Christmas 2008 Stocking Stuffers Don't Have to Cost Much Money

Stocking stuffers do not have to cost a lot of money to have a lot of meaning. What I do is, sit down and go over my list of friends and loved ones that I want to give stocking stuffers to, and try to figure out what I could give that person, that would give that stocking stuffer a lot of meaning.

Stocking Stuffer Idea #1 - Give Certificates

Because I have a computer, it is easy to print out different certificates that are personalized for each person.

a. For my kids - a certificate that gives them a day off from chores. They could pick the day. The only requirement was, it had to be one of my days off from work.

b. For my mom - For One Day I'm Yours - this again, had to be a day off, but it was listed on the certificate that we would do anything she wanted. We could go shopping (my mom didn't drive), we could go out to lunch or just sit and visit and watch movies. It was her choice.

These are just some of the ideas that I use.

Stocking Stuffer Idea #2 - Scratch-it Tickets

We live in a state that has the lottery, and Scratch-it tickets can be a lot of fun. Even though my boys are grown now, I still send them a Scratch-it in their Christmas Card. In the state of Oregon as person has to be 18 to purchase or cash in a lottery ticket. When they were minors, if they won any money on their ticket, I cash in the ticket and give them the money. Since I was the one that bought the ticket, and I was the one that cashed it in, nothing illegal was done.

Stocking Stuffer Idea #3 - Decorative Soaps

All women like to have pretty soaps on display in the bathroom. For my daughter-in-law and two granddaughters I color-coordinate their soaps so that there is not an eyesore on the bathroom countertop. I do get the scents that each one likes. You can buy pretty soaps that are unscented if you have a friend or loved one with sensitive skin.

Stocking Stuffer Idea #4 - Socks

I would buy a package of six socks and give one pair to each of the boys, one pair to my husband, one pair to my dad and the other to my brother. This was of course, after the boys got older. When they were younger, and had smaller feet, I would take one pair and roll it up, then tie in the middle with ribbon for the stocking stuffer. The rest I would put in their drawer after Christmas.

Now with a larger family, I have a lot more socks to divide up. Though now I can divide up girls socks.

Stocking Stuffer Idea #5 - T-shirts

My whole family likes to wear t-shirts with graphics on them. During the Christmas sales, it is quite easy to find them around $10.00.

Stocking Stuffer Idea #6 - Batteries

1. For my husband, sons and daughter-in-laws, and dad - "C" batteries for their emergency flashlights in their car, and "AAA" for the men's remote controls.

2. My grandkids always need "AA" batteries for all their new and old gadgets. You can get large packages of these, then divide them up.

Stocking Stuffer Idea #7 - Free Car Wash Slips

Every year at Christmas time, my daughter-in-laws, their mothers and I get together and decide on a good day that we will all have off work, and we set up a car wash for all the men in our lives. We have a lot of fun, and it makes for some real special family time.

Stocking Stuffer Idea #8 - Candy - Fruit - Nuts

I have never advocated eating much candy, but it is Christmas, and no Christmas stocking would ever be complete, without even a little bit. If there is concern about the sugar content, you can always get sugar-free candy.

Stocking stuffers do not have to cost a lot of money. The really great ones do give wonderful memories.