Super Stocking Stuffers for Every Person on Your List

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I love stocking stuffers — giving and getting them — as long as they’re thoughtful, under $50 (preferably A LOT under) and they fit in the stocking.

Here’s, a list of my favorites.

I have a box of old letters stashed in my basement that I pull out to re-read from time to time. The letters from my Dad when I left home, who struggled to find things to say, but who wrote anyway; the letters from my Mom, filled with stories about family, friends and her daily life. And of course, there are a couple of love letters — because how could I throw those away?

For the friend who has a sense of nostalgia, I recommend the 50-sheet pack of stationery from Vintage Air Mail, $10.99, which evokes those red and blue bordered airmail letters of yore. If you want to make sure a pal has a card to write you a thank you note on, look no further than the colorful notecards from the Finish company Marimekko, $14.87. And to prove to your mother-in-law that hers wasn’t a last-minute purchase, how about monogrammed cards from Joy Creative Shop, $28.

The teens in your life would probably love a good monogram too, which is why gifting nameplate necklaces are good picks. They are under $20 at YourNamesJewelry, or from Kate Spade Initial This A Pendant. Each will be a hit. The Monogram Heart Lock Pendant from Anthropologie, $48, ups the ante by allowing your lucky recipient to include a picture

Speaking of jewelry — what could be more unique than Bracelet Hair Ties from Maya J Jewelry, $18, which combine two things we love to wear on our wrists, hair ties and trendy bracelets (sold in stylish groups of three).

For a bestie who craves sparkle, check out the Art Deco-inspired L. Erickson Crystal Birdsnest Clip, $24, the perfect ponytail accessory for a night out. If someone on your list is mad for pickleball, check out Pickleball Design on Etsy, where you can shop for headbands, keychains and even nail decals branded with pickleball imagery — most for under $10. For the co-worker who desires something subtler on her nails, choose OPI Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath, $11, a very soft pink.

For the glittery grandma, go for ORLY’s Anything Goes nail polish, $10.50, that brushes on in an explosion of confetti-like glitter. For the traveling gal, she'd appreciate the BAGSMART Jewelry Organizer Bag, $19.99; the Small Travel Jewelry Case from Mark & Graham, $39; or the colorfully patterned Jewelry Roll Up Cases from Chan Luu, $45.

Who doesn’t love a good hand cream — especially at this time of year, when our hands are chapped and dry? Neon Rush Hand Cream, $8, from other stories leaves hands moisturized and smelling like cherries. Dove Body Love Moisturizing Hand Cream is under $7.99 at Walmart and sold in a pack of three — a bargain that smooths and soothes.

And for a splurge, you can’t beat the silky French L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, $30. Speaking of winter hands, mine are always cold. And this is why I’d welcome the double-sided, electronic orastone Rechargeable Handwarmer, $18.99; the OCOOPA Magnetic Rechargeable Hand Warmers 2 Pack, $26.99; or the HotHands Hand Warmers, 40 pairs for under $30. 99. These individually wrapped warmers got my daughter through frigidly cold college days in Binghamton, New York.

For the friend who could use some positive energy in her life (and who couldn’t?), how about Plant Therapy’s set of six aromatherapy oils, featuring calming scents of Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint and Sweet Orange, all for $34.99. For the hippie chick who gets good vibes from fragrant smoke, the 12-pack of a Satya Incense Gift Set Nag Champa, with sandalwood, patchouli and lavender, is just $12.75.

And if you have ever been gifted the small and long-burning candle by Nest that comes in natural fragrances like ocean mist and grapefruit, you know at $20, it’s worth every penny.

If they love Wordle, Scrabble or any kind of word game, any pick from Bananagrams will be a winner. For your best friend from elementary school, what could be better than a set of heavy metal jacks that you can find online — or at a toy store — for less than $10. With its 200 challenges, the Kanoodle 3D Brain Teaser Puzzle from Educational Insights is a TikTok sensation that will make a perfect under-$10 Secret Santa gift for just about anyone on your list.

And if the pressure of all of this shopping has gotten to you, you might want to buy one of these for yourself as well as your BFF: There are several brands of affordable stress relief roll-ons for temples and wrists and wherever, including Aveda’s stress-fix concentrate, $21.77, Origins Peace of Mind On-The-Spot Relief, $19, and those from Up Nature, $20.

These pocket-sized pick-me-ups will soothe, comfort and refresh to counter your holiday shopping dash. I feel calmer just knowing that these options exist.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and relaxing holiday!

 
Do you still give stockings to your older kids? Let us know in the comments below.