Five Inexpensive Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Everyone

If you're on a tight budget for Christmas, stocking stuffers can easily send you over the edge. The cost of filling up that sock can add up quickly. The key to buying cheap stocking stuffers is to buy things you would need to buy anyway - things the person really needs that you already spend money on. To make it more fun add a little twist. For example, your 4th grader needs pencils for school so you buy him some for his stocking, but get some fun character pencils. This will cost just a little more than the plain kind. Here are some more ideas to help you get started.

Office/School Supplies

Christmas is a great time to refill school supplies for the kids. Fun pens and pencils are always a hit. You can also get erasers in different fun shapes, and even scented! A mini stapler with colored staples is fun. For someone in an office, get a small picture frame for his or her desk and put a picture of the family in it. You can order mousepads with pictures printed on them as well. A special coffee mug or a desk calendar are also great ideas for someone working in an office.

Craft Supplies

There are tons of craft and art supplies that would fit perfectly into a stocking. Scrapbook pens, mini inkpads, stamps, and stickers would be good for someone who is into scrapbooking. Markers, crayons, glitter or gel pens, small coloring books or colored pencils are perfect for a kid crafter. Brushes and bottles of acrylic paint would be good for anyone into wood painting.

Personal Hygiene Items

Free samples are always available for company websites. You can order throughout the year and keep them in a box to stuff stockings with. Razors, blade refills and cologne/perfume samples would be great for adults. A mini-lotion or hand sanitizer would be perfect for someone to put in a purse or school bag. Bubble bath or candles for a fun or relaxing evening would be a fun addition to anyone's stocking. Everyone needs toothbrushes. Get a fun cartoon character one for the kids.

Food

You can never go wrong with food. Try sticking in a favorite candy bar or a handful of fun-size candies. Gum or tins of mints are great for someone to put in a purse, briefcase or school bag. Snacks are also a good idea. There are mini-bags of chips and pretzels, packets of cookies, and beef jerky which would all fit nicely in a stocking. You could even put in a favorite can of soda.

Novelty Items

Socks in a funky pattern would be good for just about anyone on your list. A mini puzzle or game, or a toy such as army men or doll clothes from the dollar store would be an inexpensive addition to throw in for the kids. What about a small stuffed animal to peek out the top of the stocking? For an older person small crossword puzzle or Sudoku books are fun things to stick in a stocking.

And finally, don't forget batteries for all those toys opened on Christmas morning!