The Stockings were hung by the Chimney with Care – 2012 Edition

In hopes that St. Nicklaus soon would be there…and just what are some good stocking stuffer ideas?  Some of these lists are long, so no need to read every word, you can peruse and find a nugget or 2 that you think you can use for Stuffing.  I’ve bolded the items that are my favorites.  I’ve found these lists on the internet and Pinterest.

From the Holiday Helper

General:
- Candy
- $5 gift card to favorite restaurant or store
- Magazines
- Flower or plant seeds
- Slipper socks
- Puzzle books (Crossword, Sudoku, etc.)
- Rubix cube
- Scarf, mittens, hat, other winter accessories
- Bookmarks
- CD’s
- DVD’s
- Tickets to a concert, museum, or other show
- Pajamas
- Umbrella
- Books you recommend

Children:
- Piggy bank with “starter” penny
- Stickers
- Play dough
- Stuffed animal
- Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars
- Paint set
- Ready-to-make craft sets
- Barbie dolls
- Coloring book
- Silly Bandz
- Hair clips/headbands
- Bubbles
- Pez dispenser
- Crayons or markers
- Pencils with cute designs

Adults:
- Stationary
- Phone case/skin
- Nail polish
- Chapstick
- Wine stopper
- Lottery tickets
- Scented candles
- Mini tool set
- Address book
- Cookie cutters
- Magnets
- Hot chocolate or coffee in fun packaging
- Coffee mug
- Perfume
- Make-up brush set
- Reusable grocery bags
- Ear buds/headphones
- Body lotion
- Mini sewing kit
- Golf balls

From Lovelylittlesnippets.

1. Jerky
2. Car air fresheners
3. Fishing bait
4. Fishing hooks
5. Nuts
6. Fishing Line
7. Fishing book
8. iTunes card
9. Hunting gloves
10. Earbuds
11. Hunting Magazine (or whatever magazine he’s into)
12. Hunting movie
13. Keychain
14. Window/leather wipes for the car
15. Mini Tape Measure
16. Pocket knife
17. Knife sharpener
18. Mini boxes of cereal
19. Mini flashlight
20. Body wash/cologne
21. Gum/mints
22. Hand sanitizer (for the tackle box)
23. Wool Socks
24. Extra cell phone charger
25. Love letter (because no matter how manly he is, he still needs to know how much you love him!)

From Jenna’s Blog

1.) A “see you next year” note from your Elf on the Shelf for the kids

2.) Camera lens hood

3.) Juice pack for iPhone (extra battery life)

4.) Silicon coated whisks (they won’t tear up your pans! )

5.) K Cups for the Keurig addict

6.) Chalkboard paint (perfect for the crafter in your life)

7.) Character bandaids (my boys love the Cars bandaids!)

8.) Monogrammed apron for kids or adults (available in lots of places: check  Williams Sonoma)

9.) Personalized clip board

10.) A gift certificate for a photography class (I’ve also seen classes offered online if you don’t have a local studio that offers classes!)

11.) TOMS sunglasses (with every pair you purchase, Toms helps give sight to a person in need. I have them and love mine!)

12.) Style tacks for bulletin boards (check Ballard Designs for cute ones!)

13.) Personalized glass shadow box

14.) Tommee Tippee Sippy Cups (they only ones I’ve found that don’t leak.)

15.) Single slice cake cutter

16.) Great smelling soap – I highly recommend L’Occitane Shea Butter Verbena.  Thank you Rhonda for hooking me on these products

17.) Ice cream scoop for cookies (available almost everywhere now – Wal-Mart, Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table, Target etc)

18.) Monogrammed earphone case (great for men, Pottery Barn has a great one)

19.) Leggings

20.) The Hunger Games dvd

21.) Specialty popcorn. Google Uptown Popcorn of Dallas, I’ve had theirs and it’s awesome!

22.) Seed sticks for marking out your garden (available all over, just google it!)

23.) Silver serving set

24.) Camera lens cleaning kit

25.) Knit ear warmer

26.) A jar of Nutella, or the new Nutella snack packs

27.) For those who love to host parties, try a napkin ring set!

28.) Batteries for all of the toys/electronics everyone will be getting!

