Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Need some stocking stuffer ideas?  Not sure what to put in your loved one’s stocking this year?  For those that want to be creative and personable, think of what would make the other person smile.
You can make your loved one's holiday extra special this year, by adding in a mix of useful stocking stuffers, sentimental stocking stuffers, and personable stocking stuffers.

To make Christmas last a little bit longer, open stockings later in the day.   To make the festive feeling last even longer, wrap each stocking stuffer before filling up the stocking on Christmas Eve.

Young Kids (Elementary Age) Stocking Stuffers:

• crayons
• coloring book
• markers
• pencils
• yo-yo
• Matchbox cars
• punching ball/balloon
• small action figures
• stuffed animals
• stickers, sticker book
• paint
• glue
• glue sticks
• lip gloss
• chapstick
• comb
• brush
• mirror
• costume jewelry
• hair ties
• hair bows
• hair clips
• mini photo album
• notepads
• small baby doll
• Polly Pockets
• Silly Bandz
• Christmas socks
• balls
• Play Doh

Teen Girl Stocking Stuffers:

• lipstick
• fingernail polish
• fake nails
• compact mirror
• necklace
• bracelet
• ring
• bobby pins
• travel-size hair spray
• brush
• perfume
• lotion
• body wash/shower gel
• CDs 
• concert tickets
• pens
• notepads
• note cards
• gift cards
• cell phone cover
• MP3 cover
• cell phone charm
• photo frame
• craft kits

Teen Boy Stocking Stuffers:

• cologne
• aftershave
• body wash/shower gel
• pocket knife (for fishing or hunting)
• comb
• concert tickets
• pens
• cell phone cover
• MP3 cover
• CDs
• boxers
• gag gifts
• flashlight
• key chain

Women Stocking Stuffers:

• perfume
• body wash/shower gel
• lipstick
• mascara
• blush
• eye shadow
• fingernail polish
• lotion
• candle
• photo frame
• necklace
• bracelet
• ring
• earrings
• barrettes
• hair clips
• CDs
• gift cards
• cell phone charm
• pens
• notepads
• note cards
• homemade coupons (bubble bath without interruption, back massage, breakfast in bed, do chore without being asked, etc.)

Men Stocking Stuffers:

• wallet
• lottery tickets
• gift cards
• cologne
• aftershave
• boxers
• game tickets
• concert tickets
• key chain
• flashlight
• pocket knife
• pens
• CDs
• bumper stickers
• office supplies

With a bit of planning, it's easy to give your loved one a Christmas stocking that's extra special this year.


References:
Suite101: Stocking Stuffer Ideas 
Suite 101: Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Children
Suite 101: Dollar Store Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Special Effects to Make Every Gift Original

Here are some easy and inventive ways to make every gift unique:

Give gifts character. For special presents, make tags from scratch. Use cookie cutters as a template and trace onto colored paper and cut out.

Make your mark. Stamp tags with yuletide wishes and images.

Trim with care. Scissors with fancy edges transform scraps of paper into delicate labels.

Stick it on. Dress up plain paper with metallic stickers - stars, snowflakes, hearts, dots - and your presents will twinkle.

Dress it up. Let the kids create designs on plain brown Kraft paper.

Be original. Use maps, newspaper, comics, posters, etc., to wrap your gift.

Christmas Journal

Start a new tradition: Put together a holiday-only journal to capture your thoughts. Each season, add to the book and read past entries.

Ideas for Twig Trees

Thanksgiving Tree. Each person in the family, including dinner guests, trace their hands and write down things they are thankful for.

Spray paint red and white like a candy cane and hang candy canes from it.

Use only nature type things like bunches of holly berries, small eucalyptus wreaths, bouquets of baby breath, pinecones.

Unify the Decorations on Your Tree

Create a truly unique tree by adding special decorating touches.

Choose a Christmas Tree Theme
Spark your creativity with a color or style theme. For instance, a silver theme can use silver ribbons, silver ornaments, and garlands of silver beads. Choose the decorations according to the theme. An elegant theme would use velvet, satin, sparkles, and beads. A country theme would make use of raffia, cookie cutter ornaments, popcorn and cranberry garlands, and wooden toys. Add clumps of dried herbs to a kitchen tree for a wonderful scent in the room.

Too Much is a Good Thing
You can never really have too many decorations on the tree. If they're evenly spaced and carefully selected, the more the better.

Add Natural Materials
Use colorful ribbons to tie together clusters of dried flowers or small twigs. Place them between branches where some fill is needed. Use wire to attach the clusters to the branches.

Use Silk Flowers for Color
Trim blossoms off stems of silk flowers and lay them on the branches of your Christmas tree for a formal look. Choose blossoms in shades of the colors of your theme or choose all white for a snowy effect. Place the flowers evenly around the tree on the inside and outside of branches.

Add Sparkle With Metallic Spray
Preserved leaves, pinecones, and seed pods can be embellished with metallic spray paint &/or a sprinkling of glitter. Add just a touch for a subtle look or cover completely for a more formal effect.

Ribbon Streamers
Instead of a garland, attach holiday colored ribbons or long strands of raffia to the top branches of the tree. Wind them down and around the branches to the bottom of the tree.

A Crowning Glory for Your Tree
Every traditional Christmas tree is topped by a star or angel. If you have a family heirloom, use it even if it doesn't "match" your tree decorating theme. Traditions are an important part of Christmas and what more suitable place would there be for an heirloom than the tip of your Christmas tree?

Happy Leon Day!

“Leon” is “Noel” spelled backward. Leon Day marks the halfway point to Christmas.

Do something today to get ready for Christmas... buy a gift (or two), create cards, work on your Christmas notebook, create an ornament, send a Christmas in June card to a friend, listen to some Christmas music.

Candy Cane Ideas

Each year there are lots of extra candy canes floating around the house. Use them up with these creative ideas.

• Use candy canes as stirring sticks for hot beverages.
• Add crushed candy canes to vanilla frosting and make cookie sandwiches with purchased cookies or graham crackers.
• Add crushed candy canes to Rice Krispy treats.
• Melt some purchased white almond bark and add crushed candy cane pieces. Pour onto waxed paper and chill for instant Candy Cane Bark.
• Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of iced cupcakes or on top of ice cream sundaes.
• Layer ice cream and hot fudge sauce with crushed candy canes and top with whipped cream for a peppermint twist treat.
• Dip the candy canes in chocolate coating.
• Save the candy canes and use them for decorations next year, like hearts for Valentine's Day.
• Then grab a candy cane to enjoy.

For the history and fun facts about candy canes, check out these sites.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/newsletter/christmas/cane.html
http://wilstar.net/xmas/xmassymb.htm