Comments on: If you stuff stockings. . .

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:16:45 +0000

Batteries, bought on sale of course.

Clues to “the big gift” or items that support that gift. I learned of this tradition when my stocking contained a bag of bolts many years ago. My husbands family always opens stockings first…as soon as the majority of the family is up…when the family present is an even #, half counts! The bolts were for a potting bench my husband had built for me. This theme isn’t always as easy as H had it that year. The tough years bring out the most wonderful creativity.
Thank you everyone for the great ideas. I’ve copied all of the new ideas into a file. Have a Happy Happy and Merry Merry season.

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:11:21 +0000

I remember reading this entry a few days ago, and though of it when I saw this deal – on woot.com today (Nov 14) they have Micro SD cards/adapters for 2.59 + shipping. I’m picking up a few for my “techie” family member’s stockings!

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:32:37 +0000

Ditto on Cost Plus. I like to get the unusual imported chocolates and cookies and a little fruit. Since Oranges are not so impressive as they used to be, I try to get fruit we don’t often buy like Blood Oranges, Kiwi, Mango or chocolate covered blueberries & chocolate covered orange peels and the like. I am a fan of the bulk food bins at my local Whole Foods market.

Also for DH he likes homemade but manly smelling soaps (orange scent, mint, rain, pine… that sort of thing) and I find those all sorts of places…even our local farmer’s market. Sometimes I also go find unusual men’s products like fancy skin creme for men or old fashioned shaving soap.

For my 2 yr old son this year, I am thinking a new box of crayons and coloring book, some new bath toys or maybe some kind of bath crayon/fingerpaint soap. Sidewalk chalk. Bubbles (Gymboree sells some that are fantastic and hang around on your furniture for hours until they are popped – and they don’t stain). A few small toys (LittlePeople have those sets that come in 3s and are sized perfectly for a stocking or maybe some Matchbox cars). And maybe one of those compressed washcloth cubes that expand into a washcloth when wet. If I can find a christmas themed toy that would be great too. Last year we found some good stuff for kids stockings on the discount table at the Disney Store.

By: christine

christine — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:03:41 +0000

I always scope out the Target dollar section when they have marked everything down. One idea for this year is to buy clerance Halloween Candy and make “Movie Treats” bags-stick in a movie ticket and some candy to take to the movie. We always go see a movie sometime during the holidays- this way, an expense we know we’ll incur will also fill up a stocking!

By: kaytisummer

kaytisummer — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:15:00 +0000

Here’s something I put in my own stocking as well as the other adults,,, The little bottles of Baileys or Frangelico, sometimes Kahlua! I really enjoy my coffee christmas morning!! And before you judge come to my house on x-mas. One year my in laws brought their NEIGHBORS pit bull! I kid you not!!!

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:15:54 +0000

Wow, those of you who said “handmade coupons” just gave me an idea. I think I will make up some “cash coupons” for my nephews (9 and 12) that they can turn in to me for $10 each — but they can’t be redeemed until at least, say, February. That way they can’t run out on 12/26, spend all the money they got as gifts, and then whine about being bored on 12/27. Well, they could still do that, but then at least they can look forward to getting their “coupon money” later on! I would just have to be disciplined and put aside their money somewhere safe so I can give it to them when they redeem their coupons. (Hmm, maybe I’ll tell them that they CAN redeem the coupon immediately, but if they do they only get $5. Maybe that will teach them something about being patient and letting money grow. Of course, I’d love to find a bank account that will double my money in under 2 months, LOL!)

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:01:55 +0000

I love so many of these ideas! Flying rubber monkeys… hmm.

Silly houseshoes for everyone was a hit one year.

So were season passes to a theme park nearby (NOT cost effective for the size, but a big delight.)

I try to avoid Christmas-themed items, since IMO they’re “out of season” a few hours after the stockings are opened. Winter needs, though, like chapstick/gloves/hats/scarves, are perfect. Here it usually doesn’t snow until January, so if I’m lucky nobody needs my stash of winter gear until Christmas, and it all becomes stocking material.

By: dallimomma

dallimomma — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:36:09 +0000

Great ideas! In the past, I have stuffed stockings for our 8 adult children and their spouses. Crazy! So, I’m not sure that’s on the agenda this year due to cost. Maybe I’ll just do the 5 grandkids! But the best item every year is one where they can attack each other. Silly string, flying rubber monkeys, foam disk guns, confetti guns, etc… I’ve had my couch turned over on its side to use as a shield on Christmas morning. SO MUCH FUN. We are a blended family and this opportunity for the “kids” to all be kids together has been a real bonding time for them.

By: Kristi

Kristi — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:16:07 +0000

My parents always put mixed nuts in the bottoms, then a couple pieces of fruit and some candy. Maybe other stuff – but that’s all I remember. We always ended up putting the nuts together in big bowl. Works great if you’ll be buying some anyway!

By: joan

joan — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:03:23 +0000

Years ago, our family (adults plus one grandchild) decided to make it simple. The ONLY gift we exchange is a “media item” per adult. These are under the tree. The stockings on the other hand are limited only by capacity. Each adult can place anything in anyones stocking. There is always a race to be first to stuff the stockings! As parents, our usual stocking stuffer is a handmade certificate for a week vacation in the summer. (Usually the beach). We also do movie tickets, gift cards, magazine subscriptions and book marks or book covers. We have included in the past airline miles, car wash certificates, and of course the fun things like purple glitter nail polish, a special tool-tire guage, batteries, etc. The real key is to think BIG in small packages and to have fun. We love Christmas crackers too!