How to Fill a Christmas Stocking

Co-authored by Joel Warsh, MD

Last Updated: August 5, 2024

Opening stockings is always a fun part of Christmas, and stuffing the stockings can be equally as fun too! Before you start searching for items, think about the person's interests and decide on a budget, if desired. Tailor your stocking to the individual and their age, choosing stocking stuffers for kids like small games, candies, and fun socks while picking out things such as useful toiletries, relaxing bath salts, or yummy chocolates for adults.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Assembling the Stocking

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Decide if you’ll wrap the items before putting them in the stocking. This is a fun way to make the stocking last a little while longer as the person is opening it while keeping the contents a surprise. Use normal wrapping paper or newspaper to wrap up the stocking items.^{[1]
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- The scrap pieces of wrapping paper left over from wrapping large gifts are great for wrapping stocking stuffers.
2
Place small, round objects at the bottom of the stocking. These objects will be used to fill the toe of the stocking. Look at the items that go in the stocking and see which ones would fit well at the bottom, making sure they aren't fragile or easily crushed, as they'll be holding the weight of the rest of the stocking.^{[2]
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- Many people put oranges at the toe of the stocking.
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While most other items will fit in the leg of the stocking, put the longest items in first so that they don't stick out too far. Taller items might include things like long candy canes, rolled up magazines, or a watercolor set.^{[3]
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Place unwrapped or special items at the top of the stocking. If you've wrapped most of the items in the stocking but kept one or two unwrapped just for looks, place these peeking out of the top of the stocking. This will tie together your stocking, making it look festive and creative.
- For example, leave a tiny stuffed animal at the top of the stocking, peeking over the side.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Shopping Strategically

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Select items depending on the recipient’s interests and preferences. Think of any items the person has asked for in their stocking, as well as any hobbies or things they enjoy. This will help you create a list of possible ideas (as well as places to shop) for their stocking stuffers.
- For example, if the person loves nature or asked for a stocking full of fun items, you might look for a mini flashlight, patterned gloves, travel games, and stickers with animals on them.
This is especially helpful if you’re filling a stocking for more than one person, as the cost of all the small filler items combined can get quite high. Choose a budget for each stocking, such as $25, to help make sure they’re all of a similar quality and you don’t spend too much.
3
Incorporate family traditions when choosing items. If there are things that you put in the stocking every year, purchase these items and plan for how much space you’ll have left over in the stocking. If you don’t have any traditions for stockings, consider starting one!
- Popular family stocking stuffers might include oranges, a variety pack of mini cereal boxes, a toothbrush, or LifeSavers Storybooks.
4
Consider choosing a theme for the stocking. The theme ties together all of the items in the stocking, narrowing your search to items related to one specific subject that the stocking recipient would like. The theme might be something like sports, princesses, sweets, or books.^{[4]
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- For example, a sports-themed stocking could include items like candies in the shapes of footballs or basketballs, a mini sports game, pencils with baseballs on them, or sports-themed stickers.
- A princess-themed stocking might have a toothbrush with a princess on it, a tiara, plastic jewelry, and a princess coloring book.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Picking Out Items for Children

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Make sure the items are age-appropriate. When choosing stocking stuffers for children, think about their age when selecting the items to ensure they’re safe and appropriate choices. This is especially important when picking out items for toddlers or young children, as small items may be a choking hazard.
- If you need ideas related to a specific age group, such as babies, preschoolers, or middle schoolers, do a quick online search to find lists of suggested items.
- For example, a stocking for a baby might include a pacifier, holiday bib, or soft socks.
- A stocking for a preschooler could have things like animal finger puppets, a small doll, crayons, or bubbles.
2
Include toiletries or articles of clothing for useful stocking stuffers. For children, these items could include practical things that they’ll need like a small bottle of shampoo or toothpaste, as well as fun items like colorful chapstick or bath bubbles.
- Headbands, hair clips, washcloths with pictures on them, and bath toys are also good options.
- Stuff their stocking with a small hat, gloves, or mittens for colder weather.
3
Choose items like books or puzzles to challenge their minds. Things like word search books, playing cards, and mini jigsaw puzzles are all great options for stocking stuffers. Make sure the games, puzzles, or books fit in the stocking and are age-appropriate so that the child can enjoy them.^{[5]
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- Check the packaging or label on the item to see the age recommendations, if necessary.
- Other items might include comic books, Rubik’s cubes, small games, or crossword puzzles.
4
Select craft supplies for an aspiring artist. Pick out items like pencils, crayons, small watercolor sets, or stickers to put in the child’s stocking. There are tons of fun craft supplies you can find that don’t cost very much and are small enough to fill any size stocking.^{[6]
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- Coloring books, small journals, stamps, and fun erasers can go in the stocking as well.
- Play-Doh or washable paints are great for younger kids.
5
Pick out small toys for the stocking to encourage play time. There are tons of toys you might include in the stocking, such as Legos, bubbles, bouncy balls, or wind-up toys. Visit your local toy store or big box store to find small toys perfect for a stocking.^{[7]
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- Small toy cars and slinkies are other great options.
6
Stuff the stocking with foods for a good snack or dessert. You can choose healthier foods, like oranges, apples, or nuts, or opt for holiday treats like gingerbread cookies, chocolates, or lollipops. It’s a good idea to buy these items, especially candies, in bulk if you’re filling more than one stocking.^{[8]
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- Include dried fruits, packages of cookies, gummies, or the child’s favorite candy.
- Decorate the top of the stocking by hooking a candy cane or two over the rim.
- Pay attention to any allergies the child has when picking out food items.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Selecting Stocking Stuffers for Adults

