Stocking stuffers that aren't "gifts"

[pixiewings71]

Hi Beth
I have the same dilemna, what's worse is most of my girls friends have 2 working parents, I'm still looking......I feel the same way you do tho, toothbrushes, a few candy items, some fruit, these are all things I got as a kid, this year I'm going with toothbrushes, a few candy things and lip glosses, nail polish, glitter, nail files, and I think I'll give each girl a $10 iTunes gift card, not sure just yet about that but I'm leaning towards it, seems a cheap enough g/c to be in the stocking. I don't go all out for stockings or for Santa gifts (which both girls still get), we never have. I limit myself to $20-30 for stockings and I usually fall under that. I really have no advice for DS, since I have all girls I have no clue what boys like....altho we did give my nephew a gift a few years back that he still says is the best gift he's ever received....we bought a bunch of different colors of duct tape, wrapped it up (with duct tape lol) and he loved it! He still talks about it. lol If your DS likes duct tape give him a few rolls in my stocking. LOL

 

[Maggie'sMom]

altho we did give my nephew a gift a few years back that he still says is the best gift he's ever received....we bought a bunch of different colors of duct tape, wrapped it up (with duct tape lol) and he loved it! He still talks about it. lol If your DS likes duct tape give him a few rolls in my stocking. LOL

One of the best items I got in my stocking as an adult was duct tape. It was the year I purchased my condo, the first time I was living somewhere other than my parents' house or an apartment. The filled my stocking with all kinds of things I would need for owning my own place. The other gifts I got from them that year were all home items as well... cordless rechargable screwdriver, toolbox, hammer, etc. Mom and dad later told me they thought I'd be disappointed in getting so many practical items, but I enjoy receiving things that I know I will get good out of. The duct tape made me laugh, and it was incredibly useful.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I like looking for small, unusual items for my kids' stockings to go along with the usual. I always get them a character spinbrush (something I don't buy any other time) and other special more expensive toiletries.

Cracker Barrel is a good place to find little toys and candies. Chuck E. Cheese tokens. Bottles of soda.

This year my 6yo is getting post-it notes I got for free with a coupon. They also like to get other "unusual" art supplies like gel pens, highlighters, paint sponges for their fingerpaint.

Flashlights are fun or reading lights. Bookmarks. Purse-sized puzzle books like sudoku.

This year I'm going to print up some coupons for them. Things like a free pass from clearing the table, a trip to the library, a trip to the park, etc.

 

[bettyann29]

so glad to see so many replies.. I never have a problem thinking of things to go in the girls stockings, but I run into trouble on DS17 and DSS20-- they're always harder to buy for as far as the stocking goes, but I see plenty of things here..

 

[2DisPrincesses]

I am putting a flashlight, razor and refills, bath and body work item, a back scratcher from BB&B, some Lindt candies and a can of spray chesse. (Every time we go to the store DD ask for a can of $3.00 spray cheese and the answer is always the same NO, so Santa is going to bring her a can.)

My DD(5) is TOTALLY going to get a can of spray cheese thanks to you- we go through the same thing every time she goes shopping with me!

 

[mrsklamc]

I like fruit because of the historical aspect of it. I think it's great to be able to say to a kid, "When your grandpa was little, he got fruit in his stocking because it was a luxury to have fruit in the winter...aren't we so blessed that we can have it year round?" and just take a moment to be thankful.

Did anyone mention batteries?

We don't usually buy oreos and there are 99 cent small packages of those on sale at Walgreens.

I think I've seen multicolor duct tape at Staples.

 

[mommaU4]

I like fruit because of the historical aspect of it. I think it's great to be able to say to a kid, "When your grandpa was little, he got fruit in his stocking because it was a luxury to have fruit in the winter...aren't we so blessed that we can have it year round?" and just take a moment to be thankful.

Amen to that!!

 

[mom2t]

Fun bandaids, underwear, socks, DSI assessories (mine is getting his DSI), crayola stuff (50% at AC Moore), candy, toothbrush

 

[mjantz]

-Cool pencils (I try & buy ones while we're on vacation & other places & those are great stocking stuffers).
-toothpaste & a toothbrush (like someone said one of those fun ones)


We have HUGE stockings & they get ones at my parents & our house so we have to fill 2. Makes it a challenge.

 

[lyncecelia]

I got each of the kids (well the older 3....still have to find one for the youngest) a wallet which will hold a $10 Walmart GC so they don't sit there and beg us in the store lol. That will probably be the most expensive thing in their stocking. I prefer to put GC in a wallet or similar container so it takes up more space....lol. After Halloween I got the boys all the creepy candy on sale. I know they will love it, and some of it is pretty big! They don't get to celebrate Halloween at home, so it'll be a real treat

As for DBF, I'm still working out ideas. I'm thinking about office supplies for his new desk. I was planning on putting a framed picture of each kid, but not sure if that will go in the stocking or under the tree.....I want to also figure out a way for the kids to personalize it without him seeing....lol.

I do plan on putting an orange or apple on the bottom....maybe with a ribbon around it this year and a card to explain why....I can see the 9 year old looking at it, then looking at us in disbelief thinking "um.....why?!"

 

[PrincessParty]

Pringles in their favorite flavors are cheap and take up a lot of space. I don't buy 4 different flavors so it is a treat!

