What do you fill stockings with?

[cjackearl]

My hubby is getting: socks, both dress and athletic, pistachios, chap stick, dark chocolate, mini Bailey's to add to coffee, and a new multi tool.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

There actually is a reason behind the oranges in the stocking tradition. I was told that during the 30s it was a huge treat to get any kind of citrus fruit in the winter. Children looked forward to the oranges! This site gives another legend too http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1853/

So instead of not doing that to your kids, maybe with some explanation, they can appreciate it more and the tradition is carried on....

My parents were born in 1936, and my mom was the oldest of 12. The orange in the stocking was a rare and special treat. They literally hung up one of their socks, and it would have an orange and a peppermint stick in it. That was it. And they they received one present -- and were happy and grateful according to my mom

It seems so much simpler, but also a bit sad to me. I'm glad I found this thread. I've been struggling with what is going in DH's stocking, and I had pretty much decided I was using a big filler of jalapeno pretzels. Instead I am going to keep working on it and getting things he will really appreciate. I wish I had done this earlier, but isn't there always one more thing that you really should get to? I was using the pretzels out of desperation because I felt like I was running out of time. I can shop a little Friday afternoon, so I'm going to make a better effort. DH does a great job and my stocking has real things I want and will enjoy. His should, too.

Maria

 

[usnuzuloose]

I do things like, golf range cards, lottery tickets, an Itunes card.

 

[disneychrista]

I know this is not what you wanted to hear but we stopped doing stockings a couple years ago. I was spending close to $100 on stuff for the stocking. It was just an expense that wasn't worth it anymore.

 

[pigletto]

Husband ..Earbuds, Ice Scraper Mitt, Scratch tickets, Mini HDMI cable, Travel Mug, Mint Chocolate (usually After Eights.. he can eat a box in an evening), Candy.. there's very specific types he likes that he doesn't usually buy for himself, toothbrush, razors.

DD (15).. she's the easiest! Make up brushes, various nail polish or make up items, all the little samples that came with the things I ordered from Sephora for her, art supplies, earbuds, a few small amount gift cards, a journal, chocolate, candy, tights for school (she always needs new ones), fun pens and socks, bath and body works stuff.

DS (8) Lego mini figures, puzzle books, batteries.. (ok I know this is boring but everything the kid owns requires AA batteries!! ), earbuds, candy, chocolate.. and I'm still thinking for him!

Me.. I get my own stuff. I usually fill it with things I need. New lipstick, eye makeup remover, iTunes cards, Hand cream, Bath and Body works stuff etc.

 

[klacey1]

For DBF's stocking, I got a funny electric toothbrush (Batman!), funny body wash (Star Wars), a Star Trek magnet, razors, a silicon baster (he loves to cook), and candy.

I will probably add fancy salt and a random magazine that I know he likes but only buys when he travels.

The toothbrush and body wash are large and will take up a decent amount of space.

 

[kkmcan]

Usually give my dh lots of lottery scratcher tickets, a new chapstick, some pistachios or jerky, mini flashlight or similar item and a body spray or deodorant.

 

[ktrask]

So many fantastic ideas!!! I live the $5 gift cards. I might get some to 2 or 3 aces he likes. I'm thinking some coffee too. There is a great place near is that will sell beans by the 1/4 lb. that with a couple nips will more than cover it.

You guys are a FANTASTIC resource/group!

 

[needtoplan]

Peanut butter m and ms, ice scraper, gloves, batteries, subway gift card, contacts case.

We are very much about the practical this year.

 

[Lamping3]

For DH I do underwear, socks, razors and toothbrush (these were all things we got in our stocking every year growing up). I also do some fancy nuts, a iTunes gift card, sour patch kids, scratchers, and some special sausage and cheese.

DD5 I do underwear/socks/toothbrush like DH. This year I found some nail polish, lip gloss, crayon rings, candy, goldfish crackers, some earrings and hair things.

DD 11months is giving me the most trouble. I have socks, some new bibs ( we desperately need these as the ones she has are from DD5 and look pretty awful!), some bath toys, and goldfish crackers.

For me DH does my stocking and he is pretty bad about finding stuff. He didn't have stockings growing up so he just looks for things that fit in the stocking even if is not something I would use. I got some sham wows one year along with an ugly headband earmuff thing.

Also for DH I sometimes find a "gag" gift. I got a pooping reindeer last year.

 

[sandgrace]

I know this is not what you wanted to hear but we stopped doing stockings a couple years ago. I was spending close to $100 on stuff for the stocking. It was just an expense that wasn't worth it anymore.

