Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Literally Everyone on Your List

Whether it’s your wife, girlfriend, sister, niece or mom, you want to put a gift you know she’ll love in her stocking. We have ideas for spa gifts, beauty essentials, reading accessories and more. You’re sure to find something useful below.

For wives/fiancées/girlfriends

She’s your partner, your best friend and either the reason you’re never on time for stuff or the reason you’re always on time for stuff. Whichever the case, she deserves a little pampering, so think spa essentials, jewellery and wine.

• Running socks
• Paperback book
• Roll-on essential oil
• Hand lotion
• Prompted journal
• Mini candle
• Pepper spray/personal alarm
• Mini photo album
• Travel mug
• A ring holder, bookmark or photo frame made of resin and dried flowers
• A small, framed family picture
• Nail polish (sleuth what brand she likes), nail files
• Earrings
• Fridge magnets
• A weighted, aromatherapy eye pillow
• Corkscrew
• Wine bottle stopper
• Wineglass tags

Stocking Stuffer Inspiration: Use a system

This works especially well when you’re responsible for coming up with EVERYTHING in a person’s stocking: Use categories to help you narrow down your choices. For example, “Something sentimental,” “something snacky,” “something silly” and “something sort of expensive.”

For Mom

She’s the reason you are who you are. Yes, she has to take some of the blame. But seriously, treat her to something she might not buy herself. Ornaments, gift cards and scented lotions are all nice choices.

• Gift card to spa
• $100 bill (If you’ve got it, she’s worth it, right?)
• Subscription to monthly box of goodies (beauty supplies, snacks or candles)
• Snacks (one writer’s mom always put in her favourites in her stocking)
• Hand lotion in her signature scent
• Seasonal candles
• Book for the two of you to read together, book-club style (you’d get a copy, too)
• Mini photo album
• Trinket dishes
• Gardening gloves or tools, or flower bulbs
• Nap accessories (eye mask, cozy socks)
• A new ornament to hang on the tree
• Cell phone holder
• A conversational card game
• Puzzle or puzzle book
• Lip balm
• Wine
• Botanical cocktail kit
• Jar of fancy honey (if Mom is a tea drinker)
• Movie tickets

Get kids into stocking stuffers

What’s something that the littles could contribute to Mom, Dad, Nana or Granddad’s stockings? A Christmas-themed drawing, a handmade art project or a specially wrapped treat they helped make will be adored, and will conveniently also occupy them for an afternoon during the holiday break.

For women

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colours, so this list is just a place to start. If she’s the creative, eco-friendly or nature-loving type, there’s a good chance she’d love any of these. If not, there might be some ideas in our lists for guys that would be a great fit based on her interests, hobbies and style.

• Crystals
• Jewellery (I always get my mom and sister earrings for their stocking)
• Card decks: Affirmations, tarot, etc.
• Coffee mug
• Facial rollers or gua sha (jade and rose quartz)
• Subscription to monthly box of goodies
• Fitness watch
• Reusable cotton rounds or makeup removers
• A ring holder, bookmark or photo frame made of resin and dried flowers
• Earbuds/headphones
• Free art class
• Essential oils
• Bath bombs
• Eye masks
• Gourmet coffee
• Sage sticks
• Scarves/headwraps
• Cute matchboxes
• Decorative water bottle

Pro tip: Shop all year

Chances are you see little or inexpensive things all year round that make you think of the various people in your life. These items are prime stocking stuffer material. Plus, they’ll be touched by the “this made me think of you all the way back in April” sentiment.

If you’re out of ideas for your dad, husband, nephew or boyfriend, think about their hobbies and habits. Adventurers, music lovers, chefs or want-to-be bartenders are all covered in these lists.

For husbands/fiances/boyfriends

He’s your comfort, your romantic partner and probably the reason you have to watch that one show you can’t stand. Show him some love by putting something in his stocking he didn’t know he needed.

• Subscriptions (beef jerky, nuts or even cologne)
• Meal plans/kits
• Hot sauce kits or just hot sauce
• Bar tools
• Gift subscription for a new streaming service
  
• Action figure or plush of their favourite superhero
• Japanese snacks
• Moisturizing face masks
• Jewellery (a chain, watch, tie bar or earrings if he wears them)
• Airplane-sized bottles of liquor
• Music streaming subscription
• Magazine (hobby related)
• Cocktail recipe book
• His own loofah (so he stops stealing yours)
• Certificate for haircut/shave
• Cooking or butchering class certificate
• Wildcrafting book
• Travel guide
• Pocket knife/multi-purpose tool
• Massage gift certificate (get two if he won’t go alone)
• Can/bottle of beer (put the rest of the pack in the fridge)
• Food from somewhere you went to on vacation (wine, pecans, etc.)
• A nice cooking knife
• Coasters
• Bottle opener
• Mini tool kit
• Digital picture frame

Did you know?

