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Christmas

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

Adult stocking filler ideas - all year round!

471 replies

OMGitsnotgood · 06/05/2024 11:25

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

Adult stocking filler ideas - all year round!
OP posts:
Thread gallery
32
gardenmusic · 12/05/2024 16:08

Glue gun. Hobbycraft have some at £5. Adult stockings only, probably, as they get very hot.

RuthW · 12/05/2024 16:26

Just ordered some of those extendable magnets. Keeping one for myself too

DNAwrangler · 12/05/2024 18:55

Magnetic bookmarks

gardenmusic · 13/05/2024 17:11

I am over-excited now. I do not usually think it is Christmas until July.
A teabag holder/spoon rest, to stop me from dripping tea all the way to the bin. About £2 in Dunelm, but you can buy designer goods.

gardenmusic · 19/05/2024 19:13

Bars of Lindor orange or salted caramel chocolate (the 'stick' size) are 85p in Waitrose at the moment.
Bought several for the stockings, unfortunately one has fallen into my mouth...

Thethruththewholetruth · 19/05/2024 19:23

Brilliant thread

ThatLibraryDebate · 19/05/2024 20:12

I came on to wax lyrical about the Whistlefish notelet tins but I see somebody beat me to it! Not on the 4 for £12 offer anymore, although still in yoru budget (2for £10) but keep an eye out, they go on various offers, often.

Jute bags (specifically the small ones which are ideal for a packed lunch. Seasalt does a lovely range, again often on offer.)

Bamboo socks

A mini gardening kit (e.g. herb seeds, bag of compost and a pot) or a mini all in one craft kit (e.g. needle felt a polar bear) or art set if they are at all creative.

Find out which posh brands of cosmetics they like, e.g. Clinique. Ebay is often full of miniatures.

Nice teabags or nice coffee. You have at least two adults you're doing this for so if you buy the type that are individually wrapped you could split the individual sachets of coffee bags/individually wrapped teabags/hotel chocolate individual sachets from a mixed multipack (contrary to popular belief you don't need one of their velvetiser machines, just hot milk, though one of these Milk Whisk Hand Mixer Mini Whisk Electric Whisk Whipper Handheld Beater Coffee Stirrer Useful and Practical : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen wouldn't go amiss to make frothy drinks!). Taylors of London do individually wrapped coffee bags, and there are all sorts of brands of herbal tea whose teabags inside the box are individually wrapped - Yogi Tea is a favourite of mine.

A thermally insulated lunchbox, or otherwise exciting lunchbox or water bottle - try TK Maxx.

Essential oils (TK Maxx is good for these again)

Scented hand gel (I swear I'm not on commission but I found a lovely lemon scented one by the Body Shop in TK Maxx for £3.99 😂- but also a peppermint candy cane scented one for 89p in Poundstretcher). Bonus if you find the type witha mini carabiner to attach to a bag.

Small hand cream tube suitable for car or handbag.

If they have a dog, a poo bag dispenser, or collapsible water bowl (or bottle/bowl combi) for the car will always be useful.

If they have a horse, they can never have enough spare leadropes.

A Costa gift card (they start from £5)

A microwavable wheat heat pack. You can get them around £2.99 in places like Savers, Wilcos (RIP) and the like.

If they are crafty, look our for the fat quarter fabric bundles in Aldi. Or buy these or find a nice piece of fabric in the bargain bin of a haberdashery and use PVA glue to cover a plain notebook for a handmade gift.

Phone holder for the car

A 3m long USB cable suitable for their phone. Nobody realises how much they improve your life until they have one!

A USB rechargable clip-on-somewhere-handy-light. Ever so useful.

A grabber (I've found one which is £5.99 here Black Plastic Long Reach Grabber, 67 cm - Lightweight, Easy-to-Operate, Ideal for Indoor & Outdoor Use, 1 Piece : Amazon.co.uk: Garden) - not just for litterpickers and disabled people, they're bloody useful when you've dropped something down the back of somewhere!

