Can we compile a list of decent stocking fillers - no plastic tat?

[CamdenTownie]

So after reading the what won't you be buying this year thread it got me thinking about all the rubbish that I buy every single year, and most of it goes into the Christmas stockings.

What would you put into the stocking that isn't plastic tat, but maybe a little more expensive than the usual Poundland stuff?

My kids are all senior school age or older so I was thinking of a nice stocking with stuff that will actually be used( maybe even appreciated...)

So far I've come up with more for dds than dss,

Ethique shower bars
Chocolate truffles rather than coins
Bamboo socks
Eyeshadow pallet
Body shop camomile cleansing balm
Good quality pen

Any more ideas?

I got them from NOTHS PersianStar and just tried to find a link but it’s disappeared, probably because I got them in the sale. They still have loads of others on there, some really pretty ones.

Stationery - not just pens and pencils but things like paper clips, drawing board pins, glue etc.
A tape measure
A reusable mug / bottle
A token for trolleys that need £1 coin at supermarkets (thinking uni aged kids here)
A memory stick
Lip balm
Skincare - cleanser, make up remover
Bottle opener (again, uni age)
Mini sewing kit
Hair brush or comb
Toothbrushes
Passport holder

Fantastic suggestions!

The post it pens are fab, dd1 would love those! Also hairbrush, hot chocolate and card games, my girls love playing cards! I'm off to check out exploding kittens now.

Also to the poster that mentioned not buying from Amazon, that sounds like something I'd love to do, and will def give it a go! Probably will be stuff I do need to buy from Amazon, but I will try and swerve it as much as possible!

Following with interest.
May I also be so bold as to suggest second hand buying for gifting? Most of my DCs' birthday and Christmas gifts are second hand, partly out of economic necessity, and partly because I just can't face actually paying money to contribute to 'trash mountain' which is what my DC call it

Like @Milicentbystander72 I usually stick a packet of batteries in each stocking and I remember one Christmas my brother getting a ball of string and it was his best present ever - it lasted all year and was used so imaginatively!

These are good for crafty teens and not expensive at £6 and plenty choices www.hobbycraft.co.uk/alpaca-cross-stitch-wall-flag-kit/645002-1000

My children are little. So far they all have a pair of bamboo socks. I will do some nice chocolate (I'm stingy on choc at Christmas as there is so much baking going on.) The youngest will have a couple of lanka kade animals and a mini grims rainbow and a ball, the other 2 will have a magazine, lego kit which I know is plastic but lasts, toothbrush, hair clips and nice plastic free smellies.
When we were late teens to early 20s, our stockings had a bottles of spirits in.

@BeyondMyWits what will you be buying locally rather than Amazon? Your post has really got me thinking 🤔 I'm a huge fan of craft fairs and makers markets, I love home made gifts.

Loads of great ideas, as my kids will be expecting the usual stockings fully to bursting with crap, I'm going to tell them that this year Santa (!) will be bringing luxury stockings, so expect a surprise! I'm probably going to spend £50 on nice things rather than £25 on tat. And then buy a few really nice things that they ask for as the main gifts such as an Alexa, headphones, trainers or Xbox games.

Both ds1 and ds2 would be happy with a sack load of Reeses chocolate and Haribo, but I'm going to try my hardest to avoid it this year.

Thanks @TheWoollybacksWife

I live close to a service station so will walk over and have a look.

We will be buying everything locally this year. It has been surprisingly easysoo far. Including a washing machine, cooling towel and a nice backpack for school.

I started to do this when my DDs became teenagers, I've put in
Deodorant
Make up
Tights/socks
Underware
Pens
Ring holders
Brushes,hair and tooth
Moisturisers
False eyelashes
Gloves
Umbrellas
Tweezers
Manicure sets
Their favourite chocolate

A selection each year not all at the same time ☺

Underwear

One of the best baby stocking fillers I ever bought was one of those reflective blankets for marathon runners etc. Babies love to shake it and roll on it.
I actually did a sensory stocking when my youngest was tiny with things like shells (smooth ones) wooden kitchen implements etc. He loved it.

