Stocking Stuffers 2022

I know I've blogged about stocking stuffers in the past, but every year there are new and different items to fill your loved ones' stockings! So here's a current list of some fun and inexpensive (and a few slightly more expensive - but still no more than 20 bucks!) stocking stuffers. 

Under $5

These edible bubbles for pets ($4.59 from Amazon) come in catnip flavor for cats, peanut butter flavor for dogs, and peach flavor for...I guess weird cats and dogs. Bubbles are slightly more durable than soap bubbles so your pet can chase and catch them. They even stay on surfaces until popped. 

Kids of all ages will have fun with this whistling slingshot-powered rocket ($3.99 from Amazon). Pull back the elastic and launch the 8-inch foam rocket up to 50 feet!

 

The kinetic sand surprise ($4.79 from Walmart) comes with a random color of sand, one of four toys, a sand mold, and tools, all in a reusable container.  The kinetic sand buried treasure (also $4.79 from Walmart) comes in a reusable treasure chest with a key, and buried inside the chest are a tool and coins. 

It may not light up a whole room, but this little human-powered lightbulb ($3.99 from Perpetual Kid) is both a novelty and practical. It runs on static electricity, so scuff across the carpet for a minute and it'll light your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. 

This pack of 15 bandaids ($4.99 from Perpetual Kid) each features a medal labeled things like "Brave Little Soldier" and "Suffered Valiantly". Adorable for little patients and hilariously sarcastic for bigger ones. Plus, it comes with a free prize!

$5-$10

This cleaning gel ($5.59 from Amazon) works on computer keyboards, remotes, car vents, even the edges of your phone case to remove dust and grit. It can be reused multiple times. 

Who couldn't use a pair of deodorizing sneaker balls ($9.99 from Amazon)? Toss them into any shoes when you take them off, and the next time you put them on the sweaty funky smell is gone. Can also be used to deodorize gym lockers, sports bags, and closets. Twist open when ready to use and twist closed when done to make them even more long-lasting. 

This 12-pack of reusable stainless steel straws ($5.94 from Amazon) comes with two cleaning brushes and a carrying bag. Includes straight straws that fit 30- and 20-oz Yetis as well as two lengths of bent straws for regular cups. They can easily be tucked into a purse or pocket so they're always handy.

This ring cell phone holder ($5.59 from Amazon) sticks directly to the back of either the phone or the phone case and the ring can be rotated and flipped. Can also be used as a phone stand. Comes in multiple colors. No more dropped phones!

These winter texting gloves ($5.59 from Amazon) allow you to use your phone without taking off your gloves. Great for texting, taking photos, and looking up information while working or playing outside. Available in multiple sizes for men and women. 

Avoid buildup on your dryer's lint screen and replace your disposable dryer sheets with these adorable hedgehog dryer balls ($5.50 for 3 from Amazon). Toss them in the dryer to soften and remove static from your clothes. Reusable, long-lasting, and non-toxic. 

You'll never have to wonder which cable goes to what with this set of 8 flexible cable labels ($9.99 from the Container Store). Each is a different color and can be labeled with whatever it goes to. Curled ends hold them in place while the middle flexes for an easy fit, even in tricky places. 

 

Who wouldn't want to experiment with growing their own Venus Flytrap? This kit ($7.99 from Perpetual Kid) includes everything you need (except flies) plus a guidebook. 

$10-$15

This 9-in-1 multitool ($12.79 from Amazon) contains a pen, ruler, flat and Phillips head screwdrivers, a bottle opener which can also be used as a phone holder, stylus, level, and LED flashlight. Tuck it in your purse, pocket, or glove compartment so it's always nearby. 

This beverage sleeve ($12 from Faribault Mill) is a must for lovers of history and/or hot or cold beverages. Made from recycled blanket remnants from a textile mill in Minnesota, the 100% wool sleeves protect your hands from getting too hot or too cold while drinking your beverage of choice. 

Whether you sleep next to a snoring spouse or take overnight flights or train trips, these noise-cancelling silicone earplugs ($14.96 from Amazon) will block out the sounds around you. They come with four different size ear tips for a comfortable fit, and finger loops for easy removal. Plus they're reusable and washable. 

