Every year it’s the same. Mid-December rolls around and I realize that the month has gotten away from me.
Between work, school events, and holiday parties, I’ve been too busy to do my holiday shopping and still have lots to do in the stocking stuffer and gift department. I always vow that next year (next year!), I will get it all together early so this doesn’t happen again.
But for now, I give myself the task of finding the perfect stocking stuffer mix:
- Creative
- Interesting
- Useful
- Fun
- Small enough to fit in a stocking
If you’re in this last-minute boat with me, here’s the stocking stuffer guide for you. Plus a printable checklist! And a great giveaway!
A big thank you to Magic Stix markers for sponsoring this post! As always, all opinions expressed are my own.
The Perfect Stocking Stuffer Mix
Note: This stocking stuffer guide is best for 4-10 year olds.
Art Supplies
1-3 drawing or art supplies, such as the 12-pack of Magic Stix markers* or a pack of Kwik Stix paint sticks** and a small sketchbook
*Magic Stix are markers that won’t dry out even when the cap is left off for 7 days! I wrote more about the magic of Magic Stix here, including how I tested them.
**Kwik Stix are no-mess, quick-dry tempera paint sticks. I’ve written about them many times, including here, here, and here.
Activity Book
1 activity book, doodle book, sticker book, Mad Libs, or activity pack, rolled up and tied with a ribbon
Christmas Candy
2-3 assorted Christmas candy and snack items such as a large candy cane, foil-wrapped Christmas chocolates, Pez, a hot cocoa packet, snack-sized goldfish, gum, etc
Games
1 small game such as Sushi Go, The Cuby, Spot It, Bananagrams (here’s the little kid version of Bananagrams)
Toys
2-5 small fun toys such as grow animals, slinky, spin top, bouncy ball, light fingers, hex bugs, matchbox cars, play foam, silly putty, water beads, marbles, a mood ring, small stuffed animal, etc.
Useful Items
2-5 small useful objects such as a fun toothbrush, fuzzy socks, a bath bomb, training chopsticks, erasers, pencils, a wet brush, hair accessories, silly straws, a kitchen tool such as a child-sized whisk or spatula
So there you have it. My definitive, last-minute stocking stuffer shopping guide. And you know that I’m half tongue-in-cheek when I say that, right? But only half. By all means, add your own ideas or perfect mix in a comment below!
Click here if you want the printable guide and checklist to take with you to the store.
And now for the giveaway…
The Magic Stix + Kwik Stix Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win the following package of Magic Stix and Kwik Stix products:
- A 12 pack of Magic Stix ($9.99)
- A 12 pack of Kwik Stix ($11.99)
- A 6 pack of Metalix Thin Stix ($5.99)
- A 6 pack of Neon Thin Stix ($5.99)
- A selection of Pencil Grip ergonomic writing aids ($11.29)
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment to this blog post and then tell the Rafflecopter widget above that you’re entering the giveaway. Giveaway closes December 21st at 11:59 pm EST. One winner will be chosen at random by Rafflecopter and announced here on December 22nd. Giveaway open to readers in the United States.
Pin It for Later
Again, thank you to Magic Stix for sponsoring this post; all opinions expressed are my own.
I’ve been wanting to try those kwik -stix for myself! Oh and for my kids too! :)
So many great stocking stuffer ideas!
Thank you! Great ideas :)
Awesome Kwix stix!!
We tried Kwik Stix to make a full body size gingerbread girls with my daughters. They had so much fun!
These products look great! Perfect for kiddos.
love!
We have had Kwik Stix in the past. Love them!! And the Magic Stix, they won’t dry out for 7 days without a cap. That is awesome. You don’t know how many markers we have thrown out.
We’d love to have these! I’ve been hearing about paint sticks but haven’t tried them yet!
My sister raves about these! Always love your ideas
So many colors!!
oh that would save me! i never know what to put into stockings as I didnt have any growing up…
Thank you for the Quick stix recommendation! They are used daily in our house!
I love all of these ideas. Thanks!
My daughter LOVES Magic Stix….we are on our 3rd set!
