I’ve started a list of stocking stuffer ideas and I thought I’d share it with you! Some of the goodies have shown up in every stocking I’ve stuffed, some were gems from the past, and some will be brand new this year.
I think this series of gift ideas will give you a pretty clear understanding that I prefer practical, useful things that will actually be used.
When I spend money (usually way more than I expect) filling stockings, I want it to be with stuff that has a purpose and not just an initial thrill.
Stocking Stuffer Ideas | Practical (and fun) Stocking Stuffers
This post contains affiliate links. That means anything you buy through these links will help pay for the stuff in our stockings… so thanks. 😉
- Toothbrush – This is funny. Big M actually said to me this morning. “I was going to say I want a new toothbrush but then remembered it’s almost Christmas. Santa will put one in my stocking.” These Oral -B Brushes are a great choice. Star Wars, Finding Dory, or look for the favorite character in your house.
- Comfy Socks – You will probably find comfy socks on every list I make… so if you ever meet me in person you know what will win me over! These colorful socks
 have great reviews. I even tracked down some funky boy socks because girls aren’t the only ones who like to feel warm and snuggly.
Book Lights – The kids got Mighty Bright Book Light
 last year. They come in a lot of different colors and keep the kids reading. AWESOME!- Bubble Bath – It doesn’t matter if you pick up an inexpensive version or go for something a little fancier, bubble bath (like Burt’s Bees Baby Bubble Bath) will always bring on smiles.
- Water Cup – We love, love, love our Funtainers. I’ve written about them before and I’m sure I will be writing about them again and again. We’ve had ours for 3 years. The kids have two, which I swap out for washing. They use them every day and trust me, M and M are not gentle. Can you say DURABLE??? (Update: This year the came out with 16-Ounce Funtainer Bottles. Same great design and they hold more water.)
- Art Supplies – Stockings are the perfect place to replenish the art center. Think markers, crayons, colored pencils, and paint. The kids will appreciate the fresh supplies (and you were going to buy them anyway, right?)
- Gloves – We live where it’s pretty warm all year so Hat, Scarf & Glove Sets are more for fun than necessity, although now that we’re watching baseball games late at night they’ll probably get more use.
- Toothbrush Timer – Do I need to say anything else? “Wash & Brush” Timer even has a hand washing timer! (Update: The reviews weren’t great, but we’ve now had ours for two years. We had no problems at all and the kids use it twice a day!)
- Games – There are so many games that can be played with dice or cards. (Here are a couple… 10,000 dice game & Golf card game.)
- Watch – Little M is learning to tell time. It’s so fun, I can’t wait for her to have her own watch. (And a boy’s watch).
 last year. They come in a lot of different colors and keep the kids reading. AWESOME!I know I’m not the only practical Mom out there…  do you have any stocking stuffer ideas to add?
Don’t miss the newest version 10 MORE Stocking Stuffers the Kids will Actually Use! There are some awesome stocking stuffer ideas that have been added in the comments as well.
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Theresa Boyle says
November 6, 2013 at 7:28 pmI love stocking stuffers and you shared some great ideas! Here are some of my ideas for adults: scratch tickets, gum, to go packets of coffee/tea (think starbucks), electrical tape (for men), work gloves, small lotions, zip ties (again for the men), dremel bits (men), recipe cards, burts bees chap stick, mini hand mixers battery operated (world market), chocolate or their favorite candy. For kids (we have a son): mini pocket games, decks of cards, candy, gift card to a favorite store, small lego kits, hot wheels car/trucks/planes, action figures.
Jillian says
November 6, 2013 at 7:45 pmI love, love, love your adult list!!! What a great idea to make each other fun (& practical) stockings.
Lauren says
November 18, 2014 at 4:26 pmWhere is the “ADULT LIST?” Can you please respond with the link? I can’t find it! Thanks a bunch!!! 🙂
Jillian says
November 18, 2014 at 4:57 pmLauren, I don’t have an adult list for stocking stuffers (but you will find some great ideas in the comment section.) I do have 5 Gifts Mom Should Give Herself List. Hope that helps!
Lauren says
November 18, 2014 at 9:31 pmThank you!! I’m looking for ideas for men though. You mentioned an adult list above that you “love.” Which one is that? Thanks again for your help!!! 🙂
Mary Isabelle says
November 25, 2014 at 6:14 pmI think she’s referring to a comment by Theresa Boyle. She has some great ideas for adult stocking stuffers. My kids get a toothbrush (always), candy (always- kids get kid candy and adults get Lindt), usually a pair of socks (something practical or funky), lip balm is great (can be for men and women), then something fun. I look all year for something fun. I think the best was the rubber band guns, but playing cards, etc, would do. Hope that helps.
