Stocking Stuffer Ideas???

One year I left a note with clues because the gifts were too big for the stockings. They went on a scavenger hunt for their stuff.

We always put a toothbrush with their favorite character on it and an ornament. They each get an ornament every year and when they are grown and on their own I will give them their ornaments from over the years.

We keep it simple, too! I love to put things in like stickers or little craft kits. I have a 4 y/o daughter, too, and I am putting in lacy socks, patterned tights, hairbows, and kids jewelry. I also like to put in little manipulatives like mini-self-inking stampers, tiny crayons, bubbles, etc. Taking a trip to Party City or The Owl's Nest usually finishes it up for us!

My family always trys to put pratical things in the stocking for the adults. One semester in college I was constantly sick so my dad put nothing but otc medicine in my stocking. It was supposed to be a practical joke but it was the best stocking ever. Buying medicine isn't cheap!! Esp. when you are in college on a budget!!
My dad now lives far away so every year I put things with Texas on it in his stocking. That way he can have alittle Texas with him.
If you know someone will be traveling alot you could always do travel size goodies stocking. Or if someone sews you can put in needles, fabric and thread. Decorated water bottles for kids in sports. Craft supplies (glitter, glue, cotton balls) for adults/kids who love to be creative. Dress up items for a little girl. I love themed stockings!!!
I just found this website and I thought it had some cute ideas. www.plumpstocking.com

I'm in the same boat! Ugh...I love receiving my stocking, but buying things for them are difficult!

OK, for the men...there is a digital tire gauge at Sears. That's all I got so far.

In our family we always have a Pez machine. Mom has put them in our stocking since we were little and it is just so fun to get it every year!

We are also huge Sonic people...we love their drinks, so I will be putting sonic gift cards for about $5 in stockings for some drinks.

BUT, I have not been to my favorite stocking stuffer store yet. You must go to The Container Store. That is where I really stock up! They have great things!!

bath tub toys and arts and crafts for my daughter.
This is the time of year that I throw away all of her old mismatched markers, crayons, etc. and replace with new ones.

Since my husband and I got married and have had a baby, MY parents still give us "stockings" for adults.
The tradition of stockings has lived on!!! Instead of chocolate and candy...(we still get a few pieces for fun) my parents give us things like miniature screw drivers sets, a small package of bungee cords, fuzzy socks for the girls, measuring cups, and small kitchen utensils.
I never realized how much I needed those little things or needed to replace my old ones until someone gave them to me!!! also, they put other fun stuff in like $5-$10 Starbucks gift cards...mmmmmmmmmmm

This is what was always put in my stocking as a child and I've carried it on with my kids:
Tooth paste,
Tooth brush,
a small book (paperback for older kids, small board book)
pencils,
gum/tick tacs (when older)
small wind up toy
and the best.... a quarter in the toe of the stocking for the year the child was born.
I try to get small things that will be quiet and keep them busy until we get up. I also wrap everything in scrap paper left from the big gifts. That takes time to unwrap and adds to the excitement.

It sounds like people are giving you tons of great ideas!

My parents always picked out little things that were age appropriate and put them in the stocking. So when my brother was into soccer, they would find small soccer related stickers, pencils, and other little things. Or when it was dinosaurs, they got small plastic dinosaurs, little activity books, maybe a cheap VHS, etc. When I finally was able to get my ears pierced, that next Christmas I found little wrapped boxes of earrings. I was in heaven! And one year it was fun makeup.

So my daughter is a HUGE lover of horses right now. So throughout the year I've been finding and stashing away little horse related items... socks with horses on them, horse stickers, some small plastic horse toys, small small horse books, etc. She also really likes trains, and my mom found a small magnetic train set in the Dollar bins at Target, so she's going to put that in there too.

My dad is a Star Trek fan and loves bears, so now we look for things like Star Trek daily calenders, and other little things, and of course a Hallmark Star Trek ornament. Now my mom is into crafts, like quilting and beading and stamping, so I tend to pick up little tools that are practical but also fun and last a long time! (Yes, now that I'm older, I help find items for my parents stockings, and it's really fun to sneak them in Christmas morning without them knowing!)

