As my Children left home they took there stockings with them. My Mom made all there stockings just for them as they got married she made stockings for there spouse and any children that came with spouse. As the other grands were born she has made each there own, no two are alike. As adults they all fill there own family stockings Any gifts in there special stockings come from Santa. On Christmas morning as you wake up you are allowed to open your stocking and Santas gift when you want. Everything else you have to waite untill all the adults are up and all the animals have been fed, coffee made. This tradition came from my Grandpadad, He was from Denmark. I don't know if it was a Danish tradition or just the way his family did things. He also insested we leave the tree up untill after the first of the year for good luck. Grandpadad has been gone for many years now but all my kids and grandkids still honor his triditions.