Stocking stuffers that aren't "gifts"

[Soben]

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.

Last year DH made the kids coupons for extra video game time and it was a big hit. One kid used them all immediately and one still had some left in the summer.

 

[Disney Doll]

You know, someone said something about "dollar store junk" but a lot of the things everyone is mentioning are things that can be found at the dollar store, and they are useful items.

Gloves, socks, purse size tissues, stationery items (pens, notepads etc.), lipstick nail polish, deodorant, toothbrushes, travel size items, candy. Our dollar store has hardware type items for Mr or Ms. Fix It, it hads cooking stuff, for the family chef, plus all the Christmas seasonal stuff, some of which could be cute to include, like a light up necklace or some festive hair ornaments.

 

[Shelly D.]

I always equate stocking gifts with trinkets. They aren't big gifts, just little treats. We got the Lifesaver books as kids too. So funny!

I put in my kids' favorite gum (the real smelly kind that I avoid buying otherwise - watermelon and things like that). Christmas-themed candy, etc. I usually pick up things at the dollar spot at Target.

Depending on the age of your kids, the small play-doh containers are nice, along with the mini lego kits or mini figs. Patterned emory board for the older girls, nail polish, trading cards for boys. Stickers would be good too.

We also like to do scratch off lottery tickets with a quarter taped to it.

 

[slightly_obsessed]

I will start with saying I don't have kids, but I do stockings for my husband and his father, who are basically two big kids sometimes anyway. I will probably have some duplicate items on my lists.

My husband still gets a lifesaver book in his stocking He used to get them as a kid and was so sad when his aunt stopped giving them that I restarted the tradition.

Multi use tools (think leatherman but generic) may be good for older males (OP your son was 16ish right?). I also got hand and foot warmers in 6packs for $2 in Walmarts hunting section for FIL. Food ideas will be single serving chip bags, nuts, pez dispensers, favorite candy (big box for $1). My husband will get some toys like legos in his as well.

Other ideas are cute hats, gloves, etc, ornaments (my mom gave me a lamb every year), cookie cutters, Altoids, key chains, LED flashlights

LOVE the ideas of jerky and duct tape, both of those are going on my list!

 

[shortbun]

I fill my son's stocking with toys, tools like rubber bands/clips/batteries, an orange, chocolate, socks, little tidbits-no real gifts.

 

[mommaU4]

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.

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

Yay for the Life Savers storybooks! When ever I see those in the store, it just screams Christmas to me. So many memories from when I was little. (and yes, I was born in 1971 so maybe that was just the time frame for those. lol)

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.

I recently did a coupon book for one of my twins when she lost a tooth, and the tooth fairy didn't have any money on hand! Anyway, she loved it and it had things like "Stay up an extra 15 minutes past bedtime" , "An extra 20 minutes of computer time", and coupons for gum, and other little things. She's holding on the that tight and using her coupons wisely.

You know, someone said something about "dollar store junk" but a lot of the things everyone is mentioning are things that can be found at the dollar store, and they are useful items.

I used that term and really what I meant were certain items like some of the cheapo little toys that fall apart after one day. Not the items like hair accessories, or things of that nature.
My twins love Spongebob and I found at Dollar Tree some of those washcloths that unfold when you put them in water with Spongebob and Patrick on them. Those sort of items hold up pretty well and are useful too boot!

Food ideas will be single serving chip bags, nuts, pez dispensers, favorite candy (big box for $1).

LOVE the ideas of jerky and duct tape, both of those are going on my list!

I've decided to do some food items. My son like jerky, so that will go in there. My DD likes pistachios and is always asking for some, so those will go in hers. Gum, some candies, etc. Those aren't too pricey and will help fill it up.

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).

My older DD LOVES Pocky! Thanks for reminding me. I will get some of that too for her.

 

[hurleysweety]

Haven't read through the whole thread, but in regards to your daughters(mostly the oldest), try forever21.com for jewelry and accessories. They'll enjoy that it comes from a "trendy fashion store" and you'll enjoy the super cheap prices ($1.50 for earings, $2.00 for hair accessories)!

