Cheapskate Stocking Stuffers

I have a weakness for reading gift suggestion posts from all kinds of different blogs. I love the ideas, the things I may not have thought of that my kid (or one of my sisters) would love. Or alternately, lists that have such bizarre, over the top suggestions that no one in their right mind would really ever consider (looking at you, Goop).

Here are some I’m enjoying:
–2016 Good Gifts from Small Things – features wooden toys and creativity gifts.
–Modern Parents Messy Kids Toy Gift Guides from Modern Parents Messy Kids – these are AMAZING. The guides are sorted by age, interest, and type, and give in depth looks at each toy.
–Handmade Holidays by Sew Mama Sew – 30 days worth of handmade gifts to make, everything from simple to elaborate. There are many on the list that don’t require sewing. I haven’t made a single one of these, but I like looking at them!
– Favorite Kid Gifts, 7th Edition from Angry Chicken – believe it or not based on the title, but this is not a list of toys to give your favorite child, just a list of cool gifts to give to any of your children, favored or not.
–50+ Gift Ideas for Quilters from Diary of a Quilter – so much goodness for sewers and quilters!

And then there are the lists of suggested stocking stuffers. Which usually include a whole variety of things that are around $10 each, and you know what? If I’m spending $10 on something for the holidays, that is not a stocking stuffer, that is a GIFT, and it gets wrapped up under the tree where it belongs.

The problem, of course, is that I’m cheap. And I only have the one kid’s stocking to stuff – I don’t know how y’all who have more than that handle stockings.

I’m not Little House on the Prairie about stockings – where Laura and Mary were thrilled beyond belief to get an whole! orange! each! But I do think that if you spend 40-50 bucks on the stocking, you are going way overboard.

My personal belief is to get one (occasionally two) things that cost $5 or less, and then pad the rest out with candy and pencils and assorted little things. The other suggestion is just not to do a stocking..which I will admit I also have done.

Here are some of the things that I would pick from for my weirdo who likes both potty humor and pretty things – and like I said, I pick one or two from here only.

(These are affiliate links, so if you buy through the link, I get a tiny kickback.)

Yo-yo – because everyone on Earth needs a yo-yo at some point in their life
Piggy Paint Nail Polish – I don’t get too hyper about the chemicals in nail polish, but I if I can offer that, then I do.
Slinky – much like your enemies, it’s fun to push down the stairs.
Nose Pencil Sharpener – my kid will think this is HILARIOUS.
Poop Emoji Stuffie – also hilarious, because potty humor.
Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids – we own this one, and surprisingly, I don’t want to shove it down the garbage disposal after hearing the jokes 20 times each.
Jump Rope – I don’t CARE that it’s snowing, go outside and burn off some energy.
Pink Polka-dot Manicure Set – pretty sure the kid will be in raptures over the tiny purse, and far less interested in the tools inside. Oh well.
Design Your Own Bracelet – something sparkly that will keep my kid occupied for at least ten minutes? Yes, please.
Glow in the Dark Stars – I can put my kid on a ladder and endanger their life! Hooray!
Harry Potter Golden Snitch Bracelet – my kid loves jewelry and we’re reading Harry Potter. Done.
Pokemon Cards – because why not enable the addiction?

*PS. I’m having trouble with Java right now. The first four stuffers show up on my phone..is anyone seeing all twelve?