Stocking stuffers that aren't "gifts"

[mommaU4]

I am having a hard time with stocking stuffers this year, and could use some ideas.

When my mom was little, she said her Christmas stocking mainly included things like candy canes, nuts, and fruit like apples and oranges. Simple, but that's what was common then.
When I was little, my stocking had things like a toothbrush, socks and/or underwear, and it always had gum and a Lifesavers storybook. Again, fairly simple.

Now it seems like when I talk to my friends, their kid's Christmas stockings contain things that I used to think of as actual presents, not stocking stuffers. $20 DVDs, $60 video games, $25-$30 gift certificates, fancy jewelry, etc.
Like I said those things used to be considered actual gifts, but if those are now being thought of as stocking stuffers that can really add up! I have four kids to shop for, so in addition to buying gifts, I have to put together four stockings.

I admit last year I started getting caught up in the expensive stocking stuffer craze that some of my friends are doing, and it was too much for me. This year, I'd like to try and keep it simple again. But the problem is, I can't seem to think of any good, fun, creative stocking stuffers.

I don't want a bunch of dollar store "junk" that will break or get tossed out, but I can't afford to spend a small fortune either.
Is there an in between? What sort of stocking stuffers do you include? I have twins girls who are 10, another daughter who's 14, and a son who's almost 16. He's the hardest to come up with ideas for.

Any suggestions that won't break the bank but is still something they will enjoy finding in their stocking?


(So far all I have is some Christmas candy for each, a Bath and Body travel lotion & spray for my older DD, and some silly bandz for my twins. I need more ideas!)

 

[gilby]

You need to decide what you feel is the best gift for stocking stuffers, not what other people think. When I was little we got an apple and an orange, pair of socks, and toothbrushes. Stockings are for little gifts. I give my kids new toothbrushes, deoderant, razors, that type of items. These will be the things they will remember.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I always include fun socks (like toe socks or slipper sock), lotion, toothbrush, candy, gum, and a coupon or gift card for something to do like a movie ticket or a day a the zoo.

 

[sbaldasare]

Chapsticks in fun scents, nail polish, fuzzy socks, headbands for the girls.

You could do small g-certs like 5.00 to McDonald's or Blockbuster.

 

[Juliegirl1]

Our stockings always had new toothbrushes and toothpaste, a book of Lifesavers, tubes of M&M's, gum, pencils, perfume or cologne or bubble bath. I remember the year I got a huge thing of Jean Nate bubble bath - I was in heaven!

 

[Juliegirl1]

Chapsticks in fun scents, nail polish, fuzzy socks, headbands for the girls.

You could do small g-certs like 5.00 to McDonald's or Blockbuster.

Oh yeah - remember the McDonald's calendars with the coupons? I used to love getting those!

 

[sherry7]

When I was a kid, I got candy, nuts, etc in my stocking.

For my DS, I've usually done things he likes to eat...like candy bars, beef jerky, Slim Jims, etc. When he was little, I would put a couple of cheap Matchbox cars in as well. Now that he's older, I add something like a good razor (free at CVS of course, LOL). I never spend more than a few dollars on stocking stuffers.

I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what to put in my baby girl's stocking this year.

 

[TifffanyD]

toothbrush, socks, lipgloss, nailpolish, scratch off lottery tickets, and candy! Also smaller shower gels (like the 6 pack at kohls - I break them up and only use a couple in a stocking) and little lotions. Once I got those saran wrap quick covers in my stocking!

Oh and one thing we used to get was the batteries for any electronic devices we might be getting. It always made us excited for what might be coming!

paperback books & magazines

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

I always put in some of their favorite candy, and those little chocolate coins. For your son, how about a cool keychain? I, too, always put in toothbrushes, travel sized toothpaste, dental floss, cute little flashlights, card games, cool socks, Burt's Bees items, makeup, nail polish, bath gel, hand santitizer, hand lotion, and always something special they really want that's a small gift.

 

[thebeesknees]

I like to buy those "fancy" hot chocolate packets and put them in the stockings. My DH really likes wasabi snack mix, so he gets a box of that. I'm doing a set of children's chopsticks for my nieces this year. Mixed nuts for my Dad, one of those huge Hershey's bars for my son....I am seeing a snack trend here! When they were babies, we did cute socks, a couple of little board books to keep in the diaper bag, sometimes a small stuffed toy, etc.

 

[scrapquitler]

I am having a hard time with stocking stuffers this year, and could use some ideas.

When my mom was little, she said her Christmas stocking mainly included things like candy canes, nuts, and fruit like apples and oranges. Simple, but that's what was common then.
When I was little, my stocking had things like a toothbrush, socks and/or underwear, and it always had gum and a Lifesavers storybook. Again, fairly simple.

Now it seems like when I talk to my friends, their kid's Christmas stockings contain things that I used to think of as actual presents, not stocking stuffers. $20 DVDs, $60 video games, $25-$30 gift certificates, fancy jewelry, etc.
Like I said those things used to be considered actual gifts, but if those are now being thought of as stocking stuffers that can really add up! I have four kids to shop for, so in addition to buying gifts, I have to put together four stockings.

I admit last year I started getting caught up in the expensive stocking stuffer craze that some of my friends are doing, and it was too much for me. This year, I'd like to try and keep it simple again. But the problem is, I can't seem to think of any good, fun, creative stocking stuffers.

