Adult stocking filler ideas - all year round!

[OMGitsnotgood]

If you're anti Christmas until December or don't agree with stockings for adults, please scroll past.

Our adult children absolutely refuse not to have Christmas stockings, it wouldn't be Christmas without them apparently. Their main present is either something they've asked for or cash. I try to get a couple of other small gifts I know they'd like as a surprise but stockings are here to stay.
I know people have different approaches to stocking fillers, here are the criteria for ours:

Small enough to fit in a stocking (shop bought type not a sock).
Anywhere from 0 - £5 per gift (£0 could be a perfume/aftershave sample)
Must be practical, fun or consumable to avoid wastage.
Can be pre-owned (eg like-new books from a charity shop).
Usual ideas are foodstuffs, snacks, toiletries, DIY bits n bobs, stationery items. All get used but a bit dull, another reason for not leaving it too late to think of things.

I keep a 'Christmas note' on my phone and note ideas all year round. Generally I won't buy until later in the year, it's the ideas that are difficult. I sometimes pick up on things in conversation and add to the note to buy later (eg DS1's girlfriend mentioned how much she loved a certain chocolate bar - now in the list).
Obviously if I spot something that I probably wouldn't be able to get again - something unique or a real bargain, I will buy when I see them but don't go actively looking. Sometimes they are things I stumble across (I recently bought a trolley coin in aid of a charity one of my DCs supports when there was a stall in a service station).

Just been ordering a couple of slimline European usb adapters to take on holiday (see pic) and have ordered a few extra as stocking fillers. Which is what prompted me to start this thread. By starting early, collecting ideas even if not buying, I think you do so with a clearer mind and end up with better stocking fillers than leaving the thinking til December when there is so much else going on.
Not sure if anyone else will be interested in this thread but just in case, would be good to share ideas or things that you've seen that are not the usual everyday items.
I'd appreciate it we could keep this thread for adults stockings only please

The tin of cherries/lychees is my kind of stocking filler - something people will love and find special without necessarily being expensive.

I’ll confess to thinking ‘why would you give anyone half a pair of socks?’ before I read the rest of the sentence! Great idea for visitors.

You have reminded me - olive tapanade and I have just discovered lemon pesto (thanks Aldi middle bit).

Got one to add - spotted in Lidl this week - chocolate covered pistachios!

Ooh they sound lovely, where abouts in store were they?

This week's posh snack purchase are these Truffle Nuts. Basically, I keep my eye out for expensive snacks on offer which I would never normally buy. 12 more weeks until Xmas and I started to buy food treats/drinks 2 weeks ago.

@OMGitsnotgood
Near the chocolate bars!

I bought a bag today, not sure they'll last until Christmas though!

In a stocking for my adult DD, DS's gf I put a bottle of their favourite perfume, a bar of hand made soap, a soft flannel, a chocolate orange, a face pack, hair hot oil treatment, a gift bag with small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, and make up remover wipes, car deiser for windscreens, sometimes a heated MIT to scrape car windscreen, sometimes something I find at a craft fair like little pot of strawberry and champagne jam, magnetic fridge shopping list and novelty Xmas pen, tube of orange Smarties, pair of Xmas socks.

For my 2 ds's and SiL Marvel pants and socks, hand made soap, flannel, mini flight shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste. Body wash, pen, gloves, car window scraper, pack of cards, tyre pressure kit, chocolate orange, large Toberleron. Sometimes something fun like a Lego or Ferrari keyring. I generally put a Xmas tea towel in so they know Santa wants them to load dishwasher and put dishes away afterwards.

@munchbunch12
Yes I may need to buy replacements myself 🤣🤣

I happened across Trophi pistachio cream in Tesco yesterday. Even better it was half price with a club card. My DH loves pistachios so bought a jar for his stocking along with a packet of pistachio.

Lindor in interesting varieties at Tesco for £5.50 including Pistachio/Shortbread/Mint which might have fell into my basket.

IS the tyre pressure kit for the car? I could do with one of those. Can you link x

Chocolate Emporium imports all of the Lindt flavours from Europe and USA. They do a pick and mix so you can choose each person's favourite flavours:

chocolateemporium.com/

Also includes mini Dubai chocolates, mini Kit Kats in all the flavours, etc.

@CeruleanDivethanks for the chocolate emporium, great little present for DH there (and some bargain short date chocolate for me too )

It was recommended on here years ago, and I loved creating bespoke pic and mixes for family. The flavours get crazier every year.

Yes, last year I found small packs of IIRC cheese/chilli biscuits, which went down very well.

Perfume samples
Scratch cards
Nail clippers
3-in-1 pan
Soluble vitamin С
Chocolate coins
Instant coffee of different tastes
Back scratchers
Jar openers
Pocket coloring calendars
Lip balms
Face masks
Makeup brushes
Earrings/bracelets
Hand creams (could be multiple in small packages)
Glowing stickers (got them for my collegue last year as a part of a Secret santa gift and she loved them)
USB head torches
Flexible torches

I can recommend the Toffee Apple Curd from NT shops, it’s delicious. I got a jar last year and have asked for another one this year.

This might have been posted already, but the Nio cocktails in a slim box perfect for this.

Elizabeth Scarlett make up bags/washbag/pouch. Not the cheapest but the quality and designs are really lovely. I’m gradually replacing my old “free gift with two products one to be skincare” bags with these and it’s giving me a lot of joy.

I have been looking at these today, and am a bit confused! What, exactly, do you get? Is it everything you need to pour into the glass to make the cocktail, or do you need to add anything?
Did you order singles, or the boxes of six/eight?

I literally bought one box (one cocktail) in John Lewis and as far as I can see you just snip the corner and pour over ice to drink. It’s basically a pre mix but in a pouch inside a box instead of a can.

@CeruleanDive you’re right, the Chocolate Emporium has an amazing selection of Lindt chocolates that I’ve never even heard of before!! Thanks so much for the suggestion.

Late to this thread but just wanted to say thanks for this idea! I also got some little mini electric fans reduced to £3.50 each. Millets/Blacks (are they the same company? They seem to have all the same stuff in stock) also have various bits in their outlet if you are buying for an outdoorsy type. These camping utensils are £2 for example.

Hello,

I’m hoping there may be some suggestions for mini aftershaves please? I’m unsure whether to get DP a smaller diesel aftershave or just get a selection of minis.
Any sites recommended for smaller aftershaves handy for popping into the stocking please? Thank you x