Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Unusual stocking fillers that aren't plastic tat

331 replies

ObtuseAngel · 16/10/2013 13:05

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.

OP posts:
CiderwithBuda · 18/10/2013 14:21

Any ideas for a 12 year old boy?

So far I have a bake a chocolate cake in a mug from Lakeland, a DVD and a Terry's chocolate orange.

I have bought so much over the years that doesn't even get opened! Some tat and some not tat. And some tat that was expensive.

TheOneWithTheHair · 18/10/2013 14:32

Can someone point me in the direction of Lego ice cube maker please. I missed it and ds2 wants a Lego Starwars cake for his birthday in early November.

NorbertDentressangle · 18/10/2013 14:44

You can get the Lego Ice Cube trays on ebay and Amazon - either genuine Lego ones or cheap copies.

PeppermintPasty · 18/10/2013 14:45

Hair, they have them on Amazon. The brick shaped ones.

On the lego GB site they're out of stock but they have the minfigures ice cube tray.

We've got the bricks-can thoroughly recommend them.

PeppermintPasty · 18/10/2013 14:46

Oops x post!

Cremolafoam · 18/10/2013 14:48

For Cider:
science toys
Also maybe look at Beano.com
And science museum gift shop.

Fishing gear
Sports gear

3birthdaybunnies · 18/10/2013 14:48

Not sure about the original post but ebay has blocks and mini figures ones £8 for one of each delivered. Amazon are around £5 each. Would look cool if you used coloured cake mix to make them.

Throughthelongnight · 18/10/2013 14:51

soontobeslendergirl thank you so much for the link to the happy puzzle company. Have spent a fortune, but also found a code for 10% off, so stockings sorted.

Brilliant thread.

Cremolafoam · 18/10/2013 14:56

Cider I am getting this for my 11 yr old nephew - each book could be wrapped individually for a parsimonious stocking filler
39 clues

Confusedbyyou · 18/10/2013 15:09

Throughthelongnight - What did you buy?

flamingtoaster · 18/10/2013 15:13

The Lego ice cube trays would go down a storm in DS's stocking.

When small he loved getting proper magic tricks in his stocking and mystifying us when he learned to do them.

Also this was a surprising hit: www.amazon.co.uk/Magic-Wiggly-Twisty-Fuzzy-Toy-Purple/dp/B008U0SXOW with both him and my DD.

Throughthelongnight · 18/10/2013 15:38

10% off voucher code HPCOCT10

Confusedbyyou · 18/10/2013 15:46

Thanks throughthenight - you have some great stuff there! I think 6yo dd1 would like a few of those so have added them to my basket. I've had my eye on those story cubes on Amazon for a while.

Not sure I should look round the rest of the site though - might start to get expensive Grin

TheOneWithTheHair · 18/10/2013 15:49

Thanks everyone. :)

trixymalixy · 18/10/2013 15:52

That myriad site is just gorgeous, thanks for that!

I just wish I'd seen those ostheimer animals when my DC were smaller.

Cremolafoam · 18/10/2013 16:02

Another terrific thread throughthelong
I usually stuff an extra gift into the crackers to keep everyone busy at the table - the mini things will he brilliant!

Cremolafoam · 18/10/2013 16:03

Another terrific thread throughthelong
I usually stuff an extra gift into the crackers to keep everyone busy at the table - the mini things will he brilliant!

Cremolafoam · 18/10/2013 16:04

Blimmin iphone Grin
Link not thread*

Throughthelongnight · 18/10/2013 16:13

www.happypuzzle.co.uk/products/STORYCUBESORIGINALSET.aspx

You can get these ones as well confused.

I do table presents instead of crackers aka another bag full for landfill as they keep everyone entertained while I deal with food, and stops them getting under my feet. I wrap them to match the table decor!

Throughthelongnight · 18/10/2013 16:21

www.tigerstores.co.uk/ are good for cheap stocking fillers

For adults I have also done candles, seeds (gardener), tiny jar of saffron or sumac (cook), nice soap, photo key ring or similar, h/m laminated recipe cards, socks, gloves, Xmas pants (dh).

Tkmax are good for cheap but nice soaps and candles, also unusual stuff in the bricabrac bit.

Confusedbyyou · 18/10/2013 18:17

Can you buy from Tiger online?

Badvoc · 18/10/2013 18:31

Really impressed with tickseed btw!
Stuff came today.
Lovely little items.
Thanks all.

onedayatatime73 · 18/10/2013 20:37

This thread is amazing.

However am now obsessing about those tiny little Beanie dolls that used to come in a matchbox. Someone mentioned them upthread. My dd would love one but they don't seem to exist anymore. Anyone have any suggestions? I have looked at the little mice in a box but they are £15/20 each!

I don't think these have been mentioned yet, but light up laces from The Glo Company are a great stocking filler.

And I always put in a magazine. Nice and bulky!

Swipe left for the next trending thread