Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas

I have also heard that the gold was in the form of gold balls, which is why round ornaments, oranges in the stocking, and other round/gold symbols seem to be part of the Christmas season.

Whether you believe the story or not, it's great fun to place small gifts, candy, or fruit in the stocking each year. Kids absolutely love emptying their stocking to see what's inside. Also around Christmas, many families recognize St. Nicholas Day when Santa brings coins or candy to houses of all the little boys and girls, placing the goodies in their shoes.

Now that you are aware of the story, maybe you can find some unique ideas for those stockings. It seems that an orange, toothbrush, stickers, temporary tattoos and candy aren't the only things that you can put in those stockings! Have fun with it!

Ok, so I know this is probably something you might give your children anyway, but here's a twist on it. If you purchase an ornament for your child's Christmas stocking year after year, he or she will have their own collection by the time they get married! This will help them start their own Christmas tradition beginning the first year of marriage! I remember not having very much money our first year of marriage. We had about 5 ornaments on the tree - hey, ornaments are expensive!!
About two years later I went to my friends' wedding shower and her mother gave her a box of ornaments from when she was a child. It was full of ornaments from each year. It also included ornaments her child had made over the years. Many times, when the family would make ornaments together, each child would create more than one ornament. One stayed with the family and the other was placed in storage. My friend's mother purchased several small boxes to place the ornaments in if they did not have their own box. She also purchased a beautiful chest to place them in. This was an incredible "homemade" gift for her daughter and son-in-law. The sentiment was beautiful.

Since having children, I have purchased ornaments for my children each year. I place them in their shoes on "St. Nicholas Day" (December 6) to be enjoyed throughout the season. Then, after New Years, as we put the Christmas decorations away, each child's new ornament is put into a special box just for them.
Most of the ornaments are personalized with their first, middle, and last name and the year. And oftentimes, it accompanies what the are "in to" that year. This year, for example, our oldest daughter's ornament may be of a runner as she is in cross-country this year. Have fun with it - make it a memorable moment with Personalized Ornaments for your kids.

The debut of Mighty Beanz came in 2002, but this year Moose Enterprises relaunched Mighty Beanz with a completely new range of collectibles. These would be great stocking stuffers! I've even considered buying these from resellers to just "throw' them in the stocking! The kids won't care about the box they come in and although some of the resellers charge more for the rare ones, there are plenty of resellers who are just selling Mighty Beanz that they have multiples of and aren't charging much for them.

Mighty Beanz

Recommended Age 4+

These Mighty Beanz are bound to be on Christmas lists this year, but keep in mind that the collector series (Star Wars and Marvel) are already selling out. I was able to grab some of the Marvel ones to give to the kids as stocking stuffers. While at the store, i picked up a few "regular" beanz packs to give to the kids a little early just to see if they were really all they are cracked up to be. I purchased one 6pk of Series 2 Beanz and two flip tracks and gave my two older children 3 Mighty Beanz and a flip track each. I have to say, this was a full week ago and they are STILL playing with them. They bring them in the car, play nicely together with them. My son brought them to the gym with us and played with them for an hour while my daughter had basketball practice. These little toys are amazing at holding attention! My daughter really likes them, too, even though they seem more "boyish" with some of the styles.
When I purchased the Marvel ones, I made sure the Beanz I could see was of a girl super hero so that my daughter will have a few girlie ones. I can't wait until Christmas. They will love them! I wish i was able to find the Star Wars ones because my son is a die-hard star wars fan. They are very hard to find, and I imagine they will only get more difficult!

1. Mighty Beanz from Spin Master
2. Play em! Race em! Collect em!
3. Over 60 different Star Wars Mighty Beanz to collect
4. For Ages 5 & Up

If you aren't familiar with hexbugs, they are very cool robotic "bugs" that actually look like bugs as they scamper around. Not only are the Hexbugs popular, but there are certain "rare" bugs that are worth more to the buyer.
If you are planning to purchase one of these hexbugs, you might consider purchasing some Hexbug Power Cells to go along with the bugs.

• Micro Robotic Creatures


• The robotic creature that behaves like a real bug


• Colors may vary


• Go online to register and track your Nano collection


• Additional bugs, track, habitats, carrying cases and more are available separately

Depending on what you spend on Stocking Stuffers, you might consider a Hexbug Nano. They are very small and come in a "test tube", which would be really easy to slip inside a stocking.

Hexbug

Recommended Age: 8+

From the Manufacturer:

Reconfigurable set lets you create a variety of Nano homes. Go buggy with Hexbug Nano the micro-robotic creature that acts like a real bug! Habitat Set includes 2 extremely rare Nanos and everything you need to make them a happy home: 4 easy-connect curved pieces, 3 easy-connect straight pieces and 3 easy-connect hexagon pieces. Configure the pieces any way you like, then turn your Nanos loose to play! Real fun with real science. Nanos may look like bugs, but they re actually very cool little robots that use the physics of vibration to propel themselves along and explore their environment. Learn about the science of micro-robotics as you watch them run and skitter, flip over and pop back on their feet all in their own special habitat, custom-made by you! 1+"-long Nanos include batteries. Assembled habitat is 17" w x 14" l x 2+" h. Nanos use 1 AG13 button cell battery each (sold separately for $3). The Hexbug Nano Habitat Set from Brookstone is home-sweet-home for Nanos! Order yours today. Warning: Choking hazard small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Zoobles are going to be HOT this year as are the always popular Bakugan.

