100 stocking stuffers that will actually be appreciated (2024)

I love the idea of stocking stuffers, but it’s too easy to feel like the usual items are just highly packaged crap that will be trashed, broken, or forgotten by New Years. It makes my frugal head hurt. I know you relate because this post has been going bananas every Christmas season (and by that, I mean from Labor Day to Christmas Eve and beyond) every year. We’ve updated this much-loved list (again) with 100 stocking stuffer ideas for 2023. Since my kids are older now than they were when I first shared this list, I’ve included some new items for teens. Now there’s truly something for everyone.

Many years ago, a family friend gave us handmade Christmas stockings as a wedding present. We loved them—so much, in fact, that we asked her to make one for each of our kids when they were born. The only downside is these stockings are HUGE so we have a lot of space to fill—but I don’t want to just pack them full of stuff. I want to fill them with goodstuff!

These favorite (and a few unconventional) stocking stuffers won’t make you feel like you’re throwing your money away. Some of the best gifts are thoughtful and fun, but not particularly expensive. Some of these stocking stuffer items are a little more spendy; you might actually think some of these are perfect small gifts to put under the tree as actual Christmas gifts instead of in the stocking. Regardless, the perfect stocking stuffer will actually be used and these fit that bill. Figure out your budget, think about the personality and preferences of your giftee and choose accordingly, and then rest assured these will be a hit.

I personally don’t mind paying a little more for stocking stuffers that aren’t junk; some of these practical stocking stuffer ideas could be funded straight out of the grocery or clothing budgets. Most fun stocking stuffer suggestions could double as small and inexpensive gift ideas for friends and family or those looser connections like teachers and coworkers (just avoid the candle).

(These are just stocking stuffer ideas. Read more about my minimalist stocking stuffer philosophy here.)

For kids:

Younger kids are easy to shop for. They love the experience of opening a Christmas stocking and sometimes they love opening gifts on Christmas morning as much as getting a gift. This is where you can get in trouble just filling their stocking with junk (or worse—junk food).

1. Play silks.
2. Glow sticks.
3. Thinking Putty, an update on the classic Silly Putty.
4. Mini Rubix Cube or Etch-A-Sketch.
5. Glow in the dark stars to make their own constellations.
6. Ivan’s Hinge Puzzle.
7. My Reading Adventures: a book journal for kids
8. Hairbows and headbands.
9. Ponytail holders. These twisty ones are great for all ages (and available in tons of colors).
10. Leggings or tights.
11. Bath bubbles or bath bombs.
12. Character band-aids. (Not just for kids! Try these for fun and these for literary types.)
13.Chapstick or lip balm. You can go with this beloved basic or a little more luxe!

For teens:

Everyone knows teens are hard to shop for. Their interests and tastes change quickly and their eyes are frequently set on more big ticket items. Good news though: because maturity levels and interests vary so much at this age, many of the items further down the list will also work great for your teen.

14. Nail polish or a manicure set.
15. Nailstickers.
16. A beloved drugstore hand lotion or wonderfully scented hand cream.
17. Mini fairy lights.
18. Tiny clothespins for hanging photos. (These are super popular in teenage bedrooms and dorm rooms right now!)
19. A fun lipstick, gloss, or highlighter from a favorite brand: around here that probably means Fenty Beauty or Rare Beauty.

For adults:

Everyone knows teens are hard to shop for, but adults are too! You’re older so you already own a lot of what you need and you have your own money so you can just buy whatever strikes your fancy. I think this is why it’s so easy to fall into the trap of giving the same thing every year. Hopefully these will give you some fresh ideas.

20. Coffee or tea. Go for a big bag of a favorite or potential new favorite or a sampler so they can try new varieties!(See my husband’s favorites here, 45 decaf options here, and my current tea crush here. We also love this coffee subscription.)
21. Literary matchbooksor these awesome incense matches.
22. Milk frother for homemade lattés or whipped coffee.
23. Essential oils or atiny, cult classic perfume roller. (If you save up perfume samples through the year, you could gift those, too!)
24. A subscription to Huluto stream favorite shows all year.
25. Wine stopper(maybea personalized one?) or a champagne stopper to keep bubbles bubbly.
26. Tea towels: go fora classically beautifully and durable optionor lean into their interests, likethis tea towel for book loversorthis one celebrating Dolly Parton!
27. A vintage-looking bottle opener.
28. Instant read kitchen thermometer: tools they’ve been meaning to get themselves are always a great gift.
29. Whiskey stones or ice sphere molds to cool your beverage in style. (And they’ll think of you every time they use them.)
30. Nice bottle of bitters.
31. Satin pillowcase for luxurious sleep that keeps their hair looking fab.
32. A small bottle of luxe laundry detergent, or sample sizes for frequent travelers or those who want to try every scent.
33. Flower frogs to give the gift of an easy-to-assemble floral arrangement all year long.

Good for all ages:

To play with

34. An adorable mini jigsaw puzzle.
35. Puzzle books. (We love this book of crosswords for kids and this NYT one for teens and adults.)
36. Bananagrams.
37. Lego mini sets.(You can usually find these near checkout counters.)
38. Mini puzzle ball.

To wear

39. Cheerful (or funny, or luxe) underwear.
40. Awesome socks.(Because they’re a What Should I Read Next sponsor, you can use the code READNEXT to save 20% on your first order.)
41. Earrings,like these strawberries or pretty daisies.
42. Reflective-wear.For running or walking the dog on short, dark days.

