When I lived in the Dallas area, one of my acquaintances had dozens of Santa Claus figures in her house. I had not a single one. If I were to have a gift giver character on display, it would be Father Christmas in his velvet robe not a red-suited Santa. I saw one at an estate sale attractively priced, but I decided to remain focused on the Christ child.
I was maybe 6 or 7 before I realized that my Christmas stocking was filled by my mom. That didn't keep me from putting out my stocking each year. Usually, a big orange or apple filled the toe. Most of the earlier years, there was a box of See's Molasses Chips, a "book" of life saver rolls in many flavors, a candy cane. Sometimes barrettes or socks or pencils. Later a tube of lipstick. Yes, I put the stocking out even in my teens.
The only stocking I remember was made by an aunt. I was pre-school which makes that item about 70 years old. It has faded some, lost a little watch that sat on the tree, and a few decades ago a hungry moth or cricket in Texas ate a hole, fortunately on the back side. I now store it in a cedar chest. I sewed the bell back on the deer, but it hangs a bit loosely. This felt stocking serves as a decoration, not a receptacle for gifts. It is full of memories though.
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