Opening my stocking at Christmas is one of my favorite memories growing up! Shopping for stocking stuffers is such fun, but it also makes it easy to overspend!
Here are some tips for how to shop for stocking stuffers for Christmas, along with almost 200 Christmas stocking stuffer ideas for the whole family!
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Where’s the best place to go for stocking stuffers?
One of our favorite Christmas family traditions is going stocking stuffer shopping together! We do it at a local dollar store & set a limit on spending for each person you’re buying for.
It really makes it a lot of fun when we’re trying to sneak around the store & hide things from each other. We buy the bulk of the items there, but of course I add in a couple of extra things later too.
Here are some great places to buy stocking stuffers for Christmas (you may or may not have all of these near you):
- Walmart
- Target
- Five Below
- Hobby Lobby
- Goodwill/Second Hand Store
- Michael’s
- JoAnn’s
- Barnes and Noble
- Books A Million
- Dollar Tree/Dollar Store/Family Dollar
- Cracker Barrel
- Big Lots
- Amazon (if you don’t have a Prime membership, you can get a FREE 30 day trial here!)
- Tuesday Morning
- Kohl’s
- Ollie’s Bargain Outlet
- CVS/Walgreens
How much should you spend on stocking stuffers?
There’s no hard and fast rule about how much to spend on stocking stuffers for each person.
It’s best to decide on your overall Christmas budget first & then see how much you have left to spend on each person.
Personally, I aim to keep stocking stuffer expenses around $15-$20 for each person, but I try to be more frugal whenever possible.
This lets me focus the majority of my budget on the presents.
If you’d like some help planning our your Christmas (including budgeting), check out my 58 page printable Christmas Planner in my shop. It will help you prep for whatever holiday plans you want to make- including budgeting!
Print out what you need at home & use it year after year! Check out the video in my shop to see EXACTLY what you’ll get!
What are good stocking stuffer ideas?
I try to buy useful, practical, or consumable stocking stuffers for the most part. I’m getting tired of junky plastic toys that just end up being thrown away (just my preference!). But of course there’s always going to be some things that fall into that category just for fun!
For other ideas, you can add in accessories for the gifts that you’re giving them. Like if you’re gifting a doll for Christmas, put in doll accessories in the stocking. Are they getting a video game system? Add in a carrying case or controller covers to their stocking.
Think of the interests and hobbies your family has, and get something related to that. They’ll definitely love what they get!
Below, you’ll find over 150 stocking stuffer ideas for all ages, including tweens, teenagers, & adults, as well as some fun ideas for little kids’ stockings!
Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Tweens & Teens (& Adults):
- Gift cards to their favorite stores or online platforms
- Funko Pop figures of their favorite characters (they also have mini ones & key chain versions)
- Wireless earbuds or headphones
- Portable phone charger
- Lip balm or lip gloss
- Phone stand or holder
- Mini Bluetooth speaker
- PopSocket for their phone
- Cute and fun socks
- Stickers for personalizing their belongings
- Keychain with a fun or meaningful charm
- Mini puzzle or brain teaser
- Patches
- Novelty pens or pencils
- LED string lights for decorating their space
- Small journal or notebook
- Nail polish or nail art kit
- Pop culture-themed playing cards
- Mini board games or card games
- Desk toys or fidget gadgets
- Hand sanitizer in fun scents
- Face masks in fun patterns
- Travel-sized toiletries or skincare products
- Pocket-sized sketchbook or art supplies
- Novelty or funny magnets for the fridge
- Mini or full size flashlight
- Personalized name necklace or bracelet (especially for your Swiftie teen!)
- Stress balls or squishy toys
- Colorful shoelaces or shoelace charms
- Small sewing kit
- Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
- Mini perfume or cologne
- Pocket-sized gaming accessories
- Earbud or cable organizers
- Sports-related items like mini basketballs or soccer balls
- Small aromatherapy diffuser
- Pocket-sized mirror
- Reusable shopping bags in a pouch.
