Stocking Stuffers

[Stitchahula]

I never thought of duct tape but I love the idea. I usually do reeses peanut butter cups and scratch tickets in his stocking. For my boys they will probably get some sort of chocolates and maybe some small toys (tub toys or cars). When we were growing up we always got a clementine at the end of our stocking so we could have something to eat while we waited for our parents to wake up. We were allowed to open the stuff in our stocking but nothing beneath the tree until our mom and dad woke up and had a cup of coffee.

[NotaGeek]

My favorite stocking stuffer is a Starbucks Gift Card. Thankfully Santa never brought me personal hygiene items. We were just talking about this at work the other day ... I had never heard of that before!

[Mousefever]

The trial sized item section at target is a gold mine. We give crazy but little things in stockings:

hand sanitizer
pack of car trash bags
lotion
toilet seat covers
trial pack of Q-tips
wet ones
make up remover towlettes
pain relievers
small packs of kleenex
chapstick

from the automotive/tool area:
the aforementioned duct tape
Armorall wipes
defogging wipes
utility knives
WD-40
batteries
bungee cords
zip ties

novelty items:
card games
pens with games on them (Boggle, Operation, etc)
animal noses (everyone gets a different kind and then we take a picture)
funny ornaments
socks
golf balls and tees

Our point is to surprise and delight each other, but also be practical and cheap.

Amy

[ShelbyAD]

Another great place for stocking stuffers [for girls/women] is Michael's. They have $1 bins and ALOT of nice stuff. I some times go over board there

Is anyone cutting back on gifts this year b/c of the economy? We are. Everyone is getting about 5 stocking stuffers each (usually we over fill the stockings). DH's main gift will be a gift card to Best Buy (DSDs & I will pool our money and get him a larger amount - probably around $40-$50)

[mrsgaribaldi]

DH is getting some duct tape this year in his stocking too. I love that idea

[Marilyn Michetti]

The $1.00 stores are a vitual goldmine. For $10.00, you can put a serious bulge in a stocking.

Love the duct tape idea

I like to shop at Cost Plus World Market, if there's one where you live. Little jars of honey, candies, etc.

[tinksmom02]

DH usually gets a new toothbrush and some candy in his stocking. I usually get just a new toothbrush LOL

DD gets a toothbrush and chapstick (a tradition held over from my childhood), assorted $1 items, and some kind of M&M's (another tradition).

[Magic Smiles]

Years ago when the boys were small, I bought these huge stockings...now that they are teens, I am always looking for bulky things to fill them!

Wendy

My son also has a HUGE stocking. He could fit in it when he was small. Try getting a teen to trade this in for a smaller one. When he was small it was easy to fill from the dollar store. A big boat, some books, puzzles, lego, etc and there you were. A few years ago I figured that I must have spent between $200 - $300 to fill his stocking. I was shocked! I have no idea what to fill my DH and DS stockings with this year. I love the duct tape idea, but DH wouldn't think it was funny. Gift cards to Chapters is good, but that can get expensive also. Last year we all got new stockings from Disney World.........so now my son hangs up 2 stockings.
Back in the good ole days DH and I would always give each other 1 expensive gift in their stockings along with lots of other stuff.......those were the days.
Keep ideas coming as I am also in need of ideas for both DS and DH.

[alphamommy]

My favorite stocking stuffer is a Starbucks Gift Card.

This is what I was going to suggest. I think that's the gift that DH has used the most, because he reloads the card when it runs out.

Since our stocking gifts come from "Santa", I get stuff for DH and DD, and he's supposed to get stuff for me. However, it's a challenge for him just to buy me a present or two, let alone fill a stocking. Last year, I just picked out a couple small things for myself, and instructed him to put them in my stocking after DD and I went to bed.

Good luck!

[ShelbyAD]

DH & I have been married for 10 years - this will be our 11th Christmas together. Last year was the first Christmas that he actually got me stocking stuffers. I had to give him a list of ideas of what I would like.

You can't lay down hints to my DH - you have to give him a list. He usually asks me to write down quite a few things and he will get a couple of items from the list and some that are not on the list - that way I don't "know" what I am getting.

