Stockings

[DawnM]

Typically stockings consist of candy, fun toothbrushes, specialty soaps, and gift cards.

I am done getting gift cards for my boys.  I have to remind them to use them and sometimes I end up just buying them back.   They prefer to just get $$ unless it is a yearly access game card or Steam card.   But food/target/etc....cards just sit there.

I am a bit stumped this year.    I mean, toothbrushes and floss and soaps and loofah sponges are bought (body wash will be wrapped as it is too heavy to go in the stocking).   

More ideas?   The toddler is easy, but the older boys......22, 21, 16.

[catz]

Mine are also getting high quality fun socks.   Exotic sodas.  Fancy hot chocolate.   Mix of candy.   

[Pippen]

Mine are all young adults and I've gone almost entirely to good quality chocolate or other foods that would be a splurge for them. Then I just add in 1-2 small items. My daughter will get a nice nail polish. My son's are getting little kits for scouring cast iron pans. It's easy for me and everyone is happy.

[sweet2ndchance]

Razors, aftershave, their favorite cologne?

Hand tools, hot sauce, spare cords for their electronics, favorite snack foods...

We don't drink but I got dh a set of shot glasses with characters  from his favorite movie on them. We probably won't ever use them for alcohol serving but dh likes to collect things with his favorite movie characters on them. He wants to build a display case for them.

[Hilltopmom]

I’m stumped too for my 20 year old ds. He’s impossible to buy anything for presents, let alone stockings. I’ve got candy and Pringles.

[medawyn]

We’re doing stocking exchanges for Christmas this year.  The men in my life (husband, brother, dads) are getting

Beard oil (for preshaving, not facial hair)

Flashlights

New bands for fitness watches

straps for sunglasses

water bottles for hiking (thanks increased outdoor time)

matches

jars of specialty pickles

A variety of popcorns for popping

 

[Elizabeth86]

44 minutes ago, FuzzyCatz said:

Mine are also getting high quality fun socks.   Exotic sodas.  Fancy hot chocolate.   Mix of candy.   

I would like to know more about these exotic sodas. 

[Jaybee]

Things my guys have appreciated include SmartWool socks, phone charger stand, good pens.

[Spryte]

Water bottle, funny or extra nice socks, nice shaving supplies, special foods, silly mug, rolled t-shirt, rolled magazine, cards or small game, hat, gloves, charging cables. 

[TheReader]

things that we do/have done/are doing for ours who are roughly same ages as yours (23, 20, almost 16) -- 

Lego mini-figs (the mystery packs)
game expansions (so, add on cards for Munchkin, or Exploding Kittens, etc....)
fancy/themed playing cards
gift cards (just go ahead and get the Steam, game device, etc. ones.....)
ear buds, long charging cords, phone stand, etc.
a single can of their favorite drink (in their case, this is a Brazilian soda that we have to get from a specialty shop, so more of a hit than say, a Pepsi)
movie-theater sized packs of their favorite candy
fun socks
hair stuff (specifically, in their case, Rhett & Link have some assorted hair things, pomade, etc, and we ordered some of that stuff for them)
fancy beef jerky

not all of those things all at once, but just some of the things we've done in the past

[DawnM]

Thanks.   Keep the ideas coming!

[Selkie]

I always get fun little oddities for my kids' stockings from American Science and Surplus:

https://www.sciplus.com

 

[historically accurate]

My oldest is 18 and hard to buy for. Her stocking has the usual candy, Little Debbies, and chai tea mix. She's also getting a key chain, a new wallet, a gnome figurine, a steel straw with carrying case, and a multitool. 

[DawnM]

This used to be easier.   Back when they were in scouts, they loved outdoor gear, backpacking tools, knives, compasses, water bottles, camping stuff......

And I really thought they would want to do all of those things once they finished scouting, but now they all have declared they hate camping.   #BadParenting, #IHaveNotRaisedThemRight

[vonfirmath]

2 hours ago, DawnM said:

Typically stockings consist of candy, fun toothbrushes, specialty soaps, and gift cards.