For that coffee-drinking friend who doesn't have space for a full-scale espresso machine, this high speed milk frother ($11.99 from Amazon) will allow them to make fancy drinks. Powered by 2 AA batteries so no cord to maneuver around, and the convenient stand allows it to find a home on the counter instead of having to dig it out of a drawer every time. And it comes in lots of colors to coordinate with any kitchen decor. 

$15-$20

Lights! Music! Warmth! This hat ($17.99 from Amazon) ensures that you'll have all three, whether you're working or playing. It pairs with all Bluetooth-enabled media devices and the volume goes up to 120 dB for use in even the noisiest environments, and it includes a built-in microphone for hands-free calling and controls. The LED light has three levels of brightness. The electronics are removable so the hat can be machine washed, and it comes with rechargeable batteries and a charging cable. 

It's easy to find a heated massager, but sometimes you need cold instead of heat. This cold massage roller ($19.96 from Amazon) is helpful for shin splints, plantar fasciitis, fatigued muscles, and more. Pop it in the freezer until ready to use. The rubber grip warms quickly but the roller ball stays chilled for up to 20 minutes of use. 

For the recipient who's willing to try anything - or who already has everything - this scratch-off poster of 100 Things To Try ($15 at Uncommon Goods) might give them some new ideas. Suggestions range from wild adventures like bungee jumping or parachuting to self-improvement activities like learning a second language or knitting a sweater to philanthropic and community work like donating blood or volunteering for a charity. 

This cold brew coffee press ($20 at West Elm) will be a favorite for any coffee lover. With a 34-oz capacity, they can brew a single cup or a few. All pieces are dishwasher safe so cleanup is a snap. 

So now that you have a bunch of ideas, get shopping! And at these prices, don't forget to pick up a little something for yourself. 

The Best Stocking Stuffers, 2017

I love putting together Christmas stockings. Growing up, my mom did the best stockings. If I had to give up either stockings or gifts when I was a kid, I'd have given up the gifts in a heartbeat if it meant keeping my awesome stocking. I like to think that I inherited (or more likely, learned) the gift of stocking stuffing from my mom. Because I put together awesome stockings, if I do say so myself.

The trick to a great stocking, in my mind, is a variety of small gifts that focus on the recipient's tastes and preferences. So when putting together a stocking, you need to think about the kinds of things the recipient already has and loves, and then you need to think creatively to find some unusual items that fits the recipient's personality and taste.

I find it helps to have a few categories to work from. For my family, those categories include: food and drink, toiletries, toys and games, gadgets, art and decor, desk stuff, and random weird stuff. (Never discount the appeal of random weird stuff.) Here are some examples of good stocking stuffers from each of those categories - and every item is $10 or less!!

Food and Drink
And kind of unusual snack or treat is good: gourmet hot cocoa or tea, jerky of any kind, dried fruit, high-end chocolates.

White Chocolate Peppermint Cocoa Stirrers ($6.99 from World Market)

Stir your hot cocoa - or coffee, or even green or white tea - with these rock candy stirrers to add some fancy flavoring. Or just munch them directly from the stick - Santa won't rat you out.

Popping Candy ($4.99 from Think Geek)

It's like Pop Rocks for adults: instead of generic sweet flavors, this gourmet popping candy comes in a 3-pack of wasabi, beer, and bacon varieties.

Snowflake Marshmallows ($8.95 from Williams Sonoma)

Your favorite hot cocoa drinker will love these adorable snowflake marshmallows. They also make great cake and cupcake decorations, add a bit of elegance to a plate of Christmas cookies, or serve as an extra-special lunchbox treat for the kids.


Toiletries
Travel sizes of ordinary products are great for stockings, but even better are samples of fancy, high-end items that the giver wouldn't get for themselves.

Burt's Bees Everyday Essentials ($9.88 from Jet.com)

This kit includes trial sizes of 5 of Burt's most popular items: cleansing cream, hand salve, body lotion, lip balm, and foot cream. It's a stocking-sized dose of pampering!

Detoxifying Charcoal Paper Fask Mask ($2.49 from Target)

This deep-cleaning facial mask promises to clean your pores and tighten your skin, plus it'll give you an excellent opportunity for wacky Instagram and Snapchat selfies.

Fancy Emery Boards ($3 from Natural Life)

Probably every woman on your list carries emery boards in her purse (or should). Give her something prettier than the usual boring tan boards. It's a party in her purse!