Stocking traditions are different around the world. In Germany, children place their boots outside their doors on Christmas Eve. Similarly, kids in used to leave their wooden clogs outside the front door to the home, filled with straw for Santa’s horse. And in Italy, a kind old woman called “La Befana” flies around on an old broomstick, placing treats in stockings at each house she visits.

For Dad

Whether your dad is a griller, a handyman or a corny joke teller, you’ll find ideas to show him you know him on this list.

Whether your dad is a griller, a handyman or a corny joke teller, you’ll find ideas to show him you know him on this list.

• Ice cube mould
• Chargers, cords, etc.
• Deck of cards
• New battery for his cordless power tools (make sure you get the right kind)
• A card game the family can play that morning
• Foot-care kit
• Novelty bottle opener that makes a sound or features their sports team/TV show
• Gift card to an upscale men’s barbershop (for neck massages, hot lather shaves, etc.)
• Music (my dad actually still listens to CDs)
• Can of beer (or wine)
• Gift card to favourite store or hobby shop
• Beard grooming kit
• Face moisturizer
• Good sunscreen that doesn’t run and sting your eyes
• Travel-size cologne
• Pocket binoculars and bird-watching guide
• Whittling or wood burning kit
• Bookmarks
• Re-created photo from childhood in a nice frame
• Concert tickets

Stocking Stuffer Inspiration: The things you do together

Is there something—an activity, a cuisine, a form of art—that you and the stocking stuffer like doing or enjoying together? Use that to fuel your imagination. This can work for pretty much anyone, be it a partner/spouse, family member or friend.

For men

We’ve generalized some common things that men like, but don’t be afraid to look at our list for women for more ideas—guys can and should practice self-care, too. Or check out our list for kids if he’s a big kid at heart.

• Bottle of hot sauce
• BBQ rub
• Bar gadgets
• Body scrub
• Spoon carving kit
• Money clip
• 3D puzzles
• RFID wallet
• Cyanotype kit (for making solar photographs/sunprints)
• Monogrammed handkerchief
• Gourmet spices or salts
• Self-address stamper
• Cigar cutter/lighter
• Mixology book
• Golf balls
• Lottery scratch tickets
• Sunglasses
• Portable Bluetooth speaker
• Beard grooming kit
• Gift card to men’s spa
• Facial wash
• Advanced Legos
• Travel-size cologne
• Personalized key chain
• Weight-lifting gloves
• Record cleaning kit
• Tube of Nuun hydration tablets (or other portable hydration mix)
• Biofreeze or other topical cream for sore muscles
• Fancy chocolates or favourite candy

Share some fun with the person you learned to share with in the first place. Think favourite memories and inside jokes. Make it personal.

• Sponsor an animal at a shelter or send money in their name to organizations that buy livestock for people in developing nations
• A framed pic of the two of you from childhood
• A trinket featuring their favourite TV, movie or game character
• Their favourite gum or candy (then immediately ask if you can have some)
• A vintage toy they liked as a child
• A children’s book on the importance of sharing
• Something that already belongs to them that they don’t know you took (as a joke!)
• For fun, my brother likes to put weird stuff in our stockings like leftover sauce packets
• Inside joke-y gifts
• A monogrammed notepad or fancy pen
• Stickers or decals with funny, relatable messages

Stocking Stuffer Inspiration: Pick a theme

No one ever said the items in a stocking can’t relate to one another. By picking a theme, you make filling that stocking approximately 100% easier.

Do they love Star Wars™? Load that stocking with little gifts based on the movies. Or maybe they can’t get enough of Disney™. If they’re part of a fandom, chances are we have some goodies they’d like. Think Peanuts™, Harry Potter™ and more!

Do they love to cook? Put some fancy olive wood utensils, nice spices and tea towels in there. Do they love beauty? Throw in samples of high-end skin care products, nail polish and a bath bomb. Trust us, you’ve got this.

Teens often follow trends, and it can be hard to keep up with their ever-changing tastes. Here are a few ideas for the teens on your shopping list.

