Christmas Stocking Gifts

In addition to the things already mentioned, I am putting together a "favorite things" theme for some. I just looked around the house to find little things that make me smile or help around the house. For example, blue kitchen scissors from Ikea, favorite spatula, Super Sticky post its, favorite pens, gum, magnetic clothes pins from the Container Store. Just things I really enjoy. Many come in pkgs of multiples so you could split it among the stockings.

You have a great idea! Have fun with it!

Dear K.,
I would suggest things they would use like bath soap are body wash, gum,q tips, pot holders dish towels things on that order. If they wear ear rings, candy they like.
Hope this has been a help.
J. G

My sorority sisters have a Christmas gathering every year and a few years back we started bringing small gifts. Now we are up to 8 people so...last year I went to Gardenridge and way in the back of the store with party supplies they have sets of Christmas boxes sold separately. I got some boxes about the size of a rubix cube for half off, $1-$1.50 each! Then I
bought cute fuzzy socks, or Christmas socks for about $4 a pair at Kohls or JCPenney. Throw in a few Kisses or other wrapped candy and you have a $5 gift everyone loves. You don't have to wrap it and the boxes are becoming a little keepsake.

Funny you should ask. My Mom started a tradition of filling all our stockings about 40 years ago and our family grew to 29. She did all of them until she died in 2005. Now my Dad who is 89 and I fill them. I shop all year and this is some of what I put. You may laugh, but when our family gets together for a big dinner and open our stockings, it is fun and hilarious at the same time. The memories are priceless ove the years and we range from age 14 months up to 89.
Lip gloss, scotch tape, pudding and jello mix, soap, hand cream, nuts, candy bars, animal crackers, bunge cords, garden gloves, duct tape, screw drivers and small hammers, nail clippers, ornaments, picture frames, muffin mix, chocolate chips, deoderant, hair gel, fingernail polish, lipstick, blush, socks, shower gel, pencils, ball point pins, erasers, baloons, sidewalk chalk, stickers, stamps, hair bows and headbands, dish rags and scrubbing pads, dish scrappers, shower scrunchies, guest towels, thank you notes, flashlights, night lights, scissors, crayons, colored pencils, tablets, maze books, small paperback books, small kleenex packages, hand antibacterial gel, baby wipes, pacifiers, shampoo, conditioner, knee highs, trouser socks, bandaides, race cars, balls, small stuffed animals,casette tapes, joke books,mug with hot cocoa mix, small flavored coffee, vanilla flavoring, combs, hairbrush,.... The list goes on and on...
Be creative and fun and put useful items-shop at Dollar Tree and think what you would like if you were getting it. We spend about 20 dollars for each person and have fun.
V. b.

I have some really cute purse notepads, cell phone charms, crochet-edge dishcloths, bookmarks, tea cards, journals and etc...you can get several items for under $40! Check Glitz4Gals.etsy.com. In the next few weeks many more items will be loaded to the website. If you want to see something in particular, just email me. I can send you pictures!

D.
Glitz4Gals.etsy.com

Think of a theme, or something that intrerests each person. If one likes to scrapbook, then find some little scrapbooking supplies on sale and fill the stocking with that. Or do a "Me time" stocking, with little things for each person to use just for them, like spa/bath items.

Stockings are a family tradition for us...since Santa doesn't bring adults gifts we do stockings for each other :) Some things we have done for each other in the past include: Chapstick,lipgloss, nail polish, Christmas undies or boxers, candy, magazines, cookie cutters, tape measures and tools, cooking utensils, slipper socks, lotions,bath beads, bath gels, small packages of flavored coffees, small bottles of booze, lotto tickets, interesting knick knacks, hot cocoa, small games (like a mini rubiks cub or electronic soduku or that electronic 20 questions), gloves, snow hat,small calendars, mini picture frames, ornaments, palm pilot or ipod accessories,scrap booking supplies (like scissors or rubber stamps) . Sometimes fun kid stuff like silly string, silly putty or bubble guns. Much of what we collect for the stockings comes from the dollar stores and that dollar section of target. If you are creative about how you fill them, you can really load up a stocking. It can be a lot of fun to go through and see what's inside! Hope this helps! Have fun! Merry Christmas

Bath and body works has purse size lotions and body sprays that I just purchased 4 for $5. The socks, fingernail files, clippers, exfoliating gloves(great for dry winter skin), and candy you can find at the dollar store. Have fun and Merry Christmas!

Stockings are HUGE at our house! For the adults, I always put in stuff like lip balm, hand lotion, hand sanitizer, fun sticky note pads, magnets, $5 gift cards, favorite candy/gum, car air freshner, small mind teaser games, fun push pins or paper clips, purse size measuring tape, mini Sharpie pens, hand exercise ball, and mini lint rollers. You can find these things at Michaels, Wal-mart, and the Container Store. Have fun!

M.