I don't want a bunch of dollar store "junk" that will break or get tossed out, but I can't afford to spend a small fortune either.
Is there an in between? What sort of stocking stuffers do you include? I have twins girls who are 10, another daughter who's 14, and a son who's almost 16. He's the hardest to come up with ideas for.

Any suggestions that won't break the bank but is still something they will enjoy finding in their stocking?


(So far all I have is some Christmas candy for each, a Bath and Body travel lotion & spray for my older DD, and some silly bandz for my twins. I need more ideas!)

We put hair accessories, inexpensive jewelery, pens, pencils, gum, candy, fun socks, crayons, paperback books, small legos, personal care supplies (razor, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste), water bottles, nail polish, things for the car like air freshners, rainx, etc. Chapstick, small games like dice or card games, notepads, stationary, stickers,

for that tricky 16 year old boy, some of the above things will work. Add: body spray, comb/brush, small ($5) gift cards for mc donalds, subway, starbucks, those drink flavor pouches for in a water bottle, small tools, a magazine, matchbox car of his 'dream car', silly boxer shorts, gum

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

I'll put accessories to the bigger gifts sometimes. Like when DD got her DS I put screen protectors and a stylus. Also little note pads because she lives to use as much paper as possible. LOL

 

[mommaU4]

Thanks for the ideas so far!! I forgot about those fuzzy socks. Those always make good stuffers. Nailpolish would work for my older DD too. She seems to be the easiest to find things for.

The twins could use some new hair accessories. And one of them loves to eat with chopsticks, so I am liking that idea of a child's chopstick set.

As for my son, maybe some small $5 fast food gift cards would work. I thought of a movie gift card, but again, that's $25 at least which feels more like a gift to me (and my wallet) than a stuffer. He's the most challenging. What he'd really like to find in his stocking, since he'll be 16 next month, are some new car keys, but that's never going to happen.

Scratch off lotto tickets is something I hadn't thought of either. Thanks.

 

[icalum]

One idea that I didn't see posted was gloves. I also second the paperback book or magazine idea.

 

[BabyFu18]

Good stuff for kids, at least what my sister does for her 12 year old is things like arts/craft supplies, hair bows, nail polish, lip gloss, hair brush, costume jewelry, teach yourself to draw books, toe socks, slippers, speciality christmas candies, etc.

For the adults I usually do the stockings and I usually go with things like candies/truffles, coffee mugs, cooking utensils (these are super easy to find at places like TJ Maxx, Marshall's, etc. usually for cheap), travel stuff, speciality creams/lotions, scarves, gloves, small gift cards, jewelry/beads, small tools, etc.

It really depends on what everyone likes, but most of that stuff is pretty universal.

 

[Kitzka]

Since DD was 6 her stocking has always included:

a small lego set (one of the $3 ones that come in a plastic bag with like 22 pieces)
a pez dispenser
her favorite candy
eraser and pencils

this year i am also including some fun $5 headphones and maybe a $10 gift card to the movie theater. I try to keep the stocking at $20. i may end up going to $25 this year since the gift card will be for $10

edited to add:

my parents seem to be the originators of the extravagant stocking. Here are some of my highlights as a child:

10 yo-jade bracelet
11 yo-sapphire tennis bracelet
12 yo 1 carat diamond earrings
13 yo 3/4 carat birthstone ring (my birthstone is diamond so it seemed like an engagement ring)
14 yo-coach purse (it was CRAMMED into my stocking)
15 yo-a credit card in my name from their account that i could use as i wanted. they paid the bill
16 yo-keys to a new car
17 yo-trip with my best friend (alone) to puerto rico

I FREELY admit to being spoiled as a child. when my mother relays the stories of my stocking to my daughter she gets a little green with envy but i tell her "not to get any ideas. those were different times and my parents spent their money how they wanted and your father and i spend our money as we choose."


Lara

 

[Swimalie]

I don't know what age you are buying for but my mom always puts in stamps. They are always needed for thank yous and we like them. She usually gets a pattern that we will like that year. I like chapsticks, small chocolates, etc.

 

[Gigi22]

My mum used to put a travel sized container of talc, some fun socks or gloves, hair bands, and a package of After Eight chocolates in our Christmas stockings. When we got older, she would add an inexpensive scratch and win lottery ticket.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Here are 2 cheap suggestions:

1. Cut toiletry coupons that do not restrict by size (they should not say 'not applicable on travel size' or 'good on 12 oz or larger product'. I go to a grocery store that doubles coupons upto $1. You can basically get travel size toiletries for free.

2. Raid Target's $1 bins when they hit 75% off and stock up on Quarter gifts (for stockings or kids party bags). They typically mark these bins down right after a holiday and for other end of season items. I've gotten licensed pens, pencils, markers, crayons, pads of paper, small toys, small toiletries, etc. at 25 cents each. I keep a stock of them and as the occasion arises, I can use items from my stock.

When I was a child, we always had one orange and one apple in our stocking. I don't see anything wrong with doing that as well. You can teach your child good eating habits and enforce that even Santa encourages it

 

[CherylA]

One idea that I didn't see posted was gloves. I also second the paperback book or magazine idea.

Oh gloves good one! And definately magazine or paperback book, they take up some room! What about earbuds or headphones for their ipods? My hubby has certain pens he likes to write with that I always get him. We do little notepads sometimes. What about little bottles of maple syrup? Little tissue packets, gum, candy, fruit, nuts, granola bars. My kids like twinkies and snack cakes so I put some of those in their stocking.

Socks, deodorant, does your son wear any of those body sprays like Axe? Good luck!