277/365 Stockings hung by the chimney

Per tradition, our family opens stocking gifts on Christmas Eve. When Chase and I were kids, it was a great way to satiate our curiosity.

My stocking is the same one I've had forever, with a snowman on the front. One of my great-aunts made it for me. Chase's is new as of last year and is a big cowboy boot (completely appropriate). Mom's is a gift from a friend and looks a bit like a quilt (also appropriate).

Dad's is a skinny knit stocking that does not stretch, meaning we have to place his gifts on the mantle or hearth below. He's next in line to have a new one made for him.

These stockings hang on hooks under the mantle. When we first moved to this house, we used decorative hangers that sat on the top edge. But sadly, these didn't last long, as one by one the weight of the stockings pulled them off the shelf and they fell to a miserable death on the bricks below.

Hopefully no unsuspecting decorations will die this Christmas Eve.

Camera: Canon 40D with external E-TTL flash, 1/125s, f/5.6 at ISO 200.