29.) Personalized jewelry roll, which keeps your jewelry organized in one place (perfect for traveling)

30.) Salt box; a popular trend for foodies (try Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table)

31.) Men’s leather cuff with personalized plate. Use a favorite saying or verse. Examples here.

32.) A mother’s necklace (with kids names and birthstones)

33.) Golf putter laser

34.) Baby closet dividers

35.) Compact portable speakers (here’s a good, inexpensive example!)

36.) A Devotional (Jesus Calling and The Love Dare are both great)

37.) Gym or yoga class gift certificate

38.) USB Heating blanket; great for a freezing cold office! Example here

39.) Crocheted infinity scarf (lots are on Nordstrom, and also in boutique stores)

40.) Personalized guitar pick

41.) Kids show DVD’s (Bubble Guppies, Dora, Mike the Knight etc)

42.) A subscription to a favorite magazine

43.) Scentsy warmer kit

44.) Sprinkles Cupcake baking mix

45.) Engraved dog collar (for the pet lover)

46.) Monogrammed lovie for a baby/infant.

47.) Ammo – for the hunter in your life

48.) Bubble necklace, a women’s fashion trend. I bought mine for about $16 on Amazon

49.) Monthly onesie stickers (for infants – you take their picture with the sticker each month)

50.) Paci clips for babies (clips the paci to their shirt so they can’t lose it )

51.) Personalized superhero cape

52.) Alphabet magnets for kids

53.) Mulling spices for making your own cider

54.) Mini tripod

55.) Monogrammed tumbler

56.) Clip on reading light

57.) This personalized love letter necklace is a great gift from a husband to a wife!

58.) A personalized jersey (your favorite team with your name on the back)

59.) Fun socks – argyle print, leopard etc.

60.) At home microdermabrasion kit

61.) Ball cap – Character, favorite team, favorite brand etc.

62.) Dual Charge (1 cord to charge 2 devices, such as iPhone, iPad and iPod. )

63.) iPad Smart Case (google it for tons of examples)

64.) Boot socks (knit socks that stick out over leggings/jeggings and show above the top of boots)

65.) Charitable donation

66.) Coffee cozy.  Great for the Starbucks addicts!

67.) Safari Coat Hooks – these would be great in a kids room too!

68.) Toffee South Poles (via Williams Sonoma)

69.) Pacifier pouch (to keep extra paci’s clean)

70.) Mod Podge (again, for the crafter in your life! Kids love this for easy crafts too!)

71.) Gift certificate for a massage, facial, microdermabrasion, nail polish etc.

72.) Monogrammed leather football koozie from Pottery Barn – these are actually really nice looking!

73.) The very best truffles in my opinion, via La Maison du Chocolat, available at Williams Sonoma Online.

74.) A great book (examples: Divergent, Pride and Prejudice, The Mortal Instruments, The Hunger Games).

75.) An Amazon.com gift card – you can use it to buy just about anything!

76.) Mercury glass votives (Pottery Barn has them!)

77.) A nice facial wash (Kate Somerville is my favorite; available at Sephora)

78.) Burts Bee’s tinted chapstick

79.) Call me cards

80.) Handmade coasters (lots of great tutorials are available – just take 4*4 tile and mod podge scrapbooking paper onto it. Do a clear coat to protect the paper!)

81.) Homemade coloring book (you can find TONS of free printable coloring pages online!)

82.) Pastry brushes (available just about everywhere)

83.) Silicone spatulas

84.) Drill bits

85.) Bath crayons for kids

86.) Christmas PJ’s – I love the ones that Old Navy sells. They also come in tall & petite.

87.) iConverter Scanner (via Brookstone) scans documents right into your iPad

88.) Disney Cinderella Collection nail polish for girls

89.) Silicone mixing bowl spouts

90.) Have you seen those SomeeCards all over Pinterest and Facebook? If you know someone who loves those (they are hilarious!), try this 365 calendar – a new SomeeCard everyday!

91.) Freeze It hairspray (THE hairspray of the South, haha!)

92.) A nice set of makeup brushes (Sephora carries great ones)

93.) Vintage football beer stein – Pottery Barn has a cool one online

94.) Serendipity Frozen Hot Chocolate Mix (available at Williams Sonoma)

95.) Fabric bookmark

96.) Wine foil cutter (Williams Sonoma has a nice one)

97.) Hair bow making kit for girls

98.) Fingerless mittens for women

99.) Tickets to an art museum

100.) A crayon roll for kids

101.) Monogrammed wine bottle totes (Hay Market Designs has some cute ones!)

