For all of you who are still finishing up your Christmas shopping this blog is for you!
Stockings are my FAVOURITE thing to open Christmas morning. In our house, Santa fills your stocking & ever since I was a kid it was my favourite part of Christmas morning. All the little goodies and treats you'd find stuffed inside. And this is where I tend to go overboard with the kids as well. I always buy more than what will actually fit in the stocking....WHOOPS! LOL
What I find most difficult about stockings is not over spending. Small items are not cheap anymore but if you are smart and shop around you can find some great stuff to include in a stocking.
One thing that I recommend is looking for items that come in packages and then opening the package and breaking it up. For example, buy a package of lip balm and you can open the package and include all of them in one stocking, or separate among multiple stockings. Or buy a package of hot wheels or small tonka trucks and do the same. It fills it up faster and gives the illusion of their being more inside.
What seems to be the big debate this year is do you wrap your stocking stuffers? My answer to this question is YES! But that is totally up to you. Do whatever you have time for and feel is best for your family. Last year for Mason's 1st Christmas because he couldn't unwrap anything I didn't wrap his stocking stuff. This year I've wrapped a few items but not all of it because again, he isn't going to have much interest. Lily on the other hand, loves unwrapping stuff so I've wrapped more of her stuff. TIP: We also use special wrapping paper for each stocking so that I know who's stuff is whose without having to label them. Once wrapped I separate each kids stuff into a bin in the top of the closet with their stocking inside so its all ready to go Christmas Eve.
So now, here is my list of stocking stuffer ideas! Hopefully this will help you finish your shopping up and have some fun with it.
Infants
If you are doing a stocking for an infant I recommend purchasing practical items that they really need. Things that you would purchase on a regular basis with a few new fun items for them to play with. That way it isn't wasteful purchases.
baby food
formula
bowls and spoons
rattles
crinkle paper
soothers
teething aids
clothing
socks
shoes
toy balls
Toddlers Again with toddlers I recommend purchasing items that you typically would buy for them on a regular basis (i.e. toothpaste, bubbles, shampoo etc.) and then adding some fun items in as well
toothbrush and toothpaste
favourite treats/snacks
stickers
crayons
colouring books
stamps
paint and paintbrushes
socks
hair elastics/scrunchies/clips etc.
bubble bath, bath bombs, bath paint etc.
puzzles
musical instruments
play-dough
nail polish
lip chap
yo-yo (our wooden Yo-yo pictures in Lily's stocking photo is from BZ Littles)
hat, gloves, mittens
movies
ornament for Christmas tree
small trucks, paw patrol cars, trains etc.
kaleidoscope
place mat
new water bottles, cups, utensils etc.
Teenagers
gift cards
toiletries (deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo etc.)
CD's and movies
movie passes
favourite treats (chocolate bars, candy etc.)
socks
underwear
journal and pen
books
candles
calendar or agenda
Men
toiletries
kitchen supplies/utensils
gift cards
underwear
socks
cards/card games
office supplies (notebooks, pens etc.)
products to clean car (wipes for inside car, cleaning brushes etc.)
hand santizer
lip chap
Women
toiletries
lotions
candles
notebooks and pens
socks
gift cards (Favourite coffee shop, restaurants, mani/pedi etc.)
nail polish
wine or favourite alcohol
jewelry
wallet
favourite treats (candy, chocolate, etc.)
photo album/picture frames
coffee mug/water bottle
The best part about stockings is having fun and getting creative. You can go practical, funny, fun or a combo of all three. Use your imagination :) Let me know in the comments below what some of your go to stocking stuffers are and some of your favourite things you've received in your stocking.