We always have gold chocolate coins, candy canes, small chocolate bars, and several tangerine in our stockings. And we are given an ornament every year, so this would be wrapped up in the stocking, and we would all put our new ornaments on the tree Christmas morning.

So my best advice is to think about what that person is really into and then look for little things throughout the year, so that when Christmas comes you already have fun unique items to put in the stocking! I do this for presents as well, and it's great to not have to rush and buy all the presents in December! I have a dresser drawer that my mom and hubby know are off limits and that's where all the presents are. I'll have to find a better safe place when the kids get older. :)

Good luck!

ETA: I just saw this on another forum. Here are some links to a great site that talks about stocking stuffers.

http://www.plumpstocking.com/index.php?session_id=M195Eb3Q

And here is a page that has the ideas listed by age.

http://www.plumpstocking.com/stocking-stuffers/stocking_s...

We love the scratch off lotto cards. The bingo ones are the best as they take longer to play. Even the kids love them.

I love US Toy in Plano at Custer & Independence. It is a teacher's store and open to the public. They have tons of little inexpensive toys and they also have all kinds of learning tools; flash cards, games, etc. They also have a lot of party favors like My Little Pony & Dora stuff. bet you could find a lot of stuff to fill the stockings. they also have cool decorative supplies that create good projects for kids; foam stickers to stick on foam christmas trees, etc. worth a visit.

We always put healthy treats in the stockings because the grandparents do stockings too and put candy in them. We put cutie oranges- my 2 year old STILL chokes on regular oranges, but these are delicious and much easier for little ones to chew. We put Laughing cow mini babybel cheese- yummy and the kids love to squish up the wax. Laughing cow light gourmet cheese bites are also a treat we never buy normally. And real fruit roll ups, things like that. We also are giving our baby an alligator puppet whose head will peek out the top, and our 2 year old little Toy Story figurines from the Disney Store, a few of which I will arrange to be seen sticking out...

I just got an e-mail with an idea I plan to use as a stocking stuffer. It is coupons for time with mom and dad that you make yourself. Like one might say "Good for one breakfast with Mom at the donut shop." That way she can have the most precious thing which is your time throughout this next year. Anything like that then you can still add some little toys or fruit inside it as well.

have used many of these ideas as well. Santa always leaves a note to the child in the stocking too.

we have also put larger presents below the stocking.
If your daughter has pieced ears, earings and other jewerly can be nice.

lip glass always goes into them with winter and chap lips it a must for us.

the guide for us if it is small it goes into th stocking for sure. LOL,

Our kids and grandkids loves the idea that th stockings are filled and super full, they love looking at thier things, it gets dump and peice by peice they unwrap and admire and ooos and ahhhhs. take pictures of them with the stockings too or going thru thier stocking.

Dollar stores, dollar trees, are great finds for stocking stuffers.

mittens/scarves, bath stuff even thier own small toothbrush and toothpaste, shampooo, toys, etc, the list is long so have fun shopping for stockintg stuffers.

The staples my mom always used were character bandaids. Like scooby-doo and stuff like that. Toothbrushes. cute notepads, sparkly pens, special christmas ornaments - the sort that date the year we got them. And there was always one little, but big present - like a nice piece of jewelry or a gift certificate for someplace we love.

Good Luck!!

Liz

Okay well b/c I let me children eat out of their stockings on Christmas morning I put a box of their favorite cereal in trial size and a big bag of fruit snacks that you find at the checkout lanes for 99c. For my little girls I put a watch and some flash cards last year along with note pads and colors. For my son who is 9 we put pencils and music CD's. Also they each get a new DVD in thier stocking [hint-we buy them throughout the whole year on sale and save them]. We also don't put much candy b/c we don't eat it that much. Really we don't we have even touch the Halloween candy. lol
Good Luck and Merry Christmas

I was thinking of putting in a craft this year. I'm getting tired of the candy and expensive stuff too. My Mom used to always put in a piece of fruit like and orange, because it takes up space. So I will do that too.

I remember getting new underwear and socks in my stocking every year (in addition to some fun stuff). I'm sure it's a LOT more fun these days to get new underwear, since there are so many licensed characters available on these types of things.