102.) Infinity jewelry – a popular jewelry trend.

103.) A favorite (or even secret!) family recipe hand-written on a nice recipe card

104.) For the man in your life, a Bosch cordless mini drill, available at Lowe’s (my husband has one and uses it all the time)

105.) A homemade batch of Saltine Toffee (email me for recipe)

106.) Know someone who loves to play the guitar? Then get them this Guitar Pick maker. They can make their own picks!

107.) Even though it looks like a Swiss Army knife, it’s NOT. It’s a flash drive. It just looks cooler. Great for guys!

108.) Herb scissors are a great for any gardener/home cook. Check Cooks Garden.

109.) Personalized placemat for kiddos.

110.) A personalized mirror compact

111.) The iShower is a cool device that streams music while you shower – it is also compatible with Androids.

112.) For the kids: Cars AppMate. I bought this for my older son and he is going to love it! I purchased it at Target and I know Toys R Us has it to. It’s characters from Cars and they interact with an iPad app.

113.) Mini individual steak thermometers are great for any grill master (available at Williams Sonoma and other great stores!)

114.) Reusable market totes, perfect for the farmers market, grocery store and to keep things organized in the car.

115.) Homemade vanilla extract (The Barefoot Contessa has a great and simple recipe)

116.) A skin (its like a cover) for a laptop

117.) Inflatable boot stuffers (holds the shape of your boot when you aren’t wearing it). Just Solutions makes some affordable ones.

118.) Know someone who makes a lot of freezer meals? Try a bag holder from Lillian Vernon for them.

119.) A giftcard for car washes

120.) A small bottle of a favorite perfume

121.) iPhone projector – Brookstone.com sells them!

122.) Silk pillowcases

123.) Personalized dog leash and collar

124.) Game played baseball cufflinks (available at Frontgate.com)

125.) Monogrammed diaper covers for babies

126.) Custom embosser – emboss your recipes, books, envelopes etc!

127.) Waterproof shower notepad

128.) Piping bags and tips

129.) Wristlet –  perfect for holding cash, cards and a cell phone

130.) Popcorn boxes filled with corn kernels and popcorn salt in it

131.) Dog biscuit cutters for those who like to make their own dog treats

132.) iPhone photo printer from Hammacher.com

133.) Turtle wax is great – especially for a new driver!

134.) Homemade sugar body scrub – recipes are all over the internet for this one

135.) Name rings, using your kids names, a great gift for any mother, via namesring.com

136.) A snow globe – I used to get these as a kid and I loved them

137.) Small file organizer (Crate and Barrel has them)

138.) A travel sized set of shampoo, conditioner and hairspray

139.) Digital golf scorecard

140.) Another great gift for guys is a volt meter, available at home improvement stores (lets you know if you’re dealing with a hot wire)

141.) A mini camera zoom lens for your iPhone

142.) At home gel manicure kit (which lasts longer than traditional polish)

143.) BBQ tank gauge

144.) A DVD set of a favorite TV show (Pretty Little Liars, Friends, Dawson’s Creek etc)

145.) A LED magnetic grill light is great for anyone who loves their grill, available at Lowe’s

146.) Rib rub and BBQ sauce combo (we like Famous Dave’s!  My absolute Favorite…especially the pickles!)

147.) Monogrammed purse hook

148.) Address ink stamp

149.) Wireless fitness tracker (via Brookstone) – great for those who will be making New Years resolutions! It tracks exercise, calories, etc.

150.) A thank you note from Santa for being such a good boy/girl and for the milk and cookies!

Some ideas found on Pinterest!

