Christmas Stocking Fillers
Christmas stocking fillers are often the easiest gifts to buy. They don’t have to be expensive; they must be small enough to fit inside a stocking. This tradition has endured over the years, even when I was a child, some 40 years ago.
There’s something magical about waking up on Christmas morning as a child and seeing a bulging stocking at the end of the bed or hanging from the bedroom door handle—a sure sign that Santa has paid a visit.
These days, children are fortunate to receive much more than just a piece of fruit in their stockings. Over the years, the tradition has expanded beyond just children; now, even adults with their own families partake in the fun. It’s just as exciting for grown-ups to see what ‘Santa’ has brought as it is for the children.
Around November, many people start thinking about Christmas presents, scouring shops and department stores or looking online for ideas. Nowadays, many small businesses are promoting their handmade items for sale.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Christmas markets were bustling with shoppers. Strolling through the local market was delightful, picking up unique gifts. Finding distinctive items makes filling the stockings even more special. Handmade gifts have become very popular, whether purchased online or from local artisans.
Christmas stocking fillers for adults
Where do we start when filling a stocking for the grown-ups? Online stores offer a vast range of small items suitable for this purpose. Each year presents the challenge of finding something different yet practical. Choosing gifts that will be used and not be forgotten in the back of a wardrobe or passed on to someone else is essential!
I remember many years ago, around the age of 10, buying a Christmas present for a friend—a selection of ‘smellies.’ Let’s face it: Christmas isn’t Christmas without a bar of soap or a bottle of bubble bath. However, I received the same gift as my Christmas present a year later!
As a child, I felt disheartened to see that the gift I had given the year before had been rewrapped and returned to me. It was disappointing to realize that no thought had gone into choosing a personal present when it was passed back.
Purchasing Christmas stocking fillers
So, where are the best places to buy stocking fillers? Many stores offer =options if you enjoy strolling around shops and soaking up the Christmas atmosphere. For those who prefer the convenience of online shopping, using a laptop, computer, or phone is a great place to start. Many online retailers provide a vast selection of small, suitable gifts, making it easy to find the perfect stocking fillers from the comfort of your home.
Where do the majority of people shop?
Online stores such as Amazon and eBay are renowned as two of the biggest online retailers in the world. They are easily accessible, affordable, and offer fast delivery. When dealing with such well-known companies, we automatically feel safe and secure ordering from them. However, what about other online shops that often go unnoticed?
Let’s explore various online stores and gift ideas for both men and women. Beyond the usual perfume and aftershave, plenty of other gift ideas exist. Here are some suggestions:
For Women:
- Jewellery: Sites like Etsy and Not on the High Street offer unique handmade pieces.
- Beauty Products: Glossier and Sephora have various skincare and makeup items.
- Books: Bookshop.org supports local bookstores while offering a wide selection.
- Home Décor: Wayfair and Anthropologie have stylish and affordable home accessories.
- Fitness Gear: Lululemon and Athleta provide high-quality workout clothes and accessories.
For Men:
- Gadgets: ThinkGeek and Uncommon Goods offer unique tech gadgets and accessories.
- Tools: Home Depot and Lowe’s have various tools for DIY enthusiasts.
- Books: Audible for audiobooks and Amazon for a broad selection of genres.
- Outdoor Gear: REI and Patagonia are great for camping and hiking equipment.
- Cooking Gadgets: Sur La Table and Williams-Sonoma have high-quality kitchen tools.
Unisex Gifts:
- Subscription Boxes: Companies like Cratejoy offer themed subscription boxes for hobbies, snacks, books, and more.
- Handmade Goods: Etsy features a plethora of handmade and vintage items.
- Board Games and Puzzles: Sites like BoardGameGeek provide recommendations and purchases.
- Art Supplies: Blick Art Materials and Michaels cater to various crafting and artistic needs.
- Eco-Friendly Products: Package Free Shop and EarthHero offer sustainable and environmentally friendly gifts.
By exploring these varied options, you can find unique and thoughtful stocking fillers beyond the typical choices.
Online stores such as eBay are renowned as two of the biggest online stores in the world. They are easily accessible, affordable, and offer fast delivery. When dealing with companies with huge names, we automatically feel safe and secure when ordering from them. However, what about other online shops that often go unnoticed?
Let’s look at various online stores and gift ideas for both men and women. Apart from perfume and aftershave as Christmas gifts, there are plenty of other gift ideas.
Something for men and women
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When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
There are many Christmas products available for stocking fillers for men and women. Let’s focus on gifts with scents.
Wardrobe fragrances
Spraying your favourite fragrance onto your clothes is never advisable, so having a wardrobe fragrance is the ideal solution. These are designed to hang on the rail, providing a wonderful scent that gives your clothes a freshly washed smell. Similarly, scented bags and drawer fragrance sheets are perfect for infusing smaller spaces with a pleasant aroma. Their compact size makes them an ideal addition to a Christmas stocking.
Candles
We’ve covered scented candles in a previous post. Candles come in all shapes and sizes and have always been very traditional at Christmas.
Ranging from tea light candles to more cylinder-shaped ones, many come with a delicate fragrance to fill the room with Christmas spirit. Opt for spicy, nutmeg, or mulled wine scents; they set the scene for winter. Yankee candles are perfect if you love a winter and Christmas fragrance. If you prefer a scent that matches your perfume, look at the candle selection in our online shop.
Car air fresheners
Most men enjoy car fragrance just as much as women do. Gone are the days of the traditional dice hanging from the rearview mirror in the ’70s. Cars can get just as dirty inside as our homes, and unlike our homes, we can’t leave the windows open to air them out when we’re not inside. However, be cautious when choosing car air fresheners, as some can be overpowering in a vehicle’s confined space and might cause a headache.
