Stocking fillers - what is fun that isn't chocolate or 'tat'?

[Iknowitisheresomewhere]

Really trying hard not to buy for the sake of it. Kids are 4-14. They will get 'necessary but nice' stuff like socks, soap and toothpaste. They will get an apple, an orange, a book, and chocolate. But I am seaching for something that they will enjoy and play with lots, rather than just a novelty.

The fact that I can't think of anything obviously means whatever it is they don't 'need' it, but - well it is Christmas!

We have decided to fill their stockings with chocolate and sweets this year, as we know they will enjoy them. Had enough of buying things we think they’ll like but are played with/used only briefly but still end up as landfill. Also, only buying presents they have asked for and we definitely know they want. And getting them to choose specific design/style eg DD wants earrings so have asked her to send links of actual earrings she likes. So will splash out and buy good quality items but not as many presents, but it won’t be a surprise (except they don’t know which items they’ll actually get). But mine are now both at secondary school so we have agreed with them in advance so they are not surprised when the pile under the tree is smaller.

Plastic grenade - realise this IS total plastic tat but it's the only plastic tat that's played with for YEARS (even now by teen DS) like this
Dr Ziggs bubbles
Hair chalk
Packs stickers/amiibo to match favourite switch games
Jellycat amuseables/beanie boos/wrist snap cuddly things
Bluetak
Comic books
Any kind of Japanese/American sweets/drinks/snacks
Chopsticks
Magnetic ball sets like (for older kids!)/figit toys
Instax film/photo frames
Kawaii stationary?

Little craft kits like cross stitch or paint your own tree decoration. Seeds to grow something. Felt tipped pens. A ball of wool and a crochet stitch to make granny squares. Sticker books. Christmas rubber duck. For the eldest their name on the next Mars rover.

I’ve just seen something on Facebook (yes I know, I’m “one of those” suckers that falls for Facebook ads!) for a US based company that sell animal themed bracelets (turtle, elephant, shark and polar bear) and also provide you with a tracking app to track “your” animal in the wild. I’ve looked up reviews on TrustPilot and they are in the main very positive. They donate a percentage of their profits to the animal charities that provide the tracking data.

The bracelets are $14.99 (USA based company but they ship worldwide) but unsure on costs) so possibly a good stocking filler option?

myfahlo.com/pages/about-us

Yes to blu tack. My DC always talk about this. “Remember when Santa put blu tack in our stockings!”

Coloured Post-it notes.
Batteries.
Magnifying glass.
Pencil sharpener.
Dice.

Comb
Lip balm
Fi
Marbles
Purse
Wallet
Fluffy socks
Hair clips
Bangles
Comic
Those £1 or£1.5 initial balloons from Tiger - inflate and attach to sticking / sack (my sons is still inflated from last Christmas )

I have three stockings to do and buy bits as I see them. Today in Sainsburys I bought a Marvel colour change mug Dd3, a bottle of Monin creme brulee coffee syrup dd2 and a tin kit to grow your own chilli plant dd1

Asda have some cool bath bombs and bath spaghetti, oh and elf slime for the bath.

I buy a novelty toy from the local garden centres Christmas display, it’s usually a wind up caterpillar or a fidget type toy, yes they are tat but they get played with.

We do a packet of their favourite crisps or sweets (usually American or something that’s harder to get hold of in the shops).

Novelty socks.

Gloves/wrist warmers

Stationary….I got dd a electric pencil sharpener from lidl a while ago which she loves.

Mini puzzle from typo (they have a pizza and a burger puzzle).

I’m making amigurumi crochet things for my DSes this year. A Doctor Who Adipose, a Futurama brain slug and a snake. They’re in their 20s though, so they’ll probably just sigh at me.

We go for a mixture of practical stuff that we were going to buy them anyway and fun/treat consumables.

Stuff they need in for school (ruler, protractor, compass, pens, pencils etc) they also love getting glue sticks and sellotape for some reason
Favourite chocs or other nibbles - mini jams and honeys, choc covered dried fruit or nuts, sauces for ice cream, favourite biscuits, favourite sauces (eg burger sauce, tomango ketchup or aioli)
Tangerine or other favourite fruit - DS1 likes apples and DS2 prefers kiwi or pineapple
Some sort of baking kit or cake mix, funny cake cases or sprinkles
Lego mini figures
Word search or sudoku book
Sports kit they need - shoe laces, gloves, shin pads, under layers, ping pong balls, socks
Underwear - pants, socks and vests

And a shower gel and deodorant!

Ear buds/phones, key rings, bamboo toothbrushes, semi-precious tumbled stones or fossils for their collections.

I've bought my son a decent sized geode. When the parcel arrived DH was "what the hell is this? It feels like a rock!"