The Stockings Are Hung...

When I was a child, I wanted one of those mesh stockings filled with cheap plastic toys and barely edible hard candies so badly!  Alas, one never was left for me. I don't remember stockings being a thing in our early childhood and it most certainly was not a thing at all when we were older kids. 

Year after year, I'd read The Night Before Christmas and when I'd get to the lines, "The stockings were hung by the chimney with care..." I'd wish above all things that I had a stocking to hang and wake to find filled.

Well, the stockings are not hung... BUT they are purchased and I plan to fill them because this year.  (Disaster barely averted.  I ordered monogrammed and I received two "J" stockings!  At first the grown-up in me said "No matter, I can make do..." And then I heard her.  The little girl inside that I'm trying to pay attention to...Wailing "But I want my OWN stocking, not a make do one!"  My eyes filled with tears and I told John, "Well I'll be ordering another one from somewhere!"  God bless the man, he said immediately, "And you should!  What fun is it to 'make do' at Christmas?")

Yes, I'm giving in to all my inner child wishes.  I've always wanted a stocking, and I think I only ever managed to fill one years and years ago when we were broker than broke.  That year the stockings made up for all that Santa couldn't possibly provide on our budget.  So, we each got packets of hot cocoa and a favorite candy bar, a large peppermint stick, and the most beautiful oranges.  The kids also got a packet of bubble gum each.  They were over the moon.

I was pretty happy myself since 'Santa' had seen fit to provide me with a sample of one of my favorite coffees, Santa's White Christmas Surprise. It made a whole half pot... But somewhere along the way, my stocking has gone missing.

We did fill a stocking for the kids from that year onward, but I don't think anything could compare to that first Christmas we were all together as a brand-new family with a practically non-existent budget.  

But this year, I plan to fill a stocking, because this woman/girl deserves to be spoiled a bit, especially after the years of neglect I've dealt her.  I have ideas to fill my stocking with...

I've already picked up a book at the Dollar Tree that sounded worth reading.  What else do I want to put into it?  Perhaps a box of chocolates.  And a tiny bag of Cheetos.    A new key chain.  A nail file, a packet of gel pens that write colors, a seasonal magazine or coloring book, some stickers, a roll or two of washi tape.  Maybe I'll put in a toy that strikes my childish fancies.  Maybe I'll give myself a dozen coupons, too, one for each month ahead.  "This coupon good for one full day of doing nothing but reading."  "This coupon good for one new book."  "This coupon good for one new perennial for the yard."  That sort of thing, so I can look forward to receiving a few gifts all through the year.

I don't really know just what will go into it at this time but I'm going to set a low dollar limit and do my best to find suitable little gifts.  And I'll fill John's, too.  He'd love a packet of bubble gum, a giant tootsie roll, and a crossword puzzle book or one of those multi-puzzle books.  He is a sucker for a good pen and a novelty key chain, too.

It's just one more thing to look forward to doing this Christmas and I can't wait!

P.S. The stocking arrived with the correct "T" on it.  And I've bought things to fill both our stockings.  I kept it under $50 for the two of us.

P.P.S.  Have any of you seen the Victoria Beata Instagram?  She's written two books but her insta page is DELIGHTFUL!  Karla, I think you'd enjoy this one!

P.P.P.S.  Thank you all for sending such lovely Christmas cards!   But Karla, I NEED to know what perfume you were wearing when you signed my card.  I opened the envelope and swooned in the best way.  It's really lovely and I want to know what it is.