Popular Christmas stocking stuffers

Who hasn’t heard “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there“ from Clement Moore’s poem “The Night Before Christmas”. In the United States at least, it is traditional to hang stockings from the mantle on Christmas Eve and if there is no fireplace, just lay them near the Christmas tree or hang them on the wall.

On Christmas morning, one of the most exciting things to do is to go through your Christmas stocking to see all the little goodies that it holds. For those in charge of stuffing these stockings, it can be a challenge to come up with interesting items to place in the stocking. Size is a major constraint and unless it is a huge stocking, the gift items will need to be quite small.

Candy

Candy is traditionally the main component of the stuffing of the Christmas stocking. Candy canes or candy sticks are good options. With the sticks, they come in a wide variety of flavors that both children and adults will enjoy. Peppermint is the seasonal choice but sour apple, root beer, and strawberry are other options. For older children or adults, small boxes or bags of higher-end candy such as Lindt Truffles or Godiva are available as well as Whitman and Russell Stover. Hershey kisses are small and well loved and can be dropped into the stocking easily.

Fruit and treats

Fruit is another traditional addition to the Christmas stocking. Usually, an orange or a tangerine are good choices since they have a tough skin and won’t bruise or ooze all over the other items in the stocking. Depending on the kind of treats the stocking owner loves, this can run the range from bags of chips, boxes of cookies or beef jerky sticks. Whatever is something that will delight the person is the perfect choice. Stay clear of anything too fragile. Nuts are a good choice if no allergies are present. They come in small bags as well as cans so they are a perfect size.

Books and magazines

For the wee ones, this can mean a coloring book and crayons or a small picture book. Those that are bendable without damage are the optimal choice. For older children, comic books or anime might be just the ticket. A favorite puzzle book or paperback works well for adults. This writer usually includes at least one magazine in all stocking except for the youngest of children. Many choices are available, find one that suits the interests of the person who’s stocking you are filling. It can be sports, fashion, a hobby or the latest Time Magazine.

Toys and games

For children, small toys are very much appreciated. For little boys, small metal cars are a good option and small dolls or animals for little girls. Traditional toys such as Yo-yos, pick-up sticks, jacks, jump ropes and the like are choices that will provide hours of entertainment. Small handheld games fit nicely into a stocking. They can be electronic but don’t need to be. There are travel sizes of Scrabble, dominoes, Battleship and much more that fit nicely into a stocking. A deck of cards is also a good option.

Accessories and jewelry

Girls of almost any age love hair accessories. It can be pretty elastics, barrettes, clips, and hairbands. A new comb or brush is something additional to add. Scarves, hats, and gloves are useful for almost anyone. It can be real or it can be costume but almost no one dislikes a gift of jewelry. It can be a small bracelet, a charm, earring, a necklace or even diamonds or pearls. There are hundreds of options.

Toiletries and makeup

Toiletries are perfect for anyone over the age of about 10. Think cologne, shampoo, shavers, tooth brushes and just about anything else you think they might like and use. For girls or women nail polish, nail files, emery boards, eye shadow, moisturizer or hand lotion, lip gloss and blush are all small items that fit in a stocking. For boys or men shavers, nail clippers, ChapStick, shower gel, shaving cream if they are adults and will all be useful gifts.

When it comes to favorite stocking stuff, no one knows your family like you do. Use your imagination and pick the things that you know they will love. Head to the local big box pharmacy that is usually a great place to find all the favorites that you will want to put in their stockings.