Any Budget Stocking gift ideas???

[jacksmom]

Hi! I have really been trying to work on my Christmas shopping and have gotten a lot of gifts out of the way, but I could use some good stocking ideas! I really don't want to fill them with a lot of junk or a lot of candy! I also don't want to spend a fortune on them! I have a dd(3)and a ds(12) and dh! Any ideas?

 

[SaveTheSeaTurtles]

We are on a budget this year too. One idea that I had for my DH is that I am going to make "gift certificates" for him - like "Good for One Free Car Wash", "Good for One Weekend Without Chores", etc.

It might sound corny, but I think he will like it. Our budget means we need to get a little more creative this year and really, the only thing that matters is that we have our family.

 

[dougsmom98]

Stocking stuffers definitely add up. I try to get things that I might have to buy even if it isn't the holidays or things that serve a purpose. For example - a new toothbrush (a cool character one usually), chapstick, small character themed bath soaps or shampoos, light sticks, a new set of colored pencils, crayons, cool pens or pencils, bath crayons, a calculator, stretch knit gloves, a new knit winter hat, a single can of playdough fits well in the end of a stocking...My DD is four and she loves hair accessories so I will give her head bands, hair clips and hair ties, she also likes character socks and tights so I will get her some of those. I also have been looking in the Sunday paper for coupons. I had a coupon for a free pack of extra brand gum and 55 cents off any size Reeses product, a coupon for Mentos gum... My oldest boy is 11 and he is always losing his Nintendo DS pen, so I will get him one of those for his stocking - it is not cheap, but something he needs anyway. We have a Chapter 11 Job Lots store here and they recently had 50% off all books, so I was able to get Mad Libs for my kids for 50 cents each.

Good luck.

 

[luvmy3]

For dd 11-
novelty toothbush
New Moon pins
kooky pen
lip gloss
pez dispenser
webkinz
I ususally put a small denomination itunes card in there but this year I got her a $50 one so it will be wrapped under the tree.

For 2 dses, they get the pretty much the same stuff.
novelty toothbrush
blockbuster GC (to rent video games)
lego people
kooky pen
pez dispenser

I don't put anything in dh's

I just remembered I got the boys cases for their nintendo dses and light saber styluses, and a case for dd's DSi so they will go in there too.

 

[Perditamarie]

Here are some more ideas:

* magic gloves
* crayons/markers
* Black Friday DVD(s)
* magazine/puzzle book/comic book/book
* bandaids (do we ever have enough of these??!!)
* baseball cards, pokeman cards, etc
* shower gel or novelty soap
* those metal brain teaser puzzles you have to figure out how to take apart
* wallet/change purse

Use the coupons in the weekly paper for Michael's and AC Moore for all kinds of good stuff.

I saw some fun coupons at Old Navy!

 

[AntePrincess]

What sort of budget are we talking about? For many on this board $1 per item is considered pretty high. (We're more into the stockings than into the gifts, so I'm all for $1+ items.)

Here are some of our more frugal ones:

Homemade Christmas crackers made with clean toilet paper rolls, whatever gift wrap or tissue is on hand (I used recycled brown paper and did gold crayon leaf rubbings), twine, and the proper "snappers" (a bag of them is cheap as sin to buy and lasts years). Traditionally you fill them with a tissue paper crown, a riddle or fortune, a joke, and a treat or treats.

Homemade scented sachets. I like to use pretty handkerchiefs from the thrift store, particularly ones that have been ruined or stained in some part, which I can get for less (or free if the one volunteer is on duty, though I insist on paying something, it is for charity). A variant on this is to use flannel or other pretty sturdy scraps, sewn shut on all edges around the chosen dried herbs, and make a batch of "dryer sachets," which we use instead of dryer sheets to scent the laundry.

Sharpies. I love them. A pack of a dozen is about $10 at retail, though you can certainly find them cheaper. I've seen mini sharpies in dollar bins all over the place, and eventually these go on discount.

Pages of stickers. Our local dollar store sells books of stickers, which I can then parcel out as individual pages.