Toys and Games
Sneak in something educational in this category and you'll feel like a super-parent. Sneak in something you loved as a kid and you'll feel like a kid all over again. Win-win for all involved.

Hatchimals ($8.79/4-pack from Amazon)

These toys were huge last Easter and the kids still love them. The set of 4 is a random selection from the Season 1 collection of 70 items, including a few rare ones. You won't know what you get until they hatch!

Orbeez ($8.99 from Toys R Us)

I'm not even sure how to describe these: they're little multicolored beads that absorb a ton of water and grow bigger and squishy and get kind of bouncy. Don't worry if you can't figure them out; just give them to some kids (not under age 3, please) and they're figure it out for you.

Gyrobi Fidget Rings ($3.95 from Fat Brain Toys)

Move over, fidget spinners! These colorful gyroscope-inspired toys spin in multiple directions, helping focus your hands and mind. Available in round or square versions.



Gadgets
Depending on how technologically inclined the recipient is, this category can include anything from small but really high-tech stuff to basic mechanical kitchen and shop gadgets.

Smartphone Camera Lens Kit ($9.99 from Citizen Goods)

This 3-in-1 kit includes a 180-degree fisheye lens, a macro lens, and a wide-angle lens to seriously up your photography game without having to invest in a fancy new camera. Each lens attaches easily to any smartphone using the included c-clip. 

Retractable Lint Roller ($9.99 from Amazon)

This sticky part of this pocket-sized lint roller retracts into the handle to fit nicely into your pocket or purse without making a mess. And it's refillable, so you can put refills packs into their stocking every year!!

Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner ($3.02 from Amazon)

Fill this little lady with vinegar and water and stick her in the microwave, and just a few seconds and a quick swipe later your microwave will be sparkling clean and odor-free. Feel free to give this to anyone in your house who could use a little hint about cleaning the microwave after they use it.


Art/Decor
If it makes your home more attractive or soothes your soul, it belongs in your stocking.

Crackle Coasters ($9 from Sur la Table)

You don't need a full set of these gorgeous polished agate coasters; each one stands on its own as both an art piece and a practical, functional home item.

Glitter Picture Frame ($6 from Urban Outfitters)

A great way to show off a little photo, slip a small print inside this glittery frame for instant pop. Fun to keep on a desk at work, inside a school locker, or even stuck on the fridge.



Desk Stuff
This category can include anything from pens and pencils to thank-you notes to wind-up desk toys. If it can go on a desk, it can go in a stocking.

Rainbow Notepad ($7.99 from Amazon)

Remember back in school when you got to use a special pen to scratch off the black crayon and reveal the rainbow paper underneath? It's the same thing, in notepad form. How fun is that?!?

Hand Boilers ($6.88 from Amazon)

Stuck on hold (or on a boring conference call) for hours? Hold the bulb in your hand and watch the liquid level rise along with your blood pressure. A great distraction for any office desk.

Wind-Up Firetruck ($4.39 from Amazon)

This classic vintage-style tin firetruck will zoom across your desk with a few twists of the key. You need to provide the siren sounds yourself, though.


Random Weird Stuff
One man's weird is another man's wonderful. Besides, everybody needs a good conversation piece now and then, right?

Miniature Banned Books Set ($8 from Out of Print Clothing)

This miniature set of matchboxes is emblazoned with the titles of 5 famously banned books tucked into their own tiny bookcase. An interesting addition to any (full-sized) book collection!

K-2SO Magnet ($3.99 from Think Geek)

Stuff this magnet in your Star Wars fan's stocking and you'll earn their everlasting thanks and love. This 4-inch tall K-2SO figurine will happily adorn your fridge, locker, car dashboard, or any metal surface you can find.

Darth Vader Socks ($8 from Urban Outfitters)

Come over to the warm side with these adorable Darth Vader socks. They're sure to be a hit with your resident Star Wars fan.


So now that you have all your wonderful, personalized stocking stuffers, don't forget to fill up their socks with the basics: candy canes, chocolates, a new toothbrush - and don't forget to tuck an orange in the toe!

