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.

Whoops, I thought I was on the bargain thread! .

I always make the stocking presents the most boring and the super practical ones so;
Toothbrush
Wash mitt
Cutlery
Bubblebath
Chopsticks
Underwear

Satsuma for traditional purposes
And for 'funsies'
Sugar mice
Chocolate Santa
Bath toy

Last year I also put a smaller book in there. All of it's useful or edible so nothing goes to waste.

Think I'm also going to get a couple of those hot chocs on a stick.

What are Festive Friends?

Might also get something personalised for dd as she can never find her name on anything. Can anybody recommend something?

Festive Friends are the Christmas version of those Cadbury's chocolate animal shaped biscuits in a box.

In addition to lots of the above, I also put in refills for toys, like new cards for the Cool Cardz thing that has been forgotten about as they ran out, more cards for their waggletags and yes, more hamma beads and loom bands this year.
We already own the toys themselves but top up the supplies so they feel as though they have got new toys!

Thanks soot

Haven't heard of cool cardz or waggle tags either

Something to wear (anything from socks to a top or something he needs - when my girls got older I bought them pretty underwear)
Something to play with so he doesn't wake you up - usually a puzzle, but not a jigsaw if you don't want a mess.
Something to read (or picture book if he is 3)
Something to eat (?tangerine of chocolate)
Something practical but a treat eg batman soap or shampoo or lipsalve
If older, a USB stick or a memory stick for camera
?A DVD you were going to buy anyway or an educational one maybe.
A Christmas tree decoration for him to put on the tree and begin to build memories (do this every year and it soon mounts up).
If you can bear it then something musical, again age dependent - at his age, might be a drum (oh no), then a recorder, then perhaps sheet music as he gets older.

I love doing stockings!!

the plaque staining tablets were the biggest hit of last Xmas's stocking for my 6yo (inspired by a Xmas thread on MN).

Becool it was the same here. Thought I'd give it a go after reading it on here and they both absolutely loved them

Ours loved the blu/white/pink tack idea from last year.
Personalised pencils.
Lego polybag (free with daily mail this week) --as long as you don't tell anyone on MN that you bought a copy)

Satsumas, apples, chocolate, socks, pants, notelets (for writing thankyou letters), pencils/crayons/felt tips, stickers, bubble bath/shampoo/toothbrushes/those facecloths that come in a squashed up shape, bubbles, finger puppets, colouring books, small crafty kits, accessories/additions to toys you already have like lego and playmobil figures, matchbox cars, brio.

For our dd I spotted some Hello Kitty plasters in Lloyds Pharmacy. Think I might also get her a couple of small things from the Brownie Catalogue.

What are plaque staining tablets?

Love the plasters idea as well.

What are plaque staining tablets?

We got ours from Boots, they were with the toothbrushes. They chew a tablet and it dyes all of their plaque, mine loved seeing there mouth all stained and then brushing it all off.

Last year we bought dd these plasters after seeing them mentioned on here. She loved those too

Will get the tablets for dh...am always on at him to look after his teeth better!

Lovely plasters as well (but out of stock, will have a search).

If you are getting the tablets, I'd get them for the DC too. That way it just looks like you want him to join in the fun rather than a personal comment

Think we got the wwf plasters from tesco.

My ds loves the little boxes of cupcake mixes so I thought I'd put a couple of those in - something for us to make together on boxing day too

Plaque tablets a good idea (if I can persuade him to put it in his mouth - one if the reasons I think he doesnt like sweets is that he refuses to try them!)

We did Cars plasters last year...then he started refusing to wear plasters I dont think the two are linked though cos hes just started wanting plasters for no reason. Toddler logic!

Shahsham the ones we have turn your mouth (temporarily) dark purple - my daughter LOVES them for this reason. If he saw you doing it I doubt he would want to miss out.