Fun and useful

43. A headlamp or mini flashlight, these can usually be found at the front of Home Depot or Lowes.
44. Small umbrella in a cheerful color for dreary days.
44. Batteries: either a small package of a weird size they happen to use a lot, or a big pack of AA or AAAs.
45. Travel Mug.
46. Small seasonally scented candles.
47. Key chain.(Something cute like this macrame keychain or this classy leather option. This little axolotl keychain is not exactly a crowd-pleasing option but might be exactly right for your giftee—it was a big hit with the right teen at my house last year!
48. Rainbow sprinkles and cute cupcake papers,for those who love to bake.
49. Bike tools so they’re ready for anything on the road or trails.
50. Reusable straws that are happy and eco-conscious!
51. Collapsible water bottle for hikers and travelers.

Tech tools and gadgets

52. Bluetooth tracker, for those who tend to lose their keys.
53. Magnetic Headphone Cord Wrapto keep things tidy.
54. Car phone holder, it’s not fancy but we use this one and it works great.

Personal care and makeup

Psst—the travel section of the big box or drugstore is a great place to shop for personal care stocking stuffers.

55. Reusable hand warmers.
56. Face masks for skin care: the options are endless, and available at a variety of price points. For inexpensive, crowd-pleasing masks, try these collagen eye masks and this top-rated face mask.
57. Mini manicure kitor these amazing glass nail files.
58. Rosebud salve.A perpetual crowd pleaser.
59.Lotion bars.
60. Fancy soaps.
61. Jaw clips for easy and stylish hairstyles.
62. Bath brush or loofah. A long-handled brush looks especially great when peeking out of a stocking! (You could perhaps get some body wash to go with it? Here’s a great budget option; here’s a bougie one!)

For foodies

Don’t forget to consider what they love: when I was a kid I BEGGED for cans of mandarin oranges in my stocking! Perhaps not a conventional “treat” but it sure felt like one to me—especially because I didn’t have to share. (I trust anyone with a little brother will understand!)

63. Altoids. (We always give Altoids; it’s become a family tradition.)
64. Beef jerky. This is my favorite. Or make your own.
65. Their favorite chocolate bars in full-size or fun size(we’re partial to these).
66. Drink mixes(hot chocolate, spiced cider, Emergen-C).
67. A pineapple, like in this episode of Charlie and Lola. (Or maybe a grapefruit, clementine, pomegranate, or starfruit. Fruit makes a great stocking filler-upper: remember I mentioned ours are huge!)
68. Tiny adorable bottles of Tabasco or portable packets of Sriracha.
69. Small Nutella packets(links to a big pack but we frequently find singles of these at World Market).
70. Maldon sea salt flakes or other fun specialty saltfor chefs and bakers.
71. Craft soda in a glass bottle. (IBC, Jones, Jarritos, or your regional favorite.)
72. Dried or freeze-dried fruit. (Just pick this up at the grocery!)
73. Herbs and spices.Think little jars of barbecue rub, steak seasoning, a new herb blend, cinnamon sticks, or mulling spices.
74. Lemon or lime squeezer. Or plan ahead for summer with a cherry pitter!
75. Preserved lemons: practical andgorgeous.
76. Fancy peanut butter or flavored almond butter. (Cinnamon almond butter is our household favorite.)
77. Fancy pancake syrup: we love this brand and delighted our teens with sparkle maple syrup last year! Cardamom and ginger are also DELICIOUS.)

For readers

78. Slim paperbacks chosen just for them.
79. Book light so they can read anywhere, anytime.
80. Book darts have delighted many a book lover.
81. Charming bookmarks. Choose from literary heroines like Anne Shirley, Hermione Granger, Jane Eyre, and Scout Finch.
82. More adorable bookmarks.
83. I’d Rather Be Reading is sized just right for a bookish stocking stuffer!

For journalers

84.My Reading Life: a book journal
85. Blank journals or little notebooks.
86. Note cards.(A literary version.) Or thank you notes make a timely gift (as long as it doesn’t feel guilt-inducing).
87. Notecards that you can color and customize.
88. Good pens never disappoint a stationery lover. (Like Paper Mate Flairs or Sharpies in pretty colors.)
89. Pencils.I love the shape of these mechanical pencils; for a fancier option go with Tombows.
90. The holy grail of pencil sharpeners.
91. Calligraphy stencil.A fun tool that makes anyone’s handwriting look a lot better.
92. Custom library stamp or printed book plates.
93. Pencil case.
94. Wax seal and wax to seal their notes in style.

For crafters

95. Carving knives. (Goes great with soap if you buy something simple like Lever 2000 or Dove)
96. Washi tape.
97. Stickers.
98. Post-it notes (especially from the shapes series) or post-it flags.
99. Small craft kitslike this little learn-to-crochet kitorthis felting kit for beginners.
100. Skeins of yarn will really stuff that stocking!

There you have it: 100 of the best stocking stuffer ideas for kids, teens, and men and women of all ages. I hope you found something to surprise and delight your family this season. I’d love to hear yourfavorite stocking stuffer ideas—tell us in comments.

For more gift ideas check out The Modern Mrs Darcy 2023 gift guide for book lovers and the 2022 MMD gift guide for bookish kids.

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