So today I went out to buy things to put in my DC's stockings.

[LynetteScavo]

And realised I was just going to buy a load of crap they didn't need and was just going to clutter up thier bedrooms even more.

I need ideas for useful/disposable stocking fillers.

So far I have;

Bubblebath.
Satsuma
Chocolate coins
Book/Annual

[mazzystartled]

notebooks and pencils/craft kits
face flannels/washmits of novelty variety
excellent pants
groovy water bottles

[moomaa]

My two have got such exciting things as cutlery, a new toothbrush and new pants and vests. I'm going to look out for beakers with characters on. Basically just saving up stuff I would have got them anyway.

[moomaa]

and new lunchboxes

[PandaG]

toothpaste to go with toothbrush
hairbobbles/slides
socks/tights

I'm with you moomaa, I buy stuff the dc would have had anyway, but generally with a character on whereas I wouldn't buy a character toothbrush usually

[henryhuggins]

tights/vests/undies
school coloured hair clips and elastics
little cereal boxes for xmas morning
socks/tights
cinema voucher
cd
ds game
xmas decoration
party hairbands
new pencils/felts

agree, I hate plastic tat and junk.

[bumpybecky]

chocolate coins
chocolate orange
selction box of chocolate

there's a bit of a theme here

also get them toohbrushes and toothpaste, just as well with all that chocolate...

[Lilyloo]

will watch this thread

[Eddas]

I like the christmas decoration idea, might include that in mine this year.

I go with the useful stuff idea, mine always get a toothbrush, bubble bath, choc coins, vests and a toy or two for good measure!

Last year on here someone suggested those little sparkly rocks/stones and I got a few for dd and she loved them so I might get another this year. I thought it's like the opposite to getting coal so it means Father Christmas knows she's been good. Mind you after yesterday she might get actual coal this year

[countrybump]

How about a packet of seeds to plant, one of those crysal growing things, magic snow, chocolate coins, stickers and other craft things?

[ConnieComplaint]

Christ - what size are some of these stockings?

Mine are like huge socks which are hung on the door handles of their bedroom..... usually holding a tube of sweets, hair clips or toy cars, pooing reindeers etc....

Father Christmas leaves the rest of their stuff in the livingroom...unwrapped...

[oldraver]

I'm not doing much in the way of stocking but have seen a lovely old fashioned kaleidoscope in our local toyshop that I know ds will love. the colours are amazing and its only a few pounds

[teddymummy]

I have tried too hard on stockings in the past but am turning over a new leaf! this year i have bought little books, toothbrushes, bubble bath, flannels,bath toys, pants/vests. and chocolate. Will also put in satsumas. Like the mini cereal box idea! We always get new pjs which they can open on christmas eve and wear to look nice for santa! Basically I have just bought things they would have had anyway. If you get them anything too major it overshadows the main presents and its just too much for them to get so many new things in one day.Happy shopping everyone!

[LynetteScavo]

Thanks for all the ideas!

I'm really like the drinking bottles/seeds/hair clips ideas.

If I'm feeling generous I might also put in a dvd. With instructions to watch it if they've woken up before 6am.

[AngryPixie]

Disposable camera for christmas day pics, always popular

[DaftApeth]

These bath beans are great. My dcs love them.

I always try to think of things that will distract them for a few hours to keep them occupied for a few hours until everyone else is up and they can open the rest of their presents.

So, along with socks, pants, hair clips, they'll get a book, dvd, small game. Ds got a new nintendo ds game last year as I knew it was a sure fire few hours extra sleep peace.

Father Christmas put in chocolate last year that ds reacted to (nut allergy). Naughty fc for not checking properly. I hope he will be more careful this year

I like to put in the magic face flannels too that expand in water. They also had novelty sponges last year.

I figure whatever edible items go in, I have to be hapy with them eating them all before breakfast

[iheartdusty]

in this year will go:

a few fossils and crystals
wind up torch
playing cards (Happy Families, Memory Match)
playmobil/ polly pocket bits (off ebay)
lovely scarf for DD
a mug each (Beano characters this year!)
a comic they don't usually have
some worry people for DD, a tiny teddy for DS

I have to confess I am a sucker for little novelty gadgets, so there will be a few Hawkins Bazaar type knick knacks - but I find they do have real play value - little things to fiddle with last the whole year and more.

[JackBauer]

Every year we got the same in our stockings.

Hot chocolate sachet
Small game (like a small slidey puzzle or similar)
Bath pearls
Flannel
Toothbrush
Sparkly lipgloss once old enough
Socks
Hair clips
Notepade
Pencil crayons
Rubbers
And edibles
Satsumas
Choclate coins
Box raisins

[Flightattendant]

Hmm have ended up getting various things

ds2 has got several little cars as he likes them...that's easy! and a little Bob the builder digger or something reduced from sainsburys too. Some nice chocolate cars from Lidl, choc coins for ds1. Fruit of course and nuts for ds1...with nutcracker!

Puzzle
battle brawler

mini rubik cube/puzzle

trick fried egg (!)

glasses with moustache
glow sticks

that kind of thing. Yes it will end up littering the floor but there you go. Having big clear out beforehand to remove last year's nonsense...

[NancyBotwin]

Iheartdusty - where did you get the Beano mugs from?

[typical]

New swimming bag, character socks and pants, funky belt, cycling gloves, club penguin giftcard, pencil case and new pens, bracelet, juggling balls, alarm clock, batman dressing up, character foaming soap, bubble bath, trump cards, hat/scarf/glove set, wallet, 20Q. (My lot are all boys).

Santa has been really busy here already. In fact he got a lot of this stuff in last Jan sales, and then packed it away with the xmas decs.

[InterruptingKid]

sweets

[Merle]

Play Dough, Plasticine, crayons.

[Merle]

Am in town today so think will make a start.

[mamadiva]

This year I have got DS 3.6YO

Glow Sticks
Toothbrush
Expanding flannel
Matey bubble bath
Kellogs mini variety cereals
Foam aeroplane (x2 because I know they will last 5 mins )
Ice Age 3 with free sticker album
Truck book activity set