What to put in stockings when you want to limit clutter?

[Shahsham]

Last year DS (then 2) got over 30 presents between stocking and tree presents (from us and family).

It was far too much (ended up putting several to one side for later- up til April!) and grandparents have agreed to scale it down this year especially as we have DS2 as well now.

However, I do still want to do a stocking for DS1 as its my favourite part (DS2 will have a stocking but just one big present in it)

Any ideas for presents which won't add too much to clutter?

I've thought of coloured bubble bath but am now stuck. DS1 doesn't like sweets or chocolate unfortunately so that easy treat isn't possible.

Oooh good question! How about things that you would buy anyway? Not sure how old your DS1 is but things like crayons, a book, socks or bigger items such as pyjamas if there is space.

I could do bobbles and hair clips for DD. Someone will probably suggest a toothbrush but I would have been if anyone had bought me a toothbrush as a present when I was a child!

Anything that gets 'used up'

Bubbles
Crayons
Playdoh
Little notebooks
Bath crayons
Anything he does like to eat - mini bread sticks, raisins, tangerine
Chalk & a wee board

I think when they are small they grow up so much during the year that putting some of the presents away that are suitable for when they are a bit bigger or in the summer etc is a good idea anyway.

Anything practical but fun

Character/dinosaur/truck/flower

socks
cutlery
drink bottle
plate
tshirt
pants

basically stuff you'd buy anyway, but the 'fun' version.

Oh x-posted with Rosie :)

and

small books

A clementine
Gloves

I agree with Latte - I used to put lots of things that get 'used up' in my DDs stockings when they were tiny (and still do even though they are now 18 & 16!)

Cute toothbrush & toothpaste (sorry reddaisy it was always one that I wouldn't have normally bought them!)
Loads & loads of novelty bath stuff - I don't think I had to buy any other bubble bath all year!
Pants & socks
Fun size snacks
Hat, scarf & gloves
Books

Generally more novelty type versions that I wouldn't have bought during the year, but were still practical without them actually realising.

New toothbrush and toothpaste
Sock
Crayons
Stickers
Playmobil figurines

God I'm a slow typer - x-posted with everyone!

Bath crayons sound great! Never knew they existed!

Some good ideas thanks

You could get him his own baking set, little brightly colored mixing bowel and spoon, little apron, lots of sprinkles and icing tubes and some easy to make cake packs and some cupcake cases in a fun design, most of the things will get used up but it'll look like loads of stuff, the bowel and spoon can just go in your kitchen cupboard.

Stickers, one of those gardens they water and it grows (and then goes manky and you throw away) hat/gloves/socks/pyjamas :)

Oh and for anyone else looking, last year curly straws were a great hit, as well as those polystyrene airplanes

Funnily enough DD1 loves getting a new toothbrush in her stocking. She's 5. Has to be a character one though.

I also do cutlery, new cup, socks, pants etc.

And a bit of fruit and Christmas chocolate.

I'm determined to avoid filler tat this year. Just ends broken or in the bin!

I always put in a magic flannel.
A flashing / novelty toothbrush
Hair clips & bobbles (not for ds)
Bubble bath
Nail varnish (not for ds)
Crayons
Small activity books

As pp's have said - things that get used up but more novelty items.

I get the children a mixture of things they need and a few disposable items:

Bubble bath
Battery powered toothbrush
Chocolate Santa/tube of smarties
Rucksack
Drinks bottle
Umbrella
Coloring in book and crayons
Bubbles

Magic flannel
Toiletries
Fun socks
Hair clips
Activity books for long car journeys
Story CDs
Junior cutlery with their name on
Christmas placemat

A packet of cress seeds and a paintable pot to grow it in?

Toothbrushes are essential here, with toothpaste and 'posh' mouthwash for those old enough.

Books
Bag/Lunchbox
Flannels
Some Styrofoam planes, they break fairly easily bit can work for a few hours and is a bit of fun

DVD
Book
Smellies
Choc

Someone posted on here last year:
Something you want
Something you need
Something to eat
Something to read

I thought that was a good mnemonic

DS5, like me, loves anything little / out of scale - so travel size foods / toiletries.
Pack of cards - especially if themed.
He got a tiny card pop-out 'London' - cute for a while then goes into recycling bin

Muji is good for these sorts of things.

Last year, Waitrose (I don't know if it was restricted to them, I just saw it there) had lovely Gruffalo bubble bath and shampoo. I would have bought them had I had a little one!

Sticker book and magic painting book.

A super ball (soon be lost, lol).

Something silly for dressing up, like super sized glasses. They won't last long!

My ds loved his stocking toothbrush, in fact when he was asked what he got for Christmas, that's what he told everyone. We'll just take that Playmobil back then

Ds 3 is getting:

Mini packet shortbread (doesn't do sweets either)
Orange
Schleich figure
Playdoh in little tubs
Stickers
Octonaut figure
Character cutlery
Crayons
Socks
Bubbles
Pants
Flannel
Small book
Some wooden track for his railway
Little wooden engine for railway
Bath toys
Variety pack cereal (he loves these, we only have them camping and christmas)

Oh and playing cards and probably some hot wheels. Basically the only toys in his stocking go with something bigger he already has, like the railway etc, so it all gets packed away the same.

Coloured bubble bath sounds great! Where do you get that from?

So far, I've decided to our DD, who is 2.5:

A pack of those flavoured straws for milk.
Bubbles.
A little harmonica (as it has Peppa Pig on)
Stickers
A tangerine
Bath toys
A Playmobil figure.
Bubble bath if I can find some that doesn't have sulfates in.

I put some of DD's really small presents in her stocking. This year she is getting an ariel dressing up costume which she really wants, a dvd, bubble bath and hair bobbles. A torch that she is desperate for will go in there too. She will probably get a Toothbrush too!

useful, practical stuff (but really well designed and attractive.)
wearable things, just a bit special
fun, cheap toys that get used or made and then thrown out
Things you already have storage for, so the new items can be added to the bigger box/shelf/cupboard after a few weeks.
small treasures they have somewhere safe to squirrel away tidily.
Something edible
A comic
a book