Cheap and Practical Stocking Stuffer Ideas

When I was a kid, we could always expect 2 things in our stockings every year come Christmas morning- an orange crammed in the heel of the stocking (which would eventually go moldy from forgetting it was there), and peanuts in the shell. While the classic stand-bys are what make a Christmas stocking so great, there are ways you can spruce up a stocking stuffer without going broke. Here are some great stocking stuffer ideas that are sure to please (and be used) and are cheap to boot!

OK- I am going to mention a toothbrush, even though it is likely already a stocking stuffer tradition in your home. If not, what better way to introduce hygiene than during the hussle of Christmas? Besides, with all that stocking stuffer candy being munched on, a toothbrush is a much-needed (and eventually welcome) stocking stuffer.

A hair brush for girls, a comb for boys makes any household happier. Anyone who has more than one child knows why this is such a big deal. Kids fight over the hair brushes as they get ready for school, and every parent gets sick and tired of hearing, "Where did the brush go? It's my turn!" You can get cheap and colorful hair brushes so the kids can each have their own, and you can finally have some peace in your house as kids get ready for school.

note: make each brush a different color, and it wouldn't hurt to make a small hand mirror a Christmas stocking as well. This way, your kids can admire themselves in their own space without fighting over the bathroom mirror.

Socks, the soft, warm fuzzy ones, are a must-have stocking stuffer. Why? Because they feel so nice on the feet and just make Christmas that much more fun. My mom has been giving us toe socks as stocking stuffers for years, and without some kind of sock, a stocking just isn't a stocking.

Gum- what kid doesn't like gum? Skip the tiny kids who are going to make a mess, but for all your other kids, sugar-free gum is a welcome change from chocolate and other sugary sweets. Our kids love gum so much it's like gold in our house, and any gum is a treat to them. I'm not talking Bubble-tape, I mean classic teeth cleaning gum that is actually somewhat of a healthy treat. And unlike an orange, the gum will get used.

Lip balm or chap stick is a great stocking stuffer as well. Cherry or classic, or even Carmex- these lip savers will come in handy and absolutely be a welcome gift. Same goes for small bottles of unscented lotion (so you can put them in male and female stockings), since winter takes its toll on skin.

Quarters make a great stocking stuffer for kids 5 and older, because quarters mean one thing- those totally awesome quarter machines outside the grocery store! Tossing in a buck or 2 of quarters in your child's stocking is a welcome surprise and treat- and as a bonus, you won't have them nagging at you for coins every time you go shopping for a little while.

note: for older kids, make it a $5 bill, stuffed inside another stocking stuffer, like the socks. Older kids don't have use for quarters the way the younger kids do, but will gladly add $5 to their savings. You can also make use of another great stocking stuffer- a wallet, and toss in a few bills to sweeten the useful stocking stuffer overall.

You'd be surprised how much fingernail clippers are enjoyed by practically everyone. A cheap gift, fingernail clippers are a nice little addition to anyone's hygiene, without being an obvious gift like deodorant. This is an ideal stocking stuffer for older kids rather than the younger ones.

A deck of cards is a great stocking stuffer, and child's themed ones for younger kids go over great. War, Go Fish, Old Maid, etc can be played with a deck of cards, so it's giving many games in one! And even younger children like a deck of cards because it's something fun to sort through and scatter.

And don't forget stickers. Kids love stickers, particularly the younger ones. Stickers are better than giving messy stocking stuffers, like glitter, paint, nail polish, or putty. Stickers are a fun way to make a stocking stuffer great while still keeping your sanity. And that's the greatest gift of all.