frugal stocking stuffers?

[cata5]

Several times over the last week I've heard a CD referred to as a stocking stuffer. Is that because it's small??? I always thought of stocking stuffers as small inexpensive gifts that are fun but in no way would be considered a "regular" gift. Do you know what I mean? I always try to find some things under $1 like a match box car, a little notebook, cool pencil, lip gloss, candy canes, gum,etc. and each child would get about 5 little things. I also have found new things at garage sales that I've paid $.10-.25 for.

Just wondering if I'm out of touch with the whole stocking stuffer custom...

[dianemarie]

I'm like you, I look for little things for the stocking. Since I have girls it's little nail polishes, lip sticks and bath bombs. They love that stuff! I don't think you are out of touch with the whole stocking thing, since there is no way everyone could do something like that the same. At our house Santa fills the stockings and Mom and Dad put the presents under the tree. Since my girls are older (12 & 15) they understand that Christmas is different from house to house. I just try and have fun with the things I find for the stockings.

[marygreene]

I like to get stuff they need anyway, like new toothbrushes, toothpaste, batteries, and stuff like that. I would have to buy it anyway and they sure fill up a stocking nicely.

[Brendabutt]

Don't forget the apple and orange--that really helps fill a stocking.

[marygreene]

We also do PopTarts or little boxes of cereal. They take up alot of room and they can eat then for breakfast when we're done opening the gifts. It's a real busy day and a quick breakfast helps.

[jskarp]

Marygreene what a terrific idea! You can be sure that Santa will be filling each Santa with a box of Cheerios or a POP Tart!
Thanks for the idea. Joy

[jadien]

With my brothers I always put in a little trinket or small stuffed toy pertaining to Christmas. You can get them for like a buck at your local Dollar Store or Family Dollar. It just seems to brighten up their faces because they are now 17 and 16. They give me the look that 'Sis we are too old for this but its cute anyways.' but ya know...their favorites are still sitting on top of their dressers.

[deedeesaz]

I sometimes put Cds in the stocking if I don't want them to get lost in all the wrappings... Our family tradition since both daughters (20 & 15 now ) were babies , is that they share the stocking. Now this is one of the huge three foot stockings that are out there. The tradition began when my first was the only grandchild on both sides. So for her first Christmas ( she was 11 months old) we carried her house to house in it and had pictures taken of her sitting in it. Did the same with her sister.

When they both were old enough to understand, they would share the contents of the stocking ( usually two each of the items) and anything specific to one or the other would have their initial one it. They get to open that all up, share, sort, trade, count, munch and then come wake us up to open all of Santa's loot. Usually buys us another hour of sleep !!

[stking]

When I was still working and the boys were a little younger (2 or 3), I would eat Happy Meals for lunch (drive-thru so they don't realize it's not really for a kid) and save the toys to use for stocking stuffers! That worked great and I wasn't overeating! LOL!

[BABEGIRL]

and I've put the repeats I get in the Toys for Tots box too. This year I will be using the repeat McD's and BK Toddler Toys for gifts for my little cousins and friends kids so I can afford Christmas presents for all. And since Mc'ds Toddler toys are made by Fisher Price and BK's T. Toys are made by Sassy you know you are getting good quality toys. If you have kids in that general age range that is what I would suggest. I also watch the local Thrift stores, flea markets, Garage Sales and Consignment Shops. You never know what you will find. My Goodwill here has a one day sale every month. It's 2 dollars for everything you can fit in your bag. My DD loves it. I also get most of her books there. Some of the stuff I find is brand new and some of it needs a good cleaning but the little ones won't notice. Mine sure doesn't. She's almost 3 and she plays more with some of the stuff I found second hand than I did full price brand new. You can find some really good deals. Hope this helps.

-Patience

[Nancy1272]

Stocking Stuffers here are small and inexpensive. I could not afford the cd's or something similar.....lol...dh would have a heart attack. I stick with the pens/pencils/bath foam, bubble bath, little candies, fruit (okay, my ds loves fruit....lol...fruit and water, an easy boy to please).

[slmlmlel]

My husband and I have 2 girls (3 year old and 19 month old) So, every year so far we fill there stockings together. I buy them the stuff they need (toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair accessories) and healthy snacks like fruit gummies, snack packs of chex mix, and snack packs of fruit. My husband buys them the fun stuff like little toys (age approiate) coloring books, jumbo crayons, and stickers. Then my husband and I do each others stockings. Which is a nice suprise in the morrning. Usely I get things I wouldn't buy for my self which is great if he feels its a great price. ( I'm the big coupon user) So my girls know that Santa fills there stocking. And they get one present form Santa which is not wrapped so they know its form him.

[lizard_collins]

We also fill the stockings with things the kids need anyway. I try to make it more fun by buying their favorite themes like Powerpuff Girls socks, Barbie toothbrush, pretty hair bows and bands, mittens, Blue's Clues panties and Scooby underwear (for the boys)! That way they are happy with their favorite characters and I am happy spending money on things they need!

[chellem]

i did get movies to stuff in the stockings.....i got shrek and grinch .... but i would have gotten those anyway....the other things i get are like 1.00 or 2.00 my kids have been bugging me for blow pens...thanks to a great trade on dod....i got them for 1.50 and will be included in the stocking i do toothbrushes... toothpaste..... hair bows.....little bit of candy..... matchbox cars... just little things...not expensive stuff....i consider over 4 or 5 dollars...to be a gift ya know what else is kinda neat....to either hand print or print on the puter...like reward coupons....i did this for hubby one year when money was short..for things like. back rubs... foot rubs..... among other things stapled them together..... it was funny.....he wouldn't say anything when he wanted to use them.....he would just stand there coupon in hand and grin....so cute...... would be good for kiddos too...for dishwashing or room cleaning or any other chore for free day or something

[hannahsmom]

santa (aka dad) drew from his german heritage and put some beautiful oranges, grapefruits, apples, and nuts in our stockings. we got trinkets and chocolate, too, but i think the symbolism of the fruit is nice. a big sweet crisp apple would be an amazing gifty to lots of children (and adults!) in the world. it's nice not to take things like that for granted. this'll be my first year doing a stocking for hannah. i can't wait!!