Stocking fillers that aren't tat

[CauliflowerBalti]

I have no inspiration this year - I'm running on fumes...

My son is 12. His main presents are sorted but I need to put together a stocking. In the past I've spent a fair bit on just rubbish - things that he puts in a drawer and doesn't do anything with. You know - YoYos and that type of stuff. They play with it once and then meh. I'm uncomfortable with the WASTE - of money, of resources...

... but I still want to get him a stocking. What can I put in it, that isn't cheap plastic rubbish? Because yeah - I don't want to spend a load either. I was going to put a £10 gift card in as a 'big' thing - but shops are going under fast :-(

So. I have a bag of chocolate coins, a tube of fruit pastilles and a Simon Says handheld memory game thing that runs perilously close to being something that'll be shoved in a drawer. What can I put in a stocking?!

My 13yo DS has a £10 Starbucks giftcard, Harry potter keyring, Zelda amiibo, Ty cuddly, socks, chocolate coins, smarties tube, jelly tots tube, milkshake straws, chocolate covered marzipan, candy cane, satsuma.

I have vowed not to buy ‘fun tat’ for my 12 year old as also just ends up in a drawer. Have bought sweets, chocolate, mug with hot chocolate mix, periodic table mouse mat, wireless mouse (keeps knicking mine), deodorant, shower gel, gloves, Amazon voucher, beans annual ( tradition) and a few other bits and pieces.

So many good ideas here! I've got a few of the things above for DS11. Also spaghetti soap, coloured shoelace charger leads, animal screen cleaner, rainbow fidget puzzle ball

I've got my 12 year old socks, pyjamas, football coaster with his name on, bike spoke lights, a tool to put your bike chain back on so your hands don't get filthy, sweets, Costa gift card, keyring, personalised football calendar, shower gel.

Yep I have this problem too...so much stocking stuff just ends up in drawers not being used. I’ve bought him useful stuff for his stocking this year (along with a bit of novelty tat) but it’s been a more expensive than usual stocking.
Biscuit design power bank
Touch screen gloves
Book on football stories
PS4 controller shaped bath bomb
PS4 thumb grips
Astronaut ice cream sandwich
Chocolate orange
Metallic outline pens
Flip books
Mohdoh
Tornado spheres

How about Christmas decorations? Not "novelty" ones as such but ones that are nice enough to keep and use year after year. My grown-up siblings and I still have and use loads that we got for Christmas when we were young. Means the stocking looks suitably festive rather than overly functional but it avoids the total waste of most of the novelty tat.

@TheLightGetsIn

How about Christmas decorations? Not "novelty" ones as such but ones that are nice enough to keep and use year after year. My grown-up siblings and I still have and use loads that we got for Christmas when we were young. Means the stocking looks suitably festive rather than overly functional but it avoids the total waste of most of the novelty tat.

That's a lovely idea

I’ve bought DS:

A big pack of Vans stickers for his skateboard
A Friends coffee style mug
Fidget rings
An Alex Rider book
Chocolate coins
A tube of fruit pastilles
Some acrylic paint pens
Still need to get socks and a memory card for his Switch.

My 11yr old ds has got, glow sticks, whoopie cushion, personalised cookie, choc Santa, fluffy socks and a disposable camera, we don't spend a lot on stockings as you can tell

Oh and and a bath bomb

I've gone with pens and highlighters, choc orange, will get shower gel and deodorant. Got a Christmas bath puff.

Personalised Nutella

DS is 14, always put some 'posh' shower gel in, Ted Baker this year. Chopsticks were a big hit last year surprisingly. This year I'm including some instant noodles, socks, a tea egg (to put loose tea in), plus a chocolate orange and probably a book.

Charger.

I've just added touch screen gloves to my list! Both DSs play Pokemon Go, so these will be perfect.

Wooden toaster tongs.
Learner chopsticks.
Among Us keychain
Pokemon cable buddy

Key ring
Highlighers
Whiteboard pens
Blue tack
Sweets
Pen knife
Games
Fidget toys
USB stick with name engraved so can't lose it at school

A mug

Lynx, boxers, socks, water bottle, book, lots of sweets, American fizzy drink, phone case, blue tooth selfie taker thing, phone tripod, (I’ve got one older than yours and one younger but they both get similar stuff)

Mug puddings and a mug