If the big gifts are already purchased, but you still need stocking stuffers, this curated guide has thoughtful and easy ideas for everyone. My stocking strategy is simple: choose a few nicer items, then fill in with small treats and sticker books, plus one unique find from a favorite local shop. Inside you’ll see kids’ stocking stuffers, stocking stuffers for women, and stocking stuffers for men. You’ll find last-minute ideas under $25 and under $50, practical small gifts that feel intentional and useful.
Stocking Stuffers For Kids
First up – kids! In my experience, the younger they are, the easier they are to shop for. For toddlers and preschoolers, keep it simple: a fresh pack of crayons, fun socks, a couple of low-sugar treats, and a sheet of stickers – done. As kids grow, their interests (and opinions!) kick in, so you can curate more thoughtfully. Below, I’ve rounded up kids’ stocking stuffers my 8- and 9-year-olds would love – think creative play and art supplies, travel-friendly games, and quality, clutter-free finds under $25. I skip junky trinkets that break in a minute and lean into durable, open-ended finds, plus one unique treasure from a favorite local shop. These ideas work for toddlers, big kids, and there might be a few for the tweens – adapt to your child’s age and hobbies.
You probably already own the original Uno but have you played this version? It has extra rules that make the game a bit more high stakes – Draw 10, Skip Everyone, a Mercy rule where anyone who has over 25 cards is out, etc. We played this with friends recently, and I’m gifting it to my kids this year.
My kids are always writing stories and drawing little sketches so a little notebook like this would be something they could be creative with. It could also be a journal they could write in as well.
If you’re kids travel a lot either by car or plane, Wikkistix are an easy activity they can do that keeps them occupied. I like that these can be molded into different shapes again and again.
The book pictured above was one of my kid’s favorite board books when they were really little. Here’s a few more options that we have loved at different stages.
Board Books: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See by Eric Carle, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, Good Night, Good Night Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Picture Books: The Gruffalo By Julia Donaldson, Ada Twist Scientist by Andrea Beaty (every book in this series is excellent!), The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone, Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
Chapter Books: Harry Potter Series Illustrated Editions by J.K. Rowling, The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, Amelia Bedelia series by Herman Parish
My kids starting doing these around the ages of 3 and 4 (some of them can be hard for little hands.) They keep them busy for hours!
I know this sounds like an odd stocking stuffer, but have you ever given your kids a calculator? Mine are fascinated by them and have played with one for a good amount of time.
Admittedly, my daughter would love this while my son wouldn’t know what to do with it, but in general, this would be good for any kid who is beginning to be interested in makeup without it actually being makeup.
My kids love doing Mad Libs, typically on long road trips but also when we are just hanging out at home. We have a rule you can only use one ‘potty word’ per page, ha!
9/ Cat Bookmark
For any little readers, a cute bookmark is such a good stocking stuffer. This one is for the cat lover, but Etsy has tons of different bookmarks for kids based on their interests.
Is your kid always stealing (and losing!) your nice flashlights? Same! My kids love a flashlight when they are playing hide and seek, inside a fort, or in the backyard when it’s dark. Get them their own so they aren’t taking yours.
If your kid is a bit older (or has the hair for it!), these personalized claw clips are very popular right now.
For any tiny artists out there, a set of fresh markers is an easy stocking stuffer. I always put one in my kids’ stockings. This pack is meant for layering with a chisel tip on one side and a point tip on the other.
I always get my kids a pack of cute bandaids for their stockings. I particularly like the designs from Welly’s Bandages (they’re flexible and stick well, too.)
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Stocking Stuffers For Women
Danny always throws a couple of sheet masks in my stocking. I love a self care moment! I haven’t tried this one yet, but they get rave reviews.
These make a great stocking stuffer for the frequent traveler. This one is made with silk and reviews says it’s extremely soft and comfortable.
I would love to find my next good read in my stocking. This was one of my favorites I read over the summer. You could also throw in a little gift card to your local bookstore.
I love everything from Versed – it’s effective and affordable. This lip masks ensures your lips are hydrated when you wake in the morning.
My blog friend, Michelle, turned me on to this bag charm. I’m not usually a charm kind of girl, but the neutrals and simplicity of this one sold me!
6/ Ghia Non-Alcoholic Apéritif
This is one of my favorite NA drink options – it’s slightly bitter and not too sweet. It would make a great stocking stuffer. You mix this with some sparkling water or tonic for an easy mocktail.
I don’t know a woman out there who doesn’t struggle with dry hands in the wintertime. It’s all year for me! This hand cream works and smells lovely, too.
These reusable eye masks help your eye cream do it’s job better by increasing absorption into the skin. Plus, they are way less wasteful than single use eye masks.
I love writing things down in notebooks – goals, ideas, books I want to read. You can’t have too many around in my opinion.
Set your loved one up to have a good year with this box of weekly affirmations. This set comes with a stand so you can display the card on your nightstand or desk.
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Stocking Stuffers for Men
Danny just ordered these for himself so consider them husband approved! This brand is really good quality and holds up after many wears.
These travel bags from Topo Designs are very popular among the millennial Dad set (I know; Danny has owned several!) If you’re partner doesn’t have one (or could use a second), this would make a good stocking stuffer for them.
I’m from Kansas City so I know good BBQ, and this sauce is GOOD. We are always grabbing a couple bottles when we are back home.
This is a little pricey for a stocking stuffer, but the quality will be good, I promise. Here’s a similar one at a lower price point.
If your partner is the type who is always doing little projects like mine, consider throwing some new work gloves in their stocking. These get rave reviews.
These things are so handy to have around to throw in suitcases, backpacks, and any other thing you want to keep track off (we put one on our cat, lol!)
I always throw a bag of (good) coffee into my husband’s stocking. It ends up being a gift to myself, too because he always make me a cup as well. I linked one of our favorite local Chicago coffee shops, but you could look for one in your city. Always go for a whole bean coffee if you’ve got a grinder. We prefer a light roast!
8/ Yeti Rambler Colster Can Insulator
If your partner is a can drinking kind of guy, consider putting one of these Yetis into his stocking. I don’t think Danny can drink a beer without his. They are also really nice for camping!
This twistable neck flashlight tool can be used when working in dark spaces or to pick up loose screws that have fallen (it’s magnetic.) Guys love these little gadgets!
10/ The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon
I don’t know about the men in your life, but Danny typically prefers nonfiction over fiction so a book like this would be an educational stocking stuffer. I read it last year and found it very inspiring.
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Read More:
My 2025 Christmas Wishlist
What To Wear: Checking Off Your Holiday Bucket List
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