I have to admit, I have been surprised with the "big" gifts the past few years. About 4 years ago he bought me a sewing machine (after asking for 5 years ) 3 yrs ago he bought me a jacket that I had seen while we were in Alaska in 2003. He went on line and bought it. 2 yrs ago he got me a complete bathroom set (curtain, hooks, rug, toothbrush holder, towels etc). Last year was not a big surprise. He got me Season 4 of Lois & Clark and Season 4 of Quantum Leap. I am asking for Season 5 of QL this year. I think he already bought it and it was shipped to the house.

I like the Duct Tape idea - I will buy him a roll. He will probably say "Ooooh, I need this"

[tinksmom02]

Consider yourself lucky. My DH, when he was just my BF, was really good about getting me gifts. He'd get me what I wanted, and surprises, too.

Now, however, if I want something, I just buy it for myself. He thinks it's better that way, b/c then I know I'm getting something I like. I agree, somewhat, and it's nice buying whatever I want/need, but I miss surprises.

[ShelbyAD]

Tinks Mom - I love your " Look .... An Undead Monkey"

That is my favorite line in the movie!! It makes me laugh every time.

[Mousefever]

I love the duct tape idea, but DH wouldn't think it was funny.

There's nothing funny about duct tape, ma'am.

[princessjojo]

My stocking is usually pretty empty, except for the candy "Santa's" bought for everyone's stocking and some obligatory fruit and nuts.

But I usually get random things for everyone elses stockings. Both boys get some of their favorite snacks, socks, maybe some hot chocolate or coffee, a deck of their favorite card games, puzzle books, crayons/markers...

The checkout areas in Target or WalMart are great places to get ideas.

[DizNee143]

i get anything small that can fit in the stocking...or out of all the things i get my hubby i try to stuff the smaller items in the stocking..good ideas are...cds..dvds..when my hubby smoked i would put in a pack or two of ciggarettes..scratch off lotto tickects...gift cards to there favorites stores..
the stuff i usually get from my parents..is usually filled with candy..scratch off lotto tickets..lots of gift cards..and either a wad of money at the foot or a piece of jewerly!!!

[vicster]

i always give him scratch-off lottery tickets.

We do that and also put them in birthday cards. It started out as a joke years ago until my SIL won $20,000.00 on a scratch off ticket. Now we're serious about it!

[TinkerbellT421]

lol @ the duct tape, I should get that for my mom! She lives on that stuff..."THE TOILET BROKE GET THE DUCT TAPE!!!" LOL!!! I swear she uses that stuff on everything. lol. I just used up a roll on her too I thought she was going to have a heart attack "You used all the duct tape, that the only roll I had!" lol....shes so funny. I already got my stocking stuffers done! yay for me! I got a patriots watch for DBF, lotions for mom, some jewelry for mom, like earrings and a matching necklace, and gifts for myself lol! I just cant say where and how...lol...dont want to upset Intercot, no self promotion...lol...I got stuff cheap though, I got most of my christmas shopping done already. Now I just have to go out for big fun stuff the day after with my friend Lori and get the rest done and then Im off to wrapping!! woo...Am I wierd, but I love wrapping gifts lol! I have so much fun by myself wrapping! lol

[TigChatt]

Last year was not a big surprise. He got me Season 4 of Lois & Clark and Season 4 of Quantum Leap. I am asking for Season 5 of QL this year. I think he already bought it and it was shipped to the house.

A person after my own heart. Gotta love Quantum Leap!!!

[Magic Smiles]

My stocking is usually pretty empty, except for the candy "Santa's" bought for everyone's stocking and some obligatory fruit and nuts.

Isn't it pretty sad at how many woman have this happen to them. We always seem to take care of the Men in our lives, but what are they thinking? When the men are still boyfriends, they are good at gift buying.......when they become husbands, what happens?
Of course there are always exceptions out there, but I have a few good friends that pretty much end up with an empty Christmas. Okay, I know that Christmas is not all about getting gifts, but does it not make you feel good to know that someone is thinking about you when you receive a little something. I know that I put a lot of thought into my gift buying, always looking for that something perfect for the person.
Did you all know that you can buy duct tape in assorted colours now?

[TinkerbellT421]

Did you all know that you can buy duct tape in assorted colours now?

I did. I used to know someone that used to make wallets and pocket books out of colored duct tape. She actually kind of had her own business with it, she used to sell them. But they werent that pretty looking....and at $80.00 I could have died when she said that....I was like Im sorry Im not paying $80.00 for a duct tape purse...I love duct tape....but not that much.....and they were ugly....lol