Zoobles
Recommended Age: 4+

Zoobles are going to be HOT this year. These quirky little toys are the "new Bakugan". Zoobles are collectible, colorful characters that pop open when placed on their magnetized "happitat".

Bakugans
Recommended Ages 4+

With Bakugan, kids 4 and above will enjoy the challenge of earning points by rolling their Bakugan (or shooting them from a launcher) onto magnetic cards where the plastic spheres burst open to reveal the fearsome warrior apparatus inside. Kids will also love the way the Bakugan transform suddenly into warrior mode, and fans of the show will have an especially good time with the game..

Pez dispensers make great stocking stuffers. Perfect size, perfect price! And don't forget about the PEZ Candies to go along with the dispenser gift - there are many flavors to choose from!

Did You Know?

PEZ candy was invented as a breath mint in Vienna, Austria in 1927.

Did You Know?

The Name PEZ comes from the German word for peppermint, "pfefferminz", taking the P from the first letter, E from the middle and Z from the last letter.

Did You Know?

In 1948 Oscar Uxa designed the first PEZ dispenser called "Box Regulars" which resembled cigarette lighters, encouraging people to quit smoking.

Did You Know?

To grow the US Market, in the 1950s, PEZ introducted fruity flavors and character dispensers, targeting them toward children.

Did You Know?

The first 3 character dispensers were the Full Body Santa, Full Body Robot, and Space Gun.

Did You Know?

Popeye dispensers were the first licensed characters in the late 1950s.

Did You Know?

In the early 1960s, the Mickey Mouse dispenser was introduced, among them, one of the rarest designs, a Mickey Mouse diecut with painted face.

Did You Know?

Feet were added to the bottom of PEZ dispensers to make them more stable when standing upright.

Did You Know?

PEZ was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine and a Tweety Bird PEZ dispenser was featured on an episode of Seinfeld in 1993.

Did You Know?

PEZ released Star Wars dispensers in the late 1990s, which he been the most popular licensed PEZ assortment of all time.

Lego Minis are great stocking stuffer ideas. They are great on their own or to add to existing Lego sets. The prices of these small sets varies from $1.99 - $5.99 retail, which makes them a great option for your kids' stockings!

Recently released in the Lego Minis line are the Lego Toy Story 3 Minifigures. I do not believe these are available on Lego's website at the time of this posting, but you are still able to purchase them at Amazon. Hopefully you'll be able to grab them before they shoot up in price!

Kids LOVE Temporary Tattoos! If your kids are like mine, they will apply just about any style, but imagine their excitement over their favorite characters!

Temporary Tattoos

Recommended For: All Ages

From The Manufacturer:

The Temporary Tattoo Manufacturing to deliver the highest quality temporary tattoos and other products in the world. The temporary tattoos and other products you purchase are completely safe, non-toxic and hypoallergenic. We use only FDA certified colorants and time-proven manufacturing techniques to ensure our products meet or exceed all applicable U.S. and international regulatory requirements.

Kids love Colorforms! These are a great addition to your child's Christmas stocking.

Colorforms

Recommended Ages: 3-8

You might be thinking that these won't fit in a stocking. The good thing about Colorforms is you can cut the sheets into pieces and slip them into the stockings. The Colorforms board may be too big to fit, but you can hold that back and place it somewhere to give to the kids later or wrap it as a gift from Santa to go along with the plastic pieces inside the stocking.
From The Manufacturer:
Perfect for play on the go! Each Fun Pocket pouch contains two travel-friendly play boards and dozens of Colorforms Stick-Ons.

Squinkies, Silly Bandz, Japanese Erasers - these are the 2010 "must-have" items.If you haven't heard of these hot items, you soon will. They are today's version of trading cards! Kids trade these on the bus, at recess, the backyard, you name it!

Squinkies

The world of Squinkies fit in the palm of your hand. These soft and squishy figures are so cute you'll want to collect them all. All Squinkies come in their very own little bubble container; it's a surprise inside. Rings and things big and small. Friends and pets collect them all. Available Squinkies include kittys, puppies, babies, ponies, and friends in their own bubble container.

Japanese Erasers

Japanese Eraser Sets have a take apart educational puzzle design and are 100% Made in Japan in clean environmental friendly factories meetin all international standards in safety and environmental care. Japanese Erasers are recyclable, non-toxic- lead-free safe materials, non-PVC - releases no toxic fume. Small parts, not for children under 8 years of age.

Silly Bandz

Silly Bandz are colorful shaped rubber bands (bandz) made of silicone and die molded. These rubber bands return to their original shape when you take them off the item they're holding (or off of your wrist)..


All of these "it" items above have direct links to Amazon, however, some of the resellers on Amazon have already started increasing the prices. You might find better luck at Walmart. Plus, some of these items are only available online.
The links are below:
Squinkies
Silly Bandz

We all know kids love money - But why not make it fun and give something a little more unique? You can still get $2 bills from the bank. I like to get my kids gold dollar coins and silver dollar and half-dollar coins. They always seem to enjoy getting money, and they LOVE getting GOLD Money!

Or for your baseball fan, consider a Babe Ruth 24K Gold Plated Collectible Coin.