And if your oldest DS is into sports, how about tickets for him and his dad to a game? It doesn't have to be a NFL or MLB game, even a local college game might be a nice and unique gift.

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

I too got (and loved) the lifesavers books in my stocking. BUT I find I do not let my kids eat them and they really don't care for hard candy as much as I must have. So this year I got the gummy lifesaver books. I want to keep this tradition alive because I loved it as a child.

I am also changing the traditional orange up a bit. We eat very little candy around here (I am a teeth freak) and have oranges A LOT. So I am going to buy a fruit that is more exotic or spendy. Something they have either never had or we just don't buy often. Trying to decide if the kids will get the same fruit and we will change it every year or if everyone gets their own fruit.

 

[Ava]

We've been trying to come up with ideas for DD's stocking, here's what we've got so far. (She'll be 20 months old at Christmas.)

- Melissa & Doug jumbo crayons (supposedly these are very hard to break)
- an inexpensive little wallet with some used up GCs in it (she is obsessed with our wallets & enjoys taking all the cards out, haha)

My mom will probably put a few more things in, like a toothbrush & hairbows, since we'll be at her house on Christmas.

 

[disneydreamersx4]

I saw tie-dye duct tape at Michaels and other colors, neon too

 

[mommaU4]

Haven't read through the whole thread, but in regards to your daughters(mostly the oldest), try forever21.com for jewelry and accessories. They'll enjoy that it comes from a "trendy fashion store" and you'll enjoy the super cheap prices ($1.50 for earings, $2.00 for hair accessories)

Wow, I had no idea they were so cheap there. I'm way too old for that store, lol, and she's a bit too young still, so I've never set foot in there. But I am always looking for deals on accessories, so thanks for that tip!

I too got (and loved) the lifesavers books in my stocking. BUT I find I do not let my kids eat them and they really don't care for hard candy as much as I must have. So this year I got the gummy lifesaver books. I want to keep this tradition alive because I loved it as a child.

I am also changing the traditional orange up a bit. We eat very little candy around here (I am a teeth freak) and have oranges A LOT. So I am going to buy a fruit that is more exotic or spendy. Something they have either never had or we just don't buy often. Trying to decide if the kids will get the same fruit and we will change it every year or if everyone gets their own fruit.

I haven't seen the gummy books! I want one. LOL I'm not a fan of hard candy either. Not like I was as a child. One of my twins is obsessed with gummy candies, so maybe I will hunt one down for her. Thanks!!

As for the fruit, what a great idea to give something unusual. I see fruit at the stores all the time that frankly, I have no clue what they are or what to do with them. It could be fun for the kids to get something completely different and a bit unusual to try.

 

[mom3sonstt]

I amde the mistake when my kids were little of buying them huge stockings....like 3 - 4 feet tall. I usually put candy, prepackaged rice krispie treats, what ever other snacky type things in it, then I usually put some of the cheap walmart DVDs ($2 or $5 ones) - stuff that wasn't necessarily on their "list" but that I think they might like anyway. I have also wrapped up a box of sticks and rocks for one son. Now that they are 17, 19 & 21 I could pretty much wrap all their gifts and they would fit in those stockings - their lists alre mostly dvds and cds and gift cards.

 

[luvmy3]

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.

Growing up my dh got toiletries in his stocking because his mom didn't have alot of money to spend on little extra gifts, so she gave them stuff they needed. I've just kept that up for dh.

 

[kkmcan]

I bought my kids these huge stockings from the 99cent store. They are 3 feet tall! I wrapped all the items individually like I normally do. They each are getting 16 items.

lotions, deodorant, new toothbrushes, cute socks, gum, candy, Vinylmations, a couple of small toys, U of A items, new pencils, dd gets Taylor Swifts new cd, dd gets a set of pokemon cards, Disney stickers, new slippers.

These are going to be a total suprise. We'll put out our normal stockings but Santa will leave them these giant stockings.