i love reading this thread every year so maybe we can start it a wee bit early...thanks

I never know what to put in stockings, so I just don't do it. :x

I think you may have just started one. ;)

i think i might get my kids a set of silverware each...it seems my dd is always claiming whats hers and at 3.5 it needs to stop before shes 5 and he's 3...sounds lame but i think it will help my sanity

1. Walky-Talkies (Two-Way Radios)
2. Pez dispenser
3. Mittens/Gloves
4. Scarf
5. Travel Alarm
6. Paperback book
7. Candy bar tied with a bow
8. Pound of nuts
9. Tickets - concert/sporting event
10. Paperweight
11. Necktie
12. Jewelry
13. CD
14. Fishing lures
15. Socks
16. Matchbox Car/Micro-Cars
17. Note cards
18. Slippers
19. Novelty Shoe Laces
20. Shoe/Boot polish kit
21. Specialty cheese, Jam, Sauce, Syrup
22. Flower/Vegetable Seeds
23. Tool- Measuring tape, hex set, screwdriver, pliers, etc.
24. Chip clips
25. Lens cleaner/cloth for glasses
26. GC for Fresh Flowers
27. Admission passes to local Museum/Aquarium/Amusement park
28. DVD/Microwave popcorn tied with a bow
29. Cork screw
30. Cool Novelty Pen/Pencil
31. Tin Whistle
32. Hat (knit/ball cap)
33. Crafter's Magazine
34. Sports/Car Magazine
35. Comic Book
36. Summer sausage(Favorite sausage)
37. HOT,HOT Sauce
38. Key ring
39. Lego kit
40. Fat quarter fabric (bundle)
41. First-Aid Kit (camping,purse,car)
42. Sewing Kit
43. Specialty Christmas Ornament
44. Photo Frame
45. Snow globe
46. State Road Map
47. Fun Refrigerator Magnet
48. Movie Tickets
49. Perfume/Cologne
50. Hand soap (Bath & Body Works,etc)
51. Nice hand cream/lotion
52. Canvas Tote (foldable)
53. Crafting Items for a Crafter (Beads, knitting needles, crochet hook, pattern book, Aida Cloth, specialty buttons etc.)
54. Change Purse complete with change(or cash )
55. Bracelet Charms
56. Specialty Teas/Tea Cup
57. Bubbles (Small toys- Yo-Yo, Slinky, PlayDoh)
58. Miniature Markers/Pens
59. Post-it Notes
60. Sudoku/Word Puzzle Books
61. Water color paints, etc.
62. Colored Pencils
63. Crayons
64. Sketch pad/pencils
65. Notepad
66. Novelty erasers
67. Travel Games
68. Playing Cards
69. Kerchief/head scarf
70. Whistle
71. Hand held Electronic games (Solitaire, Poker, Yahtzee, etc...)
72. Superhero Figures
73. Nail Enamel
74. Lip Balm/Chap Stick/Lipstick
75. Compact/cosmetics
76. Gift Certificate to a Local Restaurant
77. Novelty Coffee Sample packets
78. Leather Bound Pocket Journal
79. Airmail Envelopes
80. Postage Stamps
81. Prepaid Phone Cards
82. Character Toothpaste
83. Toothbrush
84. Travel/Sample sized Toiletries
85. Jacks with Ball
86. Jump rope
87. Digital Pedometer
88. Chopsticks
89. Small Finger Puzzles
90. USB Memory Stick Case (don't want to loose these!)
91. Makeup Brushes
92. Apron
93. Character T-shirt
94. CDRWs/DVDRs
95. Underwear
96. MP3 Player
97. i Pod
98. Windshield scraper/tire gauge/air-freshner
99. GC Oil Change
100. Watch
101. Variety of Screws/nuts & Bolts
102. Universal Remote
103. Photo Brag Book
104. Rubber Stamp/Ink pad
105. Patterned Paper Punch
106. Hair Essentials (Clips, headbands, barrettes, etc.)
107. Beeswax Candles
108. Stickers
109. Novelty Night light
110. Sun glasses
111. Nail clippers
112. Jerky
113. Spark plugs (or GC)
114. Flashlight/batteries
115. Leatherman
116. Book light
117. Puzzles
118. Friend Frog figurine
119. Inflatable Bath Pillow
120. Cell Phone
121. Vacation Tickets
122. Barbie Doll/clothes
123. Doll furniture
124. Stationary
125. Cookie Cutters
126. Squirt gun
127. Flash Cards
128. Shower sponges
129. Electric/Safety Razors
130. Gas Card
131. Bath Salts/Oil
132. Model kits
133. Foot Cream
134. "Fancy" chocolates
135. Balsa Airplanes
136. Solder Planes
137. Salt City (Yankee) Candles in a jar (Any size)
138. Compass
139. Inflatable Pillow
140. Sunscreen/Bug spray
141. Trail mix
142. Almond Bark
143. Trivia Game Cards
144. Jar gift (Salsa, coca mix, Pesto, cookie mix, etc...)
145. Bus/Mass Transit Pass
146. Train Tickets
147. Pocket Calendar/Planner
148. Swiss Army Knife
149. Wineglass charms
150. Headset (Hearing protection)
151. Comb/Brush
152. Gum/mints
153. Favorite Recipes tie with measuring spoons in the bow
154. Small stuffed toy
155. Earplugs
156. Electrical Tape
157. Magnetic notepad
158. Small Figurine (Snowman, Santa, Nativity, Angel, Christmas House,etc.)
159. Cool Zipper Pulls
159. Bead Sweeper
160. Cell phone Leash and charm
161. Thank you Notes
162. Personalized Mouse pad
163. Flip-Flops
164. Cosmetic Bag
165. Pencil Bag
166. Small Music Box
167. "I-Love-You" note/letter
168. Stapler, staples
169. Paper clips in cool shapes and colors
170. Hand knit (crocheted) dish cloths
171. Fun kitchen gadgets (Strawberry Huller, egg slicer, peeler, kitchen shears, etc)
172. Cheese knife set
173. Pepper mill/ Peppercorns
174. Favorite spice
175. Salt Mill/Course Sea Salt
176. Gourmet Honey
177. Grill Mitts
178. Long Lighter (Mom is pyrophobic)
179. Magazine Subscription
180. Pocket Folding Umbrella
181. Toll Tokens/Pass
182. Collector's Coin From Birth Year
183. Savings Bond
184. Lucky Buhda
185. Car Wash Coupon book
186. Mug/Travel Mug
187. Tub Toys
188. Sidewalk games (marbles,sidewalk chalk, hoppy-taw)
189. Teething Rings, Binky, Binky leash, etc.
190. Bibs/Blurf Cloths/Butt Paste
191. Digital Camera/dispoable camera
192. Dig. Camera Memory Card/film
193. Small tins with Scrapbooking/Stamping Embellishments
194. Gift Cert for Day at the Spa/Massage
195. Pocket Travel Guide
196. Pocket Language Dictionary
197. Bookmarks
198. An Addition to Recipients Favorite Collection(ie: Coins, Sports cards, etc, etc...)
199. Donation to Favorite Charity with Card
200. Homemade Coupons

