Several years ago my parents and I agreed to stop exchanging under-the-tree gifts and exchange only stocking stuffers. There is so little that any of us really needs, and stocking stuffers are more fun anyway. Getting creative year after year is a challenge, though. Does anyone have ideas for clever but useful things to put in an adult's stocking? Have you ever given an insignificant gift that turned out to be a surprise hit? For example, once I bought my mom a tin of sticky wax because her taper candles were always falling over in their holders...it was one of her favorite gifts ever.
Thanks!
Thanks so much for all the ideas! This gives me some great food for thought.
Pot holders, small jams and jellies, holiday earrings/tie tacks, mani-pedi set, favorite teas or coffees, lip gloss/chap stick, CDs or DVDs.
I just bought a small, portable mani/pedi set. It came in a hot pink sparkly container. It's small and very cute.. I intend on adding a pretty nail polish..
Additionally, I add lotto tickets (the scratchers)
I've done movie tickets and included those jumbo size "movie candy"
Cute flip flops
good coffee beans
got my sister a pregnancy test and it turned out quite useful.
I appreciate small everyday things the most. Lozenges, chap stick, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, tea lights, spices, candle lighter, hand cream, mascara, tape measure, screwdriver and nail polish are some things I remember getting in my stocking that I appreciated for being useful.
My mom likes to do handyman type stuff, today at the Ace Hardware I found a flowery screwdriver you could change out the heads on, and I know she'll love it! When my sister moved out on her own I got her a pink tool set and my mom was jealous.
For my Grandma, we recently got her a scrubby holder shaped like an owl, which is her favorite, just kind of as a lark, and she LOVES it. It really all depends on what your family members like.
We also do stocking stuffers for the adults and we also think the stocking stuffers are the most fun anyways!
Some that we have done/gotten have been: The kitchen utensils, face masks/scrubs, feet scrubs, bath salts/fizz, good candy, cork screw, camping type stuff (water proof matches, collapsable cups, etc.), swiss army knives, fuzzy socks (my sister's favorite), cute inexpensive jewelry, knit hats/gloves, hand warmers, lip gloss & make-up, nail polish, nut cracker (the real ones, not the decoration kind)....stuff like that!
~We have a family tradition with our stockings...they are all hand-made and made with love when each of us was born. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my families stockings and they are always stuffed to the brim! Once you add the small orange, and the nuts (which I have gotten in my stocking my ENTIRE life) + the candy you really have to be creative with rolling things and condensing them in size to make everything fit! Ha!
small kitchen gadgets like mixing spoon,collapsible cups,s/p shakers,table coaster w/ their last initial
A DVD of an old, but favorite movie. These are usually less than ten bucks. A favorite box of tea
Candy/nuts/chocolate
Bottle of wine
Fave face wash, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, hand cream, make up
Recipe card/olive oil with pasta
Picture frames
Flashlights
Batteries
Tools
Socks
Towels with a design or print that the person likes
Specialty Seasonings for cooking
Silicone covered whisk
Kitchen tongs
Skull Candy Ear Buds
Salon Giftcard
Maglite Flashlight
Batteries
Artisan ________ (salts, spice blends, sugars, maple syrup, cheese, etc.)
Smartwool socks
Moleskin Small journals
Chopsticks
Tea cups
Coasters
I don't think it was a stocking stuffer, but it *could* have been . . .
My dad was left-handed. One year I bought him a pair of scissors designed for lefties. He said later that it was one of the best gifts he'd ever received.
He could be a real SOB about gifts that he didn't like, so it was nice to have hit the target for once.
There are sites that specialize in items designed specifically for lefties. Some of them may not be as useful, because it seems like using the other hand wouldn't be as big a deal (that's from the vantage point of being right-handed, of course!). But there are other things that could make a leftie's life a whole lot easier!
Do you or your parents have a staple-free stapler? I got one a few years ago, and it is awesome! No more having to replace staples in the stapler. Maybe they could use one of those. Or what about an LED flashlight for emergencies? There are also cool nightlights that turn into flashlights if the power goes out. Do your parents like to garden? How about seeds?