I am done getting gift cards for my boys.  I have to remind them to use them and sometimes I end up just buying them back.   They prefer to just get $$ unless it is a yearly access game card or Steam card.   But food/target/etc....cards just sit there.

I am a bit stumped this year.    I mean, toothbrushes and floss and soaps and loofah sponges are bought (body wash will be wrapped as it is too heavy to go in the stocking).   

More ideas?   The toddler is easy, but the older boys......22, 21, 16.

We stopped doing stockings by our 20s... It may be too late this year, but maybe next year set the expectation that stockings are only for kids X and younger.  There will be gifts. And envelopes on the tree for adults.

[Laura Corin]

Socks, fun (safe) masks, candles/reed diffusers, nicely-scented hand gel, a paperback book each, a mandarin orange and some chocolate coins.  One child who changed her name this year will get a newly-engraved ornament to hang on the tree.

[vonfirmath]

1 hour ago, Elizabeth86 said:

I would like to know more about these exotic sodas. 

It's too late this year. But I've been drawing to these Pacas socks. https://www.pacas.us/pages/meet-paca

 

I ordered some for myself so when they come I'll see if they meet the hype.

[saraha]

This year stockings included blank note cards (I had a hard time finding some masculine ones in the stores), carabiners, the annual roll of scotch tape, cheap camis from the dollar store, mini boxes of cereal and other assorted snacks and a gift card to half priced books, everyone's favorite store

[Kassia]

For my adult sons, I give stuff like this:

 

food - candy, nuts, trail mix, protein bars

lip balm

liquid hand soap in fun scents

hand sanitizer

travel-size toiletries for my sons who travel a lot

some kind of sponge/cleaning stuff (Scrub Daddy, Mr. Clean eraser, microfiber cloth, even something like scotch-brite)

masculine shower poofs for my sons who use them

this year I put Shout wipe packets in, I might do color catchers another time

floss

lotion

 

 

Edited December 18, 2020 by Kassia

[Beth S]

We only spend $5 per stocking.  Pringles potato chips hold up the sleeve. 
I ask them for Food Treat ideas, & just buy from their list.
There are all kinds of fun variations of Snickers, Reeses, etc.
Basically, I don't get stressed out over Cmas gifts anymore.
The kids are old enough to understand it's hard to find perfect surprise items, & we're trying to keep the Cmas budget affordable.
We don't do stockings for married children!
Honestly, feel free to re-think (or "customize") your Cmas tasks each year!

 

[ScoutTN]

Good ideas here, thanks! Writing things down for coming years. 

[mmasc]

We’re doing these this year because we were really just out of ideas and not wanting to fill it with little junk they wouldn’t use. If your dc don’t drink canned drinks, maybe a Yeti tumbler would be good? (Or yeti knock off?) 

book lights maybe

head lamp if they don’t have one

[Ali in OR]

Do they work out at all? I got dh a tech-material tee that rolls up small enough for his stocking. He's getting a Chipotle gift card which I know he'll use. And a beanie hat for cold weather running.

[Acorn]

candy, hiking socks, gloves, tshirt, lego mini figs, ornament, cocoa, books

AND if they arrive from USPS, fingers crossed:

Kilt pins that have clan mottos.  I'm not going to share the translations, so it will be interesting to see who figures out what they say/mean and then if they can match it to which family surname. 

[HS Mom in NC]

We only do edibles in stockings.  We're not really stuff people, so a bunch of little stuff just for the sake of filling a stocking doesn't really appeal to us. When grandparents did those things most stocking stuffers ended up being donated or thrown away, which is just a waste of time, money, and energy.  I get a list of everyone's favorite treats and some years I only do those and other times I do a mix of treats from their lists and treats I find that I think will probably appeal to them. This year is a mix year.