Love these art supplies! Thanks for the chance!
I’ve been wanting to try Kwik Stix!
Fun ideas! Thanks
I love the stocking stuffer guide!! Thanks :)
Would I be so lucky? :)
I love this guide! So helpful. Thank you!
What wonderful ideas. I have not done art supplies but will this year. Thanks for the blog post!!
I love theses ideas! Simple, minimal, useful.
What a lovely giveaway! We are in to art and crafts heavily in our home. Thank you so much for the delightful chance to gift my little one. Good luck everyone and God Bless. Merry Christmas ?
What a fun package! Thanks!
love kwik stix so much!
Awesome!
I love Kwik Stix! Super excited to try the thin ones :)
Kwik Stix are a favorite around here! I’d love to try Magic Stix!
We love Kwik Stix. I didn’t know they made markers as well. These are definitely going on our list!
could seriously use this giveaway!
Great ideas! We always include new hat or mittens. Can’t have too many!
I’ve been wanting to get my kiddos a new set of Kwik Stix – would love to win this bundle!
I would love those magic wont dry out markers!
Those grips are interesting! Bet they’d help my son!
These look so fun! I think I would have just as much fun playing with all of this as my kiddo would :) We may have to share stocking stuffers this year!
I’ve been enjoying doing the Christmas project suggestions with my girls! I would love to try out some new art materials! Thank you for all your ideas!
Kwik Stix are awesome, so easy to use and clean!
These look so neat! My daughter especially loves to draw!
I’ve been really wanting to try Kwik Stix!
We love Kwik Stix. The markers sound great. Thanks for thinking about us.
I’ve been dying to try the paint markers!!
I want everything :)
Love these art supplies.
The kwik stixs look so awesome! I can see many cool projects done with those :)
Markers that won’t dry out? I know some kids who would be very glad to have those!
We also like to put a piece of fruit in stockings.
Oh yay! My preschooler leaves the lids off… I could use some MagicStix, for sure!
We love these markers!
lots of colors
I would love to try Kwik Stix. (I’m sure my 3 year old would too… :)
I love the stocking stuffer guide. And these products look amazing. Thank you!
I’ve never tried the Magic Stix but based on how fast we go through the Kwik Stix (based on first hearing about them on Artful Parent) I’m sure they’ll be a hit at our house.
Such great ideas here. Loving the chopsticks!
Great list of stocking stuffer ideas!
Awesome ideas! I am a huge fan of kwik stix! We recently built a huge cardboard castle and used kwik stix to add some color!
My son is 2 and I’ve been eyeing those Kwikstix lately! So glad I found your blog :)
This looks fantastic! I have 24 second-graders who would be thrilled to win this.
What a fun giveaway!
Those markers sound awesome.
These look awesome!
We generally concentrate on food items and art supplies. No need for more toys in our house.
All of these ideas are great! Thank you for sharing!
these look so much fun
Tempera paint sticks are my favorite.
My daughter would love drawing with these
Really want to try Quick Sticks. Thanks so much for this awesome guide to stuffing stockings. My son doesn’t know about stockings yet, and I was thinking I might just skip stockings until/unless he ever feels sad not to have a stocking, but this post has me rethinking that. Hmm….
My kids would love the paint stick! And I’d love not having a mess!
I’ve been eyeing Kwik Stix for months.
Your art suppliy lists are great and this stocking stuffer list is awesome. I wiil be using the suggestions this year and put a copy in my Christmas ideas. Thamk you Jean.
The Kwik stix are amazing….can’t wait to try the markers.
These would be perfect for my artful kiddos!
My daughter would love these art supplies.
Oh goodness, I’ve been wanting to get those Kwik Stix for a long time!
Fun stocking stuffers!
Have been wanting to buy these for my kids. They would love them!
I must find these for my Tiny Tots storytime at the library! Mahalo for the op to win some.
Never heard of these but they’d be great for my 7 and 3 year old. Love all the ideas.
I always put in a lego or play mobile mystery character to build.
Never tried these, but they sound great.