Stocking Stuffers, 2015 Edition

I know, I know, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet! Why am I thinking about Christmas shopping, even if it's "just" for stocking stuffers?? But I find that stocking stuffers are the kind of thing that it’s easier to pick up ahead of time. I have a box under my bed that I use to hide stocking stuffers that I pick up all year ‘round. When I find the perfect little thing for someone in my family, I just tuck it in the box and when November rolls around, I’m already well ahead of the game. But if you haven’t started shopping for stocking stuff yet, let me pass along a few ideas for small, interesting, and useful items that make great stocking stuffers for all ages!

Magnetic Wristband (thegrommet.com, $18)

This nifty little wrist strap will hold small metal items such as screws and straight pins. No more sticking them in your mouth (bad idea), no more losing them when they roll off the table, no more juggling them in one hand while you try to do a two-handed job. $18 is a bit pricy, but if someone in your family is a handyman or a seamstress (or a handywoman or a…seamster?), this is a terrific little gift.

Color Changing Straws and Spoons (amazon.com, $15)

These reusable, dishwasher-safe straws and spoons change color from nearly white (officially, they’re either “pale pink” or “off-white”) to either light red or light green when they’re immersed in a cold liquid. How much fun to have for a birthday party with ice cream and cold milk?!? This pack comes with 12 each of straws and spoons, plus a bonus pack of 25 Christmas-themed temporary glitter tattoos. What kid (or adult, for that matter) wouldn’t love to find these in their stocking?

Origami Sticky Notes (suck.uk.com, $4)

Don’t just throw away that sticky note when you’re done with it – fold it into a boat, a crane, a pig, a lily, or half a dozen other designs! Each of these creative sticky notes has instructions on how to make one of ten different origami creations. Doesn’t that make list-making a lot more fun?

Hexbug Nano (amazon.com, $10)

Desk toys have been a staple in my Christmas stockings for years. When I was younger, it was usually a wind-up toy, or something with a suction cup that jumped up and did a flip unexpectedly, or something like that. But with today’s technology, desk toys are self-propelled. This fun little Hexbug will happily chug all over your desk, randomly changing its path and exploring. Challenge your cube mates to Hexbug races, create mazes and obstacle courses…your Hexbug friend can help create a great teambuilding experience! (Or at least provide a fun way to spend your coffee break.)

Credit Card Lightbulb (thinkgeek.com, $5)

How many times have you been at a dimly lit restaurant and wished you had a small flashlight handy so you could see the menu? This clever little gadget is the size and thickness of a credit card, but flip up the lightbulb image and you have a self-standing lamp. Perfect for reading the menu, finding something in the back seat of the car, finding your house or car key at night, or any time you need a little more light. Plus it’s hands free!

Superhero Socks (amazon.com, $1-$8)

Available in Wonder Woman, Superman, and Batman styles, these socks feature their character’s distinctive patterns and logos, and they come with their own capes. If anyone in your family is a superhero, they deserve these stockings in their stocking, don’t you think?

Hair Chalk (perpetualkid.com, $8)

If your kids are anything like my 4-year-old, they are FASCINATED by fancy hair colors. Obviously, I’m not going to let my 4-year-old dye her hair, but hair chalk creates temporary bright colors that wash out easily. And it works even on dark hair! What a fun way to let your child (or yourself!) get creative with your look without having to commit to a long-term change.

Shakespearean Insult Bandaids (perpetualkid.com, $6)

Another stocking stuffer tradition in my house is fun bandaids. If someone in your family has a literary bent – or just a clever sense of humor – skip over the usual Mickey Mouse and Spongebob bandaids and pick up a box of Shakespearean insults, each written in a different fancy font. Each box even contains a secret prize inside!

LED Shoelaces (hearthsong.com, $10)

Available in blue, green, pink, or white, these 40” weatherproof laces can be set to on, off, fast blink, or slow blink. They’re even hand-washable! Great for anyone who’s sad that light-up sneakers only come in little kid sizes.

Cyber Clean Putty (amazon.com, $18)

This putty pulls dust and crud out of all kinds of small cracks and crevices – it can be used to clean computer keyboards, USB ports, phones, remote controls, DVD and CD players, and jewelry. You can even use it to clean the detritus that collects at the bottom of your purse or briefcase. Its light lemon-lime scent freshens as well as cleans. And it can be reused multiple times.

So get out there and get shopping!! Don’t wait till the last minute or you’ll be getting everyone boring socks again.