Stocking stuffers are my favorite. I think they are SO fun, and I really enjoy finding fun little things to surprise and delight everyone. They seem lower pressure, somehow, than other gifts. I do tend to get carried away a bit. Maybe by listing all the things I WANT to buy (for myself and others), I will scratch some of that Stocking Stuffer Syndrome itch that makes me panic at the last minute and buy too many things.
Carla and my husband and I each have a stocking. When we have visitors for Christmas, we hang stockings for them, too. But I also like to include one or two small stocking stuffer-y kinds of things in the packages I send my family members. No idea if they end up in a stocking at all, but it makes me feel like I’m covering all the bases.
For other gift guides and stocking stuffer ideas, check out my previous gift guides here.
Magic Rainbow Puzzle Ball: Carla has one of these puzzle balls and plays with it all the time. I think it’s simpler (and therefore more satisfying) than a Rubik’s Cube. My niece will get a kick out of it. Image from amazon.com
Tiny-Ice Cube Tray: This is going in my husband’s stocking. The backstory is that we visited a friend this summer who had an ice machine that makes tiny ice. My husband was enthralled. We have no place to keep a tiny-ice maker, not to mention this is a little more extravagant than I like to think ice should cost (yes, even though our fridge is broken and the ice maker no longer produces ice). So this is my nod toward his desire for tiny ice. Image from amazon.com
Slinky: Why do we not have one of these yet? We have stairs, Carla would love this. Image from amazon.com
Cajun Peanuts: For those who don’t love sweets in their stockings (we do exist!). Image from parkerspeanuts.com
Spiky Finger Rings: These just look like fun things to fidget with. The package comes with 12, so I could split them up among Carla and my niece (and myself???). Image from amazon.com
Meat Chopper: This is one of my favorite kitchen tools of all time and I have recommended it a lot. I use it primarily to break up ground beef for tacos or spaghetti sauce, and yet it’s something I would replace immediately if it broke or got lost. Image from amazon.com
Perfume Samples: I could never buy perfume/cologne for someone – too expensive! too big a commitment! – but it would be super fun to find a sample I think someone would like and stick it in their stocking to try. (You can search the site by note – like grapefruit or tea – and then read the descriptions of the perfumes/colognes that pop up. Then you can order a .7 ml sample for around $4-$8. It is very easy to fall into an aromatic wormhole though, so be warned.) Image from luckyscent.com
Silicone Straws: Who doesn’t love a straw? Especially one that is easy to clean, as these purport to be. Image from amazon.com
Photo Phone Holder: This would be such a perfect gift for a grandparent – or many other special friends and relatives. Image from Shutterfly.com
Toothpaste Tablets: This is something I have always been curious about, but haven’t wanted to buy just in case I hated them. But they would make the perfect stocking stuffer. Image from amazon.com
Stress Balls: I bet every one reading this knows someone who needs a tiny neon stress ball. Image from amazon.com
Beanie: Half of the profits made on the sale of all Love Your Melon hats goes toward preventing pediatric cancer. Image from amazon.com
Personalized Post-It Notes: Do other people go through post-it notes like air or water? We do. I have post-it note pads everywhere. These custom options are really cute. (Shutterfly has photo options, too.) Image from vistaprint.com
Shea Moisture Leave In Hair Treatment: My sister-in-law got me a bottle of this stuff last year and I love it. It smells great and it cuts down on frizz while leaving my hair feeling light. Image from amazon.com
Mini Squishmallow: The only thing better than a Squishmallow is a mini one, and this variety pack would be great to break up among multiple stockings. Image from amazon.com
Snake Puzzles: These remind me of the snake puzzles we got for Carla for our road trip. I think they would be a lot of fun for Carla and her cousin to find in their stockings. Image from amazon.com
BLK & Bold Coffee: Is it even Christmas if I don’t get my husband new coffee to try? This brand donates 5% of profits to help at-youth risk. Image from amazon.com
Gel Ink Pens: Pens are practical and these ones are pretty. Image from amazon.com
Motivational Temporary Tattoos: These are pretty and I like having a little reminder to be good to yourself scripted on your skin where you can’t avoid it. (The “smile” one makes me think of Men of a Certain Generation, though, so I might skip that one.) Image from ulta.com
Cat Socks: I want these for me, but Carla probably also wants them for her. Image from amazon.com
Worry Dog: Forgive me – I cannot remember where I read about this, but it is SO cute and I can imagine having it in my pocket or on my desk and stroking it softly and feeling better about life. Image from etsy.com
Rainbow Pencils: I adore these rainbow pencils. ADORE THEM. They are definitely making their way into Carla’s stocking. If I ever used pencils, I would buy some for myself. Image from amazon.com
Scalp Massaging Brush: I would love one of these in my stocking! Image from amazon.com
Fun Shoelaces: I love these purple ombre laces, but there are so many options. Tie-dye! Metallic! Cheetah print! Image from amazon.com