Stocking Stuffers for Teenage Boys

1. Magazine
2. Book
3. Small Nerf gun
4. flashlight
5. Small Tools
6. Shaving cream
7. Razors
8. Earbuds
9. Socks
10. Sunglasses
11. Tie
12. iTunes card
13. T-shirt
14. Cologne or body spray
15. Wallet
16. Men’s hair products – shampoo, hair gel, paste, etc.
17. Phone case
18. Gloves
19. DVD
20. CD
21. USB flash drive
22. Watch
23. Card game or playing cards
24. Key chain
25. Belt
26. Chocolate, candy, or gum
27. Lip balm
28. Concert tickets
29. Movie tickets
30. Coffee card (Starbucks, anyone?)
31. Calendar
32. Hot chocolate packets
33. Mug
34. Guitar picks or strings for a guitar player, drum sticks for a drummer
35. Small sports things – golf balls, tees, tennis balls, ski goggles, etc.
36. Favorite sports team gear
37. Tickets to the game
38. Cap or knit hat
39. Small alarm clock
40. Video game
41. Christmas tree ornament
42. Body wash
43. Room freshener – or perhaps this is more for mom?
44. Pen
45. A small package of their favourite snack
46. Whoopie cushion or other practical joke
47. Magic tricks
48. Pocket knife
49. Sports poster
50. Car accessories, if they own a car

Stocking Stuffers for Teenage Girls

1. Magazine
2. Journal
3. Pen
4. Makeup
5. Makeup brushes
6. Nail polish
7. Nail files or other manicure supplies
8. Bubble bath
9. Shower gel
10. Lotion
11. Book
12. Jewelry – earrings, bracelet, necklace, etc.
13. Earbuds
14. iTunes card
15. Sunglasses
16. Wallet
17. Compact mirror
18. Headband or other hair accessories
19. Tights or socks
20. Phone case
21. Locker mirror or other locker accessories
22. Knit hat
23. Mittens or gloves
24. Scarf
25. DVD
26. CD
27. Perfume or body spray
28. USB flash drive
29. Watch
30. Card game
31. Picture frame
32. Hobby/craft supplies
33. Coin purse
34. Key chain
35. Belt
36. Cosmetics bag
37. Chocolate, candy, or gum
38. Christmas tree ornament
39. T-shirt
40. Lip balm
41. Scented candle
42. Concert tickets
43. Movie tickets
44. Coffee card (Starbucks, anyone?)
45. Deep conditioner for hair
46. Calendar
47. Hot chocolate packets
48. Mug
49. Moisturizing hand sanitizer
50. Stationary

She had it on very good authority that Santa preferred Champagne and Cupcakes.   As do I!

This would be on my wish list for my stocking

Pink Ladies from Fannie Mae

Foot massage certificate

Socks

Mittens

Ornament

A letter from my kids telling them why they love me

Private message to my new friend I met at a dear friend’s party…a Roomba is NOT an appropriate gift to give your wife for Christmas.  Not only is it an appliance, it indicates she’s too lazy to push a vacuum.  Try this instead:  www.tiffany.com.  You’ll thank me.

In waking today, the world is still here and I’m quite happy about that.  Feeling blessed and thankful this holiday season for such a wonderful family and truly the best friends a girl could ask for, and let’s not forget about Murph…and a sprinkling of snow making it a White Christmas is the icing on the cupcake…as we know I prefer champagne and cupcakes, just like Santa!

Merry Merry!

xoxo,

T.

Related Posts

http://dressedtoat.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/the-stockings-were-hung-by-the-chimney-with-care/

http://dressedtoat.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/stocking-stuffers-for-men/

http://dressedtoat.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/the-stockings-were-hung-by-the-chimney-with-care/

Related articles

• The Hater’s Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog (deadspin.com)

Stocking Stuffers – Part Deux

 

I had “great feedback” on my blog last year on Stocking Stuffers (Hanging the Stockings with care) when I had all of 4 followers…so I’ve reposted the 2010 version at the end of this blog, but have some new ideas, ( along with Monday’s blog about stocking stuffers for men) which I’ve been compiling for a few months now:

Stocking Stuffers under $10

Flash Drive – Office Max had 4GB flash drives for $7.99

Lip balm - try EOS, round lip balm.  You can get it at Target for less than $3.50 - you can find it in near the chapstick

Tooth Brush – splurge on one in their favorite color (not the free one from the dentist, which are great, btw).  Travel toothpaste is also a great crowd-pleaser (Thanks, Lee for the tip).

Socks – always a big hit!  Sports, dress, etc…who doesn’t need new socks?  Remember, a sock in a sock!

