I am kinda passionate about stocking stuffers, much to my husband's displeasure. Not only do I love shopping for fun, tiny goodies that conveniently fit in an oversized fabric bootie, I insist on receiving them. I really don't know why, but you can probably blame it on my mother and her wonderful stocking stuffer giving abilities that spoiled me during my younger years.
The truth is most people don't get the stocking stuffer thing right. They either waste their money on random items, such as walnuts and clementines (seriously, where did this tradition originate? 50 points to whoever can tell me) or they blow their budget by inserting higher priced, but small gifts, like DVDs and CDs (these are real gifts, people. they deserve to be wrapped and placed under the tree).
Since I happen to fancy myself a stocking stuff expert, I decided to share with you readers my recipe for true stocking stuffer success. Generally speaking, a stocking should include 7 gifts. Why? Well, I prefer odd numbers and 9 items would not fit in most traditional stockings.
- Something practical: a to do list pad, a Starbucks gift card, stamps or gum.
- A personal care item: Lip gloss, Oral B Brush Ups, cute bandaids or tweezers.
- Their favorite movie theater candy: Haribo gummy bears, Milk Duds or Twizzlers.
- A new favorite food/candy: Chili infused chocolates, a bacon bar or flavored peanuts.
- A fun twist on something they need: Flashy socks, sexy underwear, collar stays or Goody spin pins.
- Something related to a hobby: A craft punch, a new spice, ear plugs for hunting or golf tees.
- A toy/game: A deck of cards, a sudoku book, an IQ test or TableTopics To Go.
- Bonus: A lottery ticket
And because I love lists...Here are my favorite places to shop for stocking stuffers, in my particular order:
-International grocery stores, like Fiesta
PS: I also believe all stocking stuffers should be wrapped. I know, I know. That's why I put this at the bottom of the post.
katie, i LOVE this post. i'm such a stocking stuffer nazi...fruit and socks have NO place in a christmas stocking :) (i'd even go so far as to ban self-care items like toothpaste and shaving cream).
ReplyDeletea couple more good stores for perfect stocking stuffers are paper source, urban outfitters, and whole earth. thanks for the list...i've never tried container store, but i might have to make a last-minute run!
you wrap your stocking stuffers? wow - i'm impressed
ReplyDeleteFunny that you wrap stocking stuffers :] I didn't have that experience till I married my husband and he got all sad when I didn't wrap his stuffers :] I now know :]
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this list, thank you thank you thank you!!!!! Just visited Container Store and Pier 1 BOTH the other day looking for Stocking Stuffers - also Francesca's has AMAZING stocking stuffers as well!!!
ReplyDeleteKatie great last minite ideas!! All the best in the year ahead!
ReplyDeleteCome and enter my Giveaway from My Sparrow, you will love it!
Joyeaux Noel!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena