stocking presents that arent tat but dont break the bank?!

[5madthings]

I need to get stocking fillers for the fivemadthings!

Ds1 13, ds2 10, ds3 8 on 23rd dec, ds4 4 and dd 2 next week.

So where is best to get stuff thats not mega expensive but also.usnt rubbish?!

Help!!

Someone at work had a catalogue from Hawkins Bazaar they do have some stores but you can buy online too I think, lots of cool stuff.

The Book People for cheap books.
Ebay (sold unwanted stuff to buiid up paypal account first) - brilliant for cheap dvds.
Poundland for sugary stuff, toiletries, bath bombs.

I cant stand buying plastic crap that will end up in landfill by new year. I feel the same about party bags.

I got most of mine in John Lewis toy dept :)

I have just picked up some brilliant things from John Lewis for really not much money.

No plastic tat, just some cool little toys.

For stockings I do ...

Chocolate money
A book
A toy
A satsuma
A DVD

Totally following in family tradition. My dds are 7 & 5, the book is a Roald Dahl one each and the toy Playmobil. I view stockings as an exciting stopgap before main gifts after breakfast.

What about putting a few things in that they'll need anyway - socks, underwear, bubble bath/shower gel etc., pads of paper as well as a few more fun things.

Lego mini figures.

pants, socks, tights, toothbrushes, shower gel, deodorants - all from supermarket or wherever - useful and fill it well, not tat!

choc coins/orange/large tube smarties or similar

pack of books each from Bk people

pencils/pens/crayons/pritt stick/rubber/pencil sharpener again all useful

cheap DVD or CD (ebay or supermarket)

pack of MOshi monster stickers (or whatever fad they may be collecting)?

clementines or another citrus fruit

and a handful of nuts for the older kids

my favourite is the mini packs of breakfast cereal its become a tradition in our house. Plus it makes an easy breakfast.

tins of deodorant for the older 2, bubble bath for littlies. expanding flannels, chocolate coins

Don't forget the shiny 50p.

Traditional wooden toys go down well in our house. It doesn't take much to fill a small stocking. A torch, a yoyo, chocolate coins, something individual.

Used to do the mini boxes of cereal too

Shall.go to.john lewis and hawkins bazarr.

I like the idea of toothbrushes and pants/socks as the boys need some new ones.

Poundland for chocolate bits and they do crafty bits, pens etc.

We have ten billion lego.minifigures already!

The breakfast cereal.idea is fab, they will love that!

Ds1 and ds2 can have deoderant/shower gel. Actually there is a mnetter that makes soap.in the shape of lego.figures must find her fb page!

Ds1 needs to start shaving so a good razor and shaving foam can go in his stocking.

I just know i could end up spending a small fortune if i am.not careful!

I found a 50p last wk with the guide symbol on which the little girl i look after will be joining guides in Jan

Rubix cube
Magic 8 Ball
Phone cover
New toothbrush

My 4 year old has got a bag of chocolate coins, a tube of jelly tots, a harmonica, a compass, a Nemo bath mitt, some Spiderman pants, a pencil case and there will also be some fruit and a £2 coin for his money box.

21 month old will have a small Lindt teddy, a frog bath mitt, Thomas the Tank toothbrush, a Dear Zoo t-shirt, some fruit and a £2 coin. Maybe something else if I see something I like.

In total I've spent about £30, but a lot of it is slightly more expensive versions of things that they would have anyway - but I will spend a bit more rather than just buy supermarket own brand.

Magazines
Hair clips/bands

I don't really like tat either! They get plenty of that in party bags :o

Mine have got knickers/boxers (character ones as opposed to the cheap plain ones they have throughout the year) and possibly vests and socks

An individual Shrinkle and individual paint your own suncatcher each

Hama beads

Little cuddly toy (this year they have B1 and B2 as they like bananas in pyjamas!)

Toy car

Magic flannel

Muppet figures (used to do happyland figures, might be good for your 2yo?)

Dalek figures

I got most of this stuff ages ago and now I can't remember

Ali! Where did you get the dear zoo tshirt please?

Yes i can.get happyland stuff for dd and small pots of playdoh for ds4. Hama beads also good and crafty bits.

Our stockings are actually quite big annoyingly! But rather than wrap all.rhe individual.bits i may stuff them.in tje stocking with tissue paper which will.add padding and make it fun to tip out.

Sainsbury's. And they have 25% off clothing until Monday.

The have got loads of Dear Zoo clothes in there, I really had to restrain myself. The t-shirt has a peel-back flap to reveal the lion - DS2 is going to love it!!

I got a new dressing gown for DS1, and a new fleecy all-in-one for DS2 in there today for £7.50 each - plus the spiderman pants for DS1.

It was like a frenzy in there this afternoon, Christmas music playing and people frantically throwing all manner of things into their trollies. Mind you, not as bad as Primark which I ventured to this morning. Never again!

I picked up cute little LED torches in the supermarket for ?2 each.

And they'll get a small Lego set each (dd was eyeing up the star wars planets ad on tv so those or similar)

And then the obligatory art supplies, Santa is their source of messy craft stuff that I've vetoed

I'm thinking of getting them as poster each too, they don't have much on their walls atm so I think they'd like that.

They're starting to get into moshi monsters too so might stretch to throwing a few of them in too.

Try Hawkins bazaar, supermarkets, primark,pound land,super drug.
Job done.

Thanks Ali :) not sure I will be able to get one but it sounds gorgeous. We love dear zoo!