Oh, what to put in them? Your mind works furiously, debating possibilities. Maybe I could just pop up to their rooms and find some forgotten toys to throw in there... Maybe I could fill them entirely with canned goods from the pantry... Maybe I could replace them with dirty socks that they won't want to touch, thus removing my need to fill them...
Fear not, my friend. Below, find my (reasonably priced) ideas for filling those stark stove-side stockings (with as few stops as possible).
For Kids:
Dollar Store (Try Dollar Tree, 99 Cent Only Stores), $1
Stickers/Crayons/Markers/Colored Pencils
Coloring Books/Sticker Books/Activity Books
Rubber bugs
Dress Up Jewelry/ Stick on Earrings
Lip gloss/Chapstick
Army Men
Story Books (Yep! They have them there!)
Big Box Store (Try Target, Wal Mart, K Mart), $0.80 - $3.00
Matchbox Cars
Travel Games
Activity Books
Glow-in-the-Dark Stars and Planets
Mini Lego Sets
Bubblebath
Tub Crayons
Mini Nerf Gun or Marshmallow Blaster (JUST BE PREPARED FOR WHAT ENSUES)
Online - For a little something special (Amazon, Various), $2 - $6
Flingshot Flying Monkey , $2.14
Spy Glasses , $3.65
Astronaut Ice Cream Sandwich , $2.99
For Teens:
Dollar Store (Try Dollar Tree, 99 Cent Only Stores), $1
Earbuds
Nail Polish/Nail Art
Key Chain/Lanyard
Deck of Cards
Funky Pens/Pencils/Highlighters
Book Covers
Silly String (Give multiple cans with instructions that the battle MUST be held out of doors)
Big Box Stores (Target, Wal Mart, K Mart), $2 - $8
Nail Design Pens
$5 Gift card for iTunes or Starbucks
Travel Size Cologne/Perfume/Body Spray
Fingerless gloves/Gloves with touchscreen ability
USB Flashdrive
Makeup/Beauty masks/Bath Salts
Mini Nerf Gun or Marshmallow Blaster (JUST BE PREPARED FOR WHAT ENSUES)
Online - For a little something special (Amazon, Various), $1 - $10
Glowing Rain Boot Stickers, $4.95
Magazine Subscription, $5-$10 (Try Guitar World, X Box, Seventeen, Teen Vogue)
Emergency Phone Charger, $2.95 (Don't forget batteries!)
Magnetic Dartboard, $6.45
Other, Various
Lottery Scratchers ($1 - $3, convenience stores)
(I know this seems odd, but it makes kids feel so grown up! And, hey, if they win, they're that much closer to going to college and moving out of the house!) :)
For Men:
Dollar Store (Try Dollar Tree, 99 Cent Only Stores), $1
Electronics Cleansing Cloths
Socks
Gloves/Hat
Fingernail Clippers/Tweezers
Mini Measuring Tape (throw it in the glovebox!)
Grill Lighter
Hand Warmers
Big Box Stores (Target, Wal Mart, K Mart), $1 - $10
Car Charger
Mini Crank Radio
Travel Size Cologne/Body Spray
Car Air Freshener
Puzzle Books/ Magazine/ Comic Book
USB Flashdrive
For the Sports Fan: Golf Tees, Golf Balls, Tennis Balls
For the Traveler: Luggage Tags, Journal
For the Techie: Gloves w/ Touchscreen capabilities, Cord Wraps
Online - For a little something special (Amazon, Various), $1 - $10
Fire Starter, $4.39
Hook Work Light, $7.99
Computer Key Cufflinks , $7.99
iStuck Laptop Stand , $9.99
Other, Various
Cologne Samples (Free, at Dept. Store cologne counters)
Gift Certificate/Coins for Car Wash ($6 - ??)
Mini Bottles of his favorite grown up drink ($1 - $4)
Lottery Tickets and Scratchers ($1 - $3, convenience stores)
For Women:
Dollar Store (Try Dollar Tree, 99 Cent Only Stores), $1
Seed Packets
Nail File/ Tweezers/ Eyelash Curler
Bath salts/ Foot Polish
For the Crafter: Scrapbooking stickers/paper, Yarn, Needles, Stamp Pads
Big Box Stores (Target, Wal Mart, K Mart), $1 - $10
Travel Size Lotion/ Travel Size Hair Care Products
Hair Masks/ Beauty Masks
Bubble Bath/ Bath Salts
Makeup
Nail Polish/Cuticle Oil
Gourmet Tea/Coffee
For the Chef: Truffle Oil, Vanilla Beans, Kitchen Towel
For the Baker: Cookie Cutters, Parchment Paper, Pot Clip
Online - For a little something special (Amazon, Various), $1 - $10
TheraToes, $5
Sole Mates Foldable Shoes , $9.99
Personalized Luggage Tag, $7.99
Pretty iPhone Case , $6.99
Other, Various
Perfume Samples (Free at Dept. Store perfume counters)
Makeup Samples (Free at Dept. Store Makeup Counters; Free w/ purchase Sephora)
Bottle of Wine or Champagne (Look at that! Stocking FILLED!)
Gift Cards for Mani/Pedi (okay, not exactly cheap, but it will be Very. Much. Appreciated.)
Lottery Tickets and Scratchers ($1 - $3, convenience stores)
The Edible Stuff:
Dollar Store (Try Dollar Tree, 99 Cent Only Stores), $1
Candy Canes
Life Saver Holiday Books
Gold Coins**
Various Candy
Big Box Stores (Target, Wal Mart, K Mart), $1 - $3
Protein Bars or Fruit and Nut Bars (Don't forget that not everyone WANTS candy!)
Nuts (try cashews, pistachios, smoked almonds)
Beef or Turkey Jerkey
Fruit Snacks
Oranges**
Online - For a little something special (Amazon, Various), $1 - $13
Crystal Rock Candy Pops, $12.75 for 12
Holiday Light Lollipops, $4.49 for 12
Liquor Filled Chocolates, $6.99
Chocolate Orange Ball, $6.95 (The only thing better than candy, is candy that you can WHACK against a wall before eating!)
**Check out my next article on the history of the Christmas Stocking to find out why these are traditions!