- Mini whiteboard and/or dry erase markers.
- Plant seeds or a succulent.
- Small DIY craft kits
- Collectible trading cards
- Personalized luggage tag
- Bottle of their favorite hot sauce, condiment, or seasoning
- Bookmark with a motivational quote
- Silicone phone wallet
- Whistle or safety alarm keychain
- Coin purse or wallet
- Digital or regular photo frame
- Nerf Toy Refills
- Sleep Mask
- Blue Light Glasses
- Video Game Accessories if they’re a gamer!
- Scratch-Off Lotto Tickets (for the adults)
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Useful Stocking Stuffer Ideas
Looking for useful stocking stuffer ideas? Remember, you can always look at what hobbies your family already has and buy things related to those- they will always be used!
Here are 50+ generic useful stocking stuffer ideas (some may already be listed above):
- Socks
- Reusable Bags
- Gift Cards
- Frosty Key Tag from Wendy’s
- Phone Accessories
- Lip Balm
- Nail Polish & Accessories
- Collapsible Water Bottle
- Hand Sanitizer
- Leggings/Tights
- Earpod Case
- Decorative Stationary
- Lanyard
- Razors
- Earbuds
- Flashlight
- Flossers
- Hat/Beanies
- Crossbody Fanny Pack
- Keychain Multi-tool
- Pocket-sized Notebook
- Umbrella
- Reusable Straws
- Candles
- Sponges (for cleaning or bath)
- Handtowels or Washcloths
- Mini Massager
- Air Fresheners
- Pot Holders
- Cleaning Items
- Candy
- Organizational Items
- Pocket-sized First Aid Kit
- Stress Ball
- Dryer Balls
- Book Light
- Travel-sized Toiletries
- Puzzle Books or Mad Libs
- Gourmet Tea or Coffee
- Reusable Face Mask
- Gloves
- Pens & Notepads
- Batteries
- Travel-sized Perfume or Cologne
- Mini Toolkit
- Hair & Make Up Accessories
- Playing Cards
- Picture Frames
- Stainless Steel Straw Set
- Hand Warmers
- Reusable Food Storage Bags
- Pocket-sized Mirror
- USB Flash Drive
- Emergency Whistle
- Plant Seeds
- Bath Bombs
- Sunglasses
- Charging Cable
- Books
- Measuring Tape
- Pocket-sized Sewing Kit
- Hot Chocolate Mix/Chocolate Bombs
- Reusable Hand Warmers
- Travel-sized Body Lotion
- Small Alarm Clock
- Calendar/Agenda Book
- Small Recipe Book
- Multi-Purpose Carabiner
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- Underwear
- Miniature Board Games
- Dice
- Cell Phone Case
- Small Purse/Coin Purse
- Travel Accessories
- Can/Bottle of Their Favorite Drink
- Package of Their Favorite Snack/Food
- Cute Snack Container
- Pillowcase
- An Orange in the toe!
Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Younger Kids
What about useful stocking stuffer ideas for little kids? It can be hard, but here are some more great stocking stuffer ideas for kids that are actually useful (for the most part!):
- Reusable Stickers
- Character Toothbrush and Toothpaste Set
- Glow-in-the-Dark Stars
- Kid-Friendly Cooking Utensils
- Bath Toys like Color-Changing Bath Tablets, Crayons, etc.
- Molding Clay/Play-Dough/Kinetic Sand
- Nightlight or Nightlight Projector
- Mini Backpack or Kid Size Waist Pack
- Finger Puppets
- Kids’ Gardening Tools
- Beginner Card Games or Matching Card Games
- Fruit or Animal-Shaped Ice Cube Trays
- Popsicle Molds
- Art Supplies (crayons, pencils, markers, paints, finger paints, safety scissors, sidewalk chalk, etc.) or Mini Craft Kits
- Character Band-Aids
- Character Washcloths
- Reusable Snack Bags
- Sippy Cup or Water Bottle
- Musical Instruments (kazoo, harmonica, finger cymbals, egg shaker, etc.)