That's gonna take one *big* stocking! :)

Some really great ideas on that list. Thanks!

holy cow momof5....looks like you have earned your name, lol

THANKS

I'll probably do some kind of jewelry for the girls, bb's for Hayden, lip gloss (chapstick for Hayden), bubbles, hair things.

WOW!!! Mom of5!! I will be printing that list. :D

My kids have really huge stockings, the list above is fantastic.....Remember the Target bins in front when they clear out at 25 cents, found alot of great things for the stockings in there. I think filling it all depends on the person you are doing. For my mothers, I do beauty like body soaps, lotions, scrubbing mitts, small calendars, favorite candies, mini ornaments, etc. For the men, I do bodywashes, deodorants, candy, nuts, cheese, and my husband collects beer cans so maybe something related to that. Always think of what someone collects, you might find a book, small object or ?. Stockings are a big thing at our house, everyone gets one even the dogs! Just go with the person you are buying for....check out $ stores and clearance stuff, even break up a package of say a beauty basket, you could split things, they don't all need to be in their original wrapper.....Oh, great thing for kids, new toothbrush and toothpaste, my kids love getting funny toothbrushes. Have fun with it!

For my son I do coloring books, small toys, craft items. For my Husband it's candy all the way and puzzle books.

Wow, that's a long list.

Thanks! :)

Another to add to the list above is batteries. (I didn't see it on there so if it is don't get mad at me.;))

Great list Momof5, I think you have thought of it all.:yup:

Here is a list I put together to go from for my 4yo DD
-small flashlight
-stickers
-lip gloss/chapstick
-toy cars
-bath fizzies
-bath paints/crayons
-spin top
-play-doh (the little containers!)
-Chuck E Cheese tokens
-Earrings
-Paper Airplane
-Magnifying glass
-Pull- back animals/cars
-parachute man
-kids music CD
-Glitter crayons
-Hairbows
-small package of animal crackers
-small package of goldfish
-doll diapers
-Barbie clothes

wow those are great lists..... don't know if I could add any... thanks

I want a stocking at momof5's house!!!

The older the kids are, the more expensive the stockings get. I tried to do away with them since the youngest is 15, but can't bring myself to do away with tradition.

id say always a fruit or 2 ..or snack. so when little children wake up they can eat something healthy!!!that "santa" left them. isnt it in the story books he would leave a fruit???

We do stockings here for everyone too and the older ones ( in their twenties ) still love getting a stocking. There some great ideas listed thanks

You guys are awesome. I will definitely be printing this out. I always go blank when I shop for stocking stuffers. Thanks for the great ideas!!!

My daughter gets earrings, lip gloss, cd, candy
My son will get cd, cologne, candy

my kids are getting free personalized "business cards" and note pads from Vista Print - you have to pay shipping so of course they are not truly free. I like to save "free" item coupons for things like candy and snacks that I get closer to Christmas.

Scratch Tickets are neat too.

That's gonna take one *big* stocking! :)

Some really great ideas on that list. Thanks!

