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Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Everyone

Stocking stuffers are always so tricky, aren't they? You don't want to give your friends and family things that they'll never use, but you also don't want to spend a fortune on presents that should really be under the Christmas tree anyway. Well I, for one, refuse to let such a fun part of Christmas be a hassle. I've got a couple of guidelines for your stocking stuffer shopping this year that I think may help!

Classic: Traditionally, stockings were stuffed with an orange, which was a citrusy treat but also a sign of prosperity, as oranges were something of a rarity in early America. In my family, there's always an orange at the toe of every stocking as a fun nod to the past. A friend of mine does a great take on the Christmas orange gift by giving each of her kids a Terry's chocolate orange that they crack into its segments and eat piece by piece. Needless to say, they like the tradition.

Silly but fun: These presents may be frivolous in nature, but they sometimes produce the happiest reactions and the most fun around the Christmas tree. Some favorite ideas I've used in the past are: Silly Putty, temporary tattoos, naughty decks of cards, small puzzles, a hand-sized Etch-a-Sketch, brightly-colored fuzzy pens and tree ornament earrings. Each will get a chuckle or an "I remember this!" out of your friends and family, and are a surefire way to get everyone in the Christmas mood.

Thoughtful: These are small gifts that hold some sentimental meaning or are a fun surprise to find in a stocking filled with silly gifts. My father, for example, hides a new pair of earrings in my mother's stocking every year. She knows they'll be there, but never what kind they'll be, and the tradition is always sweet to watch. Is your kid dying for an iPod nano? If you're feeling the mischievous elf vibe this Christmas, slip the iPod nano into his or her stocking so he or she doesn't know what's coming. The smile you get will be one of pure excitement.

Remember to have fun with your stocking stuffers this year. They're a great way to make a friend or family member feel special and a perfect opportunity for a little Christmas silliness. My husband, for example, always puts a golf ball in my stocking as a little dig about my terrible, terrible handicap. 

Happy Holidays!

Enjoy Planning.
Penelope