I never know what to put in the stockings, thanks for the ideas.
I love stockings!
What a wonderful balance of practical and fun.
I love these! My kids would have so much fun!
The one thing my daughter asked for for Christmas was some new art supplies. She would love these!
Great ideas!
Looks like fun!
I’ve been following the kwik stik trend on social media and we would love to try them out. This sounds like a fun giveaway. And great stocking stuffers.
I love the idea of the paint sticks.
Such great ideas!!
Would love these!
Stocking stuffer extravaganza!!!
Hoarding sationary and art supplies is quite therapeutic :-)
Markers that don’t dry out for a while, ingenious!!
i’m very curious to try out the kwik stix with my kids. sounds like a recipe for fun!
Hello!
Thank you for this brief but helpful gift guide. I have already purchased some of the items (including the Kwik Stix set).
We own and love quik stix! But it’s the first time I hear about magic stix and it sounds wonderful – too many dried out markers at our house because the kids forget to recap them!
Ooo! I’d love to try the paint sticks. I have not seen them before.
Thanks!
Quix stixs and markers that don’t dry out?!? Perfect!
There is really nothing better than markers that don’t dry out (this coming from a teacher and mom!). Thanks for this thoughtful list – cant wait to put it to use this year :)
Your blog is always inspiring and interesting. Thanks for your energy and effort. The giveaway is exactly what my grandchildren will enjoy. We do art together every time we see each other!
I’m so glad I found your blog! So many great ideas and resources. I’ve already purchased a lot of the supplies you recommended to create a place for my children to be creative. I’m hoping to make art more of a priority in my home. Thanks and Merry Christmas?
Love the stocking stuffer ideas! Would love to try the Magic Stix and Quick Stix. Thanks for the chance to win!
We used these in my daughters preschool . such vibrant colors!
These sound so great! My daughter would love them!
Would love to try the kwik-stix with my boys!
Those socks look super cozy!
My 3 yr old would love to stay busy with these goodies!
We love Kwik-stix! A fun, no-mess painting activity for my little ones.
These are so great for kids!!
I just threw away another 2 markers this morning because they were dried out… I need to try kwik sticks!
Wow, this prize looks like a blast! Crossing our fingers!
Great stocking stuffers! Thanks for the chance.
I have two nieces that are very creative. Myson is to. But my nieces are actually decorating their own room. And it never hurts to share lol !!
A dream come true! ! Grandchildren leave the lids off the markers and all that money down the drain! You have made a wonderful set of markers that i cant wait to try!
My grandson is 3, and is very creative already. He would love those!!!
These sound really great! Would love to give them a try!
This is just what I was needing! Thank you!
These look so fun!
The KwikStix look really cool!
Great ideas! I’ve been interested in the Kwik Stix for a while. I would like be to win! Thanks for the chance!
What a perfect idea! We’re always tossing out markers because they’re dried up!
these looks awesome. id love to try them
Great suggestions. Excited to try out the paint sticks
Great stocking stuffers that look like a ton of fun!
These look like fun
Great giveaway!
Great ideas!
I’ve been looking at those kwik sticks for a while now after reading about them on your blog. They look so COOL!
Great list! I always struggle with stocking stuffers that aren’t junk!
WOW! I’m amazed that the markers won’t dry out for 7 days! This is such a fun company to learn about!
So much FUN!!!
Pencil grips are so awesome. Love the kiwi stcks
Luv all the ideas. The Magic Stix that won’t dry out would be awesome to have!
We LOVE kwik stix and go through them quickly also!
My little prolific artist would LOVE to try out the magic stix —markers that don’t dry out would be a dream! (The Kwik stix sound fun too!)
We LOVE Kwik Stix in our family and can’t wait to try Magic Stix! Thank you for the wonderful stocking suggestions!
what a wonderful set, it will make my daughter so happy
These look super fun and interesting!
we would love to win :)
My neice would just love these sooo much! we would have lots of fun :) goodluck and thanks soo much for the opportunity!
And add an orange in the stocking too!
This is such