I am giving my daughter a small (4 X 6) sketchbook and a small (washable) marker set that she can keep and use in the car.

I also remember getting fruit and nuts in my stocking. I particularly remenber having to dig a huge grapefruit out of the toe of the stocking on more than one occasion. The small clementine oranges that are in the stores now would be perfect. And maybe instead of the whole, uncracked nuts that I got, a few little packages of almonds or whatever your daughter will (and can) eat.

How about CDs or DVDs. I stuck one of each in my daughter's stocking and she has no idea they're in there.

For next Christmas start shopping for stocking stuffers right after this Christmas. You can buy a lot of things throughout the year that are on clearance. For instance my daughter usually gets a pair of toe socks in her stocking. I can buy them after Christmas for about a dollar. Also I keep a bag in my closet where all stocking stuffers go. That way it doesn't get misplaced.

you can roll up some fun magazines to put in stockings....they're always neat to get for any ages

4 year old girl. I have done that 6 times now. brushes, hair accessories, small purse, small wallet, crayons, Dollar Tree had a package of (4) 8ct tinkerbell crayons. Great for her to put in her little purse and alwyas have her own crayons at restaurants. You can get everything at dollar tree. I love that place. Lots of stocking stuffer ideas. I have really big stockings. So they also get bath salts or bubbles of some sort, small coloring books, Dollar tree also had a HUGE selection of toy cell phones. She can be just like mommy!

L.: I think all the ideas the other moms have given you are fabulous. The only thing I have to add is you may want to wrap the stocking stuffers. My mom used to wrap all the little things in our stocking - not real fancy but just simply wrapped & taped without a bow. And it was so fun for us to unwrap all the little goodies. It was almost better than the big gifts we received under the tree. My son is only 10 months old this year but in future years I will wrap his tiny stocking gifts. Tiny wrapped gifts in my stocking is real fond memory for me.

I also have a four year old daughter. I found a lot of cute stuff at the Target $1 bins for her. I also found some barbie clothes that they were selling individually for 99 cents and 1.99 each. She doesn't have a lot of Barbie clothes becuase they are more expensive than the Barbies. I love the toothbrush idea - my daughter loves getting new toothbrushes. I will probably get her some pens/pencils/markers, some chapstick (her "make-up") and a beanie baby to go on top.

L.,

Stockings have always been the favorite in my house growing up and even more so now that we are older. I see that your daughter is only 4, when I was younger we would always get firecrackers in our stocking to use at the new year. Also all the little treats that we don't really buy on a everyday basis, but want. I.E. makeup, expensive face wash, little trinkets (pretty earings, cute necklaces) little girl make-up kits with fingernail polish. For Haylee every year I have done fun bath toys. Like the crayola crayons that write in the tub, the bath fizzlers. Some good smelling lotion (she's real girly) Now that i am older mom puts everyday things that I will not by myself like expensive make up, face wash, body spray. Scratch off tickets, and of course, gift cards. There is always a starbucks gift card in the stocking. HOpe this helps. K..

This sounds silly but I was going to buy my husband a gadget that you put on your portable gas (for the bbq) container and it tells you how much is left in it so you are not trying to guess. It was only a few dollars at the kitchen gatget store in the outlet mall.

A little about me:

SAHM to 3 great kids and married to the most beautiful and patient man. Working on getting better at this job everyday.

I sell beauticontrol so we have mini products for stocking stuffers holiday hand cremes, products for feet and body in 1 oz sizes. For little children no but the dollar tree is good. I seen the carton 4 package crayons in cars, cinderella, and tinker bell. I do those for my grandkids, cute socks, little cars like the match box ones,or chapsticks and stickers. Hope this helps.

I don't think anyone said playdough and I always do that one. You can get the little playdough cups or big ones if you need to fill up some space. Extra playdough tools, cookie cutters, etc. could go with it.
I am doing some fancy mechanical pencils for my 7 year old too, CARS cars and hot wheels, a wallet, you could throw in a few quarters or other change...maybe a $2 bill or a half dollar would be fun depending on ages.