Some times stockings overflow into a gift bag :giggle: I really have a hard time for the men in my family they are not the coat and tie men. I can add a few things to the list

Some times stockings overflow into a gift bag :giggle: I really have a hard time for the men in my family they are not the coat and tie men. I can add a few things to the list

:bonk: Sorry hit the wrong button. :o I will come up with some ideas to add to the list. Any other suggestions would be great. :)

I have a little guy who will have just turned two and I have to say I am seriously excited to be able to stuff his stocking! I remember how fun it was when I was a kid to find them overflowing with stuff Christmas morning.
So these are some ideas I have so far
-A few of those little palm sized books
-Stickers
-Fruit and baked seads (he eats um like candy)
-Hot Wheels and plastic figurines
-Crayons and or markers
-Christmas photo's of daddy (who is serving in Iraq)

I never know what to put in stockings, so I just don't do it. :x



I dont either if I have small stuff I put them in a gift bag all together.

Scratch tickets, candy cane, candy, toiletries, socks, boxers, $2.00 bill,
gift cards too.
The older they get the more expensive they get:p

I'm planning to keep collecting all those Victoria Secret free coupons for underwear and lip gloss to put in the stockings of my SIL's who are much younger than me. And Chuck E. Cheese coupons for my little guys is a great idea, thanks for that! I love stocking stuffers!:yup:

How about a couple of candy canes sticking over the top of the stocking? I always have a hard time finding chapstick for boys. I get my girls lipgloss and chapstick a plenty, but my poor son....its always, always, matchbox chapstick.

Stockings have always been my favorite part of buying for Christmas!
As for chapstick for your son, when I was in the states this summer Wal-Mart had some neat ones! They had some of the candybar flavors and they didn't look girly at all, so I grabbed some for my sons. I am always on the lookout as well. CVS and Rite-Aid both had Spiderman and Superman chapsticks that I grabbed as well. Maybe you could check out some of those:)

We travel quite a bit, so I always grab small little something to put in the stockings from each place that we go. Leprechaun pencils and pens from Ireland and a keychain. Keychains and collecter pins from Disney World, etc. that type of stuff.

Mom of 5's list is the same as mine over the years. Lol! I think it must be a mom of 5 thing, because I have 5 kids as well!

I just put in small things I pick up here and there. And definitely batteries.

Mom was the Queen at this! Some of my favorites were a charm braclet, pinkie ring, a special ornament each year and mickey watch. My sons always get one of those m&m tubes with the m&M ornament on top. We have a M&M tree now.

They always get scratch off tickets and then we do a themed stocking. Last year they got movie tickets to Narnia, the "big" candy to sneak in the movies lol, concessions money for drinks etc, and we added in some Lion Witch and Wardrobe candy and trinkets I had found.

I always hit the 88 cent toy aisle at Walmart. They have things like play money, dress up necklaces, rocket balloons, small playsets, and yo yo's. Things like that and they are great for stocking stuffers.

When I do a stocking for my husband I always try to put one "real" present in with all the other "stuffing". One of his favorites was a new wallet. It fit very nicely and was something he didn't expect but needed terribly!

Here are the things I use: (DS11 , DD 13 and DH 35)

1)Batteries
2)flashlights
3)hairbows
4)Music CD
5) toothbrush
6) toothpaste (DD only likes one kind no one else will use Crest Sparkle)
7) jewerly rings, necklace etc.
8) nailpolish
9) trading cards pokemon or Yu gh io
10) Movie Rental Cards
11) Walmart Card
12) MCd's or Sonic Card
13) cell phone minutes
15) Coins (ie Gold dollar coins/ silver dollars)
16) wallets
17) sunglasses
18) pencils
19) Pens
20) gloves
21) bb's (for the bb gun)
22) chapstick
23) body wash
24) lotion
25) bath beads
26) Make up
27) hotwheels
28) concert tickets
29) tickets to see a live play
30) movie theater tickets/GC
31)gumballs
32) silly putty
33) gooze (that slimmy mess)
34) markers/crayons
35) disposable camera
36) cologne
37) Yo-Yo
38) swiss army knife
39)note cards
40) stickers
41) postage stamps for the note cards
42) deck of cards
43) booksmarks
44) Magazine subscription
45) Special Ornament for the next year
46) Key Chain
47) Bubbles
48) Eye Glass Kit/cleaner
49) candy cane
50)Hand Boilers (glass sculptures containing a liquid that will "boil" as heat is transferred from your bare hand)

Stockings have always been my favorite part of buying for Christmas!
As for chapstick for your son, when I was in the states this summer Wal-Mart had some neat ones! They had some of the candybar flavors and they didn't look girly at all, so I grabbed some for my sons. I am always on the lookout as well. CVS and Rite-Aid both had Spiderman and Superman chapsticks that I grabbed as well. Maybe you could check out some of those:)

We travel quite a bit, so I always grab small little something to put in the stockings from each place that we go. Leprechaun pencils and pens from Ireland and a keychain. Keychains and collecter pins from Disney World, etc. that type of stuff.

