Stocking Stuffers for Natural Families

Some of my fondest memories are of Christmas. I loved putting up the decorations, eating the food and, of course, opening presents as a child. On Christmas morning, my little brother and I were allowed to take down and empty our stockings before our parents woke up and the real present opening began. My brother always woke up first and would bring my stocking into my room and wake me up. Then we would sit on my bed and empty our stockings together.

For those who are looking for great affordable stocking stuffers that are traditional, natural, or homemade, there are lots of ideas. Some store-bought items also make wonderful stocking stuffers. Try some of these.

Edible Treats

Fruits are a traditional stocking stuffer, especially apples and oranges. Almost any fruit will work, however. Try pears, bananas, tangerines, and pomegranates as well. I also love adding all kinds of nuts in the shell such as walnuts, pecans, and Brazil nuts.

Sweets such as hard candy, peppermint candy canes, and chocolates are also traditional. Chocolate gold coins are lots of fun for kids. You can also decorate sugar cookies, wrap them in a clear cellophane bag, tie a ribbon around the top, and include them in your stockings.

For adults, you can make a fun sweet stocking stuffer by taking spoons and dipping them into melted chocolate. The chocolate can even be flavored by adding orange or peppermint flavoring. Tie plastic over the chocolate-covered end once cool using a ribbon. The spoons can be stirred into a cup of hot coffee to add a little bit of holiday cheer. You can also stir them into a cup of hot milk to make hot chocolate.

My father was also fond of including beverages such as packets of hot cocoa mix or hot apple cider mix. Adults will also enjoy packets of flavored holiday tea. You can also purchase mini bottles of your favorite liquors from a wine shop. They make great stocking stuffers for adults.

Utilitarian Gifts

Useful items are also great to add to stockings. I like including new toothbrushes, lip balm, makeup brushes, dental floss, perfume, writing utensils, notepads, note cards, stamps, a sewing kit, eyeglass repair kit, gourmet soaps, bath sponges, nail or beard care kits, cooking, utensils, rechargeable batteries, keychain flashlights, pocket calendars, socks, jewelry cleaning rags, and underwear.

You can make neat little personalized notepads from junk mail. I like to use the back of bills or other letters that have been printed on the front, but not on the back. Three or four sheets of paper will make one notepad. Fold and cut each into eighths, then lay the small rectangles on top of each other so that the blank sides all face up. For a cover sheet, cut an image from an old book or from a magazine. Staple at the top with two staples.

Another of my favorite stocking stuffer gift ideas that is also environmentally friendly are hankies. You can find hankerchiefs online and in many stores (Walmart sells them in packs of 3 for $3). Hankies also double as gift wrap, so you can use them to wrap around other small stocking stuffer gifts.

Just For Fun

There are plenty of stocking stuffers for adults that are useful, but not badly needed. These items are just for fun. Small items are best, of course. Try pocket knives, wallets, scented candles, jewelry, compact mirrors, tools, books, golf balls, fishing tackle, digital camera memory cards, electronic gadgets, photo frames, music CDs, DVDs, and hair accessories.

For the Kids

Children are my absolute favorite to buy for. I like to steer clear of cheap cheesey items and get things that are fun and useful such as decorative pencils, glitter glue, watercolor paints, bath crayons, money, play jewelry, books, crayons, bubble bath, finger puppets, small dolls or action figures, activity books, die cast cars, wooden toys, marbles, cards, flashcards, rubber balls, yoyos, bug jars, flashlights, rubber stamps, stickers, baby clutch toys, magnets, magnifying glasses, and craft supplies.

For Penny Pinchers

If you are trying to save money this holiday season, opt for gifts that cost little to nothing such as food and handmade items. There are all kinds of small toys that you can make by hand. I like using cloth salvaged from old clothing to make things. IOU coupon books are also fun to make and use if you have no money to spend. Just fold a few pieces of paper and secure them with a staple or two before writing out your coupons on them.