I’ve been helped by stocking stuffer threads in the past and figured I would start a new thread as the most recent is two years old. My contribution: x cross rubber bands for holding board game boxes closed. They have an arm for each side. Here is a sample:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H1ERHDQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1#Ask
Anyone else? I’m particularly interested in new ideas for 20-somethings.
Things I’ve bought so far this year for my 20-somethings (both male and female):
Dry shampoo
Touchscreen gloves (many inexpensive ones out there now for extra pairs)
Running socks
Boot socks
Burt’s Bees (various products they like for lips)
Christmas tree ornaments
Godiva chocolate bars
I live in a sunny state, so these fun and very cheap sunglasses make fun stocking stuffers. (You can also find them on mega sale in stores)
https://www.forever21.com/us/shop/catalog/category/f21/acc_glasses
Things I have gotten and liked:
Cute socks
Mini whisks
Mini spatulas
long spoon for getting olives out of those long skinny jars
nice chopsticks
mini flashlights
handwarmers
DS1 (age 20) Cooking utensils, Xmas cat socks, magic cards (he still plays), Strong Irish Mustard (his favorite), Movie candy, movie tickets, maybe IHOP gift card
and DS2 (17) Wireless Bluetooth Speaker ($10 on Black Friday now $40). Dress socks, Sunglasses, Movie candy, Movie tickets, maybe IHOP gift card
I think that is all I can fit.
Penzeys spices
Nail kits (handy for purse, car, or desk)
Bottle opener that can be attached to a wall
Hydroflask beer/drink glasses
Lights to attach to zipper pulls
Bar tools - zester, muddler, strainer
Eos lip balm
Nerd rope
Headlamp 9.99 ar REI through today
Usually socks
10 dollar gift card Starbucks or The Habit
Spices
Mars celebrations wine bottles filled with candy.
https://www.target.com/p/mars-christmas-celebrations-pico-bottle-3-4oz/-/A-52511537#lnk=sametab
There is also a 10.9 oz bottle (like a wine bottle) that sells for $4.99. I was planning to use those on New Year’s.
Both kids have said they don’t want tons of candy anymore. I have put in some gift cards, a mini-flashlight, a phone charger, desk supplies over the last years. In keeping with family tradition I always put an apple in the toe. But since that both of my kids turned 21+ I started putting in a bottle of wine in the stocking (and put the stocking on the ground by the tree instead of leaving it hanging up at the fireplace) – it takes up a ton of space in the stocking and they are both very happy.
Pop culture doo-dads
Items related to sports teams, fave shows and movies, music, books, etc.
Scratch-off lottery tickets.
Always give D Shout Color Catchers because she loves them but hates spending her own money to get them. Flashlights are often in the stockings, as are socks. Not sure what else we will put in the stockings.
Paperback books, hammer, screw driver, can of inflate-a-tire, and lipstick.
I don’t mean to burst anyone’s bubble but I don’t know anyone under 30 who uses a flashlight. They all use their cell phone flashlight feature.
^^nice big flashlights are always popular with my brothers and BIL and for all the younger kids for the cars. My mother gives them out about every 3-4 years as they seem to get lost over time. My BIL always needs them for fixing things - plumbing, cars. At our house the fuse box is outside, and you not only need a flashlight but need to know where it is to find it in the dark.
Lottery tickets are popular here, too.
Although we’d probably save time by taking the money out to the driveway and lighting it on fire (and it might be more fun). =))
@twoinanddone In addition to car maintenance, my guys also use flashlights for camping. Cell phones would be in protected cases for some of the more high adventure activities. You wouldn’t be as sad to lose a flashlight as your phone. Also headlamps for hands free work. And all these lights and lanterns for the inevitable once a year power loss from storms. They have the best battery life for that.
I got solar powered flashlights last year and they were a big hit. I gave my husband one too and it is so handy and no worry about dead batteries.
We also indulge in lottery tickets, just for fun. Also: oranges are family tradition; lots and lots of good dark chocolate usually an indulgence from a very good chocolate store in the neighborhood; my kids love dried cherries and they’re expensive and hard to find, so that’s also included. Good black licorice (some may think that’s an oxymoron). Because we eat very little junk food, we have a joke in the family and include one of those small cans of Pringles. Other doodads–miniature plant-growing kits or other craft kits, mini legos kits, refrigerator magnets, event tickets, eyeglass-repair kits with the teensie screwdrivers; excellent pens (as both kids love to draw with those ballpoint pens with very smooth roll action and these go missing); mini diaries or sketchpads or journals; winter hats and gloves. And lots of other things that I can’t remember right now.
Always socks and underwear!