An Overflowing Stocking Stuffer Guide
Stockings are my favorite part 🎁
I think I genuinely like filling stockings more than all other forms of presents. As I’ve mentioned before - I love tiny things and gift-giving, so stocking stuffers really hit the sweet spot for me in terms of holiday activities.
I also think it’s important to share ideas for small and inexpensive gifts, with or without a stocking. So many gift guides (which are all great, by the way) have present ideas starting at 50 bucks. I don’t know about you, but beyond my husband and immediate family, I am not spending that much on friends. (Sorry, guys. When I make my millions, you’ll get the $400 presents from the GOOP Gift guide…)
The point of giving gifts is to express your love for another person, of thinking of that one little token that’s so perfectly them. So it shouldn’t matter whether it’s a diamond tennis bracelet or a sticker for their water bottle, as long as it’s thoughtful.
So, whether you need to fill up your niece’s stocking, get a little something for your brother’s new girlfriend, or find something for the company white elephant party, here are over seventy-five stocking-sized gifts to inspire and delight! 💝🧦✨🎁
Beaded Bag: Ok, so I really want a Susan Alexandra bag, but I can’t justify the cost. So I found some DUPES for a fraction of the price! Beaded block bag, Beaded Shoulder Bag, Beaded oranges evening bag, Flower Beaded Handbag, pink beaded wallet, Rainbow Heart Crossbody, watermelon beaded purse, and a few more here. 🌈
Or if they’re less girls’ night out, more morning on the trail kind of person, the colorful Cotopaxi hip bags are absolutely fantastic! 🏔️
A cool ashtray: For my cheeky Carrie Bradshaw fans or this beautiful retro Japanese ceramic & bamboo one. 🚬
Instax Photo Frames: This cute squiggly single frame (that also comes as magnets) a cutie photo album that comes in several styles, these tiny heart holders or little iridescent ones. 🎞️
My talented friend Stephanie makes the cutest wallets on the planet. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that I’ve been using these non-stop for years. 👛
Disposable Cameras - (I’ve mentioned this before, but this brand is THE one to buy because it’s the only one where the flash stays on) - bonus points if you paint it yourself, but if you want a cute one without the DIY, check here! 📸
This temporary tattoo marker stays on for ten days & would be so fun to play with. 🖊️
A Japanese Lucky Cat or Menki Neko to bring their home prosperity, or a Daruma doll for them to make a wish in the new year. 🐱
Shoe Charm and Laces Set or pearl bow sneaker clips! (Cheaper versions here and here!) 👟
Stickers: Ban.Do makes the best sticker books which I buy on repeat, and this illustrator has cute sticker sheets too! But I’m also a sticker fanatic and love getting big ones for my notebooks, laptop, water bottles, etc.
A few recs:
For your astrology friends: Zodiac Cakes, Holographic Zodiac Signs, Illustrated Sparkly Signs ♍️
Painted Food Stickers (I just bought the cake!) 🎂
For your moody witchy friends 🔮
I’m obsessed with these Eat the Rich Lisa Frank stickers 🌈
And don’t sleep on Googly Eyes. They’re just… so much fun. 👀
Washi Tape! The perfect stocking stuffer for journalers and scrapbookers! 💌
These matchbox-size cross-stitch kits are adorable 🧵
Tarot Card Decks are one of my favorite gifts to give. I love finding the right deck for the right person! Some current faves: 🔮
The “Official” classic: The Rider Tarot Deck
A cute pink beginner’s deck or a more traditional pink one 💕
The Feline Marseilles Tarot Deck (obsessed) 🐈⬛
My friend Amalia gifted me this deck and I think it’s just the prettiest 🌸
The Pasta Tarot for the perfect superstitious Italian Grandma energy 🍝
Pocket Mantras and Pocket Mantras for Kids made by my friend Stevie “A box of 52 little affirmations to inspire and spread positivity.” 🪄
Oblique Strategies: Created by Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt in 1975, The Oblique Strategies is a set of over 100 cards, “each of which is a suggestion of a course of action or thinking to assist in creative situations.” Ben got me these for Christmas last year, and I absolutely LOVE them! 👨🎨
And for the family who loves card games… 🃏
A waterproof deck for summer days by the lake or beach 🏖️
MLB Stadium Illustration playing cards for Dad, and a Female Artist deck for Mom ⚾️🖼️
A Midcentury-inspired deck, or this pretty illustrated one.
