The tradition that we (6 siblings) always joke about is ALWAYS finding an ORANGE in our stockings. My parents both had "day jobs," but we also grew 40 acres of--yup--SUNKIST ORANGES.
I know it was partly because my Nebraska-born-blessed-mother thought oranges were traditional--and partly because filling 6 stockings could be expen$ive.
We now love that memory.
Another tradition--having to do with those orange trees: There were a number of Christmas Eves during which we all went out and lit smudge pots to keep the oranges from freezing. I recall several nights hollering to each other--just at midnight--"Merry Christmas!" It was a contest to see who could yell it first but not before midnight.
I love my family.
:-)
That's a neat story. I just finished picking the last of my oranges last night. I have only one tree in my back yard, and it's still young. I got about 30 oranges this year, but they will last me for a long time.
Bill
That is one tradition that is both sides of the pond oranges and nuts in children's stockings.
I got a stocking up until was about 20 then mum and I used to do one for my grandmother (dad's mum) until she died then I switched to doing one for mum.
She always used to get up before me but later on after nan died she got up later than me so when she got up the stocking was already there for her hanging on the mantelpiece.
I continued this until she went into the home. Even then the only Christmas after she went into the home we had her home for the day and I still did a stocking for her, I was doing was last year but she died early hours of Christmas morning. So this year will be the first with just me and dad.
We will probably have dad's friend over on Boxing Day or day after and my friend another day when we will have a mini Christmas - may even leave my presents till then and just open dad's on the day.