Furtive trips to the mantel to stuff in small packages of wonder… foil wrapped Santas poking out, waiting to be devoured before breakfast… the CHRISTMAS STOCKING.
In our family, stocking stuffers are probably the favorite part of Christmas. (though my husband might argue in support of the sausage stuffing only allowed to grace my calorie-counting kitchen once a year) Through the years our stockings have held exciting gifts great and small – snowmobile keys, engagement rings, plane tickets, notes with clues pointing to other too-big-to-wrap items hiding in various parts of the house. The stocking is always the last thing opened in our family and is a source of delight for us all.
Though stockings are a great place to hide the “Big Gift” for your loved ones, there are also lots of really fun small things that make people happy and don’t have to cost a fortune.
Final note: no matter how much he begs, don’t put sausage stuffing in your husband’s stocking. Just doesn’t hold up…
TOP STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS
What works for anyone?
These sure-fire gifts make everyone happy!
- Magazine subscriptions
- Online music subscriptions (e.g Napster.com, RealOne's Rhapsody and Apple's iTunes)
- Gift certificates
- Gourmet snacks and chocolates
- Tickets to a show, concert, or sporting event (don't forget about Ebay auctions for hard-to-find tickets)
- Scratch-off lottery tickets
- Paperback books
- Candles CDs, DVDs and videos
- A personal note. Christmas is a great time to tell the people you love just how special they are. Pick out a special card and write a letter or poem.
What’s their favorite hobby?
Almost every hobby or sport has some pint-sized accessories that go with it. You name the pastime, a specialty shop will have great stocking-sized ideas at all price ranges for your loved ones’ favorite activity.
- Fishing lures
- Bookmarks
- Golf tees
- Flower seeds
- Kitchen gadgets
- Tennis balls
- Ski gloves
- Compass
- Dive knife
- Nifty wine opener
For the woman in your life…
Usually I’m happy that he managed to find time to wrap the gifts, no less actually put them in the stocking.
- Jewelry (doesn’t have to break the bank – you can find fun costume jewelry for great prices in most women’s clothing stores and department stores)
- Lingerie Spa/Beauty treatments – most spas & hair salons sell gift certificates
- Nail polish or cosmetics
- A visit from a housekeeper – just put a note in the stocking that you’ve arranged for a post-holiday cleaning
- Perfumes, lotions, and soaps – during the holidays it’s easy to find great “trial-size” gift packages so you can gift someone with new fragrances to try
- Did I mention Jewelry?
And since Christmas really is about the kids…
Kids are pretty easy. Candy, stuffed animals, small toys (be sure they’re age appropriate with no choking hazards!), all make little ones happy. Here are a few specific suggestions that we like.
- Matchbox cars
- Art/craft supplies
- Stickers
- Bubbles
- Journal/Diary
- Watches
- Age-appropriate cosmetics (little girls love lip gloss and bubble bath)
- Travel-size games
- Disposable camera for your child to chronicle Christmas
