Unusual stocking fillers that aren't plastic tat

[ObtuseAngel]

The things that websites and shops tout as stocking fillers are usually nasty overpriced plastic toys that break straight away. What we need is a nice long list of things that will be cheap, useful and interesting. Obviously everyone already knows about patterned pencils and unusually shaped rubbers, but it would be good to have other stuff too.

I will contribute:

Plaque disclosing liquid/tablets. DS got a pack of these in a party bag last year and I thought WTF, but he and DD really loved using them.

Mini magnetic bookmarks, DS is a keen reader but gets very frustrated if his bookmark falls out and he looses his place so I bought him these and he loves them.

No home bargains, tiger, poundland, poundworld, primark etc in 15 mile radius. Just done 26 mile round trip for aldi bargains. It's just too leafy here. Dh thinks I'm a bit bonkers planning trips around bargain shops.

Ah but bunnies you have trees :). I have to drive at least 35 minutes (one way) to get to an Aldi or Lidl, and it could be much longer (depending on traffic). I love to shop there too. I make plans to do shops there when visiting friends who have one close by - it's brilliance not bonkers.

What lovely bargains did you get from Aldi?

I need some of those hexbug aquabots for DH!!

Trees we have in abundance. They weren't really stocking size - but they have wooden toy sets for £9:49 - I got 120 creative blocks for dd2 (kapla are about £30 for same amount. Also got domino run (though not sure quite such a bargain but ds liked the look of it). Doodleopaedia books for £3.99 and chocolate coins for 50p.

JiltedJohnsJulie I just used that one last night... was a hit. We still have a small baby tub instead the full bathtub and it just took a few swooshes under the runny water to get lots of bubbles. All of the bubble ones are reusable. I tried the candy mountain and I just crumpled a little bit of the top under the running water for some pretty pink glossy bubbles.

Teenage DD is into sewing so I buy bits and pieces like fat quarters (especially Cath Kidston as she loves those), packets of buttons, a button tin (bought that for her last year so have bought lots of buttons to help fill it!), fancy edging tape etc

OOh I just brought a Hexabug Aquabot (I think) from Hamleys last week.

The little bugs were really cool too but they would just get lost in a crevice somewhere at our place.

But I couldn't resist a fish. I think DD saw me buy it though so it can't come from Santa. Maybe it can be for me?

Do Hamleys deliver to UAE? Or I think the Science Museum stock them too.

We don't even have a tiger here. There is one where I grew up though so I'll be sending my mum for a couple of balloon-powered boats for the bath :o

Not really a stocking filler but I just bought 2 metal cash boxes one in red and one in blue from HB today.They're lovely,got 2 keys and only £3.99. Go dd a Harry Potter plaster bust set for £1.99. They've got loads of Xmas DVDs in there.All 3 Wimpy Kids for £8.

these post-it note bookmarks are simply too cute not to put in their stockings.

Never heard of tiger until I read this thread. Vans wallet and WWDC plasters both arrived today. Am very pleased, thanks for posting those whoever it was

I just brought some of the cute animal page markers - thanks 3bunnies

finger lights arrived today - hooray!!!

I notice they have three small batteries in each of them. I was last week quoted £10 to by 6 of the very same small batteries for a couple of toys we have. The finger lights were 50p for 4, inc postage and have 12 small batteries in them. The economics of it all is completely mind boggeling. (Needless to say I will smash open a couple of the finger-lights to pillage batteries for the other toys - just as well I brought 4 packs).

Anyway the finger lights are fantastic!!! I see Tiger are selling them for £3 and they look exactly the same.

Some fab ideas here. To add my miserable thoughts (miserable because i'm late and disorganised this year and struggling with ideas)....
Sports Direct have 6 in 1 Solar robot type thing for £4 - everywhere else seems to be selling them for £12. Got one for both DD and DS.
Thinking of a "car" usb mouse for DS (wired or wireless depending on price).
Slushy cup thing mentioned on here. Glow sticks always a must - think i may try the finger lights although they're prob too old for them but at 50p who cares? And liking the silly socks - want some converse ones for me!
(Sports direct also have loads of girly hair stuff - kirby grips, bobbles, donuts, grips, etc all at £1 so can get a nice selection for DD)

DD got a slushy cup for her birthday. It works and it is brilliant.

flatmouse they might not be too old for them. My colleagues and I are all loving them and I wish I ordered more for the grownups too!

Going to put hair tubans in for dd1&2 to stop that post swim drip!

National Gallery shop has some really nice bits and pieces. Got a tiny wooden jigsaw of Van Gogh's sunflowers and a finger puppet for DD.

Some great ideas thanks! I'll add a balloon modelling kit & morse code toy.

Anyone seen any nice but cheap patterned sticky tape? Ds and dd are both obsessed with the stuff and I got 2 teeny rolls from Tiger but they'll last a nanosecond. Ill need to get them a dispenser too as dd especially is too little to cut it.

I saw some in waterstones, Bea, but it was quite little.

We don't have a water stones :( thanks though