Frugal stocking presents

**peanut** · 12-12-2008, 05:15 PM

I just found this forum. I've been posting Christmas posts on the frugal living board. Sorry!

My question centers around frugal stocking gifts. What do you give your kids?

Do you still give stockings for adult children who return home for Christmas?

If so, what is realistic to give people like that? I have a 26 yo SIL, and a 24 yo DD, and a 21 yo DD who is in university.

I don't have a problem buying for the one in university. But I do have problems buying for a son-in-law who is just entering the banking world. I like my stocking gifts to be under $5 each...meaning no more than $25/stocking. I load up on candy and fruit and nuts in stockings. He is on a restricted diet, so I'm not sure about the candy this year. I'm thinking maybe dress socks for SIL...not sure what else... Any ideas?

Jean

**ritabelle** · 12-12-2008, 05:36 PM

We do stockings for all adults in the family -- it's fun to find the littler presents to fill them with. Even the older folks enjoy the fun pencils and erasers that my aunt loves to find, and I like to get stocking stuffers from the Container Store... usually they'll have fun desk things or small themed gifts that work for someone. A DVD scratch filler or cleaning cloth for the computer geek in the family and a book light for the reader. Usually there's a scratch-off lottery ticket peeking out of the top too -- fun stuff!

**IntlMom** · 12-12-2008, 05:58 PM

We do stockings for our immediate family.....kids dh, and for me....my mom often picks up a few things for our stockings too.
I do alot of favourite candies....gloves, mittens, chapsticks, new toothbrushes, kids toothpasts, bandaids......

**pbobber** · 12-13-2008, 01:22 AM

What about deodorant, shave gel, lip balm, nail clippers, toiletries basically.

**LastDragonfly** · 12-13-2008, 01:31 AM

My mom always gives her favorite son in law (my dh) tee hee, a gift certificate to Hastings. She also gives him hand warmers to put in his coat, he loves those!

We also get some life savers and candy. my dad always puts the little "cutie" oranges that are teeny in.

How bout an emergency kit for the bank such as a tide pen (in case he spills something before a meeting). Some hand sanitizer (dirty money?) or a nice pen so he can think of his favorite mil?

**purktoni** · 12-13-2008, 08:13 AM

If you have a Target nearby, the "ONE SPOT" is a great place to pick up things year round and put them away.

Some of the cool things I found:
Hand warmers for the hunters in my family
Sunglasses
Coffee and chocolate
Mini- Dry erase boards
Pocket calendars

So much more thru the year that I can't remember it all. I have 4 kids and I will designate a gallon sized ziplock and start putting non-perishables in it starting with after Christmas sales.

Also a huge hit are Gift Cards. Even my 4 year old gets a kick out of having a $5 Target gift card in her stocking!

I'm also home making some favorite treats and ziplockiing them for the stocking this year.

**rainbowgc** · 12-13-2008, 11:14 AM

A quick trip to Dollar Tree should get you stocked and ready.

**Grayce** · 12-13-2008, 11:26 AM

My DD is 16 and getting close to "grown up" LOL. I fill her stocking with candy, toiletries, daisy razors, chap stick, shampoo, soaps, lotions, gloves, bubble bath, phone cards and fruit. Everyone gets an apple, orange and a pear (the biggest, shiniest ones I can find). My DD also specifically asked for a pomegranate this year because it is a treat I wouldn't normally buy.
Depending on our finances I sometimes do stockings for my DH. I put indeorderant, candy, nuts, gloves and "car stuff" like snow scrapers, air fresheners, tire pressure thingies, emergency blankets etc.

**Laura2** · 12-14-2008, 08:24 PM

We are making stocking for the kids who will be coming to our house this Christmas: ages 14, 13, 9, 4, 2. They are filled with toys, small gifts, and candy.

We are not sure if we will do them for the adults this year. If so, I will fill them with toiletries (shampoo/conditioner, body wash, loofa, toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, face wash), candy, and maybe a small gift or two.

**McD** · 12-14-2008, 09:52 PM

I found some great stocking stuffers in the travel section of Target. Small toiletries like deoderant, bodywash, a cool toothbrush for Wesley, and some band-aids. Lotsa fun!

**guest002** · 12-14-2008, 10:28 PM

Target also has an asile of stocking stuffers for younger kiddos near their Christmas stuff. I got the cutest Santa Mr. Potato Head for around $5.

**peanut** · 12-14-2008, 11:07 PM

Thanks for all the ideas everyone! I have a nice list to take shopping with me tomorrow. We don't have Target here. Sometimes I envy you Americans and the options you have.

Jean

**TheRootedNomad** · 12-15-2008, 07:35 AM

I collect a lot of freebies over the year for stockings and do lots of the stuff some of the others do for my DH and parents. Here goes anyway as there might something different.

chapstick
socks (especially the slipper type or picture ones)
their favorite cookies (about 5 baggied and wrapped - DH eats these for breakfast while watching the boys open)
gloves
ear muffs
tobagon hats
cards
occassionally the $5 gift card will turn up in a stocking
oatmeal saop (for mom's dry skin)
a letter (of appreciation, of love, of thanks - whatever might be fitting as long as it's personal and heartfelt)
hankies
candy
fruit
jerky
family pictures (especially old ones)
nail clippers
knee-hi stockings
pencils
pens
pocket calenders
festive undies

**peanut** · 12-15-2008, 02:21 PM

TheRootedNomad: I don't know if you were a help or not?! I thought the photo idea was great. I have all these nice picture frames I inherited from my mom. So I whisked a double hinged pewter one out and printed off a photo of Mom and one of Dad and put them in either side of the frame. I thought DD#1, who is into genealogy, might like that. But once they were in I liked it so much myself I think I'll keep it! I'll have to do another one for DD#1. I have lots of frames!

Jean

**phoeny_moonstar** · 12-15-2008, 02:57 PM

I also like the idea of using all the freebies you get throughout the year to use as stocking stuffers. (Maybe checking the freebie thread?) Small gift cards, candy, small stuffed animals (maybe an old one of yours??), "fancy" pens/pencils, and some good smellking items

HTH