The time-honored holiday tradition of hanging Christmas
stockings from the mantelpiece may date back as far as the
4th century CE,[1] and they've clearly been very popular
ever since. It's fairly easy to put together a Christmas
stocking. Gifts for stockings don't need to be especially
fancy or expensive to be fun and useful. Here are some
suggestions to get you started.
!! Steps !!
Consider the recipient. It's important to note the recipient's
interests, preferences, and expressed wishes when putting together
the items for the stocking. Consider what you think the person might
like. Once you've settled on their preferences, pick a theme for a
set of gifts.
* Are you filling the stocking of a six year old boy or a sixty year
old woman? Clearly the age directs the choice of gift and yes, it
is perfectly fine to give stockings to adults too! It is a good
idea though to note whether or not adult recipients think that
this is an appropriate gesture at Christmas time. Many adults may
prefer that only the children receive stockings, so keep this in
mind.
Choose small and generally inexpensive gifts. Well chosen gifts need
not be costly to be meaningful, helpful, or fun. For children, pick
items that are fun, interesting, and likely to keep them amused for
hours. For adults, select items that are both small and useful, such
as kitchen accessories and office gadgets.
* When filling the stocking, think of the shape. Small, expensive
items are best placed at the toe because they're the last to be
found and deserve to be the most exciting. Long slimmer items can
be slipped down the length of the stocking leg, and in between
many filler items can be stuffed in randomly.
* Decide whether or not you wish to wrap the stocking items. It
isn't essential but it does prolong the fun!
Choose toys for kids and kids at heart. The classics are great
additions to any stocking: crayons, modeling clay or play dough, a
Slinky, miniature Lego kits, travel games, decks of cards, mini
jigsaw puzzles, wind-up toys, tops, squirt guns, balloons, beach
balls, high bounce balls, small stuffed animals, toy cars, and even
fancy shoelaces.
Add foods. A wide variety of foods fit in stockings, and they are
consumable, enjoyable, and easy to give.
* Try a favorite candy, jam, mustard, or ice cream sauce.
* Fancy coffee or tea samplers would make a great addition for those
who drink them.
* Gum, cookies, fruit leathers, and other small snacks fit nicely.
* The traditional English addition of an orange make a good
addition, (or substitute with a chocolate orange). Oranges fit
well in the toe of a stocking. Don't bother to wrap it; just make
sure it is in good condition
* Decorate the top of the stocking by hooking a candy cane or two
over the rim.
Include favorite toiletry and personal items. These can make
excellent stocking stuffers because they're small and they're always
useful and desirable.
* Try a new hairbrush or toothbrush (perhaps the one with the purple
sparkles or a favorite cartoon character), a bar of fancy soap, or
a loofah. For an adult, expensive electric toothbrushes might make
a useful choice.
* Check out the travel and trial sizes. Would someone you know enjoy
trying a new hand lotion or shampoo? A travel set can be an
excellent gift for someone you know who is about to travel just
after Christmas.
Give a small handheld ball-type massager. These come in many shapes
and sizes and you might like to include more than one.
* Add fashion jewelry, nail polish, or hair clips.
Can a person ever be too well-equipped? Give gadgets.
Handy little things make excellent stocking fillers for
adults and teens. Some ideas include:
* Pocket or desktop calendars.
* Pocket knifes or multi-tools.
* Pens, pencils, erasers, pocket staplers, highlighters, color pens,
notepads, especially for the students on your list.
* Wristwatch or small alarm clock.
* Flashlights, small hand tools, kitchen utensils.
* A travel-sized sewing kit. Again, this is perfect for someone who
is about to travel after Christmas.
Find out about the recipient's hobbies. For instance, if anyone on
your list is an aspiring artist, you could give a set of good
artist's pencils or try a pocket sized pencil drawing kit.
Give money, especially interesting money. For example, try US$2
bills, if you can find them. Give wheat pennies, dollar coins, or
other interesting coins.
* In the U.S., many post office vending machines give change in
dollar coins. Money doesn't need to be wrapped, but make sure it
doesn't get lost.
Include gift vouchers. Gift vouchers can be slipped in easily and
can cover clothing, restaurants, groceries, music download cards,
and even gift cards for new experiences for the more adventurous
recipient.
* While gift cards and gift certificates fit in a stocking, remember
that they may be relatively costly compared to the space they take
up. One possibility if you want to include gift cards is to attach
them to a small, related gift. For example, a hardware store gift
card could piggyback on a wrapped tape measure or other small hand
tool.
Include a few items just for fun. These items can be decorative,
enjoyable, or whimsical.
* Small candles
* Pretty stones or minerals
* Potpourri or incense
* Ornaments and miniatures
* Music CDs.
Remember your pets. Many people make up stockings for pets. These
are fun for the recipient and for the family because family members
have to encourage or help the pet to remove the items from the
stocking. Be sure to leave something enticing dangling from the top
of the stocking! Things to stuff a pet's stocking with include:
* Dog or cat treats
* A new collar
* New cat or dog toys (homemade or purchased)
* New food bowls
* Catnip for cats
* Laser light for chasing
* Tug-o-war rope for dogs.
* Read How to fill a dog's stocking for ideas that are specific to
dogs.
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* If you have a few too many items, put a couple of larger ones
under the tree, instead.
* Team up. Encourage others in the family or group to bring a few
items to add to stockings. Does one person does most of the
Christmas shopping for the family? If so, everybody else can make
sure he or she gets a few surprises, too.
* Don't forget a stocking for yourself. Even if nobody is getting
you gifts, you can wrap up a few little goodies and blame them on
Santa.
* Don't rely solely the items suggested in this article. Instead,
use the list for inspiration and direction.
* If you have several stockings to fill, there's nothing wrong with
duplicating certain gifts. For instance, everybody can get a bar
of fancy soap or a pen. Do include a few unique gifts in each one,
too.
* Handcrafted items make great stocking stuffers, and wikiHow has
many craft ideas that would make good gifts. If you plan to make
any stocking stuffers yourself, be sure to allow ample time to do
so and remember that the holiday season may make you even busier.
For stockings, especially, choose projects with moderate
difficulty and time commitment.
* Wrapping stocking gifts adds to the excitement and will discourage
eager children from peeking inside their stocking early on
Christmas morning. It also means that gifts will be better
appreciated and children will spend more time unwrapping them!
!! Warnings !!
* Don't give personal hygiene items that might be embarrassing for
the recipient or that might even vaguely suggest that they need
them. Deodorant or toothpaste are not appropriate stocking
stuffers!
* Don't give very small objects to children under three, as they are
a choking hazard.
* Before you buy gift cards, be sure that they are for shops and
services near your recipient's home, and that your recipient will
enjoy shopping there. If you're in doubt, cash is accepted
anywhere.
!! Things You'll Need !!
* Good sized stockings; or for small gifts like a gift voucher, why
not make a miniature stocking instead
* Stocking stuffers
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Make a Christmas Stocking
* How to Fill a Dog's Stocking for Christmas
* How to Give a Great Gift to Someone
* How to Make Your Own Christmas Gifts
* How to Hand Sew a Mini Christmas Stocking
* How to Crochet a Mini Christmas Stocking
!! Sources And Citations !!
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
*
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