Trying to think of last minute stocking stuffers for the kids?
With all the busyness of the holiday season, it's easy to delay the small stuff until the last minute! We asked the Mothering community for their best ideas for filling stockings when you're short on time and cash.
Here are 100 suggestions that can usually be purchased at a local grocery store, market, convenience store or dollar store -- even the day before Christmas!
- Crayons and Markers
- Paints and Brushes
- Construction Paper
- Scissors, Glue, Glitter
- Small Sewing Kit
- DIY 'Doctor's' Kit (compile bandaids, gauze, lotion etc in a bag or box)
- Hats and Gloves or Mittens
- Lip Balm
- Silly Putty
- Small Flashlight
- Hair Accessories
- Dice
- Cards and Card Games (Monopoly Deal, UNO, Crazy 8s, Old Maid, Go Fish)
- Movie Tickets
- Magnifying Glass
- Inexpensive Binoculars
- Notepad and Pen
- Solar Calculator
- Small Cars
- Animal Figures
- Books or Magazines
- Small Dolls or Figurines
- Balls
- Magazines
- Socks
- Pretzel Sticks
- Toothbrush
- Special Coins
- Brush or Comb
- YoYo
- Magic Growing Animals (comes as small tablets or washclothes to be placed in water to grow)
- Bath Toys
- Story Books
- Comic Books
- Puzzle Books (word find, crosswords, sudoku etc)
- Gift Cards
- Harmonica
- Seeds for Growing Indoor Plants
- Playdough or Clay (homemade works too!)
- Stickers and Sticker Books
- Bandana
- Simple Homemade Treats (cookies, brownies etc wrapped in brown paper)
- Nail Polish
- Inexpensive Jewelry
- Lotion
- Bubble Bath
- Glow Sticks
- Jump Rope
- Jacks
- Sidewalk Chalk
- Stamps
- Coin Purse or Wallet
- Mini Tape Measure
- Mini Puzzles
- Small Plants
- Travel Games
- Small Puzzles
- Coloring Books
- Special Ornament
- Candy Canes
- Nuts and Dried Fruit
- Chocolate Oranges
- Fresh Fruit (Clementines, Pomegranate, Bananas, Apples)
- Chocolate Covered Raisins or Nuts
- Granola Bars
- Herbal Tea
- Juice Boxes
- Small Calendar
- Journal
- Handheld Microscope
- Rocks and Shells
- Glow in the Dark Stars and Planets
- Pocket Tissues
- Mini Cereal Boxes
- Chocolate Covered Cherries
- Sugar Plums
- Small Boxes of Raisins
- Yarn or String
- Knitting Needles or Crochet Hooks
- Lotto Tickets
- Keychains
- Magnets
- Music CDs
- Fancy Soaps
- Small Stuffed Animals
- Special Mug, Cup, Bowl or Spoon
- Truffles
- Guitar Picks
- Fancy Band Aids
- Tape (in different colors)
- Small Knitted or Crocheted Items (playfood, balls, chains etc)
- Stencils
- 'Silk' Scarfs and Other Treasure from a Thrift Store
- Pencil Sharpener
- Whistle
- Craft Pipe Cleaners
- Finger Puppets
- Special Rocks (for smaller kids)
- Mini Cheeses
- Fancy Straw