by Silva Payne

Created on: December 12, 2009

Many modern homes no longer have open fireplaces. This can become quite a concern for children who still believe that Santa will want to use a chimney instead of the doorway or cat flap to deliver their presents. While Christmas stockings are traditionally hung from the mantle piece above the fireplace, there are several other options you can try.

It is not uncommon for children to have their Christmas stockings hung up somewhere in their bedroom. Often the stocking is hung at the end of the bed, although modern beds do not always have convenient foot boards with bed knobs on. If your child is a good sleeper, it should be relatively easy for Santa to sneak in and fill the stocking if it is laying at the foot of the bed, even if he has to step outside of the bedroom for a few moments to do so. If your child has a dresser or closet with a handle or knob, hanging their Christmas stocking here is a good idea. Remember to remind your child to clear their bedroom floor before Santa arrives, so that he doesn't trip over any stray toys.

If you have a staircase with banisters, this is a fun place to hang your Christmas stockings. It also means that they can form part of your overall decorations in the run up to Christmas day. Santa will be sure to see them when he arrives, although you may need to leave his milk and cookie in a nearby location such as a telephone table. The advantage of hanging the Christmas stockings on the stair banister is that the stairs are usually clear of toys and other household debris which could cause Santa to trip over.

If you have no small table to leave Santa's refreshments on, then the kitchen may be a better location to hang up your Christmas stockings. The chairs around the kitchen table may have a part where you can hang a stocking, or simply lay the stockings out where you would normally put a place mat. If your children have individually named place mats, they may be reassured to put their stockings on top, so that Santa knows exactly which stocking belongs to which child. The cookies and milk can then be left in the centre of the table.

Children often worry how Santa will find them if they are spending the Christmas period at a relatives home. This may make them even more reluctant to go to sleep on Christmas eve. To help calm their fears, try to decide where they will hang their stocking at the relatives house before you set off for your visit. Your child can write Santa a note and leave that on their pillow (which of course Santa will remove) or even send their letter to Santa's official address at the North Pole, letting him know of the change in arrangements

Wherever you hang your Christmas stocking, Santa will be able to find it.

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