Coming up with ideas for inexpensive stocking stuffers that don’t fall apart almost immediately can sometimes be tricky, but not after you read this list! I did all the work for you and came up with over 150 inexpensive stocking stuffer ideas for the entire family.
Plus–find out my favorite tips for finding stocking stuffers for less money.
Tips For Finding Great, Inexpensive Stocking Stuffers
(Links in this post are affiliate links. I will be compensated when you make a purchase by clicking those links. See my disclosure page for more information)
Be Picky At The Dollar Store
Yes, there are some good quality $1 finds to be found at dollar stores like Dollar Tree, but there are also a lot of junk items in dollar stores you want to avoid. My favorite go-to item at dollar stores is the theatre-sized boxed candy. My kids usually get several each year in their stockings. They love candy, and the theatre-sized boxes take up a decent amount of room in their stockings for little money–it’s a thrifty win!
Look Online For Unique Deals And Items
For unique items I like Jane.com. You do have to watch shipping prices, but items around $5 can be found with shipping included such as small toys and jewelry. Another great place for unique items is Groopdealz. As with Jane.com and Hollar, items available change daily at Groopdealz, but you can usually find a few under $5 items even when you factor in shipping each day. Oh, and one last tip–shipping at Jane.com and Groopdealz is often lower when you buy more than one of the same item.
Use Coupons
At Christmas time there are often high-value coupons to be found that can drop items to well under $5. For instance, for a few years in a row Hallmark stores put a $10 off a purchase of $10 or more coupon in several magazines. I used it to buy chocolate for my children’s stockings for just pennies out of pocket. Last year it was a $10 off of $20, which wasn’t as good, but still led to half price chocolate (psst…this is how I get my favorite magazines for free).
Bath and Body Works also tends to give out good, high-value coupons this time of year. I usually get those in the mail.
More traditional sources of coupons such as printable coupon sites like Coupons.com, Hopster, Redplum, and Smart Source also offer coupons for items that make excellent stocking stuffers. I have found ones for card games, cosmetics, and more at Christmas time that I have used for Christmas stockings.
Earn Gift Cards You Can Give Doing Things You Already Do For Free
Now that my children are 15 and up I often will throw a $5 e-gift card in their stockings for places like iTunes or Starbucks. I earn them through point reward programs and cash back apps. I have a long list of these types of programs that I have tried out and found to be legitimate, but here are a few of my current favorites:
Point Programs
- Swagbucks: go here to sign up–check out ten simple ways to earn gift cards with Swagbucks
- InstaGC: go here to sign up–check out four ways to earn gift cards with InstaGC
- PrizeRebel: go here to sign up–check out nine ways to earn gift cards with PrizeRebel
Cash back apps
- Ibotta: go here to sign up–The list of stores you can use Ibotta at is incredible! And it includes apps like Groupon too!
- Fetch Rewards: download the app and enter my referral code RE9FU at sign-up and get 1500 points credited to your account after you successfully submit your first grocery receipt. Fetch Rewards is so simple to use and offers bonuses on over 150 different popular grocery brands.
Inexpensive Stocking Stuffers For The Entire Family: Over 150 ideas!
For the sake of convenience all items on this list link to Amazon.com. I love their free 2-day shipping for prime members (psst… did you know you can try prime free 30 days?).
1. Infant
Rattles
Legwarmers
2. Toddler
Toddler-sized crayons
Board books (Amazon has Bright & Early titles my kids liked these when they were little)
Disappearing milk baby doll bottle
3. Preschoolers
Melissa & Doug paint with water book
Melissa & Doug sticker playset
4. Child
Wikki stick molding and sculpting sticks
Dinosaur fossil (child gets to find it in the sand)
Melissa & Doug wooden airplane kit (build it and paint it)
5. Pre-teen
T-shirt with a funny saying (Go to your local Five Below for these)
Cool socks (check out your local dollar store)
Earbud case (I have seen these listed on Jane.com and Groupdealz for reasonable prices with shipping included)
6. Teenage Boy
Novelty keychain (check your local dollar store)
Itunes gift card or Google Play (both available for points through InstaGC)
7. Teenage Girl
Crayola pencil crayons
Adult coloring book (If you have a Five Below store near you, they usually have nice ones at low prices)
8. Young Adult Male
Gift card to favorite fast-food place (Swagbucks has gift cards for Burger King and Steak’n’Shake starting at $5)
Brylcreem Hair Cream (apparently this classic hair cream is becoming popular again, at least that is what I read)
9. Young Adult Female
Gift card for favorite coffee shop (PrizeRebel has e-gift cards Starbucks and Caribou Coffee starting at $5)
Wristlet that fits their smartphone, cards, and cash
Journal with popular motivational saying on front
10. Mom
Travel size hand lotion (Walmart and Target usually have a good selection of these)
Current issue of her favorite magazine (you can use these methods to give a yearly subscription for free)
11. Dad
Golf balls with a little bit of character
12. Family Dog
Dog collar made for that adorable fur baby
13. Family Cat
Their very own indoor oat grass garden
Laser pointer the projects a mouse
14. For The Baker
Reusable silicone cupcake liners (also great for muffins)
Nesting star cookie cutter set
15. The Coffee Lover
Coffee
Mug (Dollar stores usually have a good selection)
16. Makeup Diva
17. Nail Artist
18. Home Improvement Expert
Portable screwdriver set on a key ring
19. Smartphone Addict
Phone case (Five Below always seems to have a good selection of fun phone cases for many models)
20. Little Crafter
Crayola washable kids paint set
21. Bigger Crafter
22. Spa Lover
23. Tea Drinker
24. Hair Stylist
Hairbrush
Headband
Hair clips
Hair ties
25. Game Lover
26. Bookworm
Gift card to favorite bookstore (The FetchRewards app has $5 Barnes & Noble e-gift cards for 5000 points. Not a member yet? Don’t forget to use my referral code RE9FU at sign up to earn 1500 bonus points on your first transaction)
Protective sleeve for e-reader
Necklace with quote about books
27. Planner Queen (or King)
28. Lover Of All Things Warm And Cozy
29. For That Person Who Carries Everything Everywhere Just In Case
Mini fan that plugs into iPhone
30. Kitchen Gadget Lover
I hope this list gives you plenty of fresh ideas for quality stocking stuffers that won’t break the bank.
Three posts that you are going to want to read:
- Christmas On A Zero Budget
- 25 Christmas Traditions For Families On A Tight Budget
- 100 Ways Thrifty People Save Money On Christmas
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