Emily S says
November 25, 2014 at 8:56 pmSilly slipper socks or logo tee-shirt are appreciated if you have an adult guy that’s young at heart. (Think Star Wars, Superman, Animal, etc.)
Kristen says
November 18, 2014 at 12:41 pmAWESOME! Thanks! Helps for my employees!
Margie says
November 10, 2015 at 9:17 pmLove all the great ideas! Here are some of mine. ….For my husband and my teenage sons….I have done these things…..an ornament, lots of their favorite candy, packs of gum, toothbrush, axe deodorant and/or body wash, chap stick, new socks and underwear, pocket knife, new pencils/pens, new mugs with hot cocoa mix……For my daughter, i can trade some of the guy stuff for nail polish, travel size perfume, mini lotions, make up she likes…..so many possibilities!
Jillian says
November 11, 2015 at 6:31 amI love it Margie! Those are some great stocking stuffer ideas! Tiny perfume is such a great idea.
Angela says
November 8, 2013 at 5:17 amMy mom and I always pamper ourselves with manicures, so every holiday I know I’ll get a fresh Nail file, nail polish remover, and maybe a polish colour en vouge. Other practical ideas are razor and shaving cream, bath puff… Mostly personal care items I suppose 🙂
Jillian says
November 8, 2013 at 6:58 amI love that! Those are definitely practical and fun gifts!
Stephenie says
November 8, 2013 at 6:12 amGreat list – some things that we add (I’m also all about practical) are hair stuff, chapstick, a box of bandaids (fun and takes up some room at the bottom), hand sanitizer to fill their Bath & Body holders on their backpacks, and earrings (I have all girls). For adults, we almost always have a new car charger for USB devices, Sharpies, stylus for tablets, and other small electronic type useful things.
Jillian says
November 8, 2013 at 6:57 amThose are fantastic additions!
Jaye says
November 10, 2013 at 8:06 pmNow that we’re all driving we tend to put things like small flashlights and candles for our cars, small car tools like one to check tire pressure, and a mini first aid kit in stockings. We’re rural so it’s important we have stuff in our cars for emergencies so it works great. We also put small notebooks and mini pens, and a gift card for a coffee in each stocking.
Terri says
November 10, 2013 at 8:49 pmWe do batteries (because lets face it, if you have kids your getting something that needs batteries!!) Chapstick, matchbox cars, pencils, coal, yes my kids get it every year lol, $2 bill, crayons, orange, handheld games, homemade soaps, stickers, hand lotion, wine stopper, lottery tickets, hair clips, playdough, memory cards, wallet….I could seriously go on and on LOL Hope these help as well!!
susan says
November 30, 2015 at 1:15 pmFinally someone mentions an orange. It is the perfect toe filler.
Launa says
November 11, 2013 at 8:36 amGreat list! We are very practical as well. As an alternative to candy (which my husband and I both grew up with), we have made a tradition of filling the extra space in stocking with Satsumas. The kids love them because they can peal them themselves and they are so abundant in the winter!
Brenda says
November 11, 2013 at 9:09 amWe do the following: shampoo, bubble bath, bandaids, small carry tissues, chapstick, socks, underwear, Kinder surprise, toothpaste, my teenager gets AXE deodorant as well.
Because we don’t eat right away, we also add a tangerine, grapes, their favorite chocolate bar, and a chubby pop. A bit of healthy and not so healthy 🙂
Other things over the years have included: ear buds, dinky cars, card games, individual Lego or Playmobile items, slippers, etc.
Suzie says
November 11, 2013 at 9:18 amMy mom always puts a book of stamps in the adult stockings, we appreciate them because although we pay most of our bills online these days, it seems like we often need a stamp to mail something to someone…
Kate Day says
November 27, 2013 at 11:16 pmWhen my boys were young (until they were about 25!!) I put fun “xmas style” thank you cards AND stamps in their stockings…no excuses then!
Nancy McManus says
January 11, 2014 at 11:53 amLove the stamp idea. When my (now adult) children were young, before they were homeschooled, my traditional teachers’ gift was note cards and stamps. Pretty and practical.
Jodie @ Growing Book by Book says
November 11, 2013 at 9:34 amWhat a great list! I’ll be using some of these ideas this year.