Tony’s Chocolate Bars are my favorite (specifically the dark milk toffee pretzel), and they’ve got a holiday line! 🍫
Another chocolate option are these amazing Chocolate Coated Cherries from Dick Taylor. We got some at their factory on our fall road trip, and the full 1.5 pounds were gone before we made it home. 🍒
My family tradition is always to put a chocolate orange (or in dark chocolate) in the toe! 🍊
For gummy candy, try these Genuine Swedish Swedish Fish , Australian licorice OR the motherload - a Sockerbit mixed bag! 🍬
Baggu! One of their pouch sets is perfect, or you can’t miss with the classic. They also have great puffy sunglass sleeves and Airpod cases! 👜
Socks. Everyone needs new socks, but let’s take it a step up from Hanes. I’m getting everyone in our family the unisex Uniqclo Colorful 50 socks. 🧦
The end-all-be-all of portable phone chargers 🔋
Pretty boxes of matches are always a win - Lots of options from Candlestock, cute ones by Archivist, or Gallery Luxury Matches. 🔥
Loop Earplugs: My husband, a huge concertgoer, just got these earplugs and loves them. I know other folks who swear by them for sleep and travel! 🤘
A fun phone strap: The Caep has so many fun ones! 📲
A Colorful Beanie. It’s hard to beat Carhartt, and their beanies are great! I’ve given them to a couple guy friends and cousins, and they were a hit each time! 🧢
The best selfie light and tripod: my GO-TO’s for content creation 🤳
Lint Remover: This stupid little ten-dollar device is a godsend. I actually put it in Ben’s stocking last year, only to steal it once a week for my clothes. 👕
And for my outdoorsy friends… a camping hammock (I’ve given this and it was a HUGE success!), a compact little lantern, a cute vacuum water bottle, colorful carabiners, a waterproof survival kit, or SmartWool socks! 🏞️
Add some toppings:
Fly by Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp 🌶️
A jar of the iconic Trader Joe’s Everything Bagel Seasoning 🧂
Ayoh! Sandwich Sauce just launched by celeb chef Molly Baz! She also has a wine label, Drink This Wine, which is supposed to be good! 🥪
Sweet Yuzu Vinaigrette that’s supposedly amazing! 🥢
A citrus squeezer - or this Julienne peeler to make all of your peeling, squeezing, zesting, julienning needs easier 🍋
I love these Glass drinking straws! So pretty and elegant, I stick one in my can of Diet Coke every afternoon! 🥤
Cute potholders so you don’t pull a Ross Gellar on FAJITA night! ❤️🔥
Infused Olive Oil: I hate to admit it, but with olive oil, you really get what you pay for. Investing in a nice oil can make all the difference and these varying infusions plus it up even more! 🫒
Garnier Thiebaut classic French dish towels - these are THE classic. I’ve had my set for 10 years - truly the best and last for ages. 🍴
Package sustainably! Try out these Beeswax food wraps, reusable sandwich bags or food huggers 🥑
Salt and Pepper Shakers were weirdly hard to find? Earthy ceramic, Fiestaware is always a win, red and pink bows, a cute little stoneware pair, antique hammered brass, or Le Creuset Hearts. 🧂🧂
A mini whisk! My friend Tara, a queen in the kitchen, swears by this for making sauces, dips and dressings! 👩🍳
Tinned Fish. Everyone I know is obsessed with these now, and the Fishwife packaging is SO pretty! Honestly a perfect stocking item. 🐟
Milk Frother: To plus up any coffee or matcha drink! 🍵
Coffee Measuring Spoon: For the coffee freak in your life, this is the prettiest little copper scoop! 🥄
My new favorite face mask has entered the chat, and I’m eyeing this serum. 🧖♀️
Candles - you could snag the Boy Smells small votive set and have one for everyone on your list! 🕯️
A Satin Pillowcase! These are so much better for your hair and skin. I even travel with mine! 🛌
Ok I know it’s bougie, and $10 seems nuts for hand sanitizer, but I LOVE the Touchland power mist. 👋
Sleep headphones - When I tell you that these have changed my life, it is NO exaggeration. I cannot travel without them, and if you’re married to someone who snores sometimes (cough cough), they are lifesaving. Ben and I both use ours almost every night 🎧
Some nice tea: Peppermint is my fave 🫖
Shaving Kit: Get a leveled-up shaving kit for the men in your life. They’re so elegant and also, from my understanding, make a huge difference in the shave and experience! Here’s a solid beginner kit. Proraso makes amazing creams and soaps (a gift set), and according to my sources (Ben), Timor Safety Razors are great! 🪒
Journals for Self Care: Self-Care Masterplan Guided Journal looks lovely! The Five Minute Journal or One-Line-A-Day are both fantastic! 📓
Khiels always has great holiday gift sets, and you really can’t go wrong with anything by them! Snag some hand cream for everyone in the fam! 🤲
Whew! OK, now that I’ve ruined any sense of surprise for my loved ones and what they can expect in their stockings, I sincerely hope this has been helpful to you!
I’d love to know your stocking traditions, stuffers you can’t live without, or any other cute small gifts I should add to my list! Happy Stocking Season!
So many ideas! Gifts galore for holidays to come. Thank you for the suggestions