Christmas 2011 :: the stockings

Christmas 2011 :: the stockings, a photo by islandj on Flickr.

It should be no surprise that something "placed by the chimney with care" should be such a vital and popular part of Christmas, but somehow, each year, it does just that. I'm amazed at the joy that each tiny item (pulled, one at a time by some, and all at once by others) brings. It's always a scramble, I tell you, for Father Christmas to find enough that we'd actually want to keep to fill those little stockings, but somehow, we managed, I mean, HE manages, and all the trouble seems vastly worth the effort. Even Daddy got excited with his bag of nuts this year (better than the coal he got last year). The giggles and delight as we rush downstairs, tear the ribbon down, and begin distributing stockings is so fun, and then the announcements as each thing is discovered. When else but by the stockings on Christmas can you hear, with all honesty and earnestness, "a toothbrush! just what I've been waiting for!" and "travel toothpaste! I love this!" and "what is it? it's great!" for those few things they didn't think to ask for or want, but somehow found there ways into the toe none-the-less. Even with the bigger two kids knowing the reality of Father Christmas's identity, the delight soars and that first hour of Christmas is probably my favorite.