“And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there…” Christmas Stockings and the gathering of little goodies or “stocking stuffers” is one of my favorite parts of planning for the Christmas holiday.
I love seeing the stockings hung on the fireplace all December long. As our family has grown, we’ve added more stockings to the collection. My favorite is personalized stockings with each family member’s name on them. At my parent’s house, they hang 13 stockings on the mantle, one for each of us, seven grandchildren included. The mantle is a tight squeeze, but it’s heart-warming to see them all posted up together.
Stocking stuffers in our family are always opened first! Each family member starts with their stocking and unwraps little surprises that are selected just for them. These gifts are usually inexpensive, sometimes silly, or can even be part of a bigger gift you’ll open later! Some stocking stuffer ideas include:
- A favorite candy
- Hair accessories for girls
- Travel-size beauty items, perfume, or cologne
- Hand lotion or Chapstick
- Socks
- Small toys
- Bath bombs
- Treats/toys from the Dollar Store or Five Below
- Mini liquor bottles (for grownups)
- Small tool or kitchen gadget
- Special markers or art supplies
- Fun jewelry
- Sunglasses
Part of the fun of collecting stocking stuffers is searching for all the tiny items! To make sure I have enough for everyone (and a balanced amount), I keep a list in my phone so I can take notes on who has what while I’m shopping and collecting through the holidays.