• Journals and sketchbooks
• Stationery, pens, drawing pencils
• Fun or cozy socks
• Nail art/stickers/polish
• Cool shoelaces
• Key chains
• Video game accessories
• Extra phone charger/cord
• Lip gloss or balm
• Guitar strings
• Wireless earbuds
• Hair accessories (clips, scrunchies, barrettes, fun bobby pins)
• Harmonica
• Origami money
• Gift cards for events like concerts / for movie theatres
• Free art class
• Enamel pins/buttons
• Mini Lego sets or Advanced Legos
• Stress/squeeze ball
• Fidget toys
• Phone/tablet stand or cover
• Coffee gift card
• Streaming music service subscription
• Film for instant camera or photo printer
• Garland with clips for hanging photos or artwork
• Casual jewellery—anklet, bracelet, earrings

Kids ages 3-12 are fun to shop for. They get excited about new things and generally still like to play with toys, read and colour. Still, it isn’t always easy to think of a good add-on gift, so here are some that might work.

• Action figures
• Homemade cookies
• Cookies decorated to look like the kid
• Individual Thomas trains
• Mini greeting cards
• Kazoo
• Play makeup or jewellery
• Tin whistle/recorder
• Stickers
• itty bittys® of their favourite characters
• Jump rope
• Free art class
• Mini photo album
• Slime
• Ornament featuring their favourite character or movie
• Card or dice game
• Fidget gadget (spinner or textured thingy)
• Deck of playing cards
• My First Monogrammed Pen
• Dog toy for their favourite pet
• Play-Doh
• Legos
• Bubbles
• Crayola supplies
• Books about whatever they love (dinosaurs, cats, peanut butter)
• Jacks (a throwback game that will entertain them for hours)
• Collectible cards
• Bandages with their favourite show/character on them

My brain is letting out a squeal just thinking about these little people. They’re growing every day though, so give booties, onesies and hats in the next size up. Little stuffed animals (squeal!), bath and teething toys and little board books are all great choices. Find more below.

• Booties, tiny shoes or socks
• Cute baby accessories (hats, bows/headbands, mittens)
• Pacifiers
• Small stuffed animals
• Rubber ducks/bath toys
• Rattles
• First Christmas ornament
• Small board books
• Fresh fruit/food feeders
• Teething toys

You couldn’t survive the holidays without them. Your besties, your church friends and your coworkers deserve to feel thought about and appreciated, so you’ll want to buy some of them stocking stuffers as well. From food to flasks to fancy soaps, we’ve got ideas.

• Cute gloves/mittens
• Plant seeds or flower bulbs
• Fancy soaps
• Loose leaf tea
• Temporary tattoos
• Flask
• A travel journal if they’re always on the go
• Reusable straws
• Ornament with place for pet photo
• Coupon good for free pet-sitting
• Cute sticky note packs
• Small embroidery kits
• Pet sitting coupon

It’s almost like family, living with another person day-to-day. Show them you know them with a small gift from this list.

• Fresh dry erase markers for shared whiteboards
• Door hangers (that can express different needs/states: napping, I have company, cranky, come right in, etc.)
• Coupon for a free dinner on you (or a meal cooked by you)
• Frames
• Hired ride gift certificate
• Mini liquor bottles
• Fridge magnets (find one with their favourite show or band on it)
• Laptop stickers

Stocking Stuffer Inspiration: Work that paper

Gift cards, certificates and cash are great ideas for stocking stuffers. Only problem is, a slip of paper or a plastic card isn’t the most filling of objects. The solution? Attach it to something!

• If it’s a piece of paper you printed out, punch a hole in it and use ribbon to tie it to a toy or small stuffed animal that’s somehow related to the gift.
• If it’s cash for kids, hide it in a fun way—I like to put money in an empty toilet paper tube, put the tube in a mason jar and fill the jar around the tube with M&Ms. They’re so politely confused until they open it. It’s hilarious.
• If it’s a gift card, put it in a jewellery box—with or without a cute, inexpensive piece of jewellery.

Your four-legged, winged or long-tailed kids can get in on the fun at Christmas, too. Come on, you know they deserve something for that bow you put on their head in your Christmas photo.

• Homemade treats
• Toys
• Gift card for training classes
• Photo ornament or personalized ornament
• Grooming gift card
• Brush/comb
• Subscription to monthly box of goodies
• Cat grass kit
• Cat freaking nip (catnip)
• New collar
• Collar bowtie or bandana
• Cute little holiday hat (if they like dressing up)
• DIY gifts

• Homemade crafts or treats
• Cute paper craft with a link to a custom playlist (holiday-themed or just specific to the person)
• Printed pictures/Polaroids
• Custom puzzles (I have a friend couple who makes each other crosswords/scavenger hunts just to ask each other out on dates)
• Handmade knitted/crocheted scarf
• A letter telling them all the things you love about them