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What is a good stocking filler?
A good stocking filler should be small in size and low value, but ideally something that will get used and enjoyed rather than simply a space filler. Children enjoy having lots of little things to open, so stocking fillers with multiple pieces that can be wrapped individually are always a good choice. If preparing stockings for numerous children, multipacks that can be split among several stockings can help keep costs down.
Do you need to wrap Christmas stocking presents?
This is very much down to personal choice and will vary from family to family depending on your Christmas traditions. Traditionally, stocking presents aren’t wrapped so you can pop them in and save yourself time and money, whilst being more eco-friendly too.
However, wrapping each present individually (you can probably leave the obligatory tangerines though) can make the stocking last a bit longer and each gift will be a nice surprise.
If you do choose to wrap, why not opt for more sustainable wrapping or papers without glitter or shine so they can still go in the recycling bin?
What is traditionally put in a stocking?
Many Mumsnet users like to stick with tradition and pop in a satsuma and some chocolate coins in their children’s stockings, just like the ones they had in their own childhood.
Others stick with the rule of four – something they want, something they need, something they can wear, and something they can read.
About the authors
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of baby products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help parents make confident purchases that benefit their families.
Originally from a HR background with a degree in Business Studies, Lucy developed a real passion for blogging and writing when her children were young, going on to write for several online publications including US parenting site Pregistry and the Evening Standard. When she’s not manically tapping the keys of her laptop, Lucy loves nothing more than to cosy up with her Kindle and enjoy the latest thriller, or compete in Nintendo Switch rallies with her daughters aged six and 10.
Jenny Wonnacott is a Content Editor for Mumsnet, specialising in writing, editing and optimising several content pages related to parenting, pregnancy and more. As a parent of three primary school-aged children, Jenny is passionate about making Mumsetters' lives easier through rigorous research of all items recommended in reviews and buyers' guides such as this one.
Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on product reviews, homeware roundups and family travel.
She’s written buyer’s guides for publications including Expert Reviews and Coach as well as reviews and features for the Guardian, TripSavvy and Visit London.
As a mum of two, she’s always on the lookout for products that make life easier at home as well as sourcing deals and best buys for families.
How we chose our recommendations
Mumsnet users love chatting about all things Christmas, from Christmas dinners to gift ideas; Christmas party outfits to the best Christmas crackers.
First up, we sought out the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users to get their insights on the stocking fillers they love to see at Christmas or that have gone down well with their children in previous years.
We then scoured online retailers for products that had significant positive reviews. Weighing up any pros and cons, we then selected the best stocking fillers for each age group to bring you our definitive list of stocking fillers under £10.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
Prices correct at time of writing.