Mom of 5's list is the same as mine over the years. Lol! I think it must be a mom of 5 thing, because I have 5 kids as well!


Thanks for the ideas. I'll have to check out Rite-Aid. I've never been in a CVS (I don't know if they have those in CA)

Thanks for all the ideas!! I always have trouble finding the right things to put in the stockings!!

I saw Cars chapstick at Wal-mart too.

I usually put a small more expensive gift n the girls stockings...and they get to open there stockings Christmas Eve....and plus it has a lot of little items in too...

After I grew up and got married Santa would leave me just a 50.00. :) Good enough for me!

For stocking stuffers I use scratch lottery tickets. They are a surprise if the person wins money

wife just ordered two swiss army knifes with mem sticks for our boys in college

My mom always did our stockings growing up, and one year she forgot, so she told my dad to run to the store and get some stuff and fill the stockings, then she went to bed. He decided that since we had tons of fruit, that he would just fill them with oranges! It was kind of disappointing then, but we get a big laugh out of it now that we're grown! Mom never left it to him again!

I try to put some kind of candy in my kid's stockings that I don't normally buy. They love Chocolate Oranges and Lindt truffles, and since they are expensive, they don't get them very often, so it is a nice treat!

Also, my husband puts coupons that he makes for me in my stocking. I think I still have a "Queen for a Day" in my nightstand drawer. Hmmm...., I think maybe I should bring it out. . . . . . .

The older the kids are, the more expensive the stockings get. I tried to do away with them since the youngest is 15, but can't bring myself to do away with tradition.

At my house it wasn't a tradition..sometimes we had them..sometimes not sometimes they had nothing in them but were just for decorating. My MIL has always done stockings though and it is one of my most favorite parts of Christmas now! and I am 26!! She always puts the chocolate oranges, popcorn from the boyscouts, and peppermint sticks:yuck: Last year we found a $100 bill in the toe:D I will for sure continue this tradition with my little girl.

My mom always did our stockings growing up, and one year she forgot, so she told my dad to run to the store and get some stuff and fill the stockings, then she went to bed. He decided that since we had tons of fruit, that he would just fill them with oranges! It was kind of disappointing then, but we get a big laugh out of it now that we're grown! Mom never left it to him again!

I try to put some kind of candy in my kid's stockings that I don't normally buy. They love Chocolate Oranges and Lindt truffles, and since they are expensive, they don't get them very often, so it is a nice treat!

Also, my husband puts coupons that he makes for me in my stocking. I think I still have a "Queen for a Day" in my nightstand drawer. Hmmm...., I think maybe I should bring it out. . . . . . .
Save it for Christmas eve and make him do all the set up work ;)

They always get scratch off tickets and then we do a themed stocking. Last year they got movie tickets to Narnia, the "big" candy to sneak in the movies lol, concessions money for drinks etc, and we added in some Lion Witch and Wardrobe candy and trinkets I had found.

Hey, I have some of those prank tix in my storage bldg. If I can get up there soon I will mail you a couple for your stockings or whatever. They are hilarious. My dh almost cried when he realized the 500k one he had wasn't real lol :sidesplit

I love setting everything up for Christmas, so I wouldn't want to give that up, but maybe I'll use it on BF and make him go stand in line with me! (He absolutely hates shopping!!!)

I will be adding a roll of quarters and a change purse (if I can find one that works for boys.) this is for all the times they want a quarter for the gumball machines on the way out of the stores. LOL

Thanks for the great ideas. This is what I did last year for my wife:

Chapstick
Peanut Butter M&M's
Gilmore Girls (Season 4 or 5, don't recall)
Toe Socks / Glove socks
Banana Republic GC

my girls are older, so I get them things they need but hate to spend their own money on :-) Intuition razor refills, Victoria's Secret lotion, elecric toothbrush refills, gift certificates to fast food restaurants and hair cutting salons

Hey, I have some of those prank tix in my storage bldg. If I can get up there soon I will mail you a couple for your stockings or whatever. They are hilarious. My dh almost cried when he realized the 500k one he had wasn't real lol :sidesplit

OMG I love it ! Ya that would be great :sidesplit . We always try and do at least one mean thing a year :gdevillaugh:

You know, Michael's is a good place to look too. I looked in all their dollar bins today and there's a lot of different things to choose from - it's not just crafts =)

I didnt see Webkins listed as a stocking stuffer for kids 3 and up (even teens or adults would like them if they like online arcade games). They are cheap (only 7-10 dollars for the stuffed animal) and it includes one year membership to the gaming website. A TON of games and activities for every age group. They are cute, too. My DDs collect them and I play the games with them. I think you can get them at Hallmark or something.

For my kids I am putting these things in:
Rocket balloons
sticky balls
Hair bows,brushes
toothbrushes,toothpaste
jewelry(rings or necklaces)
Gameboy games(we usually buy them used so they are already out the box)
perfume or cologne
clippers
lipgloss or chapstick
chalk
batteries
cd's

I always do a cereal box (laying flat, then the back or front cut off, the kids decorate it with drawings and construction paper,etc) we put the food in those so they won't get mixed up with the rest of the stuff.
In the boxes I put:
Mixed nuts
Mixed hard candy
Chocolate drops(with white creme inside)
Apple and an orange
misc. hershey candy
Lifesaver book with lifesaver rolls in them.

