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.

I've just ordered finger lights too - fantastic!

Thanks so much, bought the finger lights, disclosing tabs but couldn't find mini trebuchet, links please.

I can add writing sets, amazon have some nice and cheap ones.

I always put a disposable camera in my dc stockings, I got some reindeer ones last year and the photos they took on Christmas day were brilliant

Dd aged 12 has had (and loved) in the past packs of seeds, colouring pencils, socks with toes, fingerless gloves, tattoos, soap and shower gel from Body Shop, nail varnish, unusual chocolates from Lakeland (fairies I think), a sugar mouse, a big chocolate coin, tangerine, £1 coin, a purse.

Lip balm another good one.

More finger lights ordered here too

My older children (9&7) are getting,

Glow sticks
Finger lights
Practical jokes (fake poo, whoopie cushions etc)
Balloon helicopters
Alien eggs (in goo)
Electric toothbrushes
Tube of sweets

Baby (13 mth) will be getting

..... I haven't a clue!

Novelty shape Ice cube trays to make fruity ice cubes. Get the silicon ones and they are easy to remove the cubes. I mix puree fruit into mine.

Ice Lolly moulds. Most kitchen shops have them.

CupCake cases and decorations in bright shapes and colours for baking with older children.

Music shops sell bird call imitators.

Maracas, Harmonicas and other percussion instruments.

Little bird houses made out of woven twigs to hang in the garden (most garden centres or RSPB) plus insect houses.

Packets of seeds for next Spring

Tin of good quality hot chocolate plus mini marshmallows and chocolate stirrers.

Tins of decorated sticking plasters (Paperchase have them as do Boots)

Good quality plastic animals from ELC. They keep forever. My son still has his and he is nearly twenty. He is keeping them for his own children.

A little Fossil from here

Anyone else got suggestions for DH's stocking?

Amazon has Dr Who Sonic Screwdriver Wii remotes for £4. Mine arrived today

I always recommend this site tickseed I've used it every year since someone else on here recommended it! The stuff is lovely and lots is Fairtrade, too.

Mini book light
Body spray
Hair chalk
Art pens and pencils
Craft items
Knitting wool and junior needles
Comics
Recipe jars
Cupcake cases and decorations
Fortune telling fish
Little bag of beads and jewellery fastenings to make your own necklaces
Slipper socks
Goggles
Glitter nail varnish
Space putty
Jacks game
Thankyou card pack
Sticky notes
Jibits
Stickers
Fabric paints

Paperchase is a good source of stocking fillers. Nice stationery sets, stickers, good pens and plasters (as someone else said). My DD loves plasters. I put Lynx in my 8 year old DS' stocking last year and he loved it. He always gets a book and Lego mini figures too.

Some things I am thinking of: personalised book where child appears in story; knitting nancy; threading cards; card games like Pit and Whot, astronaut food, hankies with their names on.

I bought both of one lava lamps today from Aldi. £799. It's a nice "big" box.

Got some glow sticks form John Lewis.
Check out dotcomgiftshop for unusual sticking fillers.

I got dc the ikea wind up torches last year..they were a great hit!

tiger has lots of good stocking fillers if you have one near you.

Also planning to give personalised notebook from ebay and personalised pencils from studio24.

We have swimming toys to split between the 3 stockings

For Husbands- I bought DH a Sargeant Pepper Pepper Mill last year from here. I also bought him some cool hand tools for the garden, a Japanese weeding knife recommended by Alys Fowler in the Guardian.

Other items for a male partner's stocking-
Bags of good coffee
Boxes of fine teas
Eat 17 Bacon Jam/Chilli Jam here Waitrose sells this too.

A decent little paring knife
Packets of seeds
Pocket knife sharpener
Cashmere socks from John Lewis

Bags of Australian chewing Liquorice
Lanolips Lim Balm
Norwegian Fishermans Formula Hand cream
Moleskine notebook

A long sleeve T shirt from the David Beckham for H&M range (made w/ Linen and totally gorgeous, the tops not DB!)
slouchy PJ bottoms in flannel cotton
Harmonica and how to play guide
You can buy basic Ukeleles for £20 from music shops for a slightly more expensive stocking gift.

Proper shaving soap from somewhere like GEO Trumpers (West Indian Limes is the most gorgeous fragrance)
Shaving Bowl or Mug
Badger Bristle shaving brush (!)
Fish shower gel sold in Boots in the coconut scent

If he plays guitar then how about a bountiful supply of patterned plectrums or that machine that makes plectrums?
I also buy a selection of bottles of real ales for his stocking
Seasoned Pioneers herb and spices mixes here. Sainsburys, Waitrose, Tescos and many independent shops stock them too. they are excellent and keep well.

Can someone point me in the right direction of the finger lights, I can't see the 4 for 42p?

Many thanks

My DD1 has quite a bit for her stocking, all fairly standard stuff:

Princess cutlery set
Hair bands
Glitter stickers
Bubble bath
Socks
Toothbrush
Dancing flower (thanks to christmas bargains thread)

and now some LED lights, thank you

DD2 (nearly one) has so far:

Bath Book
Duck shapped flannel
Owl hook
Stacking cups

mandy

What's a trebuchet?

Toothbrush
Handmade soap
Hand mitt/flannels
Scarf
Hat/gloves
Tog socks
smelly pencils
selection of little notebooks
lip balms
jelly beans/coins
Lynx stuff (DS1&2)
funny mug
bookmarks
top trumps
CD/DVDs
key ring
necklace/bracelet set
books/token
1D bits
plant pot that i'm filling with sweets
sock bouquet not sure if it will fit into stocking
novelty socks/pants
PJs set each
art & craft stuff

Wow mignonette are you married to my DH? He would love all those things!