Stocking stuffers that aren't "gifts"

[maslex]

Even though this does NOT fit in the boys stockings, I HAVE to get it every year. They even tell me that it wouldn't be Christmas if they didn't get one of these......

One of those HUGE Hershey Kisses!!! (walmart $3) So I always place it right next to their stockings.

My boys are 13 and 15 and over the years, I've usually been guilty of the expensive gifts going into their stockings. I've put in $20 movies, $50 video games, etc. I never really thought of it as "gifts" instead of "stuffers" but more of "Hey if it fits, stuff it in there" LOL

I'm really not sure what I'm putting in their stocking this year though. Keep the ideas coming.

 

[Shleedogg]

My mom always got us a pair of fun socks, nail polish, shave gel, a small pair of earrings from kmart (have good prices on gold hoops) or Claires, lotion, lipgloss. Just a bunch of toiletries, but stuff that I normally wouldn't buy. Always a little bit of candy.

I agree a boy would be harder to buy for. For DH I do some $5 DVDs, his favorite candy, some socks, boxers.

I can't believe people are using those as stocking stuffers though. That's a budget buster! We generally do a $10-$15 limit on stockings per person.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Mine get the same thing in their stockings every year:

- an ornament that will be theres to take when they move out.
- a Christmas DVD (some are VCR's that have not yet been re-released) in case they stop playing the classics. They will always have the great ones for their collection.
- a Christmas music collection - I used to buy them, now I burn them, so that is one less expense.

During one Christmas, each child has received an ornament box that I personalized, a CD holder, and a VCR and dvd holder. These were bought on different Christmases when I could afford them.

I take a LOT of time finding an ornament that really means something from the previous year, or a character that they enjoy that may not be around for too long. Each year the kids get their box and decorate a portion of the tree with their ornaments. I always think we have the greatest tree each year.

 

[minniecarousel]

*Flashlight! My Dad always said every kid could use a flahlight.

*I buy the 6 or 8 pack of nuts at Costco and divvy them up for my brothers. They're almonds & come in a variety of flavors.

*Also at Costco, I buy the multi-packs of TicTacs & Chapstick

*A deck of playing cards

 

[cinderella73]

Another spot most people dont think of is the camping section. Things like collapsable cups , glow sticks , hand warmers , flashlights , compass , whistle , etc . .

Comics , scented markers , paint sets , stampers , small stationary sets , little 1.00 size nutcrackers , stickers , pokemon cards , little 5.00 lego sets , mighty beans , spinning tootbrushes , book lights , little cans of playdough ....

 

[snowywhite89]

Small notebooks
Tic Tacs
Jelly Bellies (Target has bottles of soda with the same flavor JBs inside)
Coal bubble gum
Plastic candy canes or straight tubes full of candy (Reese's, kisses, M&Ms etc)
Markers, crayons, color pencils or the like
Fun socks not everyday socks

 

[parith1114]

Mine get the same thing in their stockings every year:

- an ornament that will be theres to take when they move out.
- a Christmas DVD (some are VCR's that have not yet been re-released) in case they stop playing the classics. They will always have the great ones for their collection.
- a Christmas music collection - I used to buy them, now I burn them, so that is one less expense.

During one Christmas, each child has received an ornament box that I personalized, a CD holder, and a VCR and dvd holder. These were bought on different Christmases when I could afford them.

I take a LOT of time finding an ornament that really means something from the previous year, or a character that they enjoy that may not be around for too long. Each year the kids get their box and decorate a portion of the tree with their ornaments. I always think we have the greatest tree each year.

I do the same thing with the ornaments...we love our tree as well. So many great memories with each ornament, and I hope they'll remember them all when they are putting up their own trees.

 

[starann]

We used to tease my mom for the stuff she put in our stockings, but we miss them now!

small sewing kits
keri lotion
qtips
tic tacs
gum
socks
earmuffs
gloves
lint rollers
nail polish
nail polish remover wipes
manicure kits


Hope that helps!

 

[mommaU4]

Thanks again for all the great ideas! I have a list for each stocking now, and am ready to shop and stuff!!

 

[kkmcan]

Not sure if anyone posted this because I didn't read all the post but new school supplies are good stuffers too- pencils, markers, crayons, sharpeners, foldup rulers etc.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Like some PPs have said, you need to find items that are small enough to fit in the stocking, but large enough to take up a lot of room.

My mom knitted stockings for us when my brothers and I were young. Then as we married and had kids, she knitted stockings for each addition to the family. Fortunately for my DD (who is the youngest of all the grandkids), but unfortunately for me, mom kept knitting larger and larger stockings. DD's is HUGE. It's a challenge to fill it without spending a lot. So I go for a lot of bulky items.