Pot noodles (well, the posher ones like Itsu) or miso soup sachets.

Those super concentrated squash minis

A bottle of Ribena Winter Spice (Perhaps too big?) - you drink it hot and everybody I know goes mad for it - obviously won't be in the shops until December.

These split between them Mini Clip Top Bottles 150ml Set of 6 Glass Airtight Preserve Bottles With Swing Top Flip Top 150ml Clear Glass Bottles For Oil, Vinegar, Condiments, Water, Juice, Beverages With Tight Stopper : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen with bonus points if you fill them with nice bits and bobs from your booze cupboard or pantry and use a brown swing tag to label them. If you have things like rosemary or chives growing in your garden you could do flavoured/scented vinegars and oils - the internet will provide ideas!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electric-Whipper-Handheld-Stirrer-Practical/dp/B096815TQC/ref=asc_df_B096815TQC/?linkCode=df0&hvadid=535157758975&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7662579120702017436&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1007200&hvtargid=pla-1480032936902&psc=1&mcid=c4f9df051f8c3a439a1d8791364532b5&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-christmas-5069479-adult-stocking-filler-ideas-all-year-round

AlwaysTheRenegade · 19/05/2024 23:07

Sorry this isn't a stocking filler guys, but I was on the entertainer website earlier for my sons bday, and they have loads of board games that were about £25 for £7.50, different monopolies where on there, and a timer one that looked good 👍

OMGitsnotgood · 20/05/2024 05:33

ThatLibraryDebate · 19/05/2024 20:12

I came on to wax lyrical about the Whistlefish notelet tins but I see somebody beat me to it! Not on the 4 for £12 offer anymore, although still in yoru budget (2for £10) but keep an eye out, they go on various offers, often.

Jute bags (specifically the small ones which are ideal for a packed lunch. Seasalt does a lovely range, again often on offer.)

Bamboo socks

A mini gardening kit (e.g. herb seeds, bag of compost and a pot) or a mini all in one craft kit (e.g. needle felt a polar bear) or art set if they are at all creative.

Find out which posh brands of cosmetics they like, e.g. Clinique. Ebay is often full of miniatures.

Nice teabags or nice coffee. You have at least two adults you're doing this for so if you buy the type that are individually wrapped you could split the individual sachets of coffee bags/individually wrapped teabags/hotel chocolate individual sachets from a mixed multipack (contrary to popular belief you don't need one of their velvetiser machines, just hot milk, though one of these Milk Whisk Hand Mixer Mini Whisk Electric Whisk Whipper Handheld Beater Coffee Stirrer Useful and Practical : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen wouldn't go amiss to make frothy drinks!). Taylors of London do individually wrapped coffee bags, and there are all sorts of brands of herbal tea whose teabags inside the box are individually wrapped - Yogi Tea is a favourite of mine.

A thermally insulated lunchbox, or otherwise exciting lunchbox or water bottle - try TK Maxx.

Essential oils (TK Maxx is good for these again)

Scented hand gel (I swear I'm not on commission but I found a lovely lemon scented one by the Body Shop in TK Maxx for £3.99 😂- but also a peppermint candy cane scented one for 89p in Poundstretcher). Bonus if you find the type witha mini carabiner to attach to a bag.

Small hand cream tube suitable for car or handbag.

If they have a dog, a poo bag dispenser, or collapsible water bowl (or bottle/bowl combi) for the car will always be useful.

If they have a horse, they can never have enough spare leadropes.

A Costa gift card (they start from £5)

A microwavable wheat heat pack. You can get them around £2.99 in places like Savers, Wilcos (RIP) and the like.

If they are crafty, look our for the fat quarter fabric bundles in Aldi. Or buy these or find a nice piece of fabric in the bargain bin of a haberdashery and use PVA glue to cover a plain notebook for a handmade gift.

Phone holder for the car

A 3m long USB cable suitable for their phone. Nobody realises how much they improve your life until they have one!

A USB rechargable clip-on-somewhere-handy-light. Ever so useful.