Part of me feels this way too, but since it's a "tradition" I don't think I could stop doing stockings. However, once all the kids in the family no longer believe in Santa it seems kinda like a waste of money since those little stocking stuffers do add up.

 

[Sorsha]

I know this is not what you wanted to hear but we stopped doing stockings a couple years ago. I was spending close to $100 on stuff for the stocking. It was just an expense that wasn't worth it anymore.

Me too - DH and I both gave it up years ago. We could never figure out anything to put in it that was reasonably priced, and if I buy him socks or razors I just put them away in his drawer or the bathroom - no need to make an occasion out of it.

The kids still get stuff, but only a few, cheap things, and mostly edibles (fruit, candy) or money (DD18) or gift cards. The Dollar Store is my friend. Last year, DD12 got socks as a joke because her new puppy kept eating all of hers after she would leave them on the floor when she took them off. She was less than impressed, but I noticed she got better about keeping them picked up after that.

 

[blueiis99]

I appreciate the old tradition of the orange but I could never eat them. The acid in oj or tomato sauce is to harsh for me. I appreciated the gift when I was younger but alas it was not for me...

 

[diznee25]

DH's stocking: a large peanut butter cup (from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory!), scratch off holiday tickets, a couple DVDs....I think that's it.

We wanted to splurge more on main gifts, so stocking stuffers have taken a backseat this year.

Other suggestions for husbands: gift cards, (my DH likes Starbucks), miniature bottles of liquor, pocket knife, mini flashlight. Some of these items I've done for past Christmases.

 

[JVL1018]

Stockings are my favorite part! Little treats.

I'm not done, but so far, I have:

DD13: One Direction socks, One Direction lanyard, 1D CD, toothbrush, ear buds, Tervis Tumbler(filling it with Hershey's kisses), Reese's PB snowman, Lindt truffles, ornament, lip glosses, hair stuff, $25 AMC gc, $10 GCs to DD, Subway and BK.

DS11:Tervis Tumbler filled with candy, earbuds, mini Giants football, packs of football cards, an ornament, a few Lego mini fig packs, mini glow in the dark basketball, Starburst, Skittles, toothbrush, maze pen, eviltron, GCs for iTunes, DD and BK and AMC.

DH: jar of crunchy PB(joke, but he'll love it anyway LOL)) Lorna Doones, Starburst, Almond Joys, gift cards to DD, Home Depot, Quiznos, and the car wash(he's picking up his new car 12/21), a box of Earl Grey tea, lotion, an ornament, $20 in scratch offs.

My husband does my stocking each year.

 

[Mom_Rides]

I got DH a beer bottle coozie, two little LED flashlights, a bath poof, candy, and a Blu-ray movie (bought him a Blu-ray player).

I like the idea of a magazine and the mini alcohol bottles. I may have to pick those up on Friday when I'm out and about!

 

[dreamin_disney]

DD14-
-1 black and white zebra print loath pad
-1 brownish cheetah print loath pad
-2 pk animal print nail files
-animal print nail clippers
all the above were bought at dollar tree
I still want to add
-tic tacs
-flavored breath mints
-kit kat
-small bag of hot cheetos
-small bag of fungins
-small bag of hot fritos
-giftcard
dd's is a december baby so her stocking is the one she came home in so it's to big to fill.


dh
this year I will do more
-giftcard for lunch
-bag of sunflower seeds
-peanut M & M's
-giftcard for breakfast
-a few other things that catch my eye eye tomorrow-lol!

 

[Gina]

I love finding fun little things for DS' stocking! Although it is harder with him being just shy of 17 now... I miss the days of 89-cent Hotwheels, lol.

So far I have:

A couple small iTunes gc's
A digital tire gauge
Air fresheners for his car
A mini-Transformer (he still loves those things!)
Two boxes of reeds for his alto sax
New earbuds
Gloves
Scratch-offs
Some of his favorite types of candy

Still going to hit Dollar Tree and find a couple more silly things for him.

 

[lovesmurfs]

This year for kids: Orange, gingerbread boy from the bakery, Lifesavers Sweet Storybook, Eviltron, $10 Target gift card (from last weekend!).

DH - orange, gingerbread, Andes mints, travel antibacterial gel, Christmas ornament

Me - yes, I buy my own so that my stocking isn't bare..... - orange, gingerbread, Bath & Body Works, necklace and earring set I found on Black Friday

 

[kjpotter]

Our stockings are always an orange, peanuts still in the shells, candy, and a few little items such as lip gloss, socks, or hand lotion. It's also the only thing the kids can open before Mom and Dad are downstairs.

That's what I grew up with, so it sort of stuck. It also gives Mom and Dad a chance to get that first cup of coffee before the real presents start.