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.

Actually, better get the LED finger lights on order now. Had some in amazon basket and had to find alternative seller!! Power of MN!!

Basking, DC have those slushie cups. They are ok. We bought some syrup too but they don't like it! They prefer oj etc. never tried milky/ ice creamy type tho. May well have too.
Also , thanks for all the cool ideas. I need to write these down

This year DD is getting Frosted Lucky Charms and Marshmallow fluff as she pesters for them whenever she sees them.
I usually put in a Christmas decoration from Paperchase or similar.
Have also bought slush cups for older DC,
Some kind of luxury bubble bath or bath bomb,
Socks and pants,
A box of rubber eggs for my 2 yo,
Happyland mystery figure packs for 2 and 1 yo,
Lego mini figs for 9 yo,
1D bobble head for DD.

Just browsing Hawkins Bazaar

And myriad toys has some pretty things too

Do far DD1 8.7yrs has got:
The new J. Wilson book Diamonds.
Hello kitty alarm clock that changes colour.
1D giant eraser
Colouring books.
1D tube of love hearts
LED finger lights - brought last night
1 can of impulse
1 can of Charlie red.

DD2 who will be 2 in December:
Elmo in Grouchland DVD
Tube of Kinder chocolate
Colouring books
Jake & the never land pirates crayons
LED finger lights

Still thinking of things for my 2yr old.

Great thread! Have just ordered 40 finger lights to put in crackers! Love the disclosing tablets, my teens will have great fun with those!

How about those flannels that come really tiny and you have to put them in water to expand? I still get excited if I gt one in my stocking

Good grief, cremola that myriad site is gorgeous. Why are toyshops so boring?!

My kids are older, but things in their stockings are/have been

HM bookmarks
hankies that I embroider their initials on
hair clips that I have decorated with jewels/chiffon flowers
CD
bouncy ball
memory stick
musical toothbrush
toiletries
snowman soup
bags of reindeer noses and snowman poop
pencils/pens
cards
body spray
Christmas socks
knitted hat
candy cane sleigh

It's a lovely site surgeon!
I love the little matchbox circus

No real bargains on here but if you have crafty kids this site is lovely :
here

Mini puzzles are very good stocking fillers and easy to wrap! Rings are also very small and you can get them cheaply if you know where to look. You could also get sugar free lollies.They are very popular with my girls and you don't have to tell them they are sugar free ;)

thesurgeonsmate I know have just ordered bath crackle, little fairy basket & the mini season colouring books

Eeek! I didn't spot the match box thingies!

I get lots of practical things for stockings.

www.wackysox.com are brill for teens or sporty types (rugby/football/hockey etc)

toothbrush and character toothpaste from home bargains

sweets I don't usually let the kids have...those sour spray things, again, home bargains

bath bomb from lush

lip balm

note book

colouring pens

novelty tissues

American chocolate...hershys kisses etc

hair bobbles etc

bits and pieces from www.tickseed.co.uk they're fab for cheap fillers....

will look what else now!

Just marking so I can come back and have a read. Lots if good ideas.

cute stationary and stickers

Great thread, thanks all! :o

Thanks for the tips and web addresses. I'm doing stockings for the first time this year (yes, yes, am an old Grinch who didn't even want to tell her children about Father Christmas but was overruled by DH. In for a penny, in for a pound, etc).

AQuarterOf.co.uk has retro sweets I have ordered for DH before. If there is no longer an old-fashioned sweet shop near you this is a treasure trove of long-forgotten delights.

I think DH will also be getting these.

For older boys/teens:

www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_13?url=search-alias%3Dsports&field-keywords=emergency%20bracelet&sprefix=emergency+bra%2Caps%2C195

www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_4?url=search-alias%3Dsports&field-keywords=firesteel&sprefix=fire%2Csports%2C157&rh=n%3A318949011%2Ck%3Afiresteel

www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=silly+socks&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asilly+socks

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006E4CP1I/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks soontobe. Bought one of each for dh or ds!
Awesome!

Any more ideas for older kids/teens/dhs?!

I got a kick out of your including American chocolate; here in our American house, we go to great lengths to find British chocolate for Christmas stockings.

Because I'm generally a Mean Mother, and limit Screen Time of all varieties, I always make up sets of tickets for 30 minutes of extra screen time and put them into a little wrapped gift box. Always a hit.

This puzzle is strangely addictive - even for just fiddling about with:

www.happypuzzle.co.uk/products/IVANS-HINGE.aspx

I want those socks Eldritch. But not at that price