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.

lots of good ideas. If your little one doesn't like sweets and chocolate, what about individual packets of dried fruit like we use in packed lunch boxes - box of raisins, packet of dried pineapple chunks, packet of dried apricots etc. All yummy. Get them in the supermarket.

Kids snacking at Tesco:

www.tesco.com/groceries/product/browse/default.aspx?N=4294697534&Ne=4294793660

I also put in a carton of fruit juice to use up space (and teenagers get a bottle of pop).

Bath crayons are awful! They made a mess and stained the bath but I know lots of people love them

Otherwise loving the ideas

Agree bath crayons are hideous!

My regulars, which I am now doubtless going to forget, include:

Pajamas
Those mini boxes of crap cereal - coco pops etc
Party poppers
Something to grow - sunflower seeds, mini bulb pots
Bath stuff (bombs last year - lush)
A book
Hot chocolate
Pants
Tangerine

My 3 (nearly 10, 7 and 4) look forward all year to the novelty toothbrushes and toothpaste. They put it on their list every year!
nice toiletries and undies
a magazine or comic (rolled up and wrapped)
panini stickers/gogos/loom bands/mini figures/ whatever is craze du jour
one of those mini packs of cereal (eaten for xmas breakfast and otherwise only allowed when camping)
hot chocolate sachets with marshmallows etc
chocolate santas/snowmen/coins

As others say, I tend to buy normal stuff but the fun version that usually I would say "not paying an extra £2 just because they've got hello kitty on them".

So far:
HK socks
Disney princess flannels / novelty bath puffs
Heart/ star trainer laces
Glow in dark wall stickers
Pens/ pencils with name
Small photo frames
Children's crockery
Light up pens
Thank you notelets (Father Christmas likes polite children)
I got bargain electric toothbrushes with Barbie on them in about May time.
Mini craft kits
Nice bubble bath / shower stuff
Next level of reading books (Father Vhristmas is all knowing so if he thinks you can read Enid Blyton then you can - after initial "it's too difficult" tantrum, she has gone through Wishing Chair, Famous Five, Secret Seven this year and is moving onto St Clare's)
And then 1 or 2 toys - last year's requests were Barbie boys (Wilko copies) & a singing My Little Pony

As DD1 was beginning to ask questions, I also put in some nail varnish last year as I am dead against it on young girls - she was DELIGHTED and I reckon it's bought me another year or two of magic.

I try to buy "bargains" as I see them through the year and keep a list, incl price paid, on my phone to ensure that I don't forget what I've got and to keep a lid on costs.

Oh, and the year I found a bag of Thomas tank engine and hello kitty pasta was a great one - took up lots of room and didn't cost a lot!

Also put in more hama beads (for kits they already have), torches, book marks etc

DS is a bit older but yes to polystyrene planes, milkshake straws and assorted snacks.
He also has a packet of those snaps you throw on the ground, a whoopee cushion (always splits before the Christmas pudding makes it onto the table so is binned) shower gel and WackySox
This year he also has several Scouty type bits that he didn't need when he was a Cub so spork, proper compass, tin mug etc. These will go straight in the Scout box under his bed :)

I'm not going to add to the stocking ideas - I do pretty much the same as the above posters.

Just wanted to say, bath crayon comes off quite easily with those Flash magic sponges (or any other brand )

Has anyone mentioned finger puppets ?

FC always brings
Bubble bath
Toothbrush
Festive friends
Tree dec
Tube of sweets
Chocolate figure
Chocolate coins
Satsuma
Shiny coin

This year he is also bringing
Personalised coke bottle (I dont allow coke)
Hand warmers
Giant party popper
Silly string
Led bike valve cap

And probably a couple of tiny bits I pick up before then (eg hairclips, socks)

My dc are older than the op's. In previous years things like bouncy balls, small toy cars, bath toys, books etc featured quite a lot.

Ooh thanks for reminding me about festive friends biffabin! My ds loved those last year and I ate the first two boxes I bought

My two generally end up eating those and the satsuma for breakfast. I figure they're probably no worse than most cereals.

Mine always get:

An annual
Choc coins
Tube of sweets
Satsuma
Small box of Coco Pops
DVD
Colouring pens
Small activity book
Plus one crappy stocking filler toy (glow rings went down well last year)

Toothbrush and T-shirts are good ideas that I might steal this year!

Lovely thread!

DS will be 3 this year at Christmas. We also celebrate Sinterklaas in early December and he will get presents from ILs for that/shoe presents over 2 weeks from Sinterklaas. Plus as the only GC on my side of the family, he gets spoiled by my DPs and siblings (not for long as DC2 on the way and Dsis also expecting!).

So we only get him a stocking for Christmas and no big present.

Atm he will have in his stocking:

A hand puppet (enormous crocodile this year)
dinosaur pyjamas
socks
pants
comb
Thomas toothbrush
crayons
gruffalo colouring book
Dr Seuss reading book
a dinosaur projection torch
sticker book
sticker sheet
chocolate money
selection box
mini toiletries - hair gel, shampoo
finger lights (recycled from last year!)
satsuma
A small colour in castle - which won't fit in his stocking so we may leave downstairs from FC.

Great idea about character pasta fourth - ds alwats points at dora and diego pasta in the supermarket

callingallengels if you are in the Uk Sainsbury's have some lovely dinosaur pyjamas in at the moment, got some for my 3 year old the other week.

Also what are finger lights please?

Not in the UK (Netherlands) but was there 2 weeks ago and managed to get a double pack of PJs in Sainsbury's - one pair striped and one dinosaurs. Going to split the pack and give the striped for his birthday next month and the dinosaur ones for Christmas.

Heading over in 2 weeks as well and will be armed with a shopping list and hoping to stock up on shortbread and lots of other bots for Christmas.

finger lights that everyone on the Christmas bargain thread was raving about last year. Great fun!

Father Christmas at my sis house puts a new Christmas day party outfit in the sack that stockings have become. Shoes and all. Its actually quite clever because the DC are so excited by the new clothes, underwear, tights/ socks and shoes they dress themselves. Its become a tradition. My three haven't previously had new clothes for Christmas (or much at other times of year, as I'm a hardened charity shop,and ebay buyer) but maybe this year as things are finally a little less tight.

Thanks theres some good ideas here - I'm making a list and checking it twice

Just spotted the mini box of cereal idea...stealing that one too!

Mis that's a great idea!

Dd would be upset if she didn't get a new toothbrush, but then she's always been a bit odd

How about a couple of small toy cars? I used to keep a small pack of crayons and a couple of trains or cars in my bag for those moments where you want to keep them quiet whilst out and about.

Fantastic thanks for the Scout suggestions. Our DS has just started scouts and he is loving it. Both ink I will be adding sporks to my list

Yes callingallengels, those are the pyjamas I was thinking of!

How have I missed finger lights, they look great.

Stealing the colour in castle idea too, thank you!

Who was looking for Wreak it Ralph? half price Disney infinity.