[Alte Veste Academy]

Stockings are my kids' favorite part of Christmas, so we'll never stop. It does get harder as they get older though. I absolutely refuse to buy clutter, but non-clutter gifts are expensive. I have come to consider the stocking as one of their big gifts because of how much they love them. Also, because we love stockings, ours are those huge ones. LOL

From the different gifts thread, my whole family is getting the bookshelf tracker bookmark and a stamped bookmark with a personalized quote. (Hoping these arrive in time. If not, they'll be New Year's gifts. A new concept, but in keeping with some of my goals for the year.)

Everyone is getting canned air and electronics wipes for caring for their devices.

new cell phone cases

furikake and specialty hot sauce (for DD16 who loves these things)

BBQ sauce from a favorite restaurant (for DH)

fancier than usual self-care products/makeup 

special (magical? LOL) tennis shoe cleaner and Doc Marten's shoe balsam (for DD who is developing quite the shoe collection)

Funko Pops of favorite characters

keychains

LEGO light kits (DS14 wants to light all his Star Wars builds, and these come in surprisingly small boxes.)

belt

special mugs

mechanical pencils and replacement lead and erasers for those who already have them

new and different Rubik's type cubes for my puzzler

small games

LEGO minifigs

candles (again, for DD)

In the past, some of the biggest successes have been...

sunglasses

headphone hanger (for gaming/over-ear, attaches to underside of a desk)

ear buds

fairy lights

for hobbies, DH gets guitar picks and is getting a wireless electric guitar receiver in his stocking this year along with a special jar spatula that will help him get the last of the peanut butter that we apparently do not have an appropriate tool to remove at present.

I will probably remember other things as soon as I post this. 

[catz]

5 hours ago, Elizabeth86 said:

I would like to know more about these exotic sodas. 

Oh I ordered a mixed case of Japanese sodas. 🙂  I ordered it a while ago but I think this may be the one?  
https://www.shadowanime.com/products/ramune-marble-soda-12-pack-variety-gift-set?variant=32241124638791&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2019-06-14&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign

[matrips]

Small gifts go into our stockings instead of under the tree.  There are no standard stuffers.  This year their small gifts are wallets, keychains, chocolate, socks, shorts, baseball cards, batting gloves...

[Drama Llama]

36 minutes ago, matrips said:

Small gifts go into our stockings instead of under the tree.  There are no standard stuffers.  This year their small gifts are wallets, keychains, chocolate, socks, shorts, baseball cards, batting gloves...

Yeah, I think of stockings as a place to put anything that's not the big gift 

Last year we did a collection of things on a theme in each of our boys' stockings.  It was enough of a hit that my sisters in law are doing the same thing.  We just do stockings for kids, so we're doing:

20 year old niece -- "beauty" theme. Lipgloss, nail polish, lotion, cheap earrings, etc . . . 

13 year old son -- "golf" theme.  Balls, practice balls, gloves, copy of Sports Illustrated etc . . 

10 year old son -- "baking" theme.  Fancy sprinkles, cupcake liners, magnetic measuring spoons, dough whisk, cookbook, etc . . . 

10 year old niece -- "woodworking" theme -- hammer etc . . . 

8 year old niece -- "art" theme.  Colored pencils, sculpy etc . . . 

6 year old niece -- "doll house" theme -- Doll house people, doll house pets, dollhouse furniture

Everyone will get a favorite snack too

My kids get a single gift from parents, a pair of pjs and stockings.  Sometimes things, like the cookbook, don't fit, and we just lean them on the stocking, but they're still "stocking gifts" in my mind.They also get a ton of stuff from other family members. 

[Soror]

We do:

- a drink

- couple of small snacks

-chapstick/eos -consumeable health and beauty- I wasn't going to get them chapstick this year as I thought everyone had some but they all requested some- the girls wanted Burt's Bees and ds an EOS

-small useful item- girls fuzzy socks, ds a lighter/flame thrower (he doesn't smoke but fires are cool)

- little fun thing- girl's asked for nail polish- can't remember for ds

Ds and I just put in chocolates in each others stockings.