Hi K.,
If you are looking for any Mary Kay items I have all my "Last Chance" items at 40% off! There are some great perfumes for only $13. Let me know if I can help.
www.marykay.com/kwartell
K.

World Market in McKinney and Plano has some of the coolest foodie type things. They have lots of different unique candies, snacks, cocoas, coffees, cookies, dips. They also have very small bottles of various wines, saki, holiday themed beers. I went today and spent $125 on stockings for my family and got a TON of stuff! I highly recommend checking there for unusual and unique snacks!

Hi K.,

I like to find treasures at the Vineyard's Antique mall in Colleyville...there are so many different little shops in there that carry the antique, new and used...gifts, collectibles and jewerly.

It is so much more relaxing to go to and I find very unique items there.

Good Luck!

M. D.

I assume you are talking about girlfriends, if so then think of all the things that you wish you still took time for... new fingernail polish, new nail file (you know, the nice ones not the one you dug out from some 'junk' drawer in desperate need), chocolate, burt's bees products are always a welcomed gift, warm fuzzy socks for winter, etc.

OH I LOVE getting stockings, I swear that is one of my favorite parts of Christmas Day! The impression I am getting is that this is for adults. If I were you I would hit up The Only 99 cent store. They have a whole bunch of little goodies for just a buck! I have also used sample size items like deoderant and other hygene items. Usually you can find little body mists and bath fizzies and etc. If it is for a guy usually a little bottle of after shave is nice or there is that AXE or TAG stuff. I also enjoy getting funky socks....but that could just be me! And dont for get a little whimsical toy, like a yo yo or a whirllie gig, something small , just for giggles and grins. And of course CANDY! World Market has some of the cuttest little packaged candies, I once found some chocolates in a little baggie that were shapped like crayons and I put it in my daughters stocking and a box that looked like band aids in my husbands.
Well I hope this gives you some ideas!

Hope you enjoy the holidays!

J.

Favorite chocolates, you can never go wrong with chocolate. Buy like gift sets from bath and body works and split them up to save. Some like body spray others prefer lotion. How about creating a coupon for a Girl's Night redeemable for whenever.. I love girl's night out. Movie bucks are great too. Check out the travel section in Walmart an Target and they always have great stuff for your purse like toilet covers, tide pen, tissues, band aids etc.. I call that stuff my first aid purse kit.. Also if you have pictures of them you can upload them to Walgreens.com and put a holiday background on them or if you have a printer at home.. What about a set of ornaments and give each one an ornament..

Hope this helps..

Or if you don't want to do stockings.. Invite them all over and have them bring a dish.You guys can talk, laugh and hang out.. take lots of pics and create a photo book afterwards or google has an online account you can save pics too, and you can e-mail the slideshow to friends.. I always have everyone bring a picture frame or candle and that way everyone goes home with something.. I normally buy a really pretty cardstock and find a really nice poem about my friends and ad my own wording to it or write my own. Put a hole at the top and tie a ribbon on it.. Cheaper than buying cards..

Whatever you do I am sure they really appreciate u!

$1 stockings
$1 store ornaments (I think they have 2008 ones)
fun lip gloss
$5 gift card to anywhere
you can get small picture frames at the $1 store
target has the $1 spot w/some seasonal items...very cute!
candy

Hope this gave you some sort of idea!! Sounds like fun! Good luck!

www.marthastewart.com

www.lhj.com (ladies home journal)

good luck.

Kirklands had a lot of monogrammed items like coasters, hand towels, night lights, bottle stoppers and such. I just love getting personalized gifts. Also a nice Christmas ornament is always good because it makes a memory. Happy Shopping!

All the ideas have been so good!

These have been a hit at my house:

I usually put a $1 Lottery scratch off cards in there.

This year I used my itunes account to buy 15 holiday songs. I am making cds for all my siblings. That 15.00 covers half a dozen gifts, and it's a thoughful gift to help celebrate the season.

Good luck...you sound like a thoughtful friend!!

Christmas stockings could have a variety of things for your friends and it is a very nice idea. you could put some nice chocoloate pieces (like Dove) in there, maybe some notecards, a $5 Starbucks or Blockbuster certificate, a picture of both of you in a little frame, or just a cute little frame. A paperback novel or an inspirational book might work if your friends like to read. Warm fuzzy socks, earrings or jewelry might also work. Think of things your friends like to do (bake, scrapbook, travel, read, exercise) and pick out some items at the dollar store or the target dollar area that supports their interests. Another idea would be to make a gift certificate good for "one afternoon of babysitting" or "one trip to the movies (with you), etc. Merry Christmas to all!

We have lots of great stocking stuffers.
Lotions, bath products, purse size perfumes, jewelry, and more
And ALL MY PROFITS GO TO THE BREAST CANCER 3-DAY. YOU COULD EVEN LET THEM KNOW YOU'RE MAKING A DONATION IN HIS NAME.(I'm a fourth time walker in this 60 mile walk).