Here is what my girls are getting:

DD (6yo) - Webkins
Animal Crossing Stickers
Animal Crossing T shirt
Animal Crossing key chain
Used Nintendo DS game
Candy

DD 3yo - Webkins
Charlie Brown t-shirt
Holly Hobbie Stickers
Jojo Circus small doll
used Leapster game
Candy

DD 3yo (I have twins) - Webkins
Futurama stickers
Futurama t-shirt
Futurama 'Fry' and 'Leela' figures
used Leapster game
candy

I make stockings as specific to their interests as possible..that way its more special to them. My oldest is an Animal Crossing nut! My one 3 yo is very easy to please and my other 3 year old is probably the youngest Futurama fan ever. She remembers the most remote trivia from all the episodes. It took me awhile to figure out why she was calling her sister 'Yancy'. Anyhow, thank goodness I could find stuff on Ebay for her.

id say always a fruit or 2 ..or snack. so when little children wake up they can eat something healthy!!!that "santa" left them. isnt it in the story books he would leave a fruit???

I did that one year.....but then I made a fatal error and changed the oranges to those chocolate oranges! LOL.......no going back after that :)

As my DS is getting older, I have found putting in a couple of gift cards is a huge hit.

Dh's family is so big that adults and kids draw names but I want to get each individual family a stocking. Any ideas? Should I do some kid of theme?

Melissa

50)Hand Boilers (glass sculptures containing a liquid that will "boil" as heat is transferred from your bare hand)

What are these? It's sounds very interesting and different................just up my boys alleys.

I didnt see Webkins listed as a stocking stuffer for kids 3 and up (even teens or adults would like them if they like online arcade games). They are cheap (only 7-10 dollars for the stuffed animal) and it includes one year membership to the gaming website. A TON of games and activities for every age group. They are cute, too. My DDs collect them and I play the games with them. I think you can get them at Hallmark or something.

We love them here too! The kids are hoping to get a bunch more for Christmas.

They always get scratch off tickets and then we do a themed stocking. Last year they got movie tickets to Narnia, the "big" candy to sneak in the movies lol, concessions money for drinks etc, and we added in some Lion Witch and Wardrobe candy and trinkets I had found.


I really like this idea. I wonder what big movie is coming out near Christmas? I'm gonna have to check now. lol

Someone also mentioned in another thread they would get a gas card tied to a matchbox car. I'm liking this idea for my daughter. I just haven't been able to find a Ford Focus matchbox car like hers yet. lol

Don't know if it was said in here or not. Avon sometimes has sales that have powder and deodorant for $2 each. Good stuffers...

Also forgot to add they have flavored chapstick and the such with Christmas themes...

I really like this idea. I wonder what big movie is coming out near Christmas? I'm gonna have to check now. lol

Someone also mentioned in another thread they would get a gas card tied to a matchbox car. I'm liking this idea for my daughter. I just haven't been able to find a Ford Focus matchbox car like hers yet. lol

http://www.film-releases.com/film-release-schedule-2006.php a good place to get scheduled releases. I have not heard of any of them except Charlottes Web comes out on the 20th lol. I like the idea of the gas card too. If you can't find her car maybe you can find her dream car?

Great stocking stuffer ideas from the Amazon Toy clearance sale:

http://forums.gottadeal.com/showthread.php?t=50534

Does anyone else here wrap the stocking gifts? My children always open stocking last after all the other gifts and the house is calm they sit down and dig into their stockings. They like it cause they get to open all the little things after all the big items are done.


Fruit and nuts for Christmas growing up was wonderful. Always from grandparents. Guess it was because they would get them when they were growing up.

Chocolate Orange!!!! OMG they are to die for!!!! Smack and snack it!! :tongue1:

Where do you get those Victoria Secret free coupons for underwear & lip gloss from?

We also do fruit & nuts in the stockings, too....

This year, we are doing:
Game Ink Pens (the ones with the games on top - Boggle, Etch a Sketch, & something else - I forget)
Mini Puzzles - geared to their specific interests (Lord of the Rings, Spiderman & Strawberry Shortcake so far)
Chapstick/Lip Gloss
Music Download gift cards
Mini-Notebooks (my kids are forever drawing)
Spa socks for my oldest daughter
Cologne/perfume or body spray of some sort
Character undies for the boys & cute panties for the girls
Funky socks
Probably a DVD each




My MIL always does stockings for EVERYONE - including us grown folks. For the kids, she puts a toy, a gift card or a $10 bill, a savings bond & some kind of jewelry for the girls & a knife or flashlight for the boys. Never fails!!!!!


My mom started stockings again last year - my SIL & I had very similar ones - spa socks, good sewing scissors, sewing supplies, an apron, Christmas salt & pepper shaker set, and $100. I was THRILLED!!!!!!!!!!!!! The guys were a little different since my dh has nothing in common with my brothers at all, but he got guitar strings, picks, some gadgety stuff & they got hunting & fishing stuff. They were all happy, too!!!!!

