Sunday 1 December 2013

The last precious

Can you believe that we have had a whole year of sharing our precious things with the monthly meme organised by Sian?  I'm kind of sad and hoping that she has something else in store for us next year - otherwise what will we all do on the first Sunday of the month?
۞ ۞ ۞
When the children were little I bought two little sacks for them to leave by their bed for Santa to fill with little bits and pieces. Their main presents would be waiting downstairs by the tree - he could only bring so much up the stairs!
Thank you Blogger for turning my photo on its side :-s
 

As the years went by, a kind of tradition evolved.  They would always have a bag of chocolate coins, a Lindt chocolate Father Christmas, some new pyjamas, undies and socks, a book and a couple of other little things.  I did not realise at the time that I was starting a tradition.  Who could have guessed that at age 27 and 23 they would still expect, no - make that 'insist', the little plastic sacks to appear each year. Only now the 'little' bits I put in there cost an awful lot more than they did 20 years ago.  Pyjamas for toddlers are a lot cheaper than those for grown ups!  Those stockings get more expensive every year.  But I am not quite sure who gets the most enjoyment of it - them or me, as I do enjoy a bit of a challenge to make sure they get almost exactly the same things.  It's a lot easier to get stocking fillers for girls.  Nail varnish, eye shadow, bubble bath.  Hard to find the male equivalent! My favourite comparable item this year so far is a nail varnish called 'Red Hot Chili' for my daughter and a grow your own chili pepper kit for my son.  (He's a keen cook and enjoys trying to grow his own ingredients!)
 
So that's it - 12 Precious Posts written, 12 times I have been round the world in blogs seeing other people's stories.  Three years in total of storytelling on a Sunday.  Sending out a big thank you to Sian for hosting this monthly event and having the idea in the first place.  I'm going to miss this little project and am hoping that she has something else up her sleeve to take its place.  What have you got in store for us for 2014 Sian? 

17 comments:

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Yes, it's hard to believe that we're at the end of the year again and that there have been three whole years of stories, in various forms.
Those stockings must have been very tricky for Santa to fill without rustling!

Sian said...

Deb, I can't thank you enough for your lovely words and all the encouragement over the past three years! Your stories have always been such a huge pleasure to read - honestly, I've said it before, but I'm going to say it again: I think you need to get started on that memoir! So, with very many thanks from me to you for all the stories x

oh, and for the hope! Hope that I'll still be filling stockings for that big lad of mine and his sister for many years to come. I think a razor might be on the cards this year..he has just emailed me about his Movember moustache....(I knew you'd appreciate that!)

Lou said...

I can relate to your stockings. I still had a stocking every Christmas till I left home. I do the same for my three and try to ensure they all have the same or similar items x

Missus Wookie said...

What a lovely tradition - I'm impressed the bags are still going.

I still have a stocking now - informed Wookie about that to his horror when we moved in together. :)

scrappyjacky said...

I totally relate to this,Debs....when I suggested to my 'twenty something' girls that they might be too old for stockings...they reacted as if I had said the world would end tomorrow!!!!
And we have certain items that traditionally go in the stockings as well.

Melissa said...

What a great story for December. Yes, it does seem that we all want traditions to continue forever . . . especially when they involve gifts.

Amy said...

I LOVE how you match the presents/ideas like that Deb, truly, that is excellent!
Deb, your stories are always ones I enjoy immensely!

Abi said...

That is such a sweet tradition. I still get a stocking and am hoping it continues this year! You are never too old in my opinion!

Beverly said...

Both of mine would be crestfallen if certain childhood traditions ceased. Hopefully the razor will get used at your house, mine have beards and moustaches year round :/

Cheri said...

My girls are the same way with our Christmas traditions. If the Christmas Eve boxes didn't include pajamas and an ornament, if we didn't watch "Elf" on Christmas Eve, if we didn't have turkey on Christmas Day and go out to the movies in the evening... I just think they would be devastated!

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

I like the little stockings! The boys get up ridiculously early so we've always put some little things in their stockings for them to open & play with until we get up. Lately it's been football cards, candy & some action figures.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I loved this post so much! My littles are only 7 and 'nearly 4' (as she tells me!) but I hope to be filling stockings for many years to come!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

As usual, I read your post with a smile on my face. I love the tradition you have created for your (grown) children, and I can only imagine how much they look forward to it every year. LOVE that you do the matching items - so, so clever!

Jo said...

I can't imagine not doing a stocking for my daughter who's nearly 20, I think I get the most fun out of it though. I love your story and I love the nail varnish and grow your own chilli presents, very clever! x

Ruth said...

Given that The Boy Child is almost seven and has never had a stocking by the bed, I'd best ask Santa to get started with a new tradition sharpish!
I love the thought of your two grown-up children wanting their stockings.

Maria Ontiveros said...

What a great story.
We have our stockings on the mantle (not the bed post), but I am the chief stocking stuffer.
Which means I always buy a few bits for myself as well - LOL!
rinda

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful precious share this month. We're in our 60's and still do stockings.