Welcome!
This is Day 10 of the 21 Days to a Stress Free & Debt Free Christmas.
I’m so excited that you are joining me for what I hope will be a really helpful series designed to walk with you step by step through the Christmas season in a way that ensures you keep your sanity and that you don’t overspend.
Today, I’ll be sharing about our minimalist approach to stockings.
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with stockings. I love them because I think they are a cute and fun way to add in some extra items. But, I hate that so often stockings are filled with meaningless junk toys that my kids end up loosing by the end of the day. I don’t mean to sound like a Scrooge, but I’d rather spend money on a regular gift item than stockings filled with items that end up in the garbage within a few days.
Now only that, but the cost of stocking stuffers can accumulate rather quickly. Before you realize it, you’ve spent $40-50 and blown your budget. We’ve decided to take a more minimalist approach to stocking stuffers.
Here are some points to consider along with some practical, yet affordable items you might want to include in your stockings this year.
1. Set a budget
We’ve already talked a lot about your Christmas budget, so I’m sure you know the drill, but make sure to include stockings within your gift budget. You can spend as little or as much as you’d like, but have a limit so that you know when to stop.
2. Include hygiene items
My mom started this with us as we were teenagers and I love the idea. My kids love things like character Band-Aids*, fun toothpastes*, new toothbrushes*, or body washes*, so why not include them in their stocking? It’s a win-win and you won’t have to buy them later.
3. Consumables work great
I usually include some fun snacks or treats in their stockings as well. They love getting Goldfish* or fruit snacks* that I don’t normally buy on a regular basis.
4. Fresh art/craft supplies
My kids enjoy painting, coloring, and playing with Play-Doh* but we can go through supplies quickly. Stockings are a great time to load up on fresh packs of crayons*, markers*, paints*, or new Play-Doh, etc. Even a pack of drawing paper* can get them excited.
5. Small toys or single-player games
Items such as memory games* or matchbox cars* work great as well. These are items that my kids love but may not be large enough to include as their main gifts.
6. Clothing accessories
Stocking stuffers can be a great opportunity to stock up on new socks*, tights*, or underwear*. You can include items such as bows or headbands* for girls as well.
7. Movie
Since we don’t have cable or Netflix, I like to include a DVD. If I can’t afford to buy new, these are great to buy used. As long as the movie is in there, they don’t seem to mind if it was previously owned.
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How are things going so far?
Let me know in the comments!
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Love the toothbrush idea! Will have to use that one.
It's funny how something simple like a toothbrush seems more fun when it's wrapped up and in a stocking! 🙂
I also get items like crayons, etc. You can stock up during Back to School time and get them for $0.10 or so. This year, for my adult child, I am including $1 lottery tickets. Also, I like to get all of the CVS freebies the week of Thanksgiving and use those – free gum, candy, toothbrushes, etc. We are traveling internationally next year for the 1st time as a family so I am including things like ear buds, inflatable neck pillows, small games, etc. for our trip (all bought during Kohls Veterans Day Sale $10/$25, 30% off and free shipping). I picked up some Yankee Candle car deodorants for $1 when they had a sale a couple of weeks ago – good for hubby and older child. Also, hand sanitizer (for trip/bought at Bath and Body Works sale), Starbucks cards (via rewards sites/Groupon/Swagbucks) and customized luggage tags (free with various Shutterfly codes). For me, two things help – tucking away small things all year long as I get good deals and 2. being signed up for lots of rewards sites, etc. so that I can get things like Shutterfly codes and Swagbucks. I too HATE junky stocking stuffers so I really focus on making them great!
Those are some great ideas – thanks for sharing! I think you are definitely right about picking up small items throughout the year. I would like to try and do that more this next year, so that I won't even have to think about them by the time Christmas rolls around next year!
I love these ideas! We do our stockings very similarly. I try to make sure each one has at least one fun toy, a fun treat, and a practical item like a toothbrush! 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Do you do the same for adult stockings?
We don’t technically do stockings for each other, but I do usually wrap up practical items like new undershirts, socks, etc. and stick them under the tree for Kev. Even though we always say we don’t give each other anything, he usually gets me some book or gift card at the last minute. Maybe this year we should actually make it official and plan the gifts to be our stockings for each other! You’ve got me thinking now!