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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Adult stocking fillers, average cost £1

115 replies

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 14/09/2022 12:23

Our adult DCs were shocked when I suggested discontinuing stockings, it's something we've always done and they want to continue as it's part of Christmas as they know it..(They do receive other 'main' presents, this is just fun & tradition).

We've compromised on picking names out of a hat so we each do one stocking for another family member. We've agreed on a £10 - £12 total spend for 8-10 gifts each stocking. Free or 2nd hand stuff is acceptable. Aim should be for items the recipient would use/appreciate to minimise waste. Something funny always goes down well but not always easy to find within the budget.

I've absolutely no doubt that they will all come to me for ideas at some point! Plus I have my recipient's stocking to fill.

Please can you help with ideas for low cost, low tat stocking fillers. Average price should be about £1 - £1.50, getting something for free means you can spend more on another item.

When I was making them all, I'd sometimes pick up multi packs of eg sports socks or soaps and split between the relevant recipients. That can still be done by consultation with a couple of the other givers, so similar ideas welcome.

Examples of things I've put in stockings In the past:
free perfume samples that were given out when walking through Boots.
'As new' looking books when a local charity shop was having an 'everything £1' sale.
Brand new Debenhams boxed photo frame bought in same £1 scale

Jars of herbs & spices
Jars of Marmite/Nutella
Practical things like sellotape, string, glue
Sweets & chocolate
Pringles, nuts, pork scratchings
Herb seeds
Bulbs (the planting sort!)
'Everyday' shower gel / deo
Notebooks/pads
Emery boards
Car air fresheners
Candles
Herbal tea bags
And many more things but you get the idea!

Thank you!

OP posts:
jocktamsonsbairn · 24/09/2022 17:49

luckylavender · 24/09/2022 11:28

My DS always gets Blu Tack at Christmas. Long tradition, he's 26 now.

My dc do too although dd got pink tac a couple of times when she was going through a pink phase!

Titsflyingsouth · 24/09/2022 18:11

The best cheap stocking staple of all time, IMO is a chocolate orange. Substantial, satisfying and cheap....

Also:
Mini Tubs of Pringles
Sets of mini highlighter pens (from The Works)
Lip balm
Crossword or Sudoku book
Packets of seeds
Pack of playing cards
Scratchcard

TwinsAndTiramisu · 24/09/2022 19:05

This is an excellent thread, picked up so many ideas I would never have thought of :)

cbatopainttheshed · 25/09/2022 21:04

This is the joy of these stockings... I would genuinely be thrilled to find Bly tac in mine! Also a pack of the big rectangular post-it's!

Anewuser · 01/10/2022 15:24

I know it’s early but was trying to think of stocking fillers, so searched Mumsnet and as always, you’re there to supply the answer.
thanks everyone.

Ohdofuckofdear · 01/10/2022 23:02

Thankyou for starting this thread Rocking I have 6 adult stockings to do this year,DS's 26,24,21,Oldest DS's partner,DD19 and my DH and 2 children's stockings,DD15 and I help make DGS 3 stocking as well and I've been struggling with what to put into them all.

So far my list to get is:
A satsuma in each(it's a tradition and I've been asked to carry it on.
Chocolate Coins.
Lip balms for for all 5 of our DC and DDIL.
I usually buy them each a nice drink,so a miniature for the adults and an unusual soft drink for the youngest two.

And there I've drawn a blank.

Karamna · 01/10/2022 23:43

Erasable pen
Magnifying glass
Glasses case
Fun plasters
Batteries

GettingStuffed · 02/10/2022 20:33

I do a trip to Poundland ,they have a decent range of stocking fillers

Bananaman123 · 02/10/2022 20:56

Playing cards, Christmas bingo, socks, nail polish from primark, candle, magic gloves

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 02/10/2022 22:35

Ohdofuckofdear · 01/10/2022 23:02

Thankyou for starting this thread Rocking I have 6 adult stockings to do this year,DS's 26,24,21,Oldest DS's partner,DD19 and my DH and 2 children's stockings,DD15 and I help make DGS 3 stocking as well and I've been struggling with what to put into them all.

So far my list to get is:
A satsuma in each(it's a tradition and I've been asked to carry it on.
Chocolate Coins.
Lip balms for for all 5 of our DC and DDIL.
I usually buy them each a nice drink,so a miniature for the adults and an unusual soft drink for the youngest two.

And there I've drawn a blank.

That's a lot of stocking fillers! I hope the suggestions on this thread are helping you! I find the men harder, often resort to things they can eat like peanut butter. Nutella, instant noodles, spicy sauces etc I put a Frey Bentos pie in student DCs' stockings!
For drivers, de-icer, hanging air fresheners, wash leathers etc - as PPs have mentioned, if you have a Poundshop, that's an essential place to have a look around. Then places like HomeBargains/B&M. (For those with young children/GC - I noticed they all seem to be carrying a range of little travel sticker books - under £1, about 70p I think. Can't find them online but have seen in a few places. )

OP posts:
neveroutofthekitchen · 05/10/2022 13:59

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 17/09/2022 11:14

@Autumnleaves4 older boys are THE hardest I think !

Some thoughts;
pot noodle/mugshot sachet/instant noodles - they are always hungry at that age!

Your youngest might enjoy a 'cake in a mug' sachet mentioned up thread?

Pork crackling; Pringles

A pack of their favourite biscuits

Sport Socks - if they are in the same size range you could buy a multi pack and split. Ditto boxers.

