Rolled pennies made to look like a candy for stocking stuffer gift

One of the fun parts of Christmas is opening the little items that you get in the stockings every year.  I like to put both practical and fun items in the stockings.  Many years while doing regular shopping and finding items on clearance or with a coupon I am done with the stockings before December even arrives.  In our family we typically open the stockings on Christmas Eve before the girls go to bed that night.  It gets the celebrations started and it allows the girls to “savor the moment” as they open their stockings.  As they are opening the gifts they will try on new socks, read a book, paint their nails, put a pretty hair barrette in their hair or play with their little toys.  As a general rule the items that go in the stockings need to be less than $1.00 and in some cases I can get items for free. Here are some ideas if you are trying to fill that last little bit of the stocking.

100+ Stocking Gifts for under $1.00

• Roll of Pennies from the Bank ($0.50)
• Candy Canes
• Chapstick
• Fingernail Polish
• Gloves
• Small Puzzles
• Coloring Books
• Slinky
• Pack of Gum
• Mints
• Erasers
• Match Box Cars
• Breath Mints
• Hand Sanitizer
• Hand Lotion
• Googly Eyes
• Fuzzy Sticks
• Crayons
• Colored Pencils
• Markers
• Glue Sticks
• Batteries
• Socks
• Jewelry
• Stickers
• Craft Items
• Playdough
• Molding Clay
• Glowsticks
• Small Toys
• Juice Box
• Barrettes
• Bows
• Headbands
• Pom Poms
• Christmas Candy
• Pens
• Pencils
• Paper Clips
• Fingernail Filer
• Scissors
• Body Mist
• Deodorant
• Perfume
• Hairspray
• Wet Wipes
• Individual Packs of Kleenex
• Bouncy Balls
• Small Notebook
• Flashlight
• Screwdriver
• Pliers
• Small Tools
• Mini Calendar
• Highlighters
• Binder Clips
• Watch
• Scarf
• Stocking Hat
• Yo-Yo
• Silly Putty
• Glow in the Dark Stars / Planets
• Kitchen Gadgets
• Magnets
• Small Games
• Playing Cards
• Sticky Notes
• USB Flash Drives
• Cookie Cutters
• Whisk
• Spatula
• Wooden Spoon
• Kitchen Towel
• Wash Cloths
• Small Christmas Cups
• Makeup
• Removable Tattoos
• Flower Seeds
• Vegetable or Fruit Seeds
• Small Book
• Sandwich Cutters
• Small Activity Book
• Key Chains
• Swiss Army Knife
• Tape Measure
• Ruler
• Coffee
• Bath Toys
• Bubble Bath
• Belt
• Underwear
• Facial Mask
• Foot Cream
• Gift Certificates (bought with rewards)
• Stationary
• Leak Proof Drink Bottles
• Ear Plugs
• Chopsticks
• Bookmarks
• Golf Balls
• Bracelets
• Earrings
• Rings
• Necklaces
• Silly Bandz
• Wallet
• Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Coasters
• Small Cookbook
• Recipe Cards
• Small Photo Album
• Packs of Hot Chocolate
• Packs of Hot Apple Cider
• Lipstick / Lip Gloss
• Brush
• Comb
• DVD
• CD
• Baseball Cards
• Ornament
• Sunglasses
• Magazine
• Snacks
• Coupons for Free Items

A lot of what you get will depend on the size of the stocking you are trying to fill.  Items like socks are great for filling up the stocking where getting smaller items will take more to fill it up.  If you want you could go with a “theme” and get all kitchen items or crafty type items to put into the stocking for someone who would enjoy it.  You can get many of these items for free or nearly free throughout the year by checking out the clearance sections, using coupons, and rewards programs (CVS – Extra Care Bucks, Walgreens – Register Rewards, KMart – Rewards, and more).

If you need a few items but don’t have time to shop throughout the year go to Dollar Tree and pick up a multi pack of hair barrettes, chapsticks and other goodies and divide them up among the family members.   Another great spot to pick up items if you are on a time crunch is in the travel / dollar sections in stores like Walmart or Target (where they have the mini bottles of items or other things people may need).