Affordable Stocking Stuffers for Women

Chocolate- Small boxes of artisan truffles are worth the price tag for women who are chocolate connoisseurs. Large bags of holiday wrapped Hershey's aren't the way to go when it comes to stocking stuffers. Don't give something a woman could easily pick up for herself at the grocery store. Instead, try a smaller box of truffles, which pack twice the bang for her taste buds. As an added bonus, when there are only a few pieces they can be enjoyed without the guilt of overindulging on too many waist-expanding treats.

Individually-wrapped hot chocolate packets are a cheaper way to give chocolate. If small tins or packets of Ghirardelli or Godiva are available, pick up a couple of those. If not, many stores carry Land o' Lakes brand packets in several different flavors.

Travel-size bath and body products- Got $5? Then you can afford to give 5 items from the travel section in any grocery-type store. Travel shampoos, body gels, and toothpastes make great gifts for jet-setting women who are always on the go. Plus, they are as cheap as anything you could pick up at the dollar store, but probably more useful.

Handmade soap bars- If you have a few extra dollars to spend on bath and body products, give a bar or two of lusciously scented handmade artisan soaps, wrapped in beautiful, hand-decorated paper rather than plastic bottles or wrappers. Scents can range from relaxing lavender to tempting chocolate, so pick to match the woman's tastes.

Bath salts- Bath salts can be found in any store, from upscale beauty boutiques all the way down to your local super center. Buy small, individual containers or one large on that can be re-packages as stocking gifts for several people. If you are more of a do-it-yourself-er, dozens of recipes can be found online for mixtures of sea salts, herbs, and essential oils; doing it yourself can add a personal touch to any gift.

Makeup brushes- Brushes used for makeup application are often used long after they should have been replaced. Dirt and oils from the surface of the skin build up on brushes, especially if they aren't regularly cleaned. Plus, they tend to shed bristles over time. A fresh, clean brush makes a big difference, and can help prevent breakouts and even eye infections, in the case of eyelash combs. Big spenders might want to try "Good Karma Brushes" from Urban Decay, synthetic fiber bristles not made from dead animals' hair. For thriftier shoppers, stores such as Target and Wal-Mart offer a decent selection, as do beauty department stores like Ulta. Small brushes used for eye shadow and lid-liner application are often the cheapest, while large powder and blush brushes tend to cost more. Try researching online first to find the cheapest deals before hitting the stores. While online, also look up tips for picking the right shape and style of brush for the right job.

Seed packets- Though the dead of winter may seem like precisely the wrong time to give seeds, an avid gardener will know that planting seeds at the tail end of winter is actually a good move. They can be grown inside and then re-potted when they are ready to make the move outdoors for the spring. Plus a little reminder of a gardener's favorite time of year in the winter is a good way to spread cheer. Seed packets might be hard to find at grocery-type stores during the holiday season, so try picking them up from a nursery.

Lip balm- Though lip balms are small stocking stuffers, most women, whether or not they are cosmetics junkies, have come to appreciate the soothing feeling a good slather of moisturizing lip balm during the dry winter season. Scents and flavors abound, from vegan hemp, all natural, and the well known standby, Chapstick.

Wide-tooth comb- Women with long hair will find cheap, plastic wide-tooth combs very useful for use in the shower, when wet hair is more vulnerable to breakage when using a bristled brush. Brushes also ruin styled hair, while combs removed tangles and tame frizz a bit more gently.