Lint Brush/Roller – you can even get them now in the dollar aisle at Target! Maybe not the most exciting gift, but one you’ll use time and time again.  Don’t leave home without one.  You can also use this to get pesky lint from your carpet.

iTunes gift card – Everyone in my house gets these in their stockings…then I steal Kevin’s!

Gum - Chicklet Fruit Flavored is my personal favorite, but clearly you aren’t limited to this.  Plus, it’s kinda hard to find!

Candle - in their favorite scent – Philosophy has a candle of Amazing Grace (my fragrance).

Bath products – bath bomb; lotions, gels.  Yes, I know we all have tons of these, but truly, can you ever have enough?

Slinky – young and old love these..or other nostalgic toys!

Nailpolish, with a gift certificate for a Manicure (probably not under $10, but try Groupon), or for a No-Chip Manicure.  Essie also now has a product which is an acrylic top coat.  $7.99 at Target.

And in case you still don’t have enough ideas, from this year’s blog as well as last year’s, check these out, compliments of Pinterest!

CHRISTMAS STOCKING IDEAS…………. 1) $5 gift cards (Starbucks, Borders, Cold Stones, etc)….2) A favorite candy (M&M;’s or mini candy bars)….3) CD of favorite music….4) A favorite magazine….5) Nail Polish….6) Paperback by an author they love….7) Hand Lotions….8) Tic Tacs or breath mints….9) Nice pens….10) Chapstick….11) Pocket knife….12) Socks….13) Mini Flashlight….14) Gloves….15) YoYo….16) Small photo frame w/ picture….17) Votive Candle….18) Personalized Key Ring….19) Golf balls…20) Golf Tees….21) Mini Perfumes….22) Travel Clock….23) Letter Opener….24) Fun, Colored Office Clips….25) Cool White-Out Tape….26) Uno/Phase 10 Card Game….27) Colored Pencils….28) Ruler….29) Small Measuring Tape….30) Rubber Band Ball….31) Lipstick….32) Eye Shadow….33) Makeup Remover….34) Nail Polish Removal….35) Measuring Spoons….36) Wooden Spoons….37) Bendy Straws….38) Tide-To-Go….39) Batteries….40) Fingernail File….41) Small Makeup Bag….42) Fishing Lures….43) Movie Tickets….44) Pocket Calculator….45) Matchbox Cars….46) TechDeck Finger Skateboard….47) Bouncy Ball….48) Shoe Strings (Fashion Color)….49) Brainteaser Mini Wire Puzzle….50) Stopwatch….51) Pedometer….52) Vitamins….53) Kitchen Timer….54) Cookie Cutters….55) Ice Cream Scoop….56) Nice Razor….57) Stress Ball….58) Magnifying Glass….59) USB Flash Drive….60) Cuff Links….61) iPod Ear Buds….62) iTunes Gift Card….63)Toothbrush….64) Lifesavers….65) Mini Kleenex Packets….66) Handkerchief….67) Tire Pressure Gauge….68) Eye Glasses Cleaner and Cloth….69) Address Pre-inked Stamp….70) Earrings….71) Hair Clip….72) Comb/Brush….73) Eyelash Curler….74) Bobble Head….75) Reusable Shopping Bag….76) Shopping List Pad….77) Travel Book….78) Travel Electrical Adaptors….79) Sleep Mask….80) Mini Book Light….81) Luggage Tags….82) Purse Hanger (To keep off of floor)….83) Luggage Scale….84) Compass….85) Portable Mini Speakers….86) Zhu Zhu Pet….87) Cool, Decorated Erasers….88) Pencil Sharpeners….89) Personalized Pencils….90) Digital Golf Scorecard….91) Money Clip….92) Mini Bubble Bath….93) Scented Soaps….94) BBQ Tank Gauge….95) Fingernail Clippers….96) Back Scratcher….97) Recipe Cards….98) Chopsticks….99) Mirror Compact….100) Personalized Christmas Ornament

 

 

