What is your one UNUSUAL stocking filler that others maybe haven't thought of?

[NorbertDentressangle]

Inspired by the stocking filler thread I noticed that we all tend to put the same old crap gifts in but occasionally you come across something that no-one else seems to have thought of.

My tip is (and this is very popular with my DD and some friends DC): pieces of rough cut gems/crystals/quartz or polished gemstones.

A lot of places sell them from about £1 each upwards, you can also fill a little gift bag for a set price. It appeals to the sciencey types and the magpie-types that just like sparkly things

Whats your tip?

Lakelands sell the wild Hibiscus flowers at £6.99 compared to £9.99 at Firefox (in the link below). The lakeland link is: www.lakeland.co.uk/wild-hibiscus-flowers-in-syrup/F/C/eating-drinking-serving/C/eating-drinking-serv ing-foods/product/40294/pgs/39

For little ones, how about a pack of plastic food with each bit wrapped individually?

Also, some little rubber duckies.

Going to buy one of those 'little libraries' this year and wrap each book separately too.

I love this thread. None of my friends will talk about Christmas until December.

Those Hibiscus flowers look sooo cool!

That is what I am getting for anniversaries for DB's next year with a bottle of champagne!!

Ball of wool and some pom-pom making circles - big hit with dd. You can make them yourself out of card or buy them from John Lewis or wherever.

For this year so far I'm thinking...

bicycle bell (ds1)
wash mitts (ds2)
story cds (cheap "freebies" from ebay)
stickers
and the usual satsuma etc

Found a nice source of polished stones, this chap did me a gorgeous selection of 30 small ones for £2.24 +p&p (but is local to me so I collected.) I am now loathe to hand them over as Xmas pressies!
The site is a bit mindboggling but I just filled in the enquiry form requesting a colourful selection with quantity and size and got a lovely bag of treasure.

bicycle bell for ds1 definitely!

went into hawkins bazaar today, had to hold myself back, could have spent loads in there! did get some windup toys, a 'jumping smiley', those exloding flannel things, etc. £9 could easily have bought more, tempted by the Mr Potato Head, not for a stocking, just generally!

Great thread...

indoor sparklers
lip balm
rubber stretchy animals
kinder egg
mini puzzles
secret message pen
mini slinky
mini retractable tape measure
mini fan
stickers
notepads/ sellotape/ pritt sicks/pencil sharpeners
mini bath bombs/fizzers
key rings/bag charms
mini stamper set
very small cacti- they loved these
small torch
those bullet shaped strong magnet things
little heart shaped hand warmer, which stays warm for ages
those magnetic iron filing drawing things- where you can give then a beard or hair kept them quiet for ages

I LOVE STOCKINGS

Lol, my poor mum indeed. Maybe pub age should be NO MORE SANTA age, but that would be so sad wouldn't it.

Calendars are always good*, and I used to get a Letts Brownie diary

And I used to get those fab puzzle books with the pen that revealed stuff - I think they were American and called 'Yes and Know'?

*I got the 'Wham' one... guess my age ;)

Photobox are doinf their notebooks at 2 for 1 at the moment.
have got one for DD and one for DS with pictures on the cover of them with their freinds. £4.99 for the two books.
Am liking the cereal idea, will use that.

MAJOR FLASHBACK at Letts Brownie Diary!

Also used to get a jokeshop toy like eyeballs or nail through the finger, or fly in an icecube.

For ds (3 last Xmas) I did a couple of little hotwheels cars, choccy coins, little notebook and pencil Spongebob I think, little box of crayons, one of the springy toys that you stick the sucker onto the base and it gradually unsticks and then goes BOING. I used to get hairclips or bobbles too, although maybe not so good for a ds!

Love the idea of pompom making stuff.

Last year, DD1's stocking contained a tub of powder for making pink milk. She still says it was her best ever Christmas present, despite the fact she also got a very flash new bike!

Someone earlier was saying that they hadn't done stockings before but might might well start - piece of advice... buy a fairly small stocking, not a gigantic one. As children get older it gets harder to fill the big ones.

Packets of seeds.
New felt tips (you have to have new felt tips. It's almost the law)
DS is getting a saucepan from the pound shop and a wooden spoon. His idea of heaven.

I saw a big sign in the fishmonger's window last Christmas:

"FISH BALLS FOR THE KIDS!"

Just imagine the disappointment.

(And the smell)

jibbitz! for any crocs they have and wear during the summer

have just ordered several from jellyegg.com. v speedy delivery!

(no am not employee!)

LOVING this thread. Always had/need a hat for dressing up box, second hand shops can be fab for this, plus musical instrument of some kind, can be small, "ethnic" shops can be great for this.

my two like a coconut each

Silly putty
Slime

A friend last year did a lucky dip instead of stockings one go each(she does have a large brood though) The kids loved it. Great if you are trying to keep the cost down.

Putty/slime/goo de rigeur.
cruncht/breakfast bar and carton of juice to keep them going until breakfast if they wake up at crack of dawn to open presents.
Wow, Letts Brownie diary, I had forgotten all about those!