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Christmas

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

Environmentally friendly stocking fillers

8 replies

Lizzypet · 21/09/2023 11:16

I'm hoping to make the kid's stocking fillers more environmentally friendly this year. I've thought of consumables - soaps, foods, things like seeds to plant. Does anyone have any ideas, or good places to buy? Children are only 6 & 8 so I don't want them to be too boring.. but really want to minimize the plastic tat. Thanks

OP posts:
Christmasbroughtmeback · 21/09/2023 12:54

I've had my eye on some of the figures from the Caterpillar Toy range https://puzzlebug.co.uk/collections/wooden-caterpillar the mermaids in particular are stunning but lots of animals as well to choose from, cheaper and more detailed them Holztiger and more grown up than Lanka Kade.

Wooden Caterpillar

A family-run company who’ve been hand-making quality toys since 2015. All their unique designs are made using wood from sustainable sources in the Caucasus Mountains. 

https://puzzlebug.co.uk/collections/wooden-caterpillar

INeedNewShoes · 21/09/2023 13:08

Rather than buying specifically Eco things I aim for things that will definitely be used in order to avoid waste, so things like craft kit/stationary, head torch (for when we go camping), a chapter book, bike bell, hair clips, a pair of snazzy tights etc.

DD seems to love opening this stuff even though it's not toys and it all gets a lot of use.

Bubbleandsqueak22 · 21/09/2023 13:25

I’m doing plastic-free stockings for my dc. Things that I’ve already got or are on my list:
Tin pencil case
Puzzle book
Joke book
Hair wrap kit
Cookie cutter
Wooden birdhouse kit (pack of 2 so splitting between my 2 youngest) www.amazon.co.uk/Baker-Ross-Wooden-Birdhouse-Decorate/dp/B00K879HJ0/ref=sr_1_10?crid=UKOSCLA2FJGJ&keywords=Cardboard%2Bkit%2Bkids&qid=1695298687&sprefix=cardboard%2Bkit%2Bkid%2Caps%2C470&sr=8-10&th=1
Card game

Things I’ve done in previous years:
French knitting kit
Wooden-handled skipping rope
Hair scrunchies
Colour by numbers book
Box buddies (again, splitting them between stockings) www.amazon.co.uk/Box-Buddies-Bitsabots-Fillers-Pocket/dp/B08W23XPCH/ref=sr_1_8?crid=ZKBTL8B1VOKW&keywords=Box+buddies&qid=1695298799&sprefix=box+buddies%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-8
Wooden pencil topper
Cute knitted fingerless gloves
Silicone cupcake cases

ExPreschoolTrustee · 21/09/2023 14:05

You can get a free pair of boxer shorts from On That Ass - and they do kids sizes as well as adults
I've put a referral link in the referral thread but you can just Google them if you prefer

Quite cool patterns or plain if preferred

20cheeseomelette · 21/09/2023 14:10

How about little puzzles, wooden crafty things to build or games that can be re-given every year and that will hopefully become seasonal favourites that they look forward to seeing for 2 weeks a year.

Mini wooden Christmas or winter theme jigsaw?

Traditional toys? Spinning tops are good fun! Those ball-in-a-cone thingies. Yo-Yos never seem to work properly though.

Saisong · 21/09/2023 14:12

Some of the biggest hits we've had in stockings are kitchen gadgets - ice cream scoops, egg slicers, giant sharpeners for carrots, strawberry hullers, chopsticks etc. Not only do the kids love the novelty, but they do get use in the kitchen - still have plenty in my drawers! You can get loads of this stuff in TKMaxx home, often very little plastic involved.

Similarly baking stuff - implements and ingredients. Packet mixes for cakes, cookies and bread are great for filling a stocking up.

Also packets of jelly, instant whip, marshmallows etc. We go heavy on consumables!

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 21/09/2023 16:57

Not plastic free but definitely reusable would be Top trumps packs: we've had loads as they get one every year and they get used regularly. I keep one in my handbag along with a travel dobble set in case we get stuck anywhere. If they out grow a theme we regift to friends/give to the toy tombola at the school fete or charity shop. A set that dh got for Christmas 30 odd years ago is still in play.

Or other card games. There is a great dinosaur one on amazon in a fabric bag. It's basically a pairs game but you're finding all the cards which make up a dinosaur fossil. We also love Chocolate Witch which is a little Ravensburger card game where you compete to be the first to find all the ingredients required to make chocolate.

This year dd (5) will be getting camping stuff as she's just been to her first Scout Camp. Head torch, enamel mug for hot chocolate, travel cutlery set, small fold up day backpack plus another fabric badge for her camp blanket. Oh and big thick socks.

I usually put a jar of dried apples dipped in chocolate in their stockings and there would be riots if they didn't get a chocolate orange.

Toothbrush and toothpaste. I try and pick new flavours, last years toothpaste was a citrus one which was a surprising hit for everyone.

A Christmas tree decoration. My 2 get one every year and are slowly building a collection so when they move out, they'll have a box of their own.

A beautiful book working on the same principle as above. By the time they move out they'll have a collection of classic books in special editions. The Minalina ones are particular favourites.

WeirdPookah · 22/09/2023 12:24

I put Bamboo toothbrushes (Father Christmas always brings brushes and that annoying colour changing toothpaste they know I won't buy!) in last year and got some more for this year.

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