 Best Places to Buy Stocking Stuffers

• Discount Stores, e.g. Target or Wal-Mart (especially the $ spot and the travel-size toiletry sections)
• Dollar Stores
• Cost Plus World Market (great source for sample-size specialty food items)
• Boutique Toy Stores (these may sell the nicer $2-$3 stocking stuffer toys, plus games, balls, action figures, magic tricks, mini musical instruments)
• Drug Stores
• Grocery Stores
• Pet Stores
• Girls’ Jewelry Stores, e.g. Claire’s
• Department Stores, e.g. Macy’s, Carson’s,  Kohls (for gloves, chenille socks, coin purses/wallets, accessories, underwear, luggage tags)
• Craft Stores, e.g. JoAnn’s Fabrics or Michael’s (for great pens, paints, beading kits, sewing notions, rubber stamps, scrapbooking accessories)
• Sporting Goods Stores (camping gear, fishing tackle, key chain thermometers, golfing accessories, water bottles, healthy snacks)
• The Car Wash or a Car Parts Store (air fresheners, visor mirrors, tire pressure gauges, flashlights, bungee cords)
• Bed and Bath Stores, e.g. Bed Bath and Beyond or Linens and Things (kitchen gadgets, small cookbooks, bath/spa items, gourmet candy/food, gourmet tea, candles, spices)
• Book Stores, e.g. Borders, Barnes and Noble, or your local book shop (tiny books, bookmarks, book holders, book lights, magnifying glasses, journals, diaries)
• Stationery Stores (notecards, art supplies, calculators, stickers, magnets, desk supplies)

               

Happy Stuffing…and if I hear of more ideas, I’ll post them as they “pass by my desk”.

Friday’s blog:  Hostess Gifts! 

Speaking of Friday, next Friday, December 16th is Free Shipping Day.  Over 200 Merchants will offer Free Shipping with guaranteed delivery by December 24th..

http://www.freeshippingday.com/

xoxo,

 

T.

  

Related Posts:   http://dressedtoat.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/the-stockings-were-hung-by-the-chimney-with-care/

 

http://dressedtoat.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/stocking-stuffers-for-men/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stocking Stuffers…for Men!

The first Monday of the Month…MANic Monday!

As promised in my stocking stuffer blog a few days ago, here’s some ideas for stocking stuffers for Men!  For my brother Mark, who each time I see him, asks for more “male-related” blogs… Of course this blog is about buying for Men, but it’s still “male-oriented”.  

And I found these gems on my new favorite obsession (aka… timewaster), Pinterest!  I did not populate this list, but like most of it.

Stocking Stuffers for Men:

1. Cologne – samples work best because they are smaller and cheaper
2. Soap
3. Undies – festive boxers
4. Socks
5. chocolate or other candy – Get the big candy bars, like movie candy bars
6. chocolate covered bacon, pretzels, or other food items (chocolate covered bacon sounds nasty, btw)
7. Bottle opener, bottle opener ring (Stella has a Great beer opener)
8. Beanie/knit hat – perhaps a Chicago Bears hat?
9. Gloves – every man needs a great pair of leather gloves
10. Holiday ornament – Kevin and the kids get ornaments every year
11. Key Chain
12. Phone case
13. Money clip – with a $20 bill attached!
14. Wallet – with at least a $20 in it
15. A cheesy movie from the clearance bin (you may use suggestions from the Holiday Movies blog, if you wish)
16. Mini lego kits (like race cars, lego men, key chains, etc.)
17. Silly putty or other slimy substance
18. Deck of cards or other card games (like Uno)
19. Silly toys – parachute men, poppers, wind up animals, sticky hands, mini etch-a-sketch, etc.
20. Shot glass
21. Key covers (I bought tiki men key covers for my brother one year)
22. Ear buds
23. Mini bottles of booze (or mini bottles of alcohol, as I strongly dislike the word “booze”)
24. Ties – Pink or Purple
25. Cufflinks – if your guy wears them, there are some great ones at J. Hilburn!
26. Manly bath products or bath favorites  (if there is such a thing, other than “soap on a rope”)
27. Pocket knife – my father thinks everyone should have a good Swiss Army knife
28. Mini tools or weapons – what male doesn’t love a Nerf gun?
29. Batteries
30. A book, graphic novel, or magazine – Patrick’s favorite magazine is DuPont registry.
31. $5 gift cards – or dial it up a notch and get them a gift card for their favorite store (mine would be Nordstrom)
32. Gum or mints
33. Chapstick
34. Hand or boot warmers – found some at Target  for $1, and used them yesterday at the Bears game
35. Hand or cuticle cream – even men needs soft hands
36. Computer decals
37. Car air fresheners
38. Special cigar
39. lighter – again, Target in the dollar section has the long utility lighters for a dollar!
40. Batteries
41. Coffee samples
42. Patches, stickers, or pins of a sports team, band, or company, etc. (STP…does that make me sound old?)
43. Coffee cup or mug
44. Nail clippers and tweezers
45. Razors and other shaving accessories
46. Boot or hat cleaning or weathering spray
47. Pens or pencils
48. Bandanas – does anyone still use these other than for cowboy-themed parties?
49. Mini specialty food items – mustard, hot sauce, nutella, etc.
50. Belt buckles  – not sure I know any man who wears a belt buckle…

