Looking For Non-Toy Stocking Ideas

Running errands and catching up on some stuff around here today and thinking about stocking stuffers. I would love to hear if you have any traditions/favorites that are not toys to go in a child's or an adult's stocking. Anything beyond books, movies, candy, oranges, etc?

Hope to have Days 7 & 8 of my December Daily up tomorrow.

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594 thoughts

  1. Melissa says…
    12/08/2009

    My friend gives her kids special bubble bath and bandaids in their stocking. Maybe some arts and crafts things would be fun for a budding artist--crayons, paints or colored pencils?

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  2. Molly Irwin says…
    12/08/2009

    I don't know ... but I can't wait to read these comments after the kids go to bed. Thank you!

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  3. carolyn says…
    12/08/2009

    Ali I can't beleive this isyour post- with st nicholas day- and advent pockets filled with tiny toys and well, the big dayon the 25th- it's very aterialistic and we're really looking for creative gifts- my easiest answer was xmas coupons for reading boks, making snow ice cream, making hot chocolate, maybe on those tickets us scrapbookers use?

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  4. Rachel Wright says…
    12/08/2009

    This may not be super useful to you right now but I try and share what I think is just a brilliant idea from my Dad. Each year when I was in college my Dad would buy a HUGE tote (always handy and you can never have enough of them) and then all year he would clip coupons and by me and my sister all the stuff college kids don't or won't by for themselves. Tissues, Ibuprofen, cough drops, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, bubble bath, gum, gift certificates to the grocery store, stain remover, mints -you get the idea.

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  5. Melissa says…
    12/08/2009

    Just reading the comments and had to laugh because I had already purchased a huge pack of tape for my almost 5 year old's stocking as he always uses up mine!!

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  6. Karyl Howard says…
    12/08/2009

    Funny toothbrushes, "chapstick", twisty plastic straws, postage stamps, bars of soap with "inclusions" (like plastic toys), jewelry, mini puzzles...

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  7. Lisa says…
    12/08/2009

    iTunes gift cards

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  8. shana says…
    12/08/2009

    we always put a new toothbrush in our kids stockings. at least then, for a while, i know how old their toothbrushes are.
    that's all i've got for now. happy stocking shopping!
    blessings,
    shana

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  9. Aimee Confer says…
    12/08/2009

    A bell (from santa's sleigh). Each of my children has a bell. We read the polar express and loved the idea of keeping a bell in our stocking. A reminder to believe in the spirit of christmas. After christmas I take the bell out of the stocking and store it separately. I put it back in on christmas eve and we are sure to ring it on christmas morning.

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  10. Marianne says…
    12/08/2009

    How about a yo-yo?? This year I'm also tucking in a few homemade certificates redeemable for playing some games since I don't always say yes when asked! I have 2 older girls so I do alot of toiletrie (sp?) items.

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  11. Vicki says…
    12/08/2009

    World Market had cute packages of peppermint hot chocolate-- and little coffee packages--
    Hot sauce, Spices chocolate covered spoons all make great adult stuffers.
    Flashlights are fun for the kids!
    Ornaments are a nice gift too!

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  12. bandybunny2000@yahoo.com says…
    12/08/2009

    Flashlights, movie tickets, "fancy" shoe laces, unusual straws, school supplies, new toothbrushes, MONEY rolled up tight, magnets ... those are things that my now-grown children loved in their stockings ... And for the older set: of course, make up and hair accessories for girls, razors for the older guys, sample sizes of perfume/cologne, a miniature of something to add to their collection (if they had one), key rings, small picture frames, cutesy mouse pads were all well-received too.

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  13. Jenny Mick says…
    12/08/2009

    My mom always puts in chapsticks, socks, underwear, travel size lotion, packs of gum, a box of crayons, and definitely stickers!!!

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  14. Bobbi-Jo G. says…
    12/08/2009

    We loved getting chapstick in our stockings. Any scent and flavor out there! It was a must!

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  15. jennifer says…
    12/08/2009

    stockings are a great place to replenish school supplies like pencils and markers

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  16. Amy Bailey says…
    12/08/2009

    I purchased a lot of little tiny fun unique books from Dover press this year for the kid's stockings, and then noticed that Cracker Barrel was selling the same ones for the same price in their general store. Lots of fun old fashioned items there. For my teenager. Red Bull tops his list, plus I-tunes cards, and World of Warcraft cards (I was informed by my son that they include extra points that are redeamable in the on-line game), novelty boxer shorts, missmatch socks (for men), and McDonald's gift certificates.

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  17. Sue from Oregon says…
    12/08/2009

    I always wrapped a couple little presents up for them to unwrap first thing in the morning and then a snack to hold them until I got up...an orange, banana and a little box of cereal. They are in their 30's and still look for their little box of cereal in their stockings!

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  18. Amy Bailey says…
    12/08/2009

    Just bought one for my 5 year old. I know he will love it!

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  19. Lenora Poulin says…
    12/08/2009

    We always do favourite condiments - my daughter gets pickled carrots, my husband gets olives - my mom always got a bottle of ketchup. We also do things like toothpaste, personal packages of tissues, magazines. My Grandma was great for putting home essentials like tape, pens, wrapping paper, all occasion cards and scratch pads. The stocking is my favourite part! You never know what goodies lie inside.

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  20. Lynsey says…
    12/08/2009

    When I got to be a teenager, my mom started putting things like disposable Venus razors in my stocking. I also got lots of stuff in travel sizes from Bath and Body Works...OH! HAND SANITIZER would be wonderful this year! I subbed in a second grade class this week, and all the kids, even the boys, were passing around Bath and Body Works scented hand sanitizers and letting each other try the different scents.

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  21. Cathy says…
    12/08/2009

    This teacher says School Supplies!!!! They are always getting nasty right about now...
    This momma says fast food, starbucks,itunes gift cards are always nice. Chap stick for sure.
    I'm going to cover mini comp books with scrapbook paper and make pens and binder clip photo holders as well. I also make cards.

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  22. Megan W says…
    12/08/2009

    Probably not good for little kids, but my mom started putting bath stuff in our stockings--shampoo, razors, body wash, mesh sponges--things like that. It was fun and different.

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  23. Tina S. says…
    12/08/2009

    One thing that our kids have gotten that they have had the most fun with is one of those telescoping wands with a magnet on the end. They are usually found at auto parts stores or Big Lots or places like that. They would spend hours going around the house finding things the magnet would stick to, making paper clip trails through the house and picking them up with the wand, etc. It's a little unconventional but my son is 16 now and still has the one he got when he was about 8. Can't argue with success!

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  24. pamboe says…
    12/08/2009

    Batteries . . . lots of them for all the new gadgets!
    Coal
    Mentos for rabit turds
    Don't forget treats for the pets
    New pens and pencils
    A note from Santa that's a clue where the last gift is hidden.
    Favorite magazine
    Small games and puzzles

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  25. Amy Bailey says…
    12/08/2009

    Thanks for the battery idea. My teenager uses a two way radio to talk to his best friend that lives 3 houses down. They talk back and forth all the time. Yes, must put batteries on my list.

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