Here are a few things that I am always needing in my house:
binder clips
post-it notes
tape flags
sharpie pens (they come in so many colors now!)
scotch tape
philips screwdrivers (because we are always changing batteries in kid toys)
Yes, these are very ordinary items, but the last time our extended family had a gift exchange where we were stealing each other's $5 gifts, the practical stuff like duct tape and paper towels kept getting stolen! Good luck!
duct tape (they even have fun patterns now!)
car air fresheners
hand sanitizer
pocket tissues
gift cards
flashlights
pens, pencils, sharpies
funky key chains
votive candles
handheld games
puzzle books (B&N has some cute adults ones that are for like bathroom and stuff)
hand lotion
ornaments
candy (of course!!)
airplane bottles of liquor or wine
The most useful stocking stuffer my mom has ever given any of us:
- Mini lip glosses
- soft socks
- eye glass cloth (really tiny & fit in our wallets)
- box of our favorite candy
- gift certificates to Dunkin Donuts
- Chapstick
- Mini Advil, hand sanitizer, lotions, etc
- costume jewelry
- nice pen
I've never done an adult stocking, but I'd think that batteries, a new toothbrush, pens, toiletries, disposable razors, sock, gloves would be good.
my Mom gave us the goofiest gift ever, & it turned out to be the most practical gift....one of my all-time favs. My Sis & I each received a box of gift wrapping supplies....bags, tissue, rolls of multi-use wrapping paper, gift tags, tape, etc. What an awesome gift!
& last year, after each holiday, she bought highly-discounted seasonal/holiday kitchen towels. My Sis & I each received a box full of great towels! Some were gimmicky/cutesy. Some were extravagantly luxurious. & all were appreciated! An awesome idea, & one which required some thought & effort.....all year long!
This year, I bought (thru Groupon) Cool-Tec towels for during athletic use. Got one for each of my sons + my husband. They were only $5, & will fit nicely in the stockings. I hope they work as well as the company's claims.
Also, here are some of our basics:
wooden kitchen matches (we're outdoors a lot)
aimNflame lighter for the fireplace
Sharpies, pens, pencils
gardening gloves, small tools
houseshoes
+ candies, special treats, fruit/nuts, beef jerky
Merry Christmas!
Purse sized flashlight
Starbucks or Dunkin gift cards
Stamps
Pens
If anyone is into sports--sport towels (like the cool /frog ones?)
manicure set (particularly for men)
new combs (men)
A nice hairbrush (sneak a peek at what they are using now to get an idea what type they prefer)
Plush socks
scarf
de-icer for the windshield?
Pocket measuring tape (one of those small ones that only measures about 5 ft long---very handy).
Lightweight hammer (just for hanging pictures).
"Thinking Putty."
http://www.puttyworld.com/
Its real popular here in my city. For all ages...
It can also be found at other stores.
This site is GOOD too:
www.thinkgeek.com
- "Mighty Bright", reading light. Barnes & Noble. Its good. We have it.
Also: little sample sizes of cooking seasonings, or tea/coffee etc.
Mini hand sanitizers with the holders that you can attach to any bag etc. Many stores carry this now, besides those specialty bath/body stores. Even drugstores have it.
Address stamp or labels, lottery tickets, decorative pill container for purse, swiss army knife (those mini scissors come in handy), semi-annual magazine, crossword puzzle book(for waiting in school carpool lane), reflective light for bike or someone who is a jogger, reusable water bottle, dog/cat treats(I always love it when someone thinks of my pet). My favorite places for stocking stuffers: R.E.I, Aaron Brother's, The Container Store, Cost Plus.
I always hit Bed, Bath and Beyond for kitchen gadgets. This time of year they are stocked full of fun items for all ages. We only do stockings for our kids, but I always include new pens and pencils (they are always low for school at this time), sparkly nail polish for new years, ITunes gift cards and I've started including car air fresheners for my oldest dgtr. Some of those items could translate to adult parents, too.
Good Luck!
Electronic rain gauge
Electronic device to show that your garage door is open or closed.
Water bottle, or travel mug, fill with M & M's or favorite minature candies or trail mix.
Book or roll of stamps
For men, electronic stud finder or electrical tester.
Tire gauge
