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

I find National Trust gift shops a great place to pick up quirky (but not tat) stocking fillers. The jams and chutneys are good. Small bottle of mead or flavoured liqueur. Locally crafted items. Nice stationery. Unusual books about wildlife or natural history.

Lady Macbeth,
Yes, some lovely things, and I have also found that stately homes open gardens etc will often let you in to use the shop even if you do not want to pay to visit at that time - helpful if you are passing as it saves the postage.

Stocking fillers that went down well here for the practical members of the family:
Bon maman hazelnut chocolate spread
Cocoon Grid-it travel organisers
Wallet heroes
Three in one multi chargers & fast chargers
USB head torches
Flexible torches
Back scratchers

https://www.amazon.co.uk/heatless-curls/s?k=heatless+curls
these have been a hit in the past.

benefit blusher/ highlighter pallet was also very well received

antiviral nasal spray
novelty tissues
packet of Jakemans
difflam throat spray 😊
night time tea blend

This site ultrabeehealth.co.uk
has some bargains, including a compact with 20 leaves of soap for £2.75.
Useful for freshening up on the move.

Great thread.
Nice spices in tins
Stonemagnets

A little over budget here, but for £6.50 in John Lewis you can but a champagne/prosecco opener/ cork catcher.
I hate these corks, as I am cack handed, and always expect them to fly. This one catches them as it opens the bottle.
There are lots more but more expensive.

Over budget but in Waitrose they had a Sherlock Holmes's mini game reduced to £6 ,a cheese and wine penknife for £7 and a golf penknife kit for the same.
Very good for my lot

'you can but' BUY!
Why can I not spell on here?

Over on Christmas Table Favours there is a lovely imaginative christmas sleigh.
I would love to put this in a child's stocking, if I could keep the bits together.

I don't know how to drag it here, or if I am allowed!
Apologies, for stealing your post, Stiffy, but this is too good to miss.

I made those sleighs for my friend's grandchildren one year. I used folded over sellotape to keep the bits together and bought boxes from our local bakery to put them in. They are adorable. Even if they wouldn't fit in a stocking, you could put them on top

Brilliant idea, thank you OMG. I have double sided tape.
Do you think these would sell well at a christmas fete?
If so, I will make about 20 to donate.

I popped to IKEA yesterday and up these little keyrings for 50p, but they fold out into phone stands. Just a little thing but look quite handy.

I think they would definitely sell well at a Christmas Fete

Ooh like the sound of these, am going to IKEA soon, whereabouts in the store were they (assuming they set all stores out the same).

IKEA often have lovely paper napkins and napkin holders - also good stocking fillers

I'm probably on my own here, feel free to say, but I like written lists for my plotting and planning. I am a scribbler. (and because I will forget if I don't write it down!)

The Gifted Stationary Company has useful notebooks, folders and paper blocks I think that is trade, though. Phone number, so you could ask for stockists.

I bought their sticky notes folder from the local garden centre, but Bisouxjewellery.co.uk has a good range. Several under £5. They charge £3.49 postage, so you would want a few bits to make it worthwhile. 10% off first order.
There is a William Morris folder for £5.99, containing different size sticky notes and a note pad with a hardback and a band.

Martin Lewis newsletter today has a code for £5 off a £15 shop. Instore or online.

I like written lists too @gardenmusic and am very much a planner (this thread is proof ha ha ) . I always love new stationery that is nicer than I would perhaps buy myself. Will add it to a list of hints for DH to buy me nearer the time. Absolutely no point just yet!!

An example of being on the lookout for stocking fillers.... a screw came out of DH's glasses while we were away for the weekend. Friends we were with had a mini specs repair kit with a mini screwdriver - one for DH's stocking (if he doesn't buy one himself meanwhile)

Stolen from Christmas Prequel thread

Jfw82 · Today 10:59
We Print Balls has some £5 footballs including an England one

weprintballs.co.uk/collections/clearance-1/products/clearance-football-balls-whilst-stocks-last?variant=41109261222022

Gloves and cricket balls, other sports stuff under £5, they would fit in a stocking.

Made me think of cricket ball for a brother in law.
Thank you JFW.

I have a mini screwdriver for glasses (I got it in a cracker!) and it’s one of the most useful tools I have. Use it for kids toys mainly 😂

I have a mini screwdriver for glasses (I got it in a cracker!) and it’s one of the most useful tools I have.
So did I - and nail clippers, which are the best I have ever had!

Love this thread 🥰

I always love a wander around this store. They seem to be popping up all over Home Counties at the mo:

https://sostrenegrene.com/en-gb

The stationary, little trinkets, craft bits, wrapping paper, sweets etc are all lovely.

Amazing thread!

It is an amazing thread - thank you OMG for starting it.

Emma Bridgewater sale has just started, a few things under a fiver.
Also just went to TK Max for a belt (didn't find one) and found Crabtree and Evelyn hand creams nicely boxed for £4.99.
Thought C and E had gone?