Printables. I've printed up and ribbon bound some nice freebie printables from various places. For family I made up some Colonial Williamsburg tavern recipe booklets (available free on their site) printed on nice watercolor paper, to which I added a little illumination with the sharpies I like so much. For the little ones I made up a bunch of mini coloring books along themes, sort of the homemade version of the Dover little activity books I mention a lot around here (those are quite cheap themselves, incidentally). You can make your own "stained glass" window coloring books by printing one-sided on vellum paper.

Dress up clothes. Really, and they do fit in a stocking. I sew tubes of wispy fabrics that will fit around the kid, leaving the top foot or so of the left and right side of the tube unsewn. These are worn by slipping the tube over the child's head and pinning the top together over their shoulders (you can also sew short bits of ribbon to the back and front on either side to tie it closed). It's a chiton, basically, or a fairy dress depending on how you finish it, best finished with a scarf or ribbon belted around the waist.

 

[jacksmom]

I am hoping to do each stocking (they are big) for 25.00 EACH! I like the idea of mechanical pencils and some pens for ds for school, and art supplies (crayons and paints, and maybe color books) for dd (these are things I will have to buy anyway) Also hair things are a great idea for dd!! I am also thinking about socks and gloves (will be needed)! Just wondering where to get the best buys??? I am also thinking about adding snacks (but not a lot of junk, to them)! Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[satorifound]

We do toothbrushes every year also. LOL They fit great. Chapstick like another poster said. Also I do make up items for the girls. Hotwheels for the boys. Ummm... I always go too far with our stockings.

I bought some stuff from ABC distributors this year way ahead of time, some Tinkerbell perfume for my 10 year old I know she will love. I am tempted to take it to Disney and put it on her pillow, but I think I will stick to Fairy Pez (which will be in her stocking also).

Hairbands are great for girls, or barrettes. I also shop that one aisle at Walmart that has the cheap stuff. LOL My son gets a whoopie cushion yearly which is breaks pretty quickly. Yoyos work great.

Every year I plan on doing a coop for Oriental Trading, but then I get busy and never bother to organize it....

 

[clh2]

MY DD is 15 - and I am just about done with her stocking stuff. It has become easy (yeah!) because a couple of years ago - we picked up a pack of Breast Cancer awareness pencils (on clearance for $.67) and she LOVED it. So now, we pick up a variety of BC office supplies. And to top it off, yesterday there were BC M&M's. Can't go wrong with that! Total $23.

 

[tchrrx]

I love the idea of character band-aids! DD always wants them, but I don't like paying for them normally.

I'll also do a toothbrush, chapstick, and hair accessories. If you add a new brush, it can really take up a lot of space.

 

[brymolmom]

I think the key for stockings is to look ALL YEAR! I usually get a couple/few 'like new' books at flea markets and garage sales for the stocking. Plus the after-christmas sales - last year I got some fuzzy slippers for dd for like $4.00 or so with after holiday sales. I also got some cute little christmassy things - like mini stuffed animals - penguin and snowman - one for each stocking. Also got them each some light-up reindeer antlers! They were like 50 cents!

We usually do a few fun things, some candy and then some things I would buy them anyway. Like a pp said, toothbrrush is always in there - and not really like spending extra money cuz we'd be buying it within the next little while anyway. Same thing with tights for dd, socks for ds and with underwear for both - we'd be buying some new stuff anyway....

Other ideas:
for older child - new ear buds for ipod - can get them cheap some places. A poster for his room, sports collector cards, playing cards, poker chips, a bobble head, hair product
for little one: small purse, headbands, plastic bracelets, barbie clothes, harmonica, diary

 

[semo233]

When I was young, we always got an apple and an orange in the toe and heal of our stockings. This took up a lot of space! But if you're not used to that, it may be a disspointment to your little ones.

Socks
gloves & hat & scarf
fashion scarf to wear all day
chap stick
snowman kit
small Starbuck or DD card (hot chocolate)
jewelry
Rubik's cube

 

[jenlynn0808]

Try the Dollar Spot at Target. They often have Disney themed items (like socks) and sometimes they clearance that stuff out too. (Over the summer DD11 had a Wizards of Waverly Place Party and Target was clearancing out the Dollar Bins-I picked up 3 packs of WoWP pens, notebooks, Rock Star bath gels, and something else for for $0.50 a piece. Each goody bag cost me very little and they were stuffed.)

