Inexpensive Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Kids
Posted by admin on September 17, 2009 · 5 Comments
After all the gifts have been purchased and placed under the tree, that is the time that many remember in a panic that the stockings over the fireplace still need to be stuffed. Holiday budgets have most likely been spent and there isn’t a whole lot of extra money available. Even with a limited budget, there are a number of quality stocking stuffer ideas that are both practical and will bring a smile to to faces of the little ones.
If you are at a complete loss of what to get, take a trip to your local dollar store and walk the isles. There should be a large selection of goods at a price that is right for you to choose from which should quickly fill up the stockings. In addition, consider the following Christmas stocking stuffer ideas that can have a dual benefit:
Batteries: Instead of wrapping up the batteries with the gift, separate them into stocking stuffers. Since you’d need to purchase them anyway for the toys, they aren’t an extra expense. By separating them out, you make a start on your stocking stuffing and the kids will love them because they can start playing any electronic devices they received.
School Supplies: Here is another practical stocking stuffer that you’d have to purchase in the future for your kids anyway. You kill two birds with one stone by getting them the school supplies they need and filling up the stocking a little more.
Disposable Camera: With all the activity going on during Christmas day, you probably don’t have the time to take pictures and document the day. Let your children do it for you. They’ll have great fun taking photos from their own unique perspective that will add to any photo album.
Art and Craft Supplies: Again, these are supplies that you are likely to need for other activities in the future. Kids love to create and any arts and craft materials make great stocking stuffers. Coloring books, crayons, colored pencils, markers and paints all fit the bill and can be used for other activities long after Christmas is over.
Mini Games or Card Games: Travel size editions of their favorite games or card games that can be played in the car are another good stocking stuffer. The kids can play these on their own, but they have the multiple benefit that they can be used in the car to keep the children occupied during any holiday trips you make.
Christmas Letter: You might want to consider writing a Christmas letter to your child telling him or her all the fun things you remember from the past year. This doesn’t cost any money, can become a lovely Christmas tradition and will be a gift that the child will treasure long after Christmas is over.
By taking a little time to consider stocking stuffers, you won’t need to spend a lot of money to fill those socks over the fireplace mantle while still bringing smiles to the faces of your children when they peak inside.
Jeffrey Strain is owner of http://www.savingadvice.com — a website dedicated to providing useful money saving tips and articles
THESE ARE GREAT IDEAS ON CHRISTMAS. ONE YEAR ALL THAT WAS IN MY SONS STOCKING WAS BATERIES SOCKS AND GLOVES,. (BUT HE WAS 2 THAT YEAR) MY MOM ALAYS PUT AND APPLE AND AN ORANGE IN MY STOCKING ALONG WITH SOME NUTS AND SOME CHANGE. AND SOMETIMES I GOT A BANNANA. THE FRUIT AND TOOK UP HALF OF THE STOCKING AND WE USUALLY ATE IT FOR A QUICK HEALTHY BREAKFAST ON THE WAY TO GRANDMAS HOUSE. MY KIDS ALWAYS GET A NEW TOOTHBRUSH IN THEIR STOCKINGS AND USUALLY SOME FESTIVE SOCKS BATERIES AND WHATEVER OTHER ACCESSORIES THEY MAY NEED FOR THEIR TOYS.
Check out sites that list freebies, samples and play instant win contests for free online for stocking stuffers and collect them year round in a tupperware in your closet. I just got a getrax dvd, 2 cute girly lotion samples, bare minerals sample with a brush and more all the time. I made a stuffed bunny out of my neices stained stripped pastel shirt that was free and for my daughters 2nd bday. I am making hats and upcycled purses ut of clothing given to me by neighbors or that my kids ruin instead of thrwing it out. I made a fairy and even shoes with leather bottoms. Im not even broke or poor I figure saving money means it can go to something else and also teaches good lessons to our children. I do others things also but im off to bed
I cheap stocking stuffer is to check out the freebie websites and start ordering freebies now. So far I have gotten two DVDs and a book for my nieces (ages 4-5), also using swaptree to get my kids (ages 9-15) video games,DVDs, CDs, and books for the cost of shipping only!
We put the same things in the stockings every year. It has become special because they know what they are getting and they usually only get these things at Christmas. So, they look forward to it. They get:
drink boxes
raisins in those little boxes
clementines (small, sweet oranges)
tic-tacs
and usually a little chocolate of some sort.
All stuff I can pick up at the grocery store, and most of it either goes on sale at some point or can be purchased with coupons.
This idea is inexpensive and fun! One year instead of going to the dollar store, I saved my $1 bills for this project. When cooking banana nut bread, I carefully opened each walnut right at the center, so I had two perfect half shells to save. I folded a dollar bill to fit inside the shell. Using tacky glue I glued the shells back together. I placed 3 nuts into each childs stocking. When my children and nephews empty their stockings they went through all the little toy items that others had put in. Then one nephew finally decides to eat his walnut, and the excitement began! All the kids are hunting in their stockings for “their” walnuts. It was a big hit! And the kids can then “shop” with their money.