Buying stocking fillers throughout the year

[MinnieMountain]

I've decided that's the way to go after struggling for ideas for DS last year. He'll be just 13 next Christmas, so I'm confident that his tastes won't have changed massively.

Does anyone else do this?

i buy throughout the year and have done for years. it helps spread the costs and takes the pressure off closer to Christmas.

a few tips from me;

im always on the look out for gifts eg doing my weekly food shop, going on holiday/day trips, popping in to B&M or Home Bargains etc.

Sales are a good opportunity for bargains for the following Christmas/next birthday. I would buy clothes/toys a season ahead for my children when they were little.

Try ebay/vinted. i wanted to get MIL a particular item which was £25 and found it BNWT on ebay for £15.

i know you said that it is unlikely that your teens tastes will change, but 12 months is a long time. So, i buy practical/generic items through out the year eg water bottles, gloves etc and nearer to Xmas, buy the things suited to their specific interests.

When you buy ahead, make sure you thoroughly check whatever you buy before putting it away. you won’t be able to return an item at you buy now and discover it is damaged in December. so check parts aren’t missing or broken, check clothes (missing buttons, zips work, rips or stains).

i keep a list on my phone for gift ideas as they come to me, so i can keep an eye out for them. For example, DS birthday is in the spring and i was thinking of getting him some new air buds, so i’m waiting for them to go on offer, which they will at some point.

If I see something that would be ideal for someone I buy it there and then. My problem is then forgetting about it or not remembering where I hid it. 😁

My dc’s interests were fairly stable 8-13 but around 14 my dd started to get swept up in trends and my ds got inscrutably opinionated about old reliables like Lego. Their opinions and likes/dislikes become so passionate in adolescence.

I started putting money into a Revolut Christmas Pocket every time I’m debating about buying something and wondering if they’ll still like it in December. Not everytime, because sometimes I can’t really afford it which is its own lesson about my weird spending impulses, and how I can cheerfully gaslight myself that spending is saving.

That said, it was a great way to spread the costs when they were younger. And I keep an eye out for things for dh and pils year round because they’re awkward to buy for.

It's mainly to do with the difficulty in deciding what to get him than the cost.

I've put a bag in the cupboard where I always hide his presents to keep the stocking fillers in.

Very good point about checking things.

a few ideas of stocking fillers i have bought in recent years for my teens)

novelty ice cube trays from shein(eg 🐈‍⬛ or 🦖)
packets of sweets
joke book
t shirt (favourite band, tv show, game etc)
chopsticks (from shein with their name on)
bath bomb/bubble bath
chocolate santa
suitcase travel tag with initials (etsy)
keyring
print for bedroom (etsy with a cheap ikea frame)

for the most part, i don’t have lots of ideas either, im just always on the lookout for out. for example, i was in Halford just before Xmas and i bought some keyrings with the children’s names on (they already had their stockings done, they will be getting them this year!!!)

I always buy throughout the year.
for stocking it’s usually
socks
underwear
pjs
puzzle books
shower gels
ramen bowl
battery power pack
american candy
cereal
water bottle
perfume
t shirt
books
comics

Another vote here for buying throughout the year. Stocking normally make a really good start in the January sales (smellies, socks, t shirts, candles etc) and then slow a little until August time. I have a box for each recipient in the cupboard and I just drop stuff in as I find it. Yesterday’s bargain was a lovely little ceramic planter for my Mums stocking that was reduced from £5 to 67p 😂. We have a family agreement that nothing in a stocking is more that £5 so by buying in the sales, I can make them really impressive while staying in the agreement. Stockings are my favourite part of Xmas

It started when I noticed a "I'd rather be flying" pin badge at the RAF museum recently. DS is obsessed with aeroplanes.

Yes I always do this.

I look out for nice and weird things for all DC throughout the year. I saw a tiny hot chocolate plushie for DD, which she'll like at any age. Anything race car for littlest DS. Greggs vouchers, Japanese sweets, fidget stuff for eldest.

