{DISCLOSURE: I’ve partnered with one of my favorite online shops, Uncommon Goods to write this post, all opinions that follow are my own.}
First, I feel like I have to explain where I stand on Christmas and decorating and shopping before I share all these wonderful ideas. I, like pretty much everyone else, LOVE Christmas. But I really don’t like Christmas to start anytime before the middle of December. Or anytime before Thanksgiving.
I really like the magic of the decorated house and tree and lights and all that. But I don’t like the feeling that it’s another chore to get done or being sick of Christmas. I want the magic. And I want to savor it. That’s my way.
Please read all about that here, here, and here.
When do I start shopping? That’s another story entirely.
ALL YEAR LONG
As you know, I have a husband, 4 kids, 2 grandkids, and will soon be adding a son-in-law. Not to mention all of my extended people that I’m related to in my big fat Cuban family. Time being limited, I do most of my shopping online.
I love shopping online. You find your perfect gift, click on that order now button and a package arrives at your front door in a few days. That’s completely magical.
So, prepping for Christmas takes me months. Because magic sometimes takes time to create.
So, I eagerly receive my purchased goods in the mail. I wrap and tag. Oh, wait! I also make the cutest gift tags. Here’s that link. How To Make DIY Photo Gift Tags.
My point in telling you all this is that even though we don’t decorate or put up a tree anytime before the middle of December, it’s like the little Cuban elves are working full time months before then so that when Christmas finally happens at our house, it’s truly magical.
THE STOCKINGS
I started the stocking tradition many years ago when I was a single mom with just 2 kids. As you can see I have been steadily adding stockings to my mantle year after year. (I’ll be adding another one this year that I’m already working on, but Shh! It’s a secret.)
Also, I don’t think I’ve ever actually written about how I do it, because I by the time I think I should write about stuffing stockings is when it’s closer to Christmas and really, stuffing stockings takes some thoughtful prep.
Full disclosure: I am proud to say that I am a World Class Stuffer of Stockings.
I usually get the kids one nice gift. (Sometimes many more, but that’s not important right now.) But the stockings! I hunt for months for the perfect stocking gifts. As it turns out, this is usually their favorite part of Christmas morning.
And I have rules for what goes in them.
- The items have to be small enough to fit into the stocking.
- They should be things that you can’t just buy at the store on the corner.
- There should always be candy.
- There must be at least one toy.
- Everything in the stocking should be very personal and specific to the recipient.
So, yes. Stuffing Christmas stockings is my favorite.
Which is why I was so excited to partner with Uncommon Goods to share some of their stocking Stocking Stuffer Ideas.
Last year, among his many other toys and candy, Eric was the proud recipient of these Taco Socks from Uncommon Goods. TACO SOCKS, people! (Don’t judge.)
Take your time looking through this great section of their online shop. I promise you’ll find just the right thing for those hard-to-buy-for people in your life. Also, this is the most genius way to stuff a stocking. Trust me.
You should probably know too that a stuffed stocking is heavy! So we just stuff and put them in front of the gifts, which of course happens magically overnight after NocheBuena. Serious Christmas magic happening here, people. You need to be prepared to make it happen.
GIFT CHOICES FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST
I have two young couples now in my family. And, of course, two beautiful grandsons. This is where Custom Made Gifts come in. I’m really, really, really liking this Personalized Cutting Board for the adults.
Be prepared to lose hours of your life – and save tons of time in the process – perusing this section
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS
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