I’ve found that lemon and citrus scents are often too strong. Many air fresheners come in clear packets that you tear open weekly to release a controlled amount of fragrance, which can help manage strong scents. If opting for a powerful scent, look for these controlled-release options to avoid overwhelming your senses.
Reed diffusers are another great stocking filler for both men and women. They have become very popular over the past few years and give the home a hint of fragrance that doesn’t overpower like spray air fresheners.
Some come in very sophisticated bottles, making them look elegant and decorative in the home. They tend to last long, depending on where you purchase them. Certain scents will help relax the mind and body after a long day. It’s safer if you like the smell of candles but have young children or pets. Unlike a candle that has to be put out once you leave the house, a reed diffuser can be left to fragrance any room safely.
Related Article: Foton Pearled Candles
Body spray
Body sprays can be ideal gifts in the stocking and under the tree. They’re a product that everyone uses, even young children. They’re often available in many fragrances and brands; some are also designed for sensitive skin. They’re easy to carry in a handbag for the office or a sports bag on the way to the gym.
Soap
Over the years, soaps have become very decorative, with many small businesses designing, creating, and selling them online. When we once received a bar of Dove in the stocking, it was a lovely surprise to have a handcrafted bar (almost too pretty to use). If you need unscented soap, there are lots to choose from.
Affiliate Disclosure
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Solid perfume and antiperspirant sticks
Some people aren’t keen on sprayed fragrances. So, solid perfume and antiperspirant sticks are an ideal alternative. They are possibly longer-lasting in their container compared to the amount that would be sprayed with your usual favourite perfume. They are also ideal for a holiday as there is no risk of any spillages in the suitcase.
Shower gel
As we all know, soap bars can be very messy (especially when children get hold of them!), so having another option in the form of a liquid/gel is ideal. These are easily transferable to another container if you have a shampoo/conditioner and shower container on your bathroom wall. Most shower gels have a fragrance, but just like bars of soap, you can purchase unscented ones, too. These often come in little sets with a body scrub, which makes an excellent stocking gift.
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10 Comments
ashblair29
I love this! Children are definitely more fortunate in what they can get in their Christmas stockings now a days haha, that is so true. I’m searching for ideas on what to add to my husband’s Christmas stocking this year and this is perfect. That wardrobe fragrance is so neat too. Thank you for sharing these great ideas!
Louise Allen
Thank you! It’s always nice to find something different to put in the Christmas stocking and pleased that i have given you some ideas.
Wardrobe fragrances
Louisa
I love receiving perfume as a Christmas present so giving it as a present also brings joy because you know that person is going to really get some enjoyment out of it. And your right putting some thought into a gift goes a long way no matter how much it cost. I really like the wardrobe smelly idea as well, thank you.
Louise Allen
Thanks Louisa, absolutely. These days it’s so nice to receive a gift that has some meaning behind it and something that will be enjoyed by the receiver. Our wardrobe fragrances have been very popular especially as they come in popular scents for men and women.
Jannette
When it comes to Christmas stocking fillers, there are lots to choose from and the prices could be different. I think of Christmas stocking fillers for small items under $20, but with rising prices this year the choices could be limited depending on where we shop. I like going to amazon to buy the fillers, as we get different offers than that of Walmart or Target.
Louise Allen
Hi Jannette,
I agree, I always think of Christmas stocking fillers as smaller items and not expensive to purchase. I do believe that we may see a rise in prices even for the stocking fillers and there are some great places to shop for them.
Take a look at our online shop for some scented gift ideas this Christmas.
Alice
Christmas is my favorite day of the year, next to my birthday, of course, ☺
And Christmas won’t be the same without the stockings, especially for kids. But as you said, Christmas stockings aren’t just for kids. It’s fun for adults to give each other something; not necessarily candies or sweets, right?
I really like your recommendations for stocking fillers for men and women. I wouldn’t have come up with these myself.
So, I am buying stocking fillers for my entire family: car freshener for my husband, scented candle, and shower gel for my 2 sisters, and wardrobe fragrances for my mom, and mother-in-law. Oh, perhaps a scented candle for myself too, lol.
Very helpful post, thanks.
Louise Allen
Hi Alice,
Thank you for stopping by and reading my article. Absolutely, even at my age, I still like to have a stocking at Christmas and it is my favourite time of the year too and my birthday is very close to Christmas too.
I love the magic that it brings and there are some great stocking fillers available. Candles make a perfect gift for anyone, especially those that we don’t know what to buy and the car fresheners shower, gels and wardrobe fragrances are perfect to pop in and stocking.
Pleased to be able to help.
LineCowley
With Christmas on the horizon, finding gifts for Christmas stockings are on the top of the list for many people. Although I never had a Christmas stocking when I grew up, our family was too poor, so we only had a gift under the tree. Kids love the surprise of what they might find in their Christmas stocking.
And adults also enjoy having a stocking. I love these great suggestions and those looking for stocking filler ideas, will find many great solutions.
Louise Allen
Hello,
Yes, everyone is frantically looking around for gifts this Christmas either in the shops or online so I thought I would create an article that helps those that may be struggling to find something to pop in their Christmas stockings.
Both myself and my husband and our children have always loved a Christmas stocking, and it’s been a tradition since I was a child. It’s the first peek into opening gifts, and even now that our boys are not toddlers anymore, they still come into our bedroom and show us what Santa has brought, which is lovely