- Hair Accessories
- Mini Magnifying Glass
- Travel-sized Board Games
- Kite
- Character Pajamas &/or Underwear
- Reusable Water Painting Books (these Melissa & Doug ones are awesome!)
- Puzzles
- Water Toys for Pool or Outside Play
- Play Money/Play Doctor Set (these are wonderful for pretend play & they use them for years!)
- Doll Clothes
- Silly String
- Glow Sticks
- Character Hand Sanitizer Holder
- Silicone Placemat with Activities
- Gift Certificates
- Mini Sports Balls
- Small Lego Kits
- Board Books/Search and Find Books
- Dice or Block Games (like this or this)
- Sensory or Fidget Toy
- Surprise Toys or Excavation Toys- Dinosaur Egg, Pirate Treasure, etc.
Frugal Stocking Stuffer Ideas
Trying to really stick to your Christmas budget & looking for some frugal stocking stuffer ideas?
Finding stocking stuffers for around a dollar each (or less) can be hard, but it’s a budget-friendly way to fill stockings with fun & useful items. Here are some affordable stocking stuffer ideas:
- Pencils, Pens, Highlighters
- Fun Erasers
- Pencil Sharpeners
- Stickers
- Bouncy Balls
- Socks/Fuzzy or Holiday Socks
- Playing Cards
- Crayons
- Keychains
- Coloring/Puzzle/Activity Books
- Rubber Ducks
- Cookie Cutters
- Lip Balm
- Bookmarks (Regular and Magnetic)
- Playing Card Games
- Bubbles
- Hair Accessories
- Craft Kits
- Christmas Ornaments
- Glow Bracelets
- Yo-Yos
- Stress Balls
- Puzzle Cubes
- Ink Stampers
- Fruit Snack Pouches
- Buttons or Pins
- Paint Sets
- Whistles
- Slap Bracelets
- Glue Sticks
- Foam Balls
- Kazoos
- Magnets
- Adhesive Bandages
- Die Cast Cars
- Zipper Pouches
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Cute Washcloth
- Small Puzzle
- Flip Flops
- Travel Toiletry Items
- Play-Doh or Silly Putty
- Hair Ties/Bands
- Hairbrush/Comb
- Travel Tissues
- Hand Sanitizer
- Fidget Toys
- Beef Jerky Stick
- Pack of Favorite Candy or Gum
- Duck Tape/Craft Tape
- Hand Warmer Packs
- Calendar
- Tape Measure
- Gloves
- Hot Chocolate Packet/Hot Chocolate Bomb
- Animal/Dinosaur Figurines
- Potholders
- Earplugs
- Eyeglass Repair Kit
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Handiwipes
- Lotion
- Travel Magnifying Glass
- Post-It Notes
- Pencil Case
- Mini First Aid Kit
Of course prices vary, but check out a dollar store near you or buy in bulk on Amazon with some friends or family to save money and get a great deal!
Personalize It or Make It Homemade!
To make things even more special– personalize them or make them yourself!
You can write a special message inside a notebook, or on the back of an ornament.
Iron/sew on patches or initials to a hat, bag, shirt, or toiletry size bag.
If you have a Cricut or other similar machine, you can personalize a mug, water bottle, shirt, and so much more!
Add homemade ornaments, cookies, candy, or other treats for a special gift. Or if you have a hobby like knitting, drawing, making soap, etc., make a special stocking stuffer they’ll treasure!
Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas for the Whole Family!
I hope these stocking stuffer ideas for the whole family have helped you have a fun Christmas season! Remember, you can do stockings however YOU want!
Don’t put too much stress on yourself to have a “perfect” Christmas- just enjoy the holiday time with your family and friends!
If you have other stocking stuffer ideas you love, let me know in the comments!
