This should probably wait until the last day of the gift guide because stocking stuffers are really an after thought, but I couldn’t wait. I love small gifts that I know the recipient will enjoy.
Chocolate bars from Trader Joe’s are quite tasty and start at just $1.79 for a sizeable portion. TJ’s sells different strengths of dark chocolate if you go for that sort of thing. Ikea has chocolate bars for just $.99 in the post-checkout food section, though I’ve not tasted them.
Who doesn’t love Suduko? Only people who haven’t tried the wordless crossword puzzles. A book of 100 Suduko puzzles from easy to difficult is just $2.30 (orig. $8) on Amazon. Written by New York Times crossword editor Will Shortz. Buy it!
Ikea has bargain prices on small stuffed animals. A long-limbed teddy bear is $1.99 and a girly mouse in a red and white dress is $2.99. There are plenty of other choices for less than $8. Perfect for filling a stocking on a budget. Buy it!
A gift card to the local grocery store or a gas station is always welcome in my family. Thoughtful because it is so practical!
Encourage a crafty friend to knit with a kit to knit a pair of socks or a scarf. Each kit includes two balls of yarn and a pattern. $18 at up. You will still need to buy needles. Buy it!
Discounted movie tickets through Costco (where they are $7.50-$8), your employer, or a local theater club make a great gift. Buy it!
If you want to go lower: A box of tangerines is about $5 and will fill many stockings.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I’ve never been to an Ikea store — there is one in Houston but I think it’s waaaayyy on the other side of town. I’ll have to check it out one of these days.
The teddy bear is cute!
November 19th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I agree with you about the chocolate bars from TJ’s. The 2 pound dark with almonds was the favorite of a late friend, and she looked forward to receiving one every birthday and Christmas. The 2-pounder might not fit into a stocking, but it’ll be welcome no matter where/how it’s given.
On another topic… I’m not a fan of Sudoku (my brain doesn’t work that way), but I do love crossword puzzles, which I work every day in two newspapers. My sister would like the Sudoku book, and my brother would like a book with crossword puzzles.
Another gift idea/stocking stuffer… Give someone a homemade “gift card” for some personal service you can provide, especially for someone who cannot (or can no longer) do for themselves. That’s something I truly appreciate.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I give food gifts in stockings–soup mixes I find at TJ’s or Harry & David on sale; nuts/trail mixes; even a bottle of wine—idea being to give consumable items vs little things that end up in the trash within a week. For $1 you can get nice 2 year calendars at Michael’s–that is always something nice to receive.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Buying stocking stuffers is my favorite thing to do.
At Trader Joe’s today I bought 10 individual bags of “Just a handful of GO RAW TREK MIX’ for 4.99. There was another kind too. Whenever I can get a good stocking stuffer for 50 cents each, I rejoice!
I buy stocking stuffers all year long whenever I see a good bargain or something unusual. One year I bought gummy rats. Please keep on giving stocking stuffer hints!
November 19th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Just thought of something, most specifically for the L.A. area, but I am sure there are other options for other areas. My stocking stuffer idea is L.A. Clippers tickets. I know that we have season tickets at end of court on the floor for less than $30/ticket, so if you have someone who is into basketball, they can get a fun evening out for not very much money, especially compared to the cost for the Lakers, and they play in the same arena.
November 20th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Love a good stuffed stocking! My kids (19 and 14) say that is what they look most forward to Christmas morning so I have a big job to keep the fun going. As they’ve gotten older its more difficult to find inexpensive items…the Dollar Store just doesn’t cut it anymore. So, in the past, I’ve stuffed with earrings, iTunes gift cards, ear buds, back-to-college needs, etc. Even my dog gets a well stuffed stocking!
November 20th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Great idea, Chris. You can often get discounted sports tickets at Goldstar.com or Groupon.com, though you never know when they are going to be offered on Groupon.com
November 20th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I think the most important thing is to know the person who’ll receive the stocking stuffers. Food can be tricky, unless you’re sure what someone likes (trail mix and the like are not for me!). Keeping it fun is also important. I can sometimes find good buys at Target in their $1 bargain area. Puzzle books, etc., are often included there, as well as fun educational things for kids.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Sudoku is a great gift. Every year for the past 4 years I have given a Sudoku book to my dad in his stocking. Nice List!
November 20th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Looks like there are a lot of stocking stuffers out here in BB land! I always like getting new ideas from the various contributors. Thanks to y’all! :O)
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:18 pm
We Wish You a Merry Christmas,
We Wish You a Merry Christmas,
We Wish You a Merry Christmas,
And a Happy New Year!
Naughty Family and Friends –
Well, we all have some!
Give them a Gag Gift from:
coalgaggifts.com !
We Wish You a Merry Christmas,
We Wish You a Merry Christmas,
We Wish You a Merry Christmas,
And a Happy New Year!
November 26th, 2009 at 10:46 am
I love IKEA!!! This year, like most people, I’m very tight financially. So for the first time ever, I venture to the lcoal Dollar General for little stocking stuffers. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they carry cell phones (TracFone) for $10. And the best part, the phone comes with a car charger ,handsfree headset and a case. Now, as we all know, to buy these separtely would be costly. This is the perfect stocking stuffer for my 11 yr. old. Perfect for a first phone and hey even if she loosses it, it’d be no big deal
December 9th, 2009 at 9:47 am
There are some inexpensive stocking stuffers at Froggy’s Country Store for those who like Country Music. Check it out.
December 14th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
[...] Christmas stocking stuffers – chocolate bars, sudoku, stuffed animals, gas or grocery gift card, sock knitting kit, movie tickets [...]