Dh's family is so big that adults and kids draw names but I want to get each individual family a stocking. Any ideas? Should I do some kid of theme?

Melissa

A card game, small travel game, a dvd, snacks, ( I was trying to think of a family game or movie night so everyone is included in the stocking) I think the idea of a stocking for the family is a good one.

For the kids: itunes gift cards work great, because my niece and nephews get up really early and they can go online and get something fun right away.

For the adults: I usually get them the upcoming version of the Entertainment Book, but you usually have to live close to a major city for this. It's got loads of coupons for local restaurants, movies, etc. http://www.entertainment-savings-offers.com/entertainment-book/?path=ent-ebg-gls-112a1b

Also, my family is very big into Breast Cancer charities, so in asking about a theme, perhaps you could do a charity theme for each stocking that each family is interested in.

For example, this year, Mom's stocking is getting some Breast Cancer stuff I found at Wal-Mart a few weeks ago...I found BC Nylon Pink Ribbon Yard Flags in the clearance aisle for $3.00, special pink playing cards, and a pink Bunco set in the toy aisle. She's gonna love them.

Great stocking stuffer ideas from the Amazon Toy clearance sale:

http://forums.gottadeal.com/showthread.php?t=50534

For those of us who mistakenly bought these gifts as stocking stuffers, and they are waaaay too big to stuff with, what about making a huge stocking (out of cheap fabric) and filling it up!! The kids/hubby will be thrilled, and you'll have to make one for yourself because you don't want the kids to think that Santa neglected you!!

I have been searching the freebies forum.. most take 6-8 weeks, so they just may be here by christmas.. if they come at all. There is some neat stuff for everyone.

Chocolate Orange!!!! OMG they are to die for!!!! Smack and snack it!! :tongue1:

My hubby loves these. When he was back in Canada, he would eat these often when we talked on the phone. I never knew what they was until he told me. I never saw them in the stores. Then after he moved here, I would see them around Christmas time. He was so happy that the US has them. :)

Thanks for the ideas on stocking stuffers. I always have a problem finding things to put in my mom & hubby's stocking. heh

i think theres something wrong with my kids 12 yrs and 5 yrs. i have to tell them don't forget your stocking lol one yr i put them under the tree just so they wouldn't forget to go through them. key chains are nice especailly the ones you can get personalized at card stores or a special ornament.

Don't worry Lisa my husband and I both forgot them one year (son was only 2 at the time). We noticed them sometime that afternoon. lol It had literally slipped our minds.

:D
I am a mom of 2 teenage boys, ages 18 and 14, and one is a freshman in college(still living at home since college is only about 20 minutes away), and the other is a freshman in high school. Now, my husband and my sons love their video games, but grandma usually gets most of that stuff. But over the years I have adjusted what I put into their stockings because of their ages,etc...
I have been know to put their favorite breakfast items, snack items (since they get enough candy during the holidays), and for my hubby, he loves things like beef jerky,etc...
Try batteries, (go to dollar store if you have one, they have some good stuff right now.).
This year I am thinking of stuff they can use in the form of gift cards, and since I/mom work at our local freestanding Chickfila here in Lexington,Ky, we now have reloadable gift cards that you can put amounts of $5,$10,$20,$25,$50,or $100, and they can all be reloaded up to $100 dollars. This is great for those with college students!!!!!
Also, try printing favorite recipes for college students, or family members who are learning to cook, or just moved out on their own. Get lots of candles(they may need them ;-)
Try any type of stuff for teenage girls like soaps, lotions,etc..
We have 2 new stores here, one is Gabriel Brothers (kind of like a upscale Biglots), and Gordmans which is more like Goodys and Kohls, but good prices.
Try movie passes, or gas cards, or foods they can use on their own, if young children, try things that will keep them "busy" or "quiet", like books if they can read, or their are websites to print off special rewards etc ....
Good luck!
Twin 66, mom of 2 teens and wife.
Hey, if anybody living in Anderson, Indiana my hometown is on this forum, I would like to say HI! My family is there, but my husband is from here.
PS: Okay, sorry, but I also heard U.Ky. beat Georgia today in football. ;-)

These are probably all listed somewhere but...

Into our stockings go:

Toothbrushes
small candies
batteries
movie passes
deodorant
small toys (pen or watch games, yo-yo's, playing cards)
pacifier (for the baby)
a dvd (latest disney releases work great here)
razor
dunkin donuts card
hair bows
combs

my mom does stocking like gift bags for the kids too, she puts in:
coloring books
crayons
pringles
cashew nuts
small toys
books
slipper socks
x-mas pajamas (they get the bag x-mas eve)

for my dh i always get him............
tabacoo
golf balls or tees
golf glove
new razor
deodrant
candy
lottery tickets
gift cards for lunches out


the kids get some of the same items momof5 listed

Stockings are a MAJOR deal at my mom's house. She started it about 25 years ago when someone gave her a matched set of stockings that were all the same, except for the lace around the cuff, which was different for every "family" (there are 5 of us kids). Of course, time, births and divorce took a toll, so my mom got a new set that are all identical, which we use those little "hello, my name is.... " stickers on the top! Everyone gets a stocking and I took over filling them about 10 years ago. We do themes sometimes (one year, the guys all got grill aprons and stuff for the grill) and always there are toys for everyone. (Bubba teeth, mini nerf shooters, etc.)

