{"id":5798,"date":"2013-12-18T12:23:25","date_gmt":"2013-12-18T12:23:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pennygolightly.com\/\/?p=5798"},"modified":"2023-04-09T15:53:20","modified_gmt":"2023-04-09T14:53:20","slug":"lost-art-christmas-stocking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pennygolightly.com\/lost-art-christmas-stocking\/","title":{"rendered":"The lost art of the Christmas stocking"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"christmas

Back in the day – not that long ago in real terms – a Christmas stocking was all our grandparents (or older parents) were likely to get. It was a relatively affordable treat that was looked forward to. Most of them contained some imported fruit for a touch of luxury (orange, clementine, banana), a shiny penny or other coin in the toe, and if you were lucky perhaps a small toy or two, often handmade by a parent.<\/p>\n

Fast forward a few years, and kids were getting whole pillowcases full of gifts, often much more expensive and not really stocking fillers at all. And now we’re supposed to be throwing in high end fragrances, designer jewellery and the like? To hell with it, back to the cheap and cheerful! For those with small children, there’s also the added advantage of it keeping the kids occupied for an hour or two on Christmas morning, allowing parents just a bit more precious sleep.<\/p>\n

Size matters<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let’s start with containment. A big sock or a felt stocking-shaped bag is just the right size. Even if it’s for an adult, put the contents together from a child’s eye point of view.\u00a0It should be a little mysterious, with lumps and bumps sticking out here and there, and some brightly coloured wrapping paper to crackle and catch the eye. The one exception I do make is that when I include something like a satsuma I don’t bother to wrap those up – they aren’t a luxury fruit any more so it’s less fun to get through the paper and find one. I also don’t put a penny in the toe, more like a small handful of foil-wrapped chocolate coins.<\/p>\n

It’s fine to have a few useful gifts in there: a shower sponge, some socks, a bobble hat, and so on. But remember the fun and the silly things too: nibbles, toys, smellies etc.<\/p>\n

Nibbles<\/strong><\/p>\n