A grabber (I've found one which is £5.99 here Black Plastic Long Reach Grabber, 67 cm - Lightweight, Easy-to-Operate, Ideal for Indoor & Outdoor Use, 1 Piece : Amazon.co.uk: Garden) - not just for litterpickers and disabled people, they're bloody useful when you've dropped something down the back of somewhere!

Pot noodles (well, the posher ones like Itsu) or miso soup sachets.

Those super concentrated squash minis

A bottle of Ribena Winter Spice (Perhaps too big?) - you drink it hot and everybody I know goes mad for it - obviously won't be in the shops until December.

These split between them Mini Clip Top Bottles 150ml Set of 6 Glass Airtight Preserve Bottles With Swing Top Flip Top 150ml Clear Glass Bottles For Oil, Vinegar, Condiments, Water, Juice, Beverages With Tight Stopper : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen with bonus points if you fill them with nice bits and bobs from your booze cupboard or pantry and use a brown swing tag to label them. If you have things like rosemary or chives growing in your garden you could do flavoured/scented vinegars and oils - the internet will provide ideas!

Amazing thank you

OP posts:
marriednotdead · 20/05/2024 05:53

Nothing significant to add as yet. Just that I always put in a pair of novelty socks, if they are Christmas themed, they can often be found in the January sales.

sciencemama · 20/05/2024 06:00

Pencils that have speeds in them so once it's done you plant the pencil
Novelty post it notes
Stress ball
Beanies coffee sachets
Giant chocolate coin/ jelly baby/ gingerbread man
Crisps that are made from ground down bugs - not my kinda thing but random!
Work out dice
Decision coin
Headphones
Trolley coin keyring
Magic sponge (spunj)

Whataweirdsituation · 20/05/2024 06:21

So glad to have found my people!

I normally go for the basics:

Satsumas
Chocolate coins (went for Lindt ones last year and won’t look back)
Lindt reindeer
Christmas socks
Festive hand cream
Small Christmas Yankee candle

Then a load of small personalised gifts. Some more unusual hits from last year were:

These grinch choc orange covers (+ a chocolate orange. I managed to pick up some popping candy ones which made it more special) www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1328509210/

A book filled with origami paper

I saved up any of the lush freebies I’d gotten through autumn and chucked those in - big win!

Coffee drink stirrers - so many flavours here and such a cute idea www.etsy.com/uk/listing/876204070/

Alcoholic fudge for the drinkers www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1597542647/

These Star Wars candles in beer cans are a bit pricy but were a hit www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1033457341/

Grinch poop from a local seller!

And these gaming socks https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/909726069/

gardenmusic · 20/05/2024 09:28

For indoor plant enthusiasts, baby bio fertiliser (price varies from £2 -£5, worth having a look around) flower snips, indoor plant watering systems for when they are away from home. All under £5.

gardenmusic · 20/05/2024 11:44

How many stockings do you make up?
I do between 8 and 10, and they cost about £10-£12 each. For some of my gang the stocking is the present, so not as expensive as it sounds - I don't have to buy 10 presents, too. We are not a very techy family, so I get away with diaries, pens and notebooks. I try to aim for useful or treat rather than novelty and have found some good ideas on here.
Just seen moisturising foot socks in Boots - a new one on me. Does anyone know if they would fit size 8 feet?

IneedhandcreamandaNC · 20/05/2024 11:59

gardenmusic · 20/05/2024 11:44

How many stockings do you make up?
I do between 8 and 10, and they cost about £10-£12 each. For some of my gang the stocking is the present, so not as expensive as it sounds - I don't have to buy 10 presents, too. We are not a very techy family, so I get away with diaries, pens and notebooks. I try to aim for useful or treat rather than novelty and have found some good ideas on here.
Just seen moisturising foot socks in Boots - a new one on me. Does anyone know if they would fit size 8 feet?

