stocking fillers for adults

[jimmychoos]

Ok - I'm getting worried about Xmas now, having seen how organised everybody else is. I don't have problems buying stocking presents for the littlies, but in our house everyone gets a stocking first thing in the morning (presents wait until after lunch). So....any ideas? Especially for my Mum (sadly always inundated with bath products at Xmas!)

Perhaps a pampering (massage/facial/maincure/pedicure etc) voucher at a local salon/beautician ?

Nice undies ? I have no idea on what sort of age or person your Mum is, but mine loves getting pretty undies as a) she is an awkward size b) Her DP just can't shop for toffee ! and c) It's not the sort of thing she'd actively spend money on for herself.

Oh have just noticed that you said 'stocking fillers' so perhaps the voucher (which could cost upwards of £20) and the undies (again prob £30+ for a set) may well be a little expensive. Will have a think for cheaper bits and bobs...

Perhaps some nice writing paper if she is a letter writer ? A book from one of her favorite authors, or a biography of someone she admires ?

Depending on your mum's sense of humour you could have a look at Gizmo & Widget , they're one of my favourite shopping sites and really reliable and efficient.

Updated Trivial Pursuit question cards?

a minature bottle of baileys (or whatever her favourite tipple is)

a favour family photo that she doesn't have a copy of.....

this is what we do in our house too.
Nice stocking fillers that I have appreciated/or have give include:
a nice mug
good or unusual tea or coffee
ditto choccies or other sweets
a picture frame
a cheap but fun video or CD (classics are often only £2-4 at somewhere like Booksale or The Works)
nice bath stuff (I like getting loads!)
Silly books, cartoons, bizarre non-fiction (ditto cheapo bookshops - guess where I do most of my Christmas shopping?!)
Odd luxurious foodstuffs - bottled chillies, good vinegar, flavoured oil, yummy biscuits etc.
Earrings/scarves/gloves/etc

The basic stocking formula in our household is a satsuma in the toes, a sugar mouse (if you can find them nowadays, but they've been a tradition for years), something else to eat, something to read, something to make or do (a pincushion or bookmark embroidery set? A puzzle or jigsaw?). That way everyone has something to occupy them before the main present opening and on Boxing day if main presents aren't immediately useful/usable (my dh always asks for new powertools...).

Men are v.difficult for stockings, but I usually cope with socks, handkerchiefs, coffee, chocolate (dh is a chocaholic) a new Terry Pratchett or Ian Banks book, possibly a Haynes manual (!), some moisturiser or shaving balm in a nice smell, and a fiendish wooden puzzle (a Christmas tradition in his family is giving each other horrendous puzzles and then all spending the next few days trying to solve them).

Thanks everyone. Agree Miranda2 - men and stockings v v difficult! I love the idea of buying something to occupy people before the grand present opening later (my dp usually spends this time mixing a few bloody marys tho, so might miss him out of that one....)

Legs?