I hit the Target bin at the entrance where things are $1 or $2.50 - great items from magnetic notepads (always a hit even for our 5 year olds!), toys, pens, hair clips, even Christmas items, cooking utencils, even that fun Jiffy Pop Popcorn that you shake over the stove fire :)

My sister always does kitchen gadgets for the adults. Unique shaped sponges and brushes, tea bag strainers, bar ware, cheese knives... all those odd little things that come in handy but no one realizes they can use :) Stores always have entire walls full of them so there are plenty to choose from. My mom and I were just commenting on how we actually use most of them still!

Little girls (and bigger ones too) of course love lip glosses and flavored chap sticks as well as those cute little nail polish or perfume bottles. Sally Beauty has a good supply of those things.

The men in our family get golf balls.

Little boys get Matchbox/Hot Wheels cars.

I usually go to Target and Michaels and go through their $1 bends. I got cute jujp ropes with animal handles (Target), stationary with initials on them (Michaels), holiday socks (Target), etc. I have three girls so I am always looking for a bargain!

Hey L. I dont have any exciting ideas, but I did go to Big Lots yesterday and found some fun candy/small toys. One candy was a candy cane full of candy, with a yoyo on top. They had many different things. I am sending some stuff for my sister to put out "from santa" for my nephews, that I got from there. Good Luck, and happy holidays

Hi. My mother-in-law always does one piece of fruit(apple, banana, orange) and chapstick. These wont fill the stocking but they are a great start. Cheap and wonderful!

Pier 1 has some really cute little inexpensive gifts, especially for kids, like little wooden race cars, glittery pocket mirrors, flower rings, jingle bell sticks, etc.

I always go to the Dollar Tree stores. Everything is only a dollar and you can get manicure sets for women and tools for men. You can even fill a pet stocking pretty cheap. Before I started going to the Dollar Tree....we would spend WAY too much. It is easier to personize this way. Good luck. And merry Christmas.

Walgreens is selling cute holiday pencils 2 for $1, holiday snow globes that are plastic which you can make into a tradition with your lil girl. One new one every year. As she gets older, you can buy her small glass ones. They also have mini puzzles 2 for $1. You can also do toothbrush and some fruit like an apple, orange, or banana. Small size coloring or activity book with a box of crayons that you can get at Dollar General.

My SIL lives with us. Her and my husband LOVE those plastic tooth picks with the floss on them so I bought them both a huge bag of them. Kinda silly but they really like them.

this isn't the most unique stocking stuffer but it may be the cheapest. i pick stuff out of the dollar bins at target's entry. this year i bought stickers, mini dry erase board, christmas socks,hotwheels(i have boys). i might watch out for the painted toys from china in those bins. thanks for the question...i'm interested in seeing other's ideas!

My daughter is 12 (will be 13 on the 27th)

She responds to $$$ I roll up bills ranging from $1 to $10 for her to find in her stocking along with make up accessories, lip glosses, nail stuff, Bath and Body stuff. She also LOVES Godiva chocolate and for special occasions, I have little boxes of Godiva for her.

Hope that helps!
Susan

I have a some ideas for you.. My mother always wrapped our socking stuffers and I remember getting up early and getting my stocking, since no one could open there presents until everyone was up, the stockings were the only thing that we could open until then.. But since you have a daughter then maybe some earrings, nail polish or stick on earrings or just lotions and jelwery would be a good stocking stuffer for her. And for your husband maybe some golf balls, if he plays golf, or maybe a tie or something like that. I wish you luck!

I know this sounds boring but both my husband and my families have always put toothbrushes in our stocking each year. They are practical, and the kids seem to get excited about them when you can find their favorite characters on them! They have really cool ones for kids these days too that play music, have glittery floating handles, light up etc.

I know the craft store Micheals has a pretty good $1 section and I was there yesterday and they had tons of fun little toys that would make good and inexpensive stocking stuffers. And of course Dollar Stores are good for this same reason.

Other good places to find practical and unique stocking stuffers for older kids and adults are the Container Store, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Linen n Things. The Container store has a stocking stuffer section, and BBB abd LnT have lots of little gadgets and things around their cash registers.