cheap, eco-y stocking fillers for kids-thoughts...

[Fillyjonk]

I want stuff that is a bit of a reat but does not add to the mountain of crap in my house.

am thinking

seeds (possibly with just instructions for growing them)

fruit

what else?

I like suggestions on mn of new toothbrushes and flannels in stockings- at least you know they'll get used!

Actually DD's favourite thing last year was a pair of father christmas socks... which she still begs for even though they are outgrown- I think they were £1 from Sainsbury.

wooden bracelets

threading beads

traidcraft have musical instruments (grasshoppers for a pound) made of wood, lots of beads and bracelets and purses and food and bits and bobs.

Practical stuff: shampoo, toothpaste, bath sponge, pants, socks, PJ's etc

eco-outlet
ecocentric
myriad natural toys
ecotopia
yourtomorrow
born free adopt animal) ink{http://www.goodgiftsshop.org/products.aspx?tier1=sfpf&stockingfillas=1Good Gifts stocking fillers
sparrowkids making kits

forgot this one! insectlore

how about a torch that doesn't need batteries www.johnlewis.com/230497037/Product.aspx

pens and pencils (fluffy, glittery, or otherwise exciting.)
small book.

I think we should go back to the good old days (when I were a lass) and have oranges and nuts in the stocking.

I have bought everyone hot water bottles this year.

Not very eco friendly in the manufacture and production, but:

They last for years
THey make your bed feel so warm that you can turn the heating down
You can put your feet on one while mumsnetting and turn the heating down

littlecherry

Bought each of mine a Betty Crocker cake mix (brownies, muffins and chocolate cake). They will be able to bake them by themselves and we'll have something nice for tea. Also a jar of Nutella each as we don't normally stretch to that. Very practical presents this year...

There are some BRILLIANT ideas on this thread, thank you.

An added complication is that I am mean and the kids have to hang up ACTUAL SOCKS, partly because then not much will go in them . So the things need to be quite small.

I have already bought up the myriad catalogue...

flibberty i think i might steal your idea and buy everyone inthe extended family a nice hot water bottle.

Where did you get the hot water bottles Flibbertyjibbet?
I looked all over for them last year but could only find those wheat heat pad things which are brilliant to whack in the microwave but no good in a power cut (we get lots of those in winter).

Fillyjonk, how about pieces of coloured cord/elastic for cats cradle and chinese jump rope games.
Bobbin knitting thingies.
Marbles
Nice crayons (I've been llooking for 'rock crayons' but can't find them anywhere.

Some odd little titbits in DS's stocking this year:

a mini kaleidoscope thingy
a tin whistle
a little kit to grow your own cress (yeah, I know - lame but he likes that sort of thing)
some 'magic' gloves
a 'teeth brushing' timer (like a little egg timer - what can I say, my son is a geek )

You could also add vouchers or tickets for an activity - bowling / leisure centre / cinema / theatre etc

dd1 13 will be getting: cinema ticket / Starbucks card / toothbrush, flannel, shampoo, bubble bath etc; socks and tights and knickers; packets of nice dried fruit, mango, pineapple etc; fairtrade choc coins; an Oxfam gift thingy

dd2 11 will get the above minus the first two and instead will get a huge roll of drawing paper and some charcoal.

Although they would both gladly exchange all of the above for a jar of Nutella.

set of children's cutlery

(tis the latest addition to my dcs stockings and i think my favourite so far!)

How old are the kids, fillyjonk? The National Trust shops do a 'test tube' with either a science experiment or a little craft kit in which caught my eye the other day - DS a bit young for them yet (5) but I thought they'd make great stocking fillers.

Hit the charity shops - if you look round you can get videos that look brand new for 25p, books for a few pence... My kids just accept that Father Christmas often give books that look slightly thumbed. After all, the elves need something to read.

oooh the rock crayons, do you mean the soy ones? aaargh i saw a link somewhere for them, but i think it was in america...

dried fruit is a given lol, they would probably prefer dried mango to nutella...strange kids...

must look up national trust stuff, ds seems pretty sciencey...(he is 5, so who knows really, but still)