Stocking stuffers and homemade gifts
Can someone please tell me how it’s already December 17th? I keep telling myself “Oh, you have time” as far as getting things ready goes, but derp. The time hath passed. Did the holidays sneak up on us this year, or what? Usually I wait until the very last minute (aka Christmas Eve) to finish holiday shopping, but it’s my goal to be finished before then. I’d rather enjoy Christmas eve with the fam, all of it, instead of fighting harried shoppers at the mall. The good news is that Liv’s gifts are finished, most of our out-of-town relatives are finished, cards are out, but I still have a ton to do. Also , my goal of wrapping everything as it arrives? We have some Amazon boxes under the tree for now 😉
Something that I really love picking out for others: stocking stuffers. It’s fun to find a mix of tiny trinkets, and it’s amazing what you can put in a stocking. I figured I’d share some of my last-minute stocking stuffer ideas, as well as some inexpensive DIY gifts to make this holiday season. DIY gifts are the best ones to receive -like when Meg made us this wreath– so I’m trying to venture out of the proverbial Amazon box as far as gift-giving goes.
Some stocking stuffer ideas:
-Beauty products that come in a pack to split up. There are awesome holiday packs of body scrubs, lip glosses and nail polishes this time of year. Target had an awesome package full of Essie nail polishes! Love.
-Socks. If you’re shopping for a runner, Balega socks are INCREDIBLE
-Non-candy snacks. Trail mix, bars, packs of protein power, Shot bloks, Gu, gum, mints, change it up!
–Ocho bars. I’m obsessed with these. So they’re still candy bars, but made with real ingredients. The coconut one is fantastic.
-Underwear. You can be cheeky and get some funny holiday prints, too 😉
-Bath bombs. Pick some up or make your own.
-Costume jewelry, like necklaces, cocktail rings or earrings.
–Candles. Small votives make a prefect little stocking stuffer.
-Gift cards. These are always fun, especially if you get a few in small amounts (One for $5 to Starbucks, $5 to Jamba Juice, etc)
-A face mug.
Some DIY gift ideas:
DIY refreshing rose facial spray
Still last-minute shopping (like me)? Here are some past gift guides for the Fitness-loving Friend, Gift Guide for the Dudes, for the Kiddos and for the Mamas.
Any fun stocking stuffer ideas?
Are you making any gifts this year? What are you making??
Are there any fun “experience gifts” that you’re doing?
xox
Gina
22 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
My folks made these really cute sleighs out of kit kat bars and mini candy bars. They had candy canes for the runners and looked so cute. All the people in my dad’s office got those along with gift cards. I have always been a fan of personalized gifts, I just think they are more special (If you have the time!!).
I’m giving my fiance a box, and inside are 12 envelopes – one for each month of 2014. Each month there will be an activity or small gift from me to him, or something for us to do together. They range from something as small as a 30-minute back massage or the Redbox/Netflix movie of his choice to larger events like “A candlelight dinner (meal of his choice) cooked by me”, and “Pick any restaurant and it’s my treat”. I also added some fun “naughtier” things I won’t mention here 😉
My plan is to have him open each one on the first of the month, and then depending what the activity is, pick a date for us to mark on our calendar to do it together. I am really excited, and I think it will be a great way for us to bond before our wedding next October, and it’s the gift that will keep giving throughout the next year!
Coco,
I’m doing the same EXACT thing for my husband this year! I got him a few little things, but my main gift is the 12 dates. We’ve been married for 2 years, and I thought it would be a fun way for us to go on some new adventures, and make some new memories 🙂
Great minds think alike!
that’s an amazing idea! mind if i copy you?
We always got a big navel orange or a pomegranate in the toe of our stocking, chocolate coins, socks, mini bath products, earrings, cds and dvds, silly novelty items like a thumb-wrestling ring or silly putty. I loved our stockings more than the big presents!
i totally agree! stockings are so much fun 🙂
Balega socks…amazing. Feel like pillows for your feet.
As far as DIY gifts, I’m making homemade mexican hot cocoa mix in a mason jar, and pairing it with a cute anthro mug and some paper straws. Earlier this month, for a white elephant gift exchange, I made a “bloody mary kit” that included homemade bloody mary mix, rimming salt, vodka, and some more paper straws (see here: http://dailycupofasheejojo.com/2013/12/12/diy-bloody-mary-kit/).
This year I’m giving my dad (and my brother and self) and “experience gift.” We’re going to Napa for wine tasting. I’m super excited because I’ve never been before and my brother is turning 21 this month so it will be fun for all!
Great ideas, Gina! And some great ideas in the comments too!
For my hubby, I’m doing ABC stocking stuffers. We’re only doing stockings this year instead of big gifts. So I’m going to get him a stocking stuffer that starts with each letter from the alphabet. It’s been fun looking for stuff. Some are a little challenging, like the letter x. Then I thought that letter is actually the easiest….do something x rated. 😉 haha
Happy Holidays!!
Great ideas! I usually put in a couple of magazines, lotions or body wash type stuff, lotto ticket, chocolate, etc. This year, among other things, for my mom I got some aloe socks which look awesome and for my boyfriend I’m getting a coffee mug with a fun picture on it from a big race he did to go in there.
We always got an orange, shampoo, lifesavers variety pack, and some little games or trinkets when we were kids. Always loved getting my stocking on Christmas morning 🙂
I was planning on sending my mom to a West African dance class. It’s an hour and a half of nonstop dancing with live drums and she’s a zumba girl, so I knew she’d love it.
My 3-year old has been super into puzzles lately, so I had one custom made for him with his own picture. It has way too many pieces for him, but it’s something we can work out together and what toddler doesn’t love something all about himself?
He goes to a sugar-free school, so for his teachers, we bought ceramic tiles and stenciled out the school logo and let him color like crazy all around it. They can use it as an ornament or a wall decoration. I still need another small thing for them, so I was thinking of making a salt or sugar scrub? But time is certainly getting away from me!
Hahahaha looove the face mug!
I’m DIYing most of my gifts this year- lots of photo canvases, body scrubs (chocolate-coconut scented!!), headwraps/headbands, etc. It was stressful at first since I’m not the most crafty person, but it’s been so fun to let my creativity run wild!
I usually make a majority of my gifts. So far I have sewn several stockings, zipper pouches, pocket scarfs, ear warmers, blankets, and knit some coasters. I still have a lot left to do. I love giving and receiving thoughtful and homemade gifts.
I made vanilla extract this year. I’m also gifting the husband a date to a hockey game
I am *that* family member that will always stuff stockings with healthy snacks. They always make it into a dark place stashed away while everyone makes more room for cookies haha.
Essie nail polish is definitely one of my favorite stocking stuffers! There’s always at least a few colors within a pack that everyone can like and you can never have enough nail polish! 😉
My go to last minute gift is a bottle of wine and homemade glass wine charms. Sometimes I will throw in a small plate of cheese and crackers too. Its especially perfect for bringing to a Christmas party.
Great ideas!
For me it’s always books and chocolate!
I’m definitely checking out those ocho bars!
I have the problem of weighing down my husband’s stocking and the stocking holder can’t hold the weight, so I have to put it all on the floor.
Love homemade gifts! And what a great list of stocking stuffer ideas!
I love that Essie pack! so cute!