Lidl/Aldi usually do Christmas beers, add in a bottle opener

One of my DCs used to love Nandos , I put a bottle of Nandos peri peri sauce in his stocking and he was delighted.
Nutella was always a sumner holiday treat for our kids, a jar in a stocking always went down well.
They loved peanut butter but could get through a jar between them in one go so I stopped buying it routinely. Made it more of a treat in their stocking.
A friend was showing me a book she'd got for her DS reduced in the works, something like 'Things to do while you poo' . Can't see them online but am going to try to get one for one of my DCs who sits for ages on the loo!

this one? £4.99on amazon

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 06/10/2022 06:35

Don't think it was that one @neveroutofthekitchen , it was £1.50 from the Works

OP posts:
ThreeB · 06/10/2022 06:48

I've got 6 stockings to do this year, all adults. I love doing them and they are genuinely my favourite part of the Christmas shopping. My only rule is that no single item can be more than £5 and that they have to include practical bits as well as the traditional orange, scratch card etc. So far some of the contents include:

Le Creuset Expresso cup (reduced to clear in TK Maxx)
Heatable sleep masks
Socks
Shower gel
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Nice tea bags
Nice coffee
Wallet tool kit
Wallet sewing kit
Scratch it mindfulness challenge poster
Nice post it notes
Beard baubles
Mini hot water bottle
Dinosaur highlighter pens
Marvel iron on patches

I'll confess that I buy bits throughout the year and pop them into boxes labelled for each individual. Now I just have to remember where I hid the actual stockings 🤣

AnneButNotHathaway · 06/10/2022 08:25

Socks
Christmas decorations
Bath bombs
Pocket calendar with a family photo
Scratch card
Handmade candles/soap

5foot5 · 06/10/2022 23:31

mondaytosunday · 14/09/2022 12:52

Omg this is so prescriptive surely it saps the joy out of it? My kids haven't had stockings for years (now late teens).
We moved last year and have a mantle for the first time and I got four lovely cross stitched stockings... for the pets. A few treats and toys for them.
I'd tell your kids to, um, grow up. But failing that seems you have plenty of ideas to choose from.

@mondaytosunday Um, have you wandered on to here from AIBU by mistake and not realised? Nothing wrong with older children and adults having stockings. In our house everyone gets a stocking, the oldest this year will be nearly 92. It's the first thing everyone looks for on Christmas morning.

So many good ideas on this thread already I haven't a lot to add. But how about

Battery operated fairy lights from Poundland
Facepacks
Cans of pre mixed cocktail
Aldi usually do nice munchables like mini Lebkuchen

Obviously easier if you are doing several as you can buy things and split them between stockings. One year I got a pack of indoor fireworks and put a few in each stocking.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 07/10/2022 14:34

@5foot5 I just ignored that post, which was way more joyless than anything to do with Christmas stockings. Each to their own I guess.

OP posts:
mam0918 · 07/10/2022 14:40

mondaytosunday · 14/09/2022 12:52

Omg this is so prescriptive surely it saps the joy out of it? My kids haven't had stockings for years (now late teens).
We moved last year and have a mantle for the first time and I got four lovely cross stitched stockings... for the pets. A few treats and toys for them.
I'd tell your kids to, um, grow up. But failing that seems you have plenty of ideas to choose from.

yeah the irony of posting about sapping joy while being the only thing sapping joy with your complete misery.

Honestly, faffing around with stockings for pet but telling your kids to grow up... ironic and dire lol.

Lovemusic33 · 07/10/2022 17:44

I would be happy with my favourite edibles…

mini wham bars
mini Turkish delight bars (b&m)
cheese Cheetos
baileys truffles

and maybe…
fluffy socks (primark) though I think they are around £3
lip balm
seed bombs
nail files
face mask

Talking of free samples…I managed to get some free samples of snow fairy boy lotion in lush last week, they would be great in a stocking?

Lovemusic33 · 07/10/2022 17:46

My 19 year old dd say the stocking is the best part of Christmas…..so we shall never stop 🤣

christmas2022 · 08/10/2022 06:13

Terry's choc orange
Choc coins

Mini bottle of fizz

Themed socks

Hair bands

Fancy hand wash

New bath sponge

Nail varnish

Christmas headband

Primark cheap mini perfume

Candle

Word search or pad

Fancy pen

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 08/10/2022 07:49

I'm so pleased this thread is still going and the fab ideas keep rolling in. Thanks everyone.

My family agree with your DD @Lovemusic33 ! And with a bit of thought and effort you can keep them low cost, fun and useful

OP posts:
Beautifulsunflowers · 17/10/2022 22:20

For my ds20 I’ve just bought a couple of car stickers that arrived today which I know he’ll love and some unusual seeds for ds16 - cucamelon- ebay!!
I agree that stockings are the bit I love the most about Christmas- I’d be thrilled to receive a stocking however it’s certainly been a while since I got one!

NameChangeForARaisin · 18/10/2022 00:11

Loofah seeds! Win/win on the eco front.
Not only do you get a lovely plant but you can use the fruit as a sponge for washing up or bathing.
Bamboo cutlery.
Wooden clothes pegs and a washing line.

MorrisseyGladioli · 18/10/2022 00:29

Flannels, those blackhead pore strips (always popular!)
Bath scrunchies, dry shampoo, tiny wind up toys so they can race with other peoples, iceland currently have chicken and stuffing pigs in blanket crisps (big bag, very nice, must repurchase!)
Those foot peeling masks are amazing and £1 each.

LeMoo · 18/10/2022 00:48

@mondaytosunday I moved out years ago but my favourite bit of Christmas day is still when we open stockings