I'm a size 6 and I find them roomy

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 20/05/2024 14:28

gardenmusic · 20/05/2024 11:44

How many stockings do you make up?
I do between 8 and 10, and they cost about £10-£12 each. For some of my gang the stocking is the present, so not as expensive as it sounds - I don't have to buy 10 presents, too. We are not a very techy family, so I get away with diaries, pens and notebooks. I try to aim for useful or treat rather than novelty and have found some good ideas on here.
Just seen moisturising foot socks in Boots - a new one on me. Does anyone know if they would fit size 8 feet?

I'd actually just put on a pair of foot moisturiser sock things when I saw your post! They are pretty much infinitely sized (if they are the same things as I have) you are just putting your feet into two roughly foot-shaped bags so size doesn't enter into it (I'm using Superdrug Manuka Honey ones and they smell amazing - unlike my feet).

OMGitsnotgood · 20/05/2024 14:47

So many good ideas on here. I make 6.

I buy a little something for a lady in her 70s who doesn't receive any other presents. Usually a plant, toiletries I know she likes, puzzle books or something like that.
PP had just given me the idea of making her a stocking this yea, with a few things she will find useful but maybe wouldn't buy for herself, or at least will save her buying for herself.

OP posts:
gardenmusic · 20/05/2024 16:35

Right!
5 sets of moisturising footbags required! I will look for bargains.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 20/05/2024 16:36

Oh, re Seasalt bags - I actually use these instead of stockings. Fill them with little gifts and then the bag is part of the gift.

The bags are gorgeous, have such lovely designs on them, and are various sizes, so you can pick a bag depending on how many and how large the gifts are that you have to fill them.

gardenmusic · 20/05/2024 16:40

Good idea, Vroom. It reminded me that our library has jute type book/tote bags, quite small, and about £2. Bright colours. Will help fill a stocking for my friends little girl. Her own little bag.

gardenmusic · 20/05/2024 19:32

This one is not as niche as it sounds. Trust me...
Artery forceps. For DIY-ers it is like having a spare hand. Or a long thin hand.
From below £3 to lots.
Take a look at the Medisave website. Cheap postage.
Also known as Spencer Wells forceps. Imagine long scissors, but instead of blades you have a locking pair of long tweezers, with a large ' grabby bit'

MaybeItsJustTimeToStop · 20/05/2024 19:57

Those little refillable perfume atomisers are so useful to use put favourite perfume in your handbag. Also temu have some little privacy address eraser things, they're less than £1 and really handy especially in reusing a box for evay/vinted.

gardenmusic · 22/05/2024 12:30

The Denman hair site has a special on postage, free over £15 if you sign up for e-mails. A little bit specialised, but good quality items.
There are Denman hairbrush key rings for £3.50, quite small, so for fringes, or short hair, a 'hairbrush cleaning brush' for £5 - which I can recommend if you have good quality hairbrushes, and want to keep them nice, and for a little more, £6 there is a compact popper, little round hairbrush in a compact, and a shower brush, which was an absolute godsend when I hurt my shoulder and could not shampoo my hair effectively, it spread the shampoo and conditioner through my hair.
There are stacks of good quality combs, and hair elastics. Well worth a look.

gardenmusic · 22/05/2024 15:53

Not obsessed , honestly, just sojourning here because the Christmas thread is a lovely place to be when the world is getting on my nerves.
A locking metal tape measure (so it doesn't suddenly snap back when you are using it) under £5 in DIY shops.
I know we are doing adults, but if you have a little needleworker, Dunelm does novelty tape measures at £2.50

Polominty · 22/05/2024 16:51

Nordic socks are lovely and cosy both me and DH love ours they come in packs could be split into pairs but wait for a sale nordicsocks.uk
Tins of travel sweets, yes like those you get in a motorway services Simkins sell on Amazon and EBay etc and have lots of cute tins (even vintage ones with pin up girls on them!)
Travel stainless steel straws come in a little pouch with a brush handy for any young adults who like Macdonalds or whatever but don’t like the collapsing paper straws.
Fun flavoured toothpastes from Hismile just checked though and the price has gone up a lot from when I bought them.

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