Looking For Non-Toy Stocking Ideas

how about a treasure map or scavenger hunt. this could work for any child that reads and depending on your child can be as hard or as easy as you like. for example we do a scavenger hunt for easter baskets and the kids have a riddle/picture taped to their bedroom door that they solve to find the next clue until it brings them to the hiding place of their basket. (yes they think the easter bunny does this ;) and since we don't want to ruin any kind of santa beliefs maybe kids can search for a special little gift from mom and dad?? my kids absolutely love it and it great listening to them running around trying to solve the clues!

thought of another, but may be a repeat since i haven't been through all 470 comments.....
the incredible growing animals. put in water and they grow up to 600times their size. always find them in the $1 bins at Michaels. HUGE hit for my kids (age 8 & 5).

my 4 yo would love this idea, he loves to use tape on everything.

Something I want to pick up for my kids (school-age) that is carried at Learning Express (check online too) is the digital timer bookmark. They have to track how many minutes they read at night for school, so this sounded like a handy and cool item.
Mine always get a candy-cane tube of red and green M&Ms. Underwear, fun socks, a DVD, toiletry items, trading cards, McDonald's gift card, novelty candy (that I wouldn't usually buy otherwise), and if Simon is still into Legos, our Targets carry small boxes of Lego sets in their stocking stuffer section, they are usually figures I think.
Merry Christmas from Georgia!

put together a little "snowman making" kit: scarf, button eyes, hat, fake carrot from craft store.

Batteries! I always put a pack of AA batteries in my kids stockings. they alwyas get used bvery quickly.

We used to also get things like scarfs, bonnets, mittens, legwarmers or woolen slippers. Usually something that was colourful or generally 'in style' to jazz up our winter wardrobe.

I always include a disposable camera for my son. He runs around and takes all the pictures that he wants. We always get a good laugh when they are developed.

You've got a ton of ideas... But I usually put in things like chapstick, bubble bath, toothbrushes (fun ones), Gift cards for activities (like going to the movies, build a bear workshop, etc...) craft store items (activities that they can do - glitter, markers, small notepads, funky pens, etc...) flashlights (my kids love them). That's about all I can think of right now.

Besides the lifesavers and some other candy treats, we would get pencils, pens, notebooks, crayons - "office supply" stuff that we all loved for lack of a better description. Sometimes the small boxed puzzles, matchbox cars or things like that.

This year, my sis-in-law and beloved nieces are leaving for the US permanently. =( So instead of buying the usual toys and gifts for the kids, I gave them sketchbooks, pens, pencils, and a little handmade mini-book they can put photos in. I am so going to miss them. My son is best friends with the youngest and I know life won't be the same without her being a taxi ride away. =(

good old TOOTH BRUSHES!!!

I like to put a small journal and new pencils in for my daughter, she is all about writing down her christmas memories herself..
another idea is a disposbale camera for kids, if you don't already have digital from them.. I love the kid perspective of the day.
home made coupon books -- odd things..
like remote control power hour -I will watch whatever you chose,
do the chore you ask when you ask, this is good for a free diaper change, or something when you least want to do it..
get out of trouble free
let me unload the dishwasher for you
I need a quiet minute -- can you fix whatever the problem is.
good for one shoulder rub
will you pick up the toys for me tonight coupon (kids love this one)
read me ONE extra story
let me watch MY tv show instead of what you were watching
I chose what's for dinner coupon -- kids choice with limits of course
procrastination coupon -- great break for delaying the inevitable..
anything silly that might just make your loved one smile

- Sticky notes - are great and you can find them in all shapes, designs and sizes. My 5 yr old loves to stick them everywhere and my 28 yr old sister does too :)
- Instant hand sanitizer - you can find fun scents like blueberry in the travel section at Target for $1.
- Sprinkles - my daugter loves to put them on her icecream and loves having her own to shake!
- Scrap embellishments on etsy - little tags, numbers, etc are inexpensive and great for everyone kids & adults alike scrapper or not!
- Personalized stamp - great for kids to use for their thank you notes afterwards!
- Felt barrettes - or any hair accessory. Lots of cute ones on etsy.
- reusable shopping bags - I found some that are the size of a deck of cards in a little clip on bag.
- Ribbon - great for wrapping gifts, scrapbooking or tying in your hair.

-New toothbrushes for everyone and a "cartoon" toothpaste (for kids)
-Lip balm
-nail polish
-key chain
-Scripture verse memory cards
-miniature playing cards
-highlighters, markers
-fun Christmas socks
-hair doodads for girls
-apple or banana, poptarts or something to eat while the cinnamon rolls are baking
-pocket size hand lotions, hand sanitizer (especially this year!)
-pocket calendar
-votive candles
-I buy my husband a car every year for Christmas. A matchbox car, that is! It's become a fun tradition and sometimes I can match the car to something we've done. The year we went to England, he got a Mini Cooper! :-)

Every my kids and husband get an ornament in their stocking that is symbolic for the year. For example we took our Kids to Seattle this summer, so they are each getting a space needle ornament. Every year I scrapbook a 8x8 page of the kids ornaments and why they got them that year. My plan is to give the kids their ornaments and scrapbooks when the get married!

For adults: postage stamps (especially for elderly and college students), lottery tickets, small tools, seed packets, plant marker tags, kitchen utensils, hot sauce, candles, office supplies, batteries, keychain flashlight. Check out World Market and True Value Hardware--great adult stocking stuffer stores.
For children: washable markers and mini notepad, CD of children's music (Raffi, John McCutcheon, African Playground--Putumayo Kids), jar of blow bubbles, toothbrush, for girls--hair clips/bows,etc., friendship bracelets, dogtag necklace with name engraved on it, gloves/mittens, socks, package of hot cocoa, magnetic art or bendables for the refrigerator.

We got stamps, school supplies, word finds/crossword puzzles, earrings, notecards (for all those thank yous), Fanny Farmer candy (it was a special treat), underwear, lip balm, socks, hot chocolate money for the ski hill, and small make up items.

One year I gave the younger kids on my list their own rolls of cellophane tape and masking tape since they often were scolded for wasting Mom's tape. They loved it so much their enthusiasm did not go unnoticed. The next year 2 sets of grandparents and several aunts and uncles bought them tape too! There is a certain age when they love their own box of Bandaids too since they can use them with abandon!

Another idea - put an inexpensive but different magic trick in each person's stocking. Then everyone has to learn and practice their trick and then do it at a later time. You can buy individual magic tricks pretty reasonably or buy a set and break it up.

Hi Ali,
This is our Catalan alternative : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ti%C3%B3_de_Nadal
It's a nice tradition.
Best Regards
Maica

a beautiful, delicious pomegranate!

I was just thinking of this this morning - great idea. We usually buy the cheap regular kind but these would be a great treat!

My "kids" are adults still living at home, so
every year I add another tool; screwdriver on
year, a hammer another... not in hopes that
they move out, although that would be nice,
but so that they will have a semi-full toolbox
for when they do move out. (silent prayer)
Also, lottery tickets, favourite magazine
and more.

Calendars, lip balm, toothbrushes, post-it notes, pens, pencils, markers, mini-flashlights, food gift cards, p-nuts, playing cards and/or travel size games.