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.

Also my niece loves Fashion doodle books. I also bought her this.

You can buy many variations on these, not just fashion but diaries and Zombie diary doodles.

What Japanese link, Confused?

here

But now I've read it on the laptop instead of my phone, I can see it is something to do with popping candy.

Very bizarre.

OK, that is weird. I shudder to think what the ingredients are. Would probably have about the same effect on a toddler as crystal meth, so I think I'll leave that off my list!

Though my Uni age nephews might enjoy it, I suppose...

That was my link, Confused.

I said they were candy DIY kits. Usually using seaweed and other ingredients. You can make them into bento boxes and other things, but they are sweets/candy. Poppin' is the brand name. It's not actually popping candy that's something else entirely.

Something that I meant to get for DS's stocking last year but completely forgot, so I'll get this year is a Lego Brick Ice Cube Tray.

Fun but practical at the same time as the DC like ice in their drinks over the summer and we've only got one piddly ice cube tray at the mo.

Sorry, I mixed you up Eldritch and Elsie

Popin even!

Actually the hamburger link wasn't mine, that must have been something Confised clicked on. I linked to a variety of the kits on the same site. They're a bit like craft kits, with candy (or erasers, but those not for eating) and they are for children. Apparently they don't contain artificial colours or preservatives, Eldritch.

Love the Lego Brick Ice Cube Tray Norbert - I love gifts that are fun but practical. DD1 would think they were great. Fab idea!

It was on the same page as the erasers just further down Elsie, that whole page is mind bending though.

My two got those animals filled with wheat and lavender that you can microwave in their stockings last year. They love them.

I just bought 2 hexbug aquabot fish for my two. They love bath toys but I can never find really good clockwork fish that actually swim, so am giving these a try. They look a lot of fun.

Just wanted to clarify I didn't link to a hamburger alone There were many other kits on the link I posted.

They are quite mind bending I agree. But popular in the US and Japan. The sushi and bento kits are especially nice (not to eat, some of them are odd, one was a seaweed derivative).

Mignonette thanks for that fashion doodle book link my niece will also love that.

Feeling bereft that dd is 18 and can no longer buy some if the lovely stuff on here. How time passes.
Last year I did an entirely chocolate based sticking for her which went down well. This year it will be useful things for uni guess.....

Cremola, another one here who thinks the myriad site is amazing! OMG I'm going to be utterly broke!

Myriad is wonderful, and the service is excellent. We kitted out our playroom from there (Steiner playroom).

Peppermint I think the fish work best if you just have one in the water at a time. DD was going to get some and the reviews said they work better individually.

Try also Woodland Children and Salago for similar products to Myriad.

Thanks Pogo. Yes, I saw a couple of reviews that said if you buy the fishbowl you should maybe only have one in there, but I haven't bought the bowl as it was just a bit of plastic tat as far as I could tell. I 'm hoping the bath will be big enough for both, but we'll see....Robo-fish wars!!!

Cremola

My DD had a uni/leaving home stocking one year. I filled it with little store cupboard items such as teabags, Maldon salt, spices and herbs, lovely jams, good pasta and rice, baking ingredients and cookie cutters, brightly coloured silicon spatulas, spoons etc. She loved it.

The lego ice cubes can also be used for baking cakes/ icing/ chocolate. For baking I tend to freeze the baked cakes before removing from tray as then they pop out more easily. Great for decorating cakes, or just popping a few into lunch bags.

Elsie thank you for the Japanese site link. Unfortunately I now want to buy ALL OF IT...

I love this thread!

Will definitely be getting FIL the plectrum maker - thanks mignonette .

Not much to add but got DD a 'make your own bouncy ball' kit last year which was v. popular.

Also slightly bigger thing, but just had a personalised iPad case for DD which looks good at at around £15 is less than half the price of Tesco/Jessops etc.

Mignonette - what a great idea!
Was also looking at music festival equipment for camping and so on

So loving the notion of Lego shaped chocolate

We usually put in:

• Character of the moment pants like Hello Kitty or Man Utd
• Electric toothbrush last year, or a normal but funky toothbrush
• Bubble bath
• Stick on jewels from the pound shop!
• Books
• DVD
• A nice, old fashioned lolly from John Lewis
• Chocolate Father Christmas (often the favourite item in sack)
• Foam sword. Usually lasts till New Year but worth a pound definitely.
• Those balloons that squeal when you blow them up (pound shop) you can tell my parents are looking forward to having us over for Christmas