 

[cristit14]

DD has always been easy. Nail polish, hair accessories, candy, magazine, fuzzy socks, etc.

DS is a little harder since he is older now, but probably comic books, candy, gum and I saw someone's idea of beef jerky. He will get that this year because he is always asking for it at the store.

Last year, I did end up putting a gift card for each kid in the stocking too. I think it was either 10 or 15 to Barnes and Noble for DS and probably the movies for my daughter.

 

[CherylA]

I am putting a flashlight, razor and refills, bath and body work item, a back scratcher from BB&B, some Lindt candies and a can of spray chesse. (Every time we go to the store DD ask for a can of $3.00 spray cheese and the answer is always the same NO, so Santa is going to bring her a can.)

My little one and my hubby both love spray cheese and I always so "No" at the grocery store too. great idea, this will be in there stockings!

 

[mickeynminnie08]

Growing up, my stocking was always Just candy. A lot of candy, but there weren't presents in it and I was an only child. Money was tight and I got more than most for christmas, but my stocking was for candy. I admit last year I went overboard with the stockings (video games for the new Wii system Santa brought), but this year it isn't happening. They are getting candy and Ax stuff for the boys and lip gloss and chapsticks for DD.

 

[angierae]

DD15's stocking is going to have a few bits of makeup (she mostly only wears eyeliner and lip gloss), some candy from the Asian market (she loves pocky and other Japanese candy) and a gift certificate for a manicure ($15).

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

I am putting a flashlight, razor and refills, bath and body work item, a back scratcher from BB&B, some Lindt candies and a can of spray chesse. (Every time we go to the store DD ask for a can of $3.00 spray cheese and the answer is always the same NO, so Santa is going to bring her a can.)

Same thing here DD told me when she goes away to college she is going to buy a can of frosting and eat it with a spoon, so Santa is bringing one for her with a spoon taped to the lid.

She is also getting earbuds for her Ipod
Nail Polish
Stuff from the body shop (w/ my groupon certificate)
A $5 or less DVD
Hair bands for the Dollar Tree
Some $5 giftcards for Subway, Mickey D's and Fro- yo
Resses and York peppermint patties

 

[dixonismydog]

Same thing here DD told me when she goes away to college she is going to buy a can of frosting and eat it with a spoon, so Santa is bringing one for her with a spoon taped to the lid.

She is also getting earbuds for her Ipod
Nail Polish
Stuff from the body shop (w/ my groupon certificate)
A $5 or less DVD
Hair bands for the Dollar Tree
Some $5 giftcards for Subway, Mickey D's and Fro- yo
Resses and York peppermint patties

That is an AWESOME idea for my DD11!! She just got braces, so the normal gummy bears and gum is out for this year!!! She will love that idea!! And DS7, will wonder how the heck Santa knew she loves frosting!!!

 

[JB2K]

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.

I was a child of the 60's/70's - my stocking wasn't much different than yours - fond memories of the Life Savers storybook and Cadbury Fruit & Nut bars.

Even though I may get some backlash for this, I feel that your friends may be a little "extravagant" with their gifts.

As much as I love finding a good "deal" - I hope to be able to teach my young son not to have unrealistic expectations like those of your friend's kids...

 

[dixonismydog]

I was a child of the 60's/70's - my stocking wasn't much different than yours - fond memories of the Life Savers storybook and Cadbury Fruit & Nut bars.

Even though I may get some backlash for this, I feel that your friends may be a little "extravagant" with their gifts.

As much as I love finding a good "deal" - I hope to be able to teach my young son not to have unrealistic expectations like those of your friend's kids...

I LOVED those darned Lifesaver books as a kid! You felt like you hit the jackpot when you got one of those!

I agree, that many people get carried away with the $$ of the stockings. $20 or $60 is a gift not a stocking stuffer IMO! I do not want my kids to be overindulgent as adults, so I try to teach them that as children. It's not about the "stuff" in life that makes you happy! We do..... a couple hot wheels cars, chapstick, new socks and undies, couple candies, hair ties all the usual misc. stuff! I also include milk tickets for school and a couple of $5 gift cards for the local video store. I also make coupons for alone time with Mom and/or Dad (ie. breakfast out with Dad or baking cookies with Mom), and I make get out of "chore" coupons (which they love!). I just try to be creative and come up with things, that don't create more stuff around the house.

I guess some kids think that would be lame.......but honestly they may surprise you, if you tried giving them something like that!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I LOVED those darned Lifesaver books as a kid! You felt like you hit the jackpot when you got one of those!

I agree, that many people get carried away with the $$ of the stockings. $20 or $60 is a gift not a stocking stuffer IMO! I do not want my kids to be overindulgent as adults, so I try to teach them that as children. It's not about the "stuff" in life that makes you happy! We do..... a couple hot wheels cars, chapstick, new socks and undies, couple candies, hair ties all the usual misc. stuff! I also include milk tickets for school and a couple of $5 gift cards for the local video store. I also make coupons for alone time with Mom and/or Dad (ie. breakfast out with Dad or baking cookies with Mom), and I make get out of "chore" coupons (which they love!). I just try to be creative and come up with things, that don't create more stuff around the house.

I guess some kids think that would be lame.......but honestly they may surprise you, if you tried giving them something like that!

I thought my kids would think the coupons were lame, but my DS13 actually told me his friend got them and he would like that, too.