[Emba]

Sunglasses?

 I’m wimping out on stockings this year. I got about two items and one fancy candy for each kid and the rest of the stocking is going to be filled by a graphic tee, rolled up.

Edited December 18, 2020 by Emba

[Pippen]

7 hours ago, Seasider too said:

Would you mind linking the kit you got them? Or what you put together if it’s a DIY? This would be a great gift for someone I know. 

Sure, I got them this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZD4NZH5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[TechWife]

Stocking stuffers for DS 23:

cleaning gunk for keyboard 

charging cord

favorite candy

popcorn flavor shakers

crazy socks (this is a stocking tradition)

ice scraper for windshield 

 

 

[Alicia64]

On 12/18/2020 at 6:50 AM, FuzzyCatz said:

Mine are also getting high quality fun socks.   Exotic sodas.  Fancy hot chocolate.   Mix of candy.   

What/where are exotic sodas? My kids would love that. And which fancy chocolate?

Wendy

[Alicia64]

On 12/18/2020 at 12:50 PM, Alte Veste Academy said:

Stockings are my kids' favorite part of Christmas, so we'll never stop. It does get harder as they get older though. I absolutely refuse to buy clutter, but non-clutter gifts are expensive. I have come to consider the stocking as one of their big gifts because of how much they love them. Also, because we love stockings, ours are those huge ones. LOL

From the different gifts thread, my whole family is getting the bookshelf tracker bookmark and a stamped bookmark with a personalized quote. (Hoping these arrive in time. If not, they'll be New Year's gifts. A new concept, but in keeping with some of my goals for the year.)

Everyone is getting canned air and electronics wipes for caring for their devices.

new cell phone cases

furikake and specialty hot sauce (for DD16 who loves these things)

BBQ sauce from a favorite restaurant (for DH)

fancier than usual self-care products/makeup 

special (magical? LOL) tennis shoe cleaner and Doc Marten's shoe balsam (for DD who is developing quite the shoe collection)

Funko Pops of favorite characters

keychains

LEGO light kits (DS14 wants to light all his Star Wars builds, and these come in surprisingly small boxes.)

belt

special mugs

mechanical pencils and replacement lead and erasers for those who already have them

new and different Rubik's type cubes for my puzzler

small games

LEGO minifigs

candles (again, for DD)

In the past, some of the biggest successes have been...

sunglasses

headphone hanger (for gaming/over-ear, attaches to underside of a desk)

ear buds

fairy lights

for hobbies, DH gets guitar picks and is getting a wireless electric guitar receiver in his stocking this year along with a special jar spatula that will help him get the last of the peanut butter that we apparently do not have an appropriate tool to remove at present.

I will probably remember other things as soon as I post this. 

What do the kids do with fairy lights? Also, "fancier than usual self-care?" What do you get? I have one son who is into gels, soaps etc.

TIA!

W.

[Alicia64]

Adding: my kids love their favorite flavor of Jelly Belly in the stockings.

Wendy

[theelfqueen]

Things in my 19 and 15 year olds stockings ... chocolate santas, fancy treats, D & D stuff (Vis a Vis markers for their battlements, miniatures, spell cards), socks, "water bottle/laptop stickers" - 1 set The Office themed and 1 set Hobbit themed, pocket notebooks, sunglasses for the one who doesnt wear prescription, anti fog glasses cloths, nutella treats... etc.

Do your kids have hobbies or interests you could pick up small goodies for? Usually we have earbuds in their stockings but this year they got new wireless ones they love - so either wired or wireless earbuds are good. 

[popmom]

Are my teen/adult kids the only ones getting Happy Masks in their stockings? 

We do mostly edible stuff in stockings. Always something citrus plus chocolate, candy canes--stuff like that. But yeah--Happy Masks this year, too.