Heather says
November 11, 2013 at 10:20 amThe “Wash and Brush” timer you have listed got an unfair rap, IMO. I bought this two years ago for my son, and aside from having to change the batteries, it’s proven pretty indestructable. I liked it so much, I bought a second to keep in the play room.
Jillian says
November 11, 2013 at 2:02 pmYAY!!! Thank you Heather. I was afraid to list it because of the reviews. That makes me feel so much better.
Gabrielle says
November 11, 2013 at 10:43 amSo many great ideas! Stockings are a huge part of our holiday so I like to fill them with all kinds of treasures that we might (or might not) normally buy. Some hits from our house: duct tape (really you can never have to much), art/craft supplies I wouldn’t normally splurge on like Washi Tape and patterned duct tape for the kiddos, pencils with novelty patterns are also fun. Gourmet candy bars and cooking items (World Market has a really fun section of gourmet items in sample sizes), liquor in shot bottles, novelty chocolate chips are fun for the kids so you can plan a cooking day later, marshmallows, hot cocoa/tea/coffee mix, and new books.
Laurel says
November 11, 2013 at 11:24 amOne thing that we always include in our stockings – is a magazine. For kids – sometimes a comic book, puzzle book, or something techie. For adults- anything of interest for that person. I look forward to seeing what magazine I get on Christmas morning as well it gives us all something to do while we’re waiting for others to get up etc.
Emily S says
November 25, 2014 at 8:45 pmI love this idea! A comic book or Mad Libs would also be fun additions.
Lacey says
November 11, 2013 at 12:09 pmFor teens…. hair ties, headbands, necklace, earrings, nail polish, hair spray, nail jewels, hair chalk, good shampoo, body shimmer, gel pens, $5 gift cards, ear buds, wallet, iTunes cards, gas cards, survival bracelet, multi-tool, craftsman key chain screw driver, new pens for school, hair gel, axe body spray, men’s body wash, “have a friend over while grounded” certificate
Amanda says
November 12, 2013 at 12:36 pmWe also do art supplies! They always love it, along with toothbrushes/paste/flossers, batteries, fun duct tape, and we fill with fresh fruit. My kids are crazy ( they don’t like candy) so we use fruit as a filler. We try to find something different for them to try than they usual apples and oranges 🙂
Jill says
November 12, 2013 at 1:55 pmI use many of the ideas listed above. An addition I always put in a little box of cereal and a juice box. it takes up space at the bottom and Santa brings them breakfast. They love it
Jillian says
November 12, 2013 at 2:45 pmFabulous idea! My kids always think of little sugar cereal boxes as a treat!
Renee says
November 12, 2013 at 8:59 pmGreat gift ideas! I will be doing several of these for my kids stockings this year. So practical but right on with what I want them to get. Thanks!
Jean says
November 16, 2013 at 6:56 amSeveral people have listed different types of tape, and that is one thing I am adding this year, too. Duct tape comes in so many cute patterns now, I have chosen one with flames for my motor cycle loving son-in-law and bacon for a friend who loves it in any form.
JDaniel4's Mom says
November 16, 2013 at 8:30 amWhat a great list! My son is going to find some of these in his stocking.
Sharon says
November 17, 2013 at 6:30 amMy boys loved getting coupons. I would make coupons for things like a week with no chores, or a batch of their favourite cookies. It cost me nothing!
Tara says
November 21, 2013 at 5:17 pmThese are great ideas. Any ideas for newborns? Especially when it’s a second child so you have almost everything you need. Just don’t want my 3yr old wondering why the baby didn’t get anything from Santa.
Jillian says
November 21, 2013 at 7:09 pmWhat about a new book, pasi (if you use one), clothes or stuffed toy?
Kelly says
November 26, 2013 at 3:22 pmMy baby will be 2 months come Christmas. We are stuffing his stocking with the following: teethers, a cap, bath toys, a stuffed moose, a night light (really a gift for me during those late night feedings), his first Christmas ornament and a Lamaze play-and-grow toy. Some of these things he can’t use right away, but as the year progresses he will.
Badden7784@yahoo.com says
November 18, 2014 at 11:39 amLast year for my 3 month old we did a all teething toy & a stuffed animal. Also used baby food to go packs. But we only used a small stocking last year.