Please see my Avon store www.youravon.com/pescobedo
http://www.the3day.org/goto/patricia_escobedo to learn more about the 3 Day.

How about getting them each their favorite magazine and roll it up to put in the stocking?

Look here. http://www.havenssweetscents.webs.com I make wonderful handmade soaps and salts. If you order before the holidays, you get 15% off any order and a free bath salt for your first order. My guest size soaps and bath salts are perfect for stocking stuffers and they aren't that expensive. Or if you want to spend about $10 each, I offer a gift basket with a bar of soap (handmade), a guest size soap and a bath salt. Don't forget you also get 15% off and 1 free bath salt. Hope I can help you out.

H.

I usually get my staff and good friends a stocking, go by Cracker Barrel and purchase the unique Christmas ornaments, candles, etc. and also visit Kirklands and Pier 1 for unique gift ideas to stuff the stocking with. I also go by Bath and Body Works to purchase some lotion and things to add to the stocking. This year I found some great recipe books, cookie cutters and baking utensils for those who love to cook that I will add to the collection.

It is always so much fun stuffing stockings. I tend to over buy, which sometimes I keep for myself or give as extras for birthdays, etc.

Happy Holidays!

Chex mix, trail mix (the kind with pretzels, m&m's assorted nuts, dried fruit - you can mix it yourself with whatever you want in it as long as it is sweet and salty) "Russian" tea or spiced tea made with instant tea and tang, one time use camera, small packages of coffee, regualr or decaf - I get mine at Walmart for about 99 cents in the different flavors. Then of course there is the Christmas candy and peppermint sticks. Hope this helps. J.

Dear K.,
I am a theme kind of girl. Pick a theme, like coffee, or body lotions and soaps. Or, figure out each friends personality and what they like and then go to town finding little things that you can buy. I love shopping at Tuesday Morning because they have such great bargains and their merchandise is top quality. You could do a cooking theme and fill one with lots of gadgets. You could do a slipper theme, with socks and more socks. Or you could do a scrap booking theme and fill it with scrap booking stuff. Or, starbucks theme, or whatever you think of . Hope this helps.

L.

there are some great artisans out there making unique homemade items for Christmas. I myself make baked goods and candy. The group is www.Etsy.com, if you look in the "Member Perks" I offer a MAMASOURCE Perk for my shop; LittleSnowflakes.

Remember, your gift does not have to be extravagant. You just want to show them that you were thinking of them.

D.
SAHM of three:19,18,and 5
Home Baker and Candy maker. Married to the same wonderful man for almost 12 years.

Hi! I make and sell one-of-a-kind items on Etsy. I could give you a quantity discount on some fun necklaces if you're interested. Just let me know!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14367999

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17821069

Certificate for a manicure and/or pedicure. Then try to get everyone to go at the same time....Some places have a private room where everyone can sit together and you can bring in wine and snacks. If you just give the gift of manicures - your friends can get other services too at this time. (Hollywood Nails - Polished are a couple that I know have rooms)

K., I don't know where you live but on Colorado Blvd. in Denton is a store called Dollar Tree. I was in there this past weekend and bought tons of stocking stuffers for family and friends. Anything from Christmas ornaments to Gingermen Shaped bottles of bubble bath, shampoo and conditioners. I mostly tried to put things in that I consider disposable gifts. They use it and it is gone. I tried to stick with a theme for each one - bath tub theme, or Christmas Kitchen things (even Christmas paper plates and napkins), one person is getting things for her desk, anther person is getting hair bows with comb and brush set, but, each stocking has one big peppermint stick sticking out of it! I had a lot of fun. The expense was reasonable as some of the items were 2 for a dollar.
Most of all - Have fun! Merry Christmas and God Bless You.

Morning K.,
You didn't mention if the friends you're buying for are families or girlfriends or co-workers? One idea and it shouldn't be too expensive would be to buy a cute coffee mug, put in some packages of tea or hot cocoa, some mittens and a scarf or warm fuzzy socks (Wal-mart $5.00)or maybe a $5.00 Panera bread gift card or $5.00 Starbucks card or something I'm trying for my sisters this year is making my own coupon giving them 2 or 3 horus of my time to do what they want to do, visit a Barnes and Noble, have girl talk time or help them organize their closets or help them with a garage sale. Something we love doing but never really have the time. I stay so busy with my own family and our events that I thought this year I'd "schedule" sister time with them. Good Luck!

My stocking always rock! Face masks from walmart, about $1 each. new hand lotion, funky nail polish, emory boards, foot scrub, loofa, etc.
of course that is assuming these 5 friends like that sort of stuff. bath and body works is always having a special on by 3 get one free or something like that.

This one takes up some space:)

$5 Starbucks card inside of a kids starbucks cup (will give you for free) with tissue coming out of the top.