Unique stocking stuffers
Christmas is right around the corner. Start shopping today for unique stocking stuffers. If you shop early, the price and availability are nearly always right!
Christmas stockings are a long-time tradition, and one everyone looks forward to. Unfortunately, stocking stuffers can be expensive–especially if you have several stockings to stuff! It takes perseverance and a good shopping eye to get the job done.
Here are a few tips:
1. Stocking stuffers need to checked for age appropriateness. Don’t expect to find stocking stuffers for everyone in the same store.
2. Expensive doesn’t constitute quality. Inexpensive gifts used as filler are sometimes the best gifs, so don’t overlook even the smallest item.
3. Start early in the year. The best plan is to pick up items all year long, just remember to keep them as stocking stuffers!
4. Wrap all stocking stuffers, no matter the size or shape. It’s more fun when everything is wrapped in different colored paper. And you can never go wrong with ribbons!
5. Purchase useful items as well as fun items. No one said gifts had to be impractical.
6. Try to keep the size to a minimum of 6-8 inches, including several tall, slender items as filler.
7. Leave one item unwrapped...something special, like a Barbie doll or special candy cane or maybe a G.I. Joe...and sticking out the top.
8. Always include a vintage coin. The Walking Liberty silver dollar stuck into the toe of the stocking makes a great addition to their loot.
9. Add candy. You know what you child/husband/wife likes. Candy and gum used as filler will never be looked at as a mistake. Unshelled nuts are fun, too.
10. Never underestimate the power of gift certificates, phone cards, and movie passes
For youngsters:
1. Stickers
2. Stampers and pads
3. Colored chalk and glitter pens
4. Candy necklace and ring
5. Brightly colored toothbrush
6. Gift certificate for the video rental store (game or movie)
7. Bath oils shaped like little animals (they melt and release the oil in the bathtub)
8. Latest Disney movie
9. Connect the dots coloring book
10. Glow necklace
For teen-agers:
1. Phone card
2. One quarter roll and one dime roll for the laundry mat at college
3. Bath oil or bath salts
4. Large box of candy (chocolate covered peanuts, sweet and sour, etc.) and a movie pass
5. Facial cleansers, strips, and/or scrubs
6. Keys to a new car...or...a hand-held car window scraper for the old car (your choice)
7. Two tickets to an upcoming concert with a note that explains neither ticket is for you
8. Jewelry
9. Horoscope book
10. Teen magazine
For spouse:
1. Phone card
2. Gift certificate to favorite store
3. Purse size of her favorite perfume or his favorite cologne
4. Two movie passes so he/she can go to a movie with a friend (or with you!)
5. Lottery tickets
6. Tickets to a play and an invitation to dinner at an expensive restaurant
7. Certificate for a massage
8. A cassette or CD of the music you enjoyed when you dated
9. Small calendar with important dates (birthdays, family outings) filled in
10. Razors
Additional ideas for adults:
1. Recipe to that special, mysterious family dish you make and everyone loves
2. One quarter roll and an invitation to go gambling with you
3. Small bottle of liquor
4. Lipstick for chapped lips
5. Handmade ticket for free babysitting by you
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