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Pick out small toiletries for useful items. Adults are always in need of toiletries such as razors, shaving cream, and toothpaste, and they’ll likely appreciate these items in their stocking. Choose small toiletries in your local drug store or big box store for a simple fix to stocking stuffers.^{[9]
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- Look for small things of lotion, cologne, perfume, nail polish, or lip balm.
- Brushes, combs, and other hair accessories make great stocking stuffers.
- The travel section is a great place to look for these toiletries, such as small bottles of shampoo and deodorant.
2
Opt for items related to a hobby or profession for a personal touch. Think about what the person enjoys doing in their day-to-day life, as well as in their free time. Things like magazines about a certain topic, small books, and bumper stickers make great personalized stocking stuffers.^{[10]
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- For example, a guitar player might love a guitar pick, a fisherman would enjoy fishing lures, and a baker might appreciate kitchen supplies.
- A teacher might like fun stickers to put on their students’ papers, while an artist would like new colored pencils or erasers.
3
Choose sweet and salty foods for flavorful stuffers. Foods like popcorn, chocolate, fruits, and nuts make great stocking stuffers that are often inexpensive. You can also add fun drinks, such as coffee, hot chocolate, tea, or small bottles of alcohol.^{[11]
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- Sunflower seeds, chips, cookies, and candies are also good stocking stuffers.
4
Include calming stocking stuffers for relaxing gifts. Look for items that the person would like, such as bath salts, scented candles, and fuzzy socks. These are great choices for a busy or stressed adult who needs a little relaxation.^{[12]
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- Stress balls, face masks, and air fresheners are other good options.
5
Select useful items for a practical stocking. These can be tech items like a memory stick, cell phone accessories, or earbuds, as well as simple practical tools like pens, small notepads, or duct tape. To make these items more fun, look for patterned or holiday-themed options.^{[13]
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- Other options include mini flashlights, pocket knives, multi-tools, sticky notes, or a travel-sized sewing kit.

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Question

When should you open Christmas stockings?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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It’s really up to your personal preference! Some families open their stockings on Christmas Eve, while others wait until Christmas morning to open them along with the other presents.

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How much should you spend on stocking stuffers?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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It depends on your budget and personal preferences. Currently, the average American family spends about $10-$25 per stocking, but there’s no set rule for how much you should spend.

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Why do you put oranges in Christmas stockings?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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There are several stories about the origins of this tradition. One is that the oranges symbolize sacks of gold that St. Nicholas left for the daughters of a poor man. According to the story, St. Nicholas tossed the sacks down the chimney, and they landed in the stockings that had been left out to dry by the fire. It’s also possible that the oranges started out as a sweet treat given by families that couldn’t afford more lavish gifts during the Great Depression. Either way, oranges are a lovely, traditional stocking stuffer that you can easily divide up among your family members or friends on Christmas day!

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Tips

If you have several stockings to fill, you can duplicate certain gifts (such as toothbrushes or candies) while including a few unique gifts in each one, too.

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Handcrafted or homemade items make great stocking stuffers if you're on a budget or want to get creative.

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Look for stocking stuffers throughout the year so that you're prepared when Christmas comes along.

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Warnings

Don't give very small objects to children under three years old, as they are a choking hazard.

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Know of any allergies a person has before giving them foods or scented items.

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