As per tradition in our family, an orange always goes first in the toe. Socks, tights, undies, and pjs are all staples for DD. Hair accessories. Toothbrush. One of those plastic candy canes filled with chocolate candy. Gum. The last couple years a Webkinz has been peeking out the top of the stocking.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I only put things less than $5 in the stocking and usually, it is something fun and silly if it is a gift. And I wrap everything.

But it would be a fun pocket game, activity book, toothbrush--that sort of stuff.

Our tradition--I place them on the kids placesetting in the morning....they get their junkfood of choice breakfast that I "never" allow them to have--some crappy cereal or poptarts....they get to open their stocking and then they have to....WAIT! until mom and dad has their breakfast and is ready for gifts to be open.

The only exception would be if we were afraid to have something misplaced b/c it is so small--but we get around that buy wrapping said small item in a much larger package.

Other families may have different traditions, but we do not put the "gifts" into the stocking.

I have made a cost exception to a fun mini-webkinz. A full-size webkinz would get wrapped if they asked for it. I don't otherwise voluntarily purchase those things.

So far, I have leftover cars themed pencils and stickers from last years christmas clearance for my son's stocking and I just picked up some lego "person" in a box sets for my husband that were midieval/wizard theme. Something he totally has no use for--alas, that is why I bought it for the stocking.

 

[Whistle]

I haven't read all the replies, and so I apologize if there is a duplicate. Stockings (for my family) are where you can put "practical" things. I have 2 boys, and some things I will include in their stockings are:

lottery tickets (like 3)
toothbrush & toothpaste
their favorite candy
a deck of cards
gum


Some things I have done in the past for others:
silly socks
a favorite snack (1.00 coffee packs, etc)
hot chocolate packs
gloves
a new brush
shower gels
chapsticks


I try to not let the stockings be gifts. I want the "under the tree" stuff to go as far as I can!!!

 

[mom2val]

I am on the lookout for stocking stuffers year round. I have an empty box in the hall closet and i drop them in it. I look for items that I know DD will like and that are under $5 . This is what DD age 10 is getting in her stocking this year:

• Phineas, Ferb, Candice and Perry stuffed toys from Disney online onsale $6 each
• 2 Phineas & Ferb Goo Figures
• Phineas and Ferb graphic novel
• manicure set
• toy story figurines from Dollar Store
• chocolate coins
• 2 small lego sets- $3.99 & $4.99
• erasers that look like food- 4/$.99
• pencils

 

[jacksmom]

My family loves the Chocolate oranges and look forward to getting one every year! I also put a full size Hershey chocolate bars in them (I remember getting them in my childhood stockings)! other than that, for ds (13) I am adding beef jerky, McDonalds $5 gift card, Body wash and spray, TicTacs, gum, swedish fish, Mike and Ikes, popcorn seasonings, Large Jawbreaker (Target), Suduko book, mechanical pencils and maybe a Starbucks or Movie gift card!

 

[manhattan]

For my DS (now 18) I put in a few different types of body sprays, razors, batteries (he goes through AA batteries like crazy!) $5 Starbucks, McDonald's or Subways. I also like to get everyone's favorite chocolate candy, for the girls some hair clips, shower caps, hand sanitizers, hand creams, bookmarks, chapsticks. When we lived in NJ I would sometimes put a monthly bus or train pass in my DH's stocking. But I really like everyone's ideas!

 

[Minnie]

Another good inexpensive item that takes up some space is the commemorative/special design pop bottles that are normally out for the holidays. My boys don't normally get Coke so they think it is a treat to get the $1 ornament bottle.

DS (17) loves these and they make great stuffers

We do some larger items - DS games - but nothing anywhere near a car

Anyways.... magazines (Xbox), favorite candy - this year I just returned from a business trip to ORL so a couple items from WDW , toothbrush, fun boxers, card games (Sorry), ect.

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

For hubby I am putting in underwear and undershirts. He needs them and won't buy them. I also don't want that to be a gift so into the stocking they go. He will get an Oregon Ducks shirt, a book, jerky, mints, Starbucks GC, and a desk calendar made at Snapfish of the kids for work.

 

[sookie]

to me, toiletries - deodorant, razors, toothbrushes - things that you NEED to groom - are not presents. they are needs.
they dont go in the stockings around here.
crayons, giftcards - lipglosses and little toys for my kids.

 

[MSSANDRA]

What we do with the "need" items is make them special. We are pretty frugal so the cheapest option is often the way we go. For stockings DGS will get the cool batman underwear instead of the white ones and DS will get the expensive tooth paste he likes instead of the stuff I always buy. Mine area always happy with it and it avoids a lot of junk that never gets used. Of course there are a few fun things in there too.