Also, check Target/Walmart for their after Halloween sales. I know Target has some silly putty in the Halloween section, cars, Polly Pocket, other little things like that and those will be clearanced. With a lot of that take off the packaging and you/kids won't know it was the Halloween stuff. Last year I bought these squishy things (that silicone stuff and they had googly eyes) that when you hit them a flashing light would come on. Came in a three pack of green, purple and orange. Put the purple one in DD's stocking, DS got the green one and the extra went...somewhere. Kids have no idea I got them on clearance after Halloween.

Also start watching your Walgreen's ad. Last year that had lots of coupons for bonus buys. DS4 likes snowglobes confused3), and they had little plastic ones with snowmen inside for $0.39/each. There were a couple different scenes. I know they also had flameless Hannah Montana Candles too that were rather inexpensive, but mine had sold out before I got there.


HTH

 

[QVCshopper]

Try the Dollar Spot at Target. They often have Disney themed items (like socks) and sometimes they clearance that stuff out too. (Over the summer DD11 had a Wizards of Waverly Place Party and Target was clearancing out the Dollar Bins-I picked up 3 packs of WoWP pens, notebooks, Rock Star bath gels, and something else for for $0.50 a piece. Each goody bag cost me very little and they were stuffed.)

Also, check Target/Walmart for their after Halloween sales. I know Target has some silly putty in the Halloween section, cars, Polly Pocket, other little things like that and those will be clearanced. With a lot of that take off the packaging and you/kids won't know it was the Halloween stuff. Last year I bought these squishy things (that silicone stuff and they had googly eyes) that when you hit them a flashing light would come on. Came in a three pack of green, purple and orange. Put the purple one in DD's stocking, DS got the green one and the extra went...somewhere. Kids have no idea I got them on clearance after Halloween.

HTH

Just to 2nd this quote, I got Hello Kitty stuff at Target's Dollar Spot for 50 cents and got some Littlest Pet Shop and Dora/Diego "Halloween" toys 1/2 off. My kids are 3 and almost 5. Good deals... my stockings will probably be less than $10 each.

 

[rmonty02]

I have been able to buy some Disney Items & other cartoon character's at the Dollar Tree. Not sure if you have a Dollar Tree or 99cent store, but I would browse there.
I've picked up small puzzles, note pads, jump ropes, hot wheels, and stamp sets so far. There are lot's of cute stuff for girls and even if you spend half your budget there, that's 12 items each.
They also carry hair accessories and Holiday Items. Take a look. I saw some Disney princess pom-poms and tiaras/wands. You never know what you'll find, but it's WORTH a look.

 

[mjantz]

I get stuff from the Target Dollar Spot. I'm going to redeem some MyPoints points & get a $25 GC to Target for some iTunes giftcards. They have a 3-pack of $10 cards for $30. I don't mind paying $5 for 3 cards.
For my DH, he loves getting salsa & chapstick. For my DS, lots of AXE stuff & deodorant. Socks too.

 

[samshane]

I go to the Dollar Tree and look for items that are multiple in a pack for $1 that I can break out and give to all 3 of my children. That has always worked for me. And if I see clearance things through the year, I pick them up and hide them in my closet I just need to remember they are there....

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

So far I have gotten:

princess chap stick (1 bin at target)
princess socks (1 bin at target)
Recorder - I'm sure I will regret that 2.50 at target
some hair stuff

bandaids and toothbrushes are a great idea, thanks!

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

polly pocket tear strips are on sale for $4 at shopko. targets dollar section has a HUGE selection of micky mouse, princess and cars items (some would fit a stocking)

 

[PrincessParty]

I know I picked this tip up from Dis over the years, Pringles take up a lot of room in a stocking. I use this tip for DH! Santa also always puts batteries in the stocking of someone who is receiving an item that needs them.