the mantle but carried up by Father Christmas and placed on their beds. When the children wake, they are allowed to come in to us with them and, time depending, they can either open them then, 5 in a bed or will get marched to bed zzzzzz.
Lisa
Lyra’s stocking fillers have a distinctly unicorn theme to them. We’ve bought her some unicorn slippers (complete with pom-pom tail), a unicorn lip balm and on Christmas Eve she will be allowed to open one present – some unicorn pyjamas. (Gotta look vaguely presentable for those silly-o’clock Christmas morning snaps).
There are also a couple of non-unicorn bits and bobs: a new hairband, bubbles, chocolate coins, and her beloved satsuma. My stepmum used to pop a novelty toothbrush into our stockings and I reckon Lyra will be over the moon with this My Little Pony one. As it flashes no doubt Jenson will take a shine to it too.
What will your kids be finding in their stockings on the big day?
If it’s your baby’s first Christmas, are you going all out on the gifts? Or are you being a bit Bah Humbug like me?!
SHOP THE STOCKING FILLERS
Header Image by Adam Crohill
That matchbox mouse is amazing! But I have a £10 limit for stocking fillers and I like the challenge to get lots of lovely bits for that price. I got my 4yr old a lovely unicorn keyring from Primark (£1.50) – she’s started school and they all hang numerous keyrings on their book bags so she’ll love it. Also knickers and socks from M+S mid-yr sale, sylvanian families magazine, flannel, sweets, gold coins, satsuma. You can get a lot for a tenner!
This is a great idea Abi. Rich and I once did this for Valentines Day or some other occasion and called it the £5 challenge. I’m impressed that the Sylvanian Families magazine made it into your budget, I’m always shocked at how expensive kids’ magazines are! Will have to check out the unicorn bits at Primark. x
Stockings all round here, even Mummy and daddy get one (altho that is all we’re getting as have just moved house!). 2month old needs nothing but couldn’t leave him out so have bought new teether, feel a bit bad for hand-me-down pre chewed teethers! 2yr old is getting a little bag, elasticated necklace, obligatory toothbrush (in the hope it gets used!), play dough soap (from lush) and of course satsuma and choc money! Didn’t want too much as it’ll prob take all morning to open!
Aww nice to hear that someone else shares the toothbrush tradition! Play dough soap sounds ace 🙂
Enjoy your stockings xx
Everyone in our house gets a stocking (and last year that included Nonna, Pops, BIL and SIL although not sure I’d do that again. So. Much. Wrapping.). This year I have tried to match the kids up as much as possible and they both have: socks, stickers, a schleich dinosaur, small bath toy, bouncy ball, toy car, bath bomb and chocolate coins. Now I just need to figure out what to put in my husband’s stocking…
This is lovely Martha. I bet everyone really appreciated getting their own stockings.
I’m kind of looking forward to the stage where I have to try and match up the kids’ stockings as I feel a bit bad for Jenson!
Men are so hard to buy for… Have you got the usual boxers and socks? x
Our 9 week old is only getting one present and a stocking, and really only so the 3 year old doesn’t ask why Santa hasn’t come to her sister! So Scrooge here too.
Our stockings must contain an orange and chocolate coins. Every year I buy a Maileg mouse. Hair accessories and socks are also a regular feature. There’s usually a toy car too – I love the ice cream coloured ones from Dinky and Dandy. If anyone has suggestions for a 14 year old girl’s stocking which aren’t makeup, they’d be very gratefully received! 😊
Tracy, trying to remember what Santa/mum put in our stockings at that age. Think we always had socks, a new pair of knickers, deodorant and cotton wool, a pen and some hair bands. How about a phone case or keyring? xx
Stationary. Always.
Those Dinky and Dandy cars – too cute! You probably read Lottie’s post on Rock My Style the other day but if not that might have some tips…
http://rockmystyle.co.uk/childrens-gifts-christmas/
xx
I have a 13 year old and In her stocking I have put bath bombs, a headphone lead winder, beanie hat which as an elasticated top so the ponytail can go through (Amazon £6), metallic sharpies, Gelli slime making kit! Plus some fluffy socks, squashies (like a stress reliever ball but come in different shapes) and some sweets!
For your 14 year old I’d suggest Invisbobbles which are amazing hair bobbles and a sheet face mask which aren’t expensive and make your face feel so good!
My daughter is 4 months and won’t get a stocking! She has a Flensted mobile and a beautiful doll from Cissy Wears. I feel they’re both more for me… my 2.5 year olds first xmas of understanding. He’s requested a few thomas trains which I’ve bought as a bag second hand from a local Mum and will wrap up individually. He has a little puzzle, cotton reel toys, chocolate coins, a book, and a helicopter as he’s been asking for months for a red helicopter from santa. I’ve tried to keep it little and cheap but I’m as excited as he is and he does have some ‘main’ presents from us too!
Those mobiles are gorgeous!
Lovely selection of bits and bobs for your son’s stocking too. x
Silvia has got a tonne of Octonauts toys- I got a job lot for £7 and they will probably fill her stocking on their own! They look great and were easy to clean- just whizzed in the dishwasher. Some hair clips with bunnies on, new fox tights, a chocolate orange and tube of pink smarties.
Paddy has some cheapie toy cars, a free car skelter that someone was giving away and lots of socks!
I can’t wait. S has asked for Octonauts and wrote in her letter to FC and she’s going to be so happy!
A chocolate orange! How did I forget the chocolate orange?! And these pink smarties you talk of…Lyra definitely needs some of those.
Ahhh Lucy S your Christmas morning is gonna be lovely. x
Any recommendations for a nice Christmas stocking to keep. It’s our little girls first Christmas and looking for one that will last her through the years.
Lyra’s polar bear one that’s in the header was from Paperchase so that might be worth a look. If I see any more I will report back x
Our baby will be 6 months old at Christmas so we’re trying to be restrained as we know that family won’t be! We are getting him a ball pit as we wanted to buy him one anyway, but apart from that we are only doing him a stocking. As my boyfriend and I aren’t getting big presents for each other to save a bit of money, we are both getting our son a few bits each, in secret, and then on Christmas Day I’ll open the ones he bought and he’ll open the ones I bought. We’ve each got him a book, an item of clothing and “something fun” (I’ve got him a tambourine… I may regret this…).
LOVE this idea Katie G. And guaranteed your little boy will love his tambourine 🙂 x
Amy Chritsmas socks to put on is a great shout! Absolutely adding these to Leo\s! x
My baby boy will be 9 weeks old exactly on Christmas Day. We were given so many lovely presents when I was pregnant and when he was born that he has a lots of toys etc already. He’s so little but I feel mean not getting him anything especially on his first Christmas. So we have got him one token present which is a personalised Father Christmas book that we can read to him every Christmas. We also had to get him a stocking as we’re spending Christmas with my sister and her family. So my niece and nephews will be suspicious if the baby doesn’t get a stocking. I struggled to find anything to go in it at all but I’ve managed to fill it with The Hungry Caterpillar board book (one of my favourites as a child) a light up buggy toy (as he loves lights), a teether, some baby spoons and a Peter Rabbit mug. I’ll get my nieces and nephews to open his stocking for him as they love opening gifts.