Fancy Candy Canes: This site has all sorts of interesting candy cane flavors. Nutmeg! Birthday cake filled with frosting! Raspberry chocolate! And candy canes would be so festive in a Christmas stocking! Image from hammondscandies.com
Salt Sampler: This little tin of sea salt blends sounds so fun! Image from beautifulbrinysea.com
Customizable Pencils: These would be so fun, too! This would make a great teacher gift! Image from etsy.com
Pride Mug: This mug is simple and elegant and 25% of the purchase price goes to support The Trevor Project (which provides crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ young people). Image from potterybarn.com
Flipbook Kits: Did you ever make flipbooks when you were a kid? I loved making them and then flipping through the cartoon to see it move. These are less labor intensive but still enjoyable. Image from uncommongoods.com
Linen Spray: I adore a good linen spray, and this one from Thistle Farms sounds so lovely and sleep-helpful. Image from thistlefarms.com
Pickle Ice Pop: You should see my face right now, but my pickle-loving child might get a kick out of this. Or maybe the giant gummy pickle is more her style, hard to say. Image from candycarrollton.com
Monopoly Deal: Karen A. recommended this card game as quick (20 minutes) and fun. It is the perfect size and price for stocking stuffing. Image from amazon.com
Reader’s Wine Glass: The only thing better than sipping a nice mug of hot tea while reading a good book is sipping a nice glass of wine while reading a good book. Image from etsy.com
Jelly String Noodles: These look fun. They remind me of the WikkiStix days – oh man, Carla got so many hours of quiet play out of those things. Image from amazon.com
Holiday Deodorant: I think Carla is a little young yet to need deodorant, but it never hurts to have some around just in case, right? Plus, these are SO CUTE. Not quite sure how any of the scents will smell (spiked eggnog, in my underarms???), but they are fun and festive and novel. Image from target.com
Chili Crisp: I have never tried this myself, although it seems to be very trendy these past couple of years and I have heard big claims like “best condiment ever!” being thrown around. (Disclaimer: I don’t think I would like it because of the texture.) Might be a nice thing for a foodie-type to find in her stocking. Image from amazon.com
Japanese Barbecue Sauce: This is a condiment I would like to try. It sounds like an umami-rich glaze or dipping sauce that has no relationship to what we in the U.S. know as barbecue sauce. Image from amazon.com
Juggling Balls: My mom was starting to teach Carla how to juggle over Thanksgiving, but we didn’t really have any appropriate juggling items. (A whiffle ball, a stress ball, and a tennis ball aren’t ideal, I gather.) These will be perfect for her stocking. Image from amazon.com
Fair Isle Ankle Socks: These are super cute. So are the snowflake ones, which my husband might like.Image from bombas.com
Sipping Chocolate: Seems like every year I get my husband a new sipping chocolate to try – he loves it. This one from Chocolat Uzma is the perfect price for a stocking stuffer… and don’t forget to ogle all the gorgeous chocolates on the website. Image from chocolat-uzma.com
5-in-1 Snowball Maker: My daughter loves her one-at-a-time snowball maker, and spends a lot of time outside making huge piles of snowballs, one by one. She would adore this. It’s not really sized for stockings, but it’s priced right. Image from amazon.com
Heart Snowball Maker: Oooh this is more stocking-sized. Please ignore how creepy the picture is. Image from amazon.com
Abandon All Artichokes: I’m always looking for fun card games to play with the family, and this looks cute. Plus, it’s geared toward slightly older kids (the box says age 10+). Image from amazon.com
Beautiful Stickers: I cannot remember where I heard about this artist who creates gorgeous products with a social justice edge, but I love pretty much everything on her site. A fun sticker (for your water bottle, computer, notebook, etc.) would be a great stocking stuffer. Or look! Three stickers for $10! Image from graydaystudio.com
Mini Olive Oil: Or vinegar. Image from saratogaoliveoil.com
Herb & Olive Focaccia Mix: This would go great with the aforementioned teeny bottle of olive oil. Image from amazon.com
Tea Pigs Collection: At about $25, this is more than I usually like to spend on a stocking stuffer. But since there are 12 teas in the bundle (and you can choose which teas you want!), you could certainly break this up among several friends or family members. Image from teapigs.com
Candy You Ate As a Kid: These little bags of nostalgic candy, sorted by decade, sound really fun – especially for adults. While I can’t speak to the 1920s and 1930s bags, the 1980s bag looks like it gets it just right. Double Bubble! Warheads! Nerds! Image from oldtimecandy.com
Fidget Toy Pencil Topper: I can’t recall if I’ve shared these here before, but they are a big hit with Carla. Image from amazon.com
Stovetop Potpourri: You can make this at home – although, in my opinion, it’s only worth it if you make a bunch of it to give as gifts – or you can buy cute little packages to put in stockings. Image from etsy.com
I wish I could buy ALL these things for everyone on my list… but it is more likely I will buy three or four things for Carla, one or two things for my husband, and then one thing each for the rest of my family members. But it’s so fun to look for little gifts that will delight my loved ones without breaking the bank.