Jellybean says
November 26, 2013 at 6:38 amNewborns: pacifier, socks, gerber puffs, yogurt bites, cup, rattles, soft or board books, dvd for family collection like Charlie Brown Christmas
Alby Deltor says
December 18, 2013 at 6:51 pmgreat ideas, what i did was buy gifts from http://www.SurpriseMeGifts.com It’s just $10 and you get random Surprise gifts. On their Facebook page you can see some of the gifts they’ve sent. https://www.facebook.com/GiftMeSurprise
Sharon gall says
October 7, 2014 at 6:16 pmWe always put new windshield wipers in ours. Something you need but just never seem to buy
Jill says
October 10, 2014 at 8:33 pmGreat items! Most we already do, but gift cards to their fav shops (ice cream, claires) in fun little boxes are great for our older kids (11 and 12) plus hand sanitizer (coconut and lemon from Whole Foods) for their book bag. Fun lip balm, and frilly hair ties for our girls. Our little boy loves little games and bath stuff.
Anne at Left Brain Craft Brain says
November 14, 2014 at 11:51 amLove this list. My mom, ummm, Santa always did these types of stocking stuffers with a few fun things added in.
Kat says
November 16, 2014 at 3:17 pmI always do toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, lotion, chopstick, those play and go packs (4 crayons, stickers, and a small coloring book), oranges, deodorant, nail polish, pencils…basically practical stuff and stuff that eventually gets lost :'(
Jillian says
November 17, 2014 at 5:35 amKat, I love the idea of chopsticks! I think we might add some this year.
Eva says
November 19, 2014 at 10:19 amI think that was a typo to mean chapstick, which is something we ALWAYS include, but chopsticks would be a fun addition! A dare to the kids to eat with chopsticks for a week. Haha.
Jillian says
November 19, 2014 at 10:27 amHa ha! Eva you have given me a great laugh for today. 🙂
vilma says
November 16, 2014 at 6:14 pmToothpaste and a brushing timer, fantastic ideas that I’ll have to steal from you! Thank you!
Jillian says
November 17, 2014 at 5:37 amWe love ours Vilma. 🙂
Jenn says
November 18, 2014 at 1:41 amFor the newborn what about baby Einstein for when he/she is older. It works wonders! Just put it on the background, it’s so much better then them watching spongebob. Another good one is that “scout” for boys or “violet” for girl and you can personalize it to say the babies name and do and say special things. Ie: “I have a brother or sister named…” Or “I love mommy and daddy,” of whatever you want it to say. It’s a lot of fun. Sold at target for sure along with other big stores. I believe it’s a leap frog brand.
Paula says
November 18, 2014 at 12:11 pmLittle packs of Kleenex, lottery tickets, money( I always put a handful of change in my nieces stockings), oranges, Chapstick, nail polish, emery board, stickers, trading cards, candy cane, favorite candy, hair accessories, travel size deodorant
Stephanie says
November 18, 2014 at 12:54 pmWe always get calendars and a small ornament
Danielle says
November 19, 2014 at 10:31 amFor bigger kids, lotion, hand sanitizer, chap stick. An ornament for the tree. Stickers.
Laurie says
November 27, 2014 at 10:17 pmSince my kids never get to choose the cereal I buy (the sales do!), they each get their favorite box of cereal. We actually do shoes instead of stockings, so we just put them behind the shoes. 🙂
Chris says
November 28, 2015 at 4:49 pm* stamps
* car wash gift card
* roll of quarters
* flashlight
* small sewing kit
* pocket first aid kit
* chapstick
* fingernail clippers
* movie passes
* kitchen timer
* car air fresheners
* “keysmart” Keychain
* restaurant gift cards
* travel-sized games
* energy bars
* jump rope
* hair accessories
* nail polish
* contact case
* book marks
* post it noyes
* highlighters, sharpies, markers
* duct tape
* tape measure
* multi tool – Leatherman
….
🙂
Kendra says
November 22, 2016 at 8:47 pmI have three year old twins. The one is thrilled with Hot Wheels and fruit snacks, they both love toothbrushes, and we put in bouncy balls. The other twin doesn’t like toys, he likes real things so we got him a stethoscope (we punctured the drum first so he can hear without blowing out his own hearing), a light switch that lights up, and one of those magnetic bowls meant for use in mechanics shops.
Debbie Norton says
November 21, 2017 at 12:57 pmWow such great ideas in Hills article a d the comments. I am sooo going to do a toothbrush timer for my teenage son. I also enjoy putting fruit( small oranges) I’m my son’s stocking. But I also do socks. A small you of sorts and candy.
HAPPY shopping ?