Stocking stuffer ideas?

[maslex]

I am having such a hard time figuring out what to put in the stockings this year. I have two boys (ages 9 and 11) and it just seems to get harder each year. When they were younger it was easy to put in matchbox cars (they've outgrown them now) crayons, little dollar store toys but now it's impossible for me to think. So far I bought each of them a nightlight (looks like a lava lamp) some candy, gum and I'm also sticking in 2 Nintendo DS games in there (I bought them each a Nintendo Ds this Christmas) So since we open our stockings last, I'm going to stick the games in there since I don't want to take the chance of them opening the games BEFORE they open the system itself.

But other than that, I usually will put in a new toothbrush/toothpaste, box of bandaids, this year will throw in a thing of deodorant. But I'd like to do something different. Any other ideas?

 

[Mysteria]

Small models to put together/paint. At the craft store (AC moore) we bought critter making kits. Make all kinds of stuff out of pipe cleaners. We are in the same predicament for our nephews. I'm keeping my eye on this thread.

 

[barkley]

i put in 'goodies' that the kids like but generaly don't get to have all to themselves. things like a bottle of marischino cherries, a jar of marinated artichoke hearts, baby sweet pickles. it's their 'personal jar/bottle' and off limits to anyone else.

trading cards are good (and fit easily), low end gift cards (5 to 10 dollars) for fast food places or for the restaurants we frequent (they can use them to pay for the insanely priced appetizer or dessert i refuse to go along with). a gift card good for one game rental at blockbuster.

 

[emily1982]

What about a Bop It game. Its like an interative toy and is great fun for all ages, i was playing it with the 8 year old i babysit and everyone can join in. I know amazon sell them.

 

[ckay87]

Posters for their room(s). Gift cards (like McD's) wrapped in a box - to take up space.

 

[shortbun]

A tangerine in the toe, we have a specialty toy store with a huge bin of small cool toys; I'm filling up on those today. I always stick a little stuffed animal peeking out of the top-my son is 11 but he'll get his animal always and he knows it. Pencils and pens(gel pens this year) with a small spiral notepad of construction type paper. Candies(bag of chocolate coins), candy canes for the top, maybe a CD or video game. We're getting a DS here too. A pair of Christmas or colorful socks, a sports magazine(SLAM), gum. LOL, my son has two stockings and I manage to fill them both! My Mom made his needlepoint Santa and her best friend made a beautiful one too. I don't have the heart to put one away. Good thing I have only one child!

 

[tiggger1]

my daughter is 3 1/2 but she is getting the usual new toothbrush, toothpaste plus some princess body wash. she loves lip gloss so she got a bunch of those and some play makeup.. I also bought a few smaller toys like playdough plus a dora dvd...and of course candy... Im sure I have other things but I cant remember for the life of me!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

My girls are 12 & 15 and I still put in the toothbrush.

Magazine take up space too.
Socks
books
those little skateboards thingys

 

[golfgal]

Any of the Axe products are a big hit at that age. We put in gift certificates for McDonalds, movies, etc. They usually get a book, candy, etc. Last year they got the 20 question ball things, those are fun.

 

[maslex]

Thanks, some of these are good ideas. I forgot that I usually get them each a coupon book from McD's or Wendy's. Oh, I like the idea of the little Axe sprays. I'm sure pretty soon they'll be wanting to impress the ladies at school so they'll have to smell good.

Any other ideas?

 

[hentob]

Go to your local Dollar Store. The one by us just had a TON of great things. They had actual Hover Discs (As Seen On TV) for ONE DOLLAR Not that the disc would fit in a stocking, but just to show you that not all Dollar Stores or Just A Buck stores carry generic junkie items.

We do candy and trinkets.

 

[Disney-For-Life]

365 desk calendars. You can get them in lots of different themes (including Disney!) and they're small and not that expensive.

 

[TheGoofster]

Some possibilities:
a book or two if they like to read.
A small comedy book (like Garfield or peanuts)
A couple of their favorite candy bars
Trading cards
Kids' disposable camera
Bouncing balls (believe me, kids never outgrow those)
Baseball, hockey puck, etc... if they like sports
A couple packs of chewing gum (trident if you don't want sugar)
Swiss army knife (they have kid's versions)
A comic book or two
A special pen or pencil or two
A watch (Walmart has cheap ones for kids)
A pair of kid's sunglasses
A gift small certificate for their favorite electronic store (Gamestop, EBGames, Bestbuy,etc...)
A keyring of their favorite sportsteam, video game, character,etc...
a hat of their favorite sportsteam
A special pair of comfy socks to wear around the house
A small MP3 player (they are getting very inexpensive nowadays)
Some Tic-Tacs or Menthos
a wallet
A few bucks in loose change or a few one dollar bills
A stopwatch
Action figures (if they still play with them)
A DVD or two
A computer game (you can find some good ones in jewel clear plastic cases for under 10 dollars in most stores)

Well, these are just a few ideas. I hope that some of them might be helpful.
Good luck.

 

[Bearvet]

There are lots of inexpensive accessories for the DS - screen protectors, extra "pens", case, car charger, etc.

Each of my boys will get a hot chocolate in a cone - Wal-Mart has them for under $2 and it's filled with hot cocoa mix and mini marshmallows - very cute!

I also agree with anything Axe or Tag. Aeropostale has a nice cologne for boys - nice clean scent - small bottle is $12. My boys love it.

I'm also doing gift cards for McDonald's, movie theater, Wendy's, etc.

Socks are great (DS13 loves Underarmor, so he'll get those) and boxers (especially a holiday design) are also a hit.

BTW, my boys are 17, 13 and 11, so some of these ideas may not work for your 9yo. The DS items would be great though.

 

[Wishes2you]

I usually put in DD13 stocking

Lip gloss
nail polish
Batteries
socks
gel pens or regular pens
decorative pencils
small notepads
earings
fruit
candy
gum
Shaving gel
perfume (sm. bottle)
sm. Bath & Body lotion
hand sanitizer
Her fav. tea or hot choc.

I always watch for things to add. I love getting a stocking
and I love filling them as much.

 

[Lynn CC]

i love doing DS's stocking and he's 19. There have been a few items that I put in every year...

A wallet with $$ inside!

boys love those gold chocolate coins that come in a little pouch.
How about some collectors cards either sports, Star Wars etc.
Life Saver Candy Book is usually a big hit too.

Brookstone has a pen that has a little holder and you set the pen in it and it stands up by itself....really neat! Hickory Farms mini cheese sets are kind of fun and different too.

Favorite collectors books or magazines, comic books etc.

A nutcracker, DS has been collecting them since he was small. We set them in the front window and along the mantle with lights. They have a lot of "boy" charm to them. This year I'm getting the Darth Vader, nutcracker for him!

Caligraphy set, he liked his, favorite team hats, gloves, t-shirts.

Good Luck, Once you get going I'm sure you are going to need bigger stockings!