Edited December 19, 2020 by popmom

[EKS]

3D puzzles like these.

One year we got one of these and everyone spent the rest of the day trying to stump it.  

[PeterPan]

Kanayama metal puzzles--Walmart usually has them and you can find the on amazon. They come in levels and sometimes in our house it's flipped with the level 6 being easy and the 3 being surprisingly hard, go figure.

[Tina]

There have been a couple stocking stuffer threads this year you might want to search for, too.

Favorite coffee or tea, mug

those flat all in one tools that fit in their wallet

survival bracelets

small tools or all in one utility knife

USB thumb drives

chargers

socks

gloves

a movie

notepads with cute sayings

jerky in all it's flavors

pocket sized games

devotional books

this year: Japanese curry.  Can't find the mild locally anymore, and they all love it

kitchen stuff: cookie scoop, dish towels, whisk.  Easier if they've just moved out.  😉

foods they love that you never buy: pop tarts, Jif peanut butter, etc.

 

[Carol in Cal.]

Reeses Trees?

Wright socks are awesome—from REI.

Also, I love anything by Corkcicle, but this year especially their Star Wars canteens—Darth Vader, R2D2, Luke, or C3P0.

https://corkcicle.com/products/star-wars?nosto=categorypage-nosto-2&variant=33366496346200

[Serenade]

This is the best stocking stuffer thread ever!

[Farrar]

We exchange stockings in our house, so this year the kids have each other. So much easier and they requested it. They put in cheap fan t-shirts, fandom stickers for things, candy. One of them got the other one a poster, MTG cards, and a little book thing that should fit. The other got his brother some cool fidget things and a card game.

[theelfqueen]

You might try World Market for some exotic sodas.

[Farrar]

26 minutes ago, theelfqueen said:

You might try World Market for some exotic sodas.

We did an entire unusual sodas advent calendar this year and I got a bunch from World Market. It's like those beer advent calendars, but soda. I was looking for things to make our advent a little different and fun this year since everyone has so many limitations. It has been a huge hit for my teens. 

[Hyacinth]

So many great ideas here! 

One thing we’ve done for years is a handheld tool in the stocking: screwdrivers, tape measure, hammer, wrenches, etc. We figure by the time they leave the house, they’ll have a decent set.

Also, air fresheners for the car (I can’t stand the smell of them, but my guys like them).

The fancy food section at TJ Maxx often has interesting pickles, sauces, mustards, chips, granola, candy, etc.  

 

[Alte Veste Academy]

On 12/19/2020 at 2:02 PM, Alicia64 said:

What do the kids do with fairy lights? Also, "fancier than usual self-care?" What do you get? I have one son who is into gels, soaps etc.

TIA!

W.

Fairy lights are for ambiance. LOL They can also be used to clip little pics and momentos onto. Some do have clips for this, in fact. 

So instead of soap/body wash, something from LUSH. I am in love with Magic Crystals, and sometimes the kids want to use mine. Bath bombs, shower bombs, shower gels, hair masks, nice lotions, etc. They have a men's line as well, although I'm not super familiar with those products.

One of my boys has extremely dry skin and likes Body Shop body butters. I do too, but my favorite are the Trader Joe's body butters that are stocked each year at Christmas. I mete out the butter from those little tins until they are back on the shelves the following year. If they ever discontinue them, I'll fake cry harder than I fake cried when they discontinued fresh tahini. 😆

[BakersDozen]

I put a fun Physics item in each of my older kids' stockings. This year they all got these  - so much fun! Last year it was these. I have a Physics Corner in my living room and am helping the kids stock one of their own which they love.

[Hyacinth]

Just thought of one more: I'm printing a photo and putting it in a nice (but inexpensive) frame that fits in the stocking. Everyone has pics on their phones, of course, but it's nice to have a photo of something recent/fun/memorable/special on the dresser or nightstand, too.