I try to collect stuff all year that are freebies and stash them in a box in my closet (I'm up to 3 boxes right now!) The day after Christmas, I buy lots of stuff at 50-75% off and use it next year like Hand lotion, small toys, etc. I also go to Sam's and buy Candy in large lots and put them in all stockings. The Dollar Tree is also great for finding stuff.

There is always a mixture of fun stuff, things to eat and nice stuff. The women always get a pair of knit gloves, everyone always gets a pair of socks, and I always put something with Mickey Mouse in my own stocking! Last year, I put small scratch lottery cards in the adults and someone won $25! Bonus was that my nephew and his wife are LDS, so they gave their cards to my mom and she won $5 from them and was tickled!

The key to me is starting early and keeping an eye on the Avon book, Target, the $.88 area in the Walmart Toy Section, and on closeouts everywhere. This keeps the cost down.

When you are buying for people ages 2-80, you wind up with a little of everything!

And then I have stockings at my own house for my hubby, son, step-daughter, step-son and MIL and FIL!

June

Does anyone do a stocking for a baby? My ds will be 7 mo. and I don't have many ideas for things that will fit in a stocking. He doesn't eat snacks yet. Ideas?

Scratch Tickets are neat too.


i really like this idea. Great for my DH and 8 year old son too.


Thanks!!!!!

baby stocking:
bib
pacifier
baby toothbrush
rattle
socks
baby spoons
sippy cup (fun ones)

Thanks Sheli-
He doesn't need much, but it will definitely be the OTHER kids that will get most upset if the baby's stocking isn't full too. Those are some good ideas. A sippy cup will take up lots of room, too, lol.

Everyone keep the ideas coming, tho. Thanks!

duplicate post- sorry

his kid- The sippy cup took LOTS of room and that made the big brothers very happy last year. I know just what you mean. The boys all thought it was funny that she (the baby) got a set of pacifiers instead of the little candies they got. My 6yo decided that santa was very smart...he was so cute!

What are these? It's sounds very interesting and different................just up my boys alleys. I used to have some as a kid.

Here are some links that you can find these hand boilers:


http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp?pn=3052382&bhcd2=1162817122

http://www.msnucleus.org/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MN&Product_Code=CP-002

http://www.teachersource.com/catalog/page/Physical_Science_Physics/Mysteriously_Flowing_Fluids/

http://www.teachersource.com/catalog/page/Physical_Science_Physics/Mysteriously_Flowing_Fluids/[/QUOTE]

That website had a lot of great ideas for young kids. I think I will be getting xmas presents for my nephew.

at Target's dollar spot yesterday, a lot of items were 75% off.. i got tons of beads, lipglosses, wooden toys, and magic wands for .25 each.. Also got some alphabet stamps and eyelets for my own stocking!

I think I need to pay Target a visit! Lots of stockings to fill...

Does anyone else here wrap the stocking gifts? My children always open stocking last after all the other gifts and the house is calm they sit down and dig into their stockings. They like it cause they get to open all the little things after all the big items are done.


Fruit and nuts for Christmas growing up was wonderful. Always from grandparents. Guess it was because they would get them when they were growing up.

Chocolate Orange!!!! OMG they are to die for!!!! Smack and snack it!! :tongue1:

I also wrap the stocking gifts from chapstick to candy.

Does anyone have any other ideas for very little kids? My daughter is 13 months old... doesn't need teethers or bibs or anything like that... I've got a board book and an ornament but I can't come up with anything else!

Does anyone have any other ideas for very little kids? My daughter is 13 months old... doesn't need teethers or bibs or anything like that... I've got a board book and an ornament but I can't come up with anything else!

My son will be a year old on Monday. I got a ton of wooden toys (clappers, pull toys, puzzles, etc.) from the Dollar Spot and Target. They also have several different books that make animal sounds. You really can't beat it at $1 a piece, especially since it doesn't take many of them to fill up a stocking! :)

