When I was growing up Santa did not fill our Christmas stockings. We had a tradition each year to draw names and we (the children) filled each others stocking. I truly loved this tradition. I loved the day we wrote down everyone's name and dumped them into a bowl. I loved the excitement of pulling out the name I picked. And I loved trying to figure out who might have my name. Some years we told each other, other years we tried to keep it a secret. This was the beginning of the Christmas season for me...the day we drew the names.
My mom and dad would take us shopping so we could pick out our stocking stuffers. This was as exciting for me as actually getting my own stocking on Christmas morning. We would spread out in the store or head to different stores. Making sure that we were divided so that no one with us was the one buying for us. Then we would make the other kids swear to secrecy if they knew what we were buying for someone else. I can't remember if we had a budget, I know my parents helped the little ones who didn't have money, but I think if I remember correctly when we got older we used our own money. I don't remember my parents interfering too much on our choices. I loved that part of picking out something I thought one of my siblings would love.
It's been over 18 years now since I've lived at home. It's been 13 years since I've spent a Christmas morning with my family (parents and siblings). But I still have some of my Christmas stocking spoils from all those many years ago.
Most years if one of my brother drew my name I could count on getting socks in my stocking. I'm not complaining. Socks are cool. Some of my children will be socks in their stocking this year too. Perhaps this is a bit weird, but I still own and wear some of those stocking, stocking stuffers today.
These socks were given to me at least 18 years ago by my brother Bruce. They came on top of a can of hot cocoa mix. I love to roam around the house in my cozy cow socks even though the bottoms are nearly worn threw.
These socks (I do have a matching set of each) are probably more than 20 years old. They are either from Mike or Craig, sorry I can't remember. They came in a set of three, sadly I don't know where the 3rd pair ended up. These are also my cozy socks I love to where around the house on a cold wintry day. They also sport holes in the bottom, but I don't care. I love these socks. They remind me of Christmas. They remind me of my brothers.
This is not a tradition that Ken and I have adopted into our own family as of yet, but I loved it. Maybe when my kids get older (meaning when they have their own money) ;) we'll start this tradition of our own. For now I'll enjoy the memories while I'm wearing my ancient, snugly, cozy, Christmas socks.
1 comment:
What happy memories tied to something you use and see every day. So cool!
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