I was a kid, of course, and impatient and greedy. My Grandparents lived about 2 hours away, my Aunt Meri was going to school in Eastern Washington and my Uncle Tony lived in Oregon. It seemed like it was always Noon or later before anyone got there, so all the presents had to wait. Except Santa gifts and the stockings.
Santa gifts were big and fun, but the stocking gifts were surprises. Sure, there might be a toothbrush or an orange in there, but there could also be Smurfs!
My parents don't remember this, but my favorite stocking was the year they filled it with nothing but batteries. I was in high school, so I had learned some patience, and I knew all the D batteries had to go to a present wrapped under the tree, and I was right, it was my first boom box. I told them about that a couple years ago and all they could say was "Yeah, that sounds like us."