Nice hot chocolate, marshmallows (and aerosol cream if you don’t mind the packaging) and a nice mug so they can make hot chocolate.

For younger children Hobbycraft do some nice pocket money sets. They cost between about £1-5 !and they can make mosaics, sun catchers, puppets etc. 5 yo dd loves them.

I will also go for:
books
socks
chocolate coins
bath bomb
Small puzzles or games, Dd1 is getting Uno as she loves card games
Stickers/sticker books
Craft stuff
Hair bands/clips for the girls
Dressing up stuff

Mine are all 5 and under

bath bomb
chocolate orange
slippers
hair accessories

Oh and a satsuma

False nails and those hair towel turban things which fold up really small are good for teens too.
I’ve got paper clips shaped like a cat or dog in the past too, possibly from Wilkinson’s.

Mine are 5 and 6 and will be getting:

Christmassy slipper socks
A Christmas Lego set (little 24 in 1 set I got on sale)
A suncatcher with their initial on (from Hobbycraft)
Jelly beans
DD has story cubes and DS 2 Lego Batman figures
I'll get some chocolate coins and a Santa too.

When my DC were little the Stocking ( actually it was a bag with flashing light decorations ) was full of little games , toys , a few sweets all wrapped , to keep them occupied at 5am.

DD always slept in DS room overnight so they woke up together .

Fast Forward to the Teenage Years : the presents they get are really small and really ££ . The present pile under the tree looks paltry .
So the stockings will have 'better' things , not just to keep them occupied . (And no more 5am wake-ups )

We do the Christmas Eve Hamper on Dec 1st .
They get : (things that they'll need anyway )
bathrobe
PJs (DD usually has 2 pairs - a winter pair and a Christmas pair)
Under wear
Socks for DS
Sipper socks for DD
Bath bomb
Book or Annual
Pens (they can use for school/Uni)
Advent calender (chocolate)
Jar of sweets (that's a Tradition)

The stockings have their small presents -
earrings ,
gift voucher (DD )
, money for DS (wrapped nicely)
Lindt chocolate bears
Selection box
Magazine for DS (Gaming one)
Guitar bits for DS
Any shaving or showering bits for DS (he keeps insisting I buy him "Below The Belt" male freshness products , I'm going to take the little blighter at his word and buy some

DD has a Beauty advent (I make it so I know exactly what is in it . No filler products ) so she'll get shampoo/conditioner/hair mask,/face mask/nail polish/bathing accessories .It's part of her present pile but spread out over December . I have already bought 8 out of 24 (Go Me - it's only September )

If they have clothes they'll be under the tree. (Jeans, hoodie,jacket )

Actually this year the tree will be naked apart from pre-lit lights as we have new cats , it might not even survive to Christmas !

Cans of gin and mixer / espresso martini
Quality hand cream
Slipper socks
Coffee shop/cinema/theatre voucher
Beauty salon voucher
Small box godiva/lindor/ hotel chocolat
Mini bags nuts/health food shop snacks for those who don't have a sweet tooth

My golden rule is to only include things that are actually wanted and going to be used. I know that’s self-evident but it can be easy to get a bit carried away buying stuff to fill the stocking, and even if it’s environmental pedigree is excellent it can still end up as a pile of tat in the corner.

I usually include stationery for school as supplies are generally running low by Christmas. Faber Castell are carbon neutral and my dc love their watercolour pencils.

Craft supplies - even simple things like tubes of paint to replace the popular colours,

Clothing: in the last few years I’ve included a t shirt rolled up.

I’m thinking of getting these gorgeous paper dolls for dd.

Back on to recommend Monopoly Deal, it's a fantastic card games that not many people have heard of. It's monopoly but only takes about 20 mins per game rather than hours!

Great stocking filler and suitable for all ages from 5 upwards, perfect for the whole family to play.

Last year I got my dd these little mini fashion notebooks - basically a book of mannequins to design clothes onto. Loved them. They were in a pack of 3

Bath bombs, socks. I don't do plastic tat, I think it's such a waste of money and so bad for the environment!

@ritzbiscuits thanks. We love monopoly but hadn’t heard of the deal game.

@talkingormer No worries! It's great for travelling and it's really fun.