For the babies/younger kids a really soft small stuffed animal would be a great filler. They would like it and it'd take up quite a bit of space.
My kids are two and I got them a bunch of the stuff from the Target $1 bins too. I also got them each a dvd (one Max & Ruby, one Franklin), a cd (each is getting a Barney one and one that has different Dr. Seuss stories on it), bubblebath,(the kind in the fun bottles-this year it's from Cars), finger puppets, books, an ornament, toy pliers, m&m minis, a cars bath sponge thing, and a teddy bear. I'm not quite sure how it's going to fit in the stockings just yet, but I'll figure it out!:D
My in-laws always wrap all the stocking stuff too. I asked my husband if he wanted me to do that with our kids and his since that was what he was used to growing up and he said no. I imagine that was probably because he figured if I wrapped all the stocking stuff he would feel like he would have to wrap the stuff in mine!
I always do what I call a "junk box" to send to my neice and nephew every year (they live in Nashville, we're in Ohio) and it's always one of the first things they thank us for. My nephew is 19 and we always fill his with stuff to clean his car, like detail brushes, mr. clean erasers for tires, refills for his mr. clean car washer and he likes those tacky car fresheners. I always put some candy he likes in it that I can get here that he can't get at home. This year I also put in a tshirt, walmart gift card,book and hand held game. My neice is 16 and I do all the girly stuff for her. Lots of bath and body works stuff, lipgloss, make up bag, hair stuff, etc. She also gets candy and a book. This year I also found her a really cute pair of pj's on clearance at Target. This is on top of their actual gifts.I have a lot of fun with stockings!!! (or in their case, a box!)
Wow. Looks like I'm a little chatty tonight!! :) Sorry!!!

Every year I would always get a bunch of little things in my stocking. Things like lip glosses, nail polishes, etc. I would also get on bigger item such a shirt that I had been wanting or a gift certificate, something like that. Well this year I have decided that I am going to make a stocking on my own for my sister. I know that this sounds cliche, but she really is my best friend. She is 17 so she is over the bff rings or bracelets. So I was having a pretty hard time figuring out what I could put in her stocking that had meaning behind it. However, I lucked out. I was looking around on the internet the other day and I found a best friends necklace tshirt. The shirt itself is very hott, and the thought behind it makes it all the more special. I'm thrilled! (prospect44.com/bff-necklace-best-friends-necklace-t-shirt.php)

WOW! Awesome ideas :)

I am *SO* bad at coming up with good ideas for stockings. The stockings for the kids always end up SO expensive... this year they are getting...

Alexis (3)
Dress up jewelry
2 Card "games"
Fur Real Friends Bunny
2 DVD's (Dora and MLP)

Austin (2)
Thomas Train
2 Card "games"
2 DVD's (Thomas and Diego)
Diego Radio thing

Rylee (10 months)
Stuffed Bear
2 DVD's (Blues Clues and Baby Einstein)
Tube of 3 Little People

My husband's stocking, so far, I am putting in it:
Ice Age DVD (the new one that came out)
Cologne
GC's to some fast food resturants around his work
Golf Balls and Tees

I LOVE all the ideas posted! I *SO* wish we had a Target! We visit a place a couple hours away twice a year and they have a Target... so I'll look when I'm in there! We also have a Dollar Tree... I never thought of looking there...

I'll have to remember all of these ideas!!!

~ Erin (23 y/o SAHM to 3 cuties ages 3 and under)

My kids are teens and one thing that always goes over well is a box of their favorite girl scout cookies. A friend at works daughter sells them in Oct/Nov so I buy everyone a box and put it away for their stockings. It also fills those stocking up a lot!

Lottery tickets work well also

Momof 5 did you come up w/ all those yourself?

The older the kids are, the more expensive the stockings get. I tried to do away with them since the youngest is 15, but can't bring myself to do away with tradition.

I am 35 w/ a 15yr son and 36yr husband and we look forward to what is in the stocking. We open the stocking gifts at midnight, then the other gifts when we get up.

Fruit snacks/juice boxes are great for the little ones, also those gerber fruit puff baby snack things, and DS always gets a gallon jar of pickles stuck underneath his!

My 4 year old just informed me yesterday that she wants A-1 steak sauce in her stocking. In a bottle of course!

Does anyone else here wrap the stocking gifts? My children always open stocking last after all the other gifts and the house is calm they sit down and dig into their stockings. They like it cause they get to open all the little things after all the big items are done.


Fruit and nuts for Christmas growing up was wonderful. Always from grandparents. Guess it was because they would get them when they were growing up.

Chocolate Orange!!!! OMG they are to die for!!!! Smack and snack it!! :tongue1:

I wrap my gifts only bcause I put them in the stockings early and they looking in them to attempt to see what they have.

My 4 year old just informed me yesterday that she wants A-1 steak sauce in her stocking. In a bottle of course!


OMG that is too funny! My daughter who is also 4 was all ticked off the other night that she had no more A-1 and she wanted Santa to bring her her own bottle so she didn't have to share with her brother and him use it all.

AHHH i remember when young was cheap.My DS this year is getting a PS3 in his and my DD is getting a WII.Its very hard to find gifts this days.So i would rather give them gifts they will like than things i would waste money on.(LOL).21 more days im so excited HO_HO_HO

I found something really cute at Wal-greens yesterday. One is a marshmallow cheeseburger. It's a little bigger than a White Castle burger and it looks just like the real thing. They also had little cartons of marshmallow fries that even come with a little pack of "ketchup". The ketchup is actually a strawberry candy gel. My kids love marshmallows, so I think these will be a hit. They were only 99 cents each! They were in the regular candy aisle, not with the Christmas stuff.

just wanted to say thanks for all the great ideas from those list they really came in handy and i got some stuff i would have never even thought of. so thanks again and merry christmas everyone.