For many in the UK, the magic of Christmas morning is incomplete without the sight of a bulging stocking at the foot of the bed. This cherished tradition, dating back to the Victorian era, was once the sole preserve of children. Yet, a significant number of British adults, including those well into their thirties, show no sign of relinquishing this extra festive treat, despite occasional feelings of embarrassment.
The Enduring Appeal of the Adult Stocking
The contents may have matured, but the excitement remains. While childhood stockings were typically filled with plastic toys and sweets, today's versions cater to grown-up tastes. A 2024 survey found that just over half of adults give a festive stocking to their partner at Christmas, with an average spend of roughly £62 per stocking. The gifts have evolved into simple luxuries and practical 'bits and bobs'—think gift cards, premium snacks, self-care items like lip balms and face masks, or quirky supermarket finds.
Not every item is coveted, however. The same research indicated that 17 per cent of people reported receiving less desirable gifts like coal, sardines, olives, or even toilet paper in their stockings. Yet, the tradition persists, driven by sentiment and the joy of giving.
'Mortifying but Lovable': The Parental Stocking Phenomenon
For some adults, the stocking filler comes not from a partner but from parents. Katie, a 33-year-old from Liverpool, admits she still receives a stocking from her parents. "I always vaguely assumed there would be a cut-off point, possibly when I moved out," she reflects. "But it just never happened." She speculates it might end when she and her siblings have partners and children of their own, but for now, they relish this "kidult" setup.
Ellie, 32 from London, shares a similar experience. "Mortifyingly, my parents still sneak into my room in the night to leave a stocking at the end of my bed," she says. She acknowledges the ritual brings her mother immense pleasure, noting that a YouGov study found 61 per cent of women in the UK purchase presents for their family, compared to just eight per cent of men. This gendered labour of love often leads daughters to step in. "My sisters and I have been buying stuff for each other's stockings for a decade so the burden doesn't fall entirely on our mum," Katie explains.
A Tradition With Mysterious Origins
Where did this peculiar custom originate? Popular legend traces it back to Saint Nicholas in the 4th century, who supposedly threw purses of gold down a chimney to provide dowries for three daughters, with the coins landing in stockings drying by the fire. However, historian Judith Flanders, author of Christmas: A Biography, casts doubt on this tale. "We have no real idea of when and where it came about," she states. The first documented mentions appear in the 1810s in the United States among a literary circle that included authors Clement Clarke Moore and Washington Irving.
Flanders notes that these early references were presented as historical fact but were largely invented. This murky origin story has a silver lining: there are no official rules. "You can do what you like," Flanders confirms. "Hang your stocking on the fireplace. Give a stocking to your cat! No one can tell you otherwise." This liberating lack of prescription means the tradition can adapt and continue indefinitely, bound only by the willingness of someone to do the wrapping. For countless Brits, that's reason enough to keep the magic alive, regardless of age.