Have a guy in your life with a hobby or interest? Is he a student?  There are other trinkets your can fill his stocking with as well:

• Memory cards
• USB Stick/flash drive – take it a step further and populate it with family photo’s
• Ear buds – (mentioned above, so this must be a really great stocking stuffer)
• Film – yes, some people still have camera’s that require actual “film”
• Camera filters or accessories
• Craft/hobby supplies – baseball cards or memorabilia?
• Kitchen utensils/trinkets – a special knife, measuring spoons, something the cook might enjoy
• Tickets for a sporting event or concert
• Quarters for laundry (helpful for college students)

Good luck, and make it even more fun/annoying…wrap every item individually!  And remember, these are just ideas…no need to “Shoot the blogger”.   And no need to mention the Bears game either!  Ugh!

xoxo,

T.  (aka, Therese for You Mark)

Coming Wednesday…Stocking Stuffer ideas for everyone!

Coming Friday…Hostess Gift ideas

Related Posts:  http://dressedtoat.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/the-stockings-were-hung-by-the-chimney-with-care/

The Stockings were hung by the chimney with care…

In lieu of my standard Friday post…I am posting this on Wed, in case you can use some handy stocking stuffer ideas.

In my house, Santa brings the presents under the tree.  Kevin and I fill the stockings.  My kids open the gifts from Santa first, and save the Stockings for last.  That’s a great deal of pressure to put on a weary mother.   I thought I would share what some of our favorite stocking stuffers have been, and one’s that I have researched for your blogging pleasure!

1.  Movies and DVDs – It started with Disney Movies sticking out the top…and now it’s Wii Games, Twilight Movies, and Madden 2011.  Season 8 of 24 would be a perfect stocking stuffer for Moi.

2.  Gift Cards – iTunes; Visa; Target; Nordstrom…fits perfectly into a stocking…a miniature stocking stuffed with multiple gift cards will make a great hit!  Utilize a blank CD jacket by tucking in a music store gift card or iTunes gift card.  Purchase a very inexpensive wallet and slip a gift card or two into the billfold section.

3.  Lip Gloss/Lip Balm  – Bonnie Bell Lip Balm…or good ole chapstick!  Chicago winters require this.

4.  ornaments hanging from the stocking – the kids always get an ornament that’s reminiscent of the year.

5.  Fruit in the toe of the stocking – my Mom always put an apple and orange in the toe of the stocking.  My kids prefer the toe to be filled with more “stuff”…and not fruit.

6.  Mini handheld games – my brothers use to spend hours playing this Mattel Football game…which Patrick received in the stocking several years back as well.

7.  Playing cards – Z Gallerie has Great playing cards.  I gave my friend Cathy some Barbie playing cards that were a scream!  You forget how much fun card playing can be, till you lose yourself in an evening of Kings in the Corner!

8.  Little books – Life’s Little Instruction books fit perfectly into the stockings.

9. Candy – my favorite candy in the world is Pink Ladies from Fannie May…Coconut dipped in Pink Chocolate.  Doesn’t get any better than that!  And you can get small boxes of 4 pieces. 

10.  Sporting Tickets – Go Bears!

11.  Socks – a sock in a sock.

12.  Mini tools – the high heel shoe opener  or the high heel hammer (abernook.com) , fit perfectly into stockings.

13.  Cologne – purse or small little bottles of something that smells fabulous…Amazing Grace by Philosophy is my personal favorite…and some of my dearest friends love it too!

13.  Jewelry – anything will do.  Girls are not picky…and these match my Tiffany snowflake necklace!  What luck!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

xoxo

T.

Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.
– Bo Derek