It's easy to pick them up over several months, it's a bit overwhelming getting everything in December with all the cards, pressies, decorations, main presents, wrapping, nativities, parties 🤣....

3d printed tactile things/fidgets are good for any age I find

I did chance on some jelly cat amusables in the sale that I squirrelled away (probably more for girls than boys)

makeup bits when boots do offers/free gifts with purchases (again teenage girls)

guitar plectrum/instrument Reeds etc if musical

hair products

crew socks

post it notes/glue stick/scissors/art supplies

List on phone is a great idea. Thanks. I recently ordered a Lego set off Amazon that I will put away for Christmas. It's so easy to forget what you bought and where you hid it.

I do a combination of buying what I know DS would like when I see it, and keeping a list on my phone of both what I’ve bought and other ideas I’ve had. It makes it so much easier at Christmas / birthday time.

There’s some lovely stuff in the rafatrad January sale……

not sure how old DS is but the RAF rubber ducks are so much fun

I do this. I also have an app on my phone with ideas for people and what I’ve already got them.

I do I’ve already bought Christmas Eve pjs 😬 I also want to reign in my spending. My dcs are adults and I dread to think how much I spend.

I do DD an Advent Box (I know, I know...) and that's already done for this year with the exception of a chocolate calendar. Got everything in the sales, and actually there's only three things in there that I've bought new (pyjamas, jumper and a beauty advent calendar) the remaining contents are packed away safely until next November.

Her stocking is probably 50% done, I've kept up the tradition my mum started so stockings are half practical things, half fun stuff - the fun stuff I'll start to pick up from October.

I've also made a start on DH's stocking, just makes sense to me to spread the cost of Christmas throughout the year.

DD was given a voucher for Shein for Xmas and as i was placing the order for her, i added a few extra stocking fillers/birthday gifts;

ice cream maker
grow a crystal christmas tree
grow a crystal

my package arrived and the stocking fillers have been put away until needed.

A couple of other things i do.

Cash back - i buy discounted vouchers for shopping. i got £85 back in December.

Shoppix app -scan receipts in exchange co vouchers.

you gov. -surveys, in exchange for vouchers.

IKEA app - you can build up points by logging on every day and creating a shopping list once a week, for credit. points expire after 18 months.

Shein - check in every day and review your purchases for credit. points expire after 3 months.

None of these things are high earning, but over time, it builds up and whatever i get, goes towards Christmas.

this thread might help you

My top tip is to keep a note on your phone (or wherever) to jot down things people mention throughout the year - a food stuff they like; they don’t have eg an ice cream scoop; they are thinking about growing their own herbs (just a couple of examples of what are already on my list for next year). I don’t buy until nearer Christmas usually, it’s having the ideas. That said, I do buy unique things as and when I see them all year round

I buy throughout the year too. Very handy so I have stuff stocked for things like valentines, easter, birthdays, kids parties etc.

Just recently bought some reduced toys from Tesco and b&m, and toiletries from boots in their 70% off.

My kids this Xmas will be 6 and 13 but fairly confident I'll be alright picking out stuff they'll like (my son is an avid gamer and into anime, daughter is typical girly for her age - barbies and arts and crafts is always a hit)

My mind can't plan that far ahead but usually start getting things in November so noylt all a massive rush. Xx

Yes, lots of smallish things and DH puts them away for me. We have forgotten where they are in the past, but luckily, we’d got quite a few more recently too and so we had some for Xmas. I found the ones we’d ‘lost’ a few weeks after Xmas and gave them to DD, and it’s become a family joke. I now have a ‘Xmas Cupboard’ which I use for Xmas and birthday stuff.

Themdownside of buying throughout the year for us is that it can mean that you can end up with a kind of Dudley Dursley pile of cheaper smaller things thagtt is l-a-r-g-e , almost embarrassingly so.

I do a Dec 1st Box for my DS and DD .
I already have socks for DS

That is a start

This is SO me!

I put all my present finds in the drawer in my wardrobe , I take a photo when I wrap them. Good plan to wrap and stop DD peeking