life of a doctor's wife 
I’d like a good few of these in my stocking! I would say that the best paper straws you can find (they are SO much better than they used to be and are available in heaps of fun patterns and different sizes) are the way to go though – the experiments done to show how bacteria laden reusable straws are even after a ‘proper wash’ are eye-opening. The silicone ones tend to be the worst offenders too!
That’s a lot of ideas. I may go through this list later as I need stocking stuffers for several people.
I know that Jenny tried the spiked eggnog Native deodorant and was NOT a fan.
And you know how I feel about eggnog. New life goal: don’t put anything on my armpits I wouldn’t eat?? Hahaha
Just added a bunch to my cart – great ideas!
Those are so cute! I usually put chocolates and fancy nuts in the guys’ stockings, with maybe one other small thing. I almost always just get a bottle of wine in mine, which is nice.
What a fun list! I am a pickle lover but I have to say that a pickle-flavor candy is not appealing. I mean, I even drink pickle juice so it’s saying a lot that I’m crinkling my nose at it! But if it’s something that’s made, surely people like it!
I will have to reference this in the future, though, because you have come up with so many great ideas!
AH!!! Did you know it’s practically impossible to fill a 20-year-old’s stocking? Especially since he doesn’t like candy. But I got several ideas from this list so thank you!!! But you’ve been warned… stay away from the eggnog deodorant!
LOL at the food-scented deodorant. Maybe it would entice a tween to use it more regularly? It just sounds so unappealing to me!
But this is a super helpful list for hard to shop for people. If all fails, give everyone you know rainbow pencils.
Nice list you’ve compiled! I love Bombas socks and T-shirts. Going to check out a few of your suggestions. Thanks!
Stocking stuffers are my favorite part of Christmas! These are all excellent ideas. I especially love the personalized post-it notes.
Suzanne – I think you alone are saving Christmas in this house this year! Mini olive oil? Definitely going into the husband’s stocking (even though I have already purchased the requisite gallon of olive oil as a gift). Along with the salt sampler and the bbq sauce.
I would love several of those for big gifts!
I want the cat socks!!!! The boys would die if they got the salt sampler kit so hmmm…also I love stickers. What a great round up!
HOW did you come up with all of this?! Wow. That’s a lot! I like the silicone straw idea- my husband got me a nice little set a few years ago, with straws that folded up into a storage case for travel, etc. But then we went somewhere that didn’t provide straws, so I used mine… and then ended up throwing my cup away, with my straw still in it!! Just on auto-pilot I guess. Oops. I need to get a new set.
I tried the trial size of Native candy cane deo and it just smells like Peppermint oil. It’s not a very strong scent either so it wasn’t noticeable.
My 9-year-old wears those cat socks every day! That magic rainbow puzzle ball just went into my cart. We got my girl a Rubix Cube for her birthday in August and she melts down just looking at it; I guess I should have set expectations that it isn’t as easy as it looks in videos, oops!
I want a meat chopper. I’ve never seen one of those and I NEED it. I used to have personalized post-it notes. They were the best for no reason other than they made me feel efficient. And I like that feeling.
Such cute ideas. I love the Native deodorant and I have a travelsize one in coconut-vanilla scent. It’s my favorite.
I might have bookmarked a few of your stuffers 😉