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.
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!
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