I struggle with stocking stuffers a bit. They can turn into $ hogs really quickly if you go the gift card route, or even small but expensive things like DVDs, etc.
Or you can buy a bunch of cheap, inexpensive things that may or may not be needed/appreciated. It is hard to judge sometimes!
I am falling back into the territory of stocking stuffers being either homemade or free or both!
Also, where possible, it is nice to make them a consumable - i.e. something that gets used up!
Handmade Stocking Stuffers (Non-Food):
- Ornaments ... There are a million DIY tutorials for a wide range of ornament types and styles. So many to choose from!
- Rear View Window Charms ... also a large variety of styles and ways to go here. You would want to gift something like this to someone you know would like it/use it. Here is one cute idea I saw recently:
http://liliannagrace.blogspot.com/2010/11/wine-cork-ornaments.html
- Gadget Sleeves ... whether for phone, MP3 player, navigation system, hand held game device, you name it! Make them from felt (higher quality wood blend will resist fraying, pilling better) or fleece (once again, there is a non-pillable fleece out there) for ease of sewing.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suezybees/6176884987/in/photostream
OR for the men if your life try to follow these tutorials:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Woven-paracord-braceletwatchband/?ALLSTEPS
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-Paracord-Leatherman-Pouch/?ALLSTEPS
Homemade Stocking Stuffes (Food/Drink)
- Popcorn Balls wrapped in cellophane or wax paper - have fun with these! Lots of recipes out there! Mix in red and green M&M's - whatever!
- Choc Covered Spoons ...Bundle a few together and tie with ribbon! The following tutorial uses wooden spoons, but you could just as easily use plastic ones.
http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2011/12/hot-chocolate-spoons-.html
- Hot Cocoa Mix (Repackaged) ... Whether you make your own mix or buy a large cannister at a good price, package it pretty! Put the mix in a small ziplock or sandwich bag to keep it fresh, but put that not so pretty plastic bag in something snazzy!
Make an envelope out of Christmassy scrapbook paper. Or throw it into a plain brown paper lunch sack you've decorated. Add a customized label. Bundle them with some choc covered spoons and you have a really nice stuffer!
FREE Stuffer Ideas:
Sign up for free samples and gift bags. If there is a B1G1F deal on something you usually buy, maybe the freebie gets put aside for someone's stocking.
Or sometimes when you buy the full size version of a product it comes with a separate trial size version attached.
Have a designated place to throw all of these little things during the year. I have a small paper shopping bag in the office closet.
Also consider that any stuffer idea you make at home using supplies you already had, or from repurposing items - can technically be considered "free" as well. At least I look at it that way, since I didn't have to spend any out of pocket $ for them.
The key is starting early, planning, and doing what you can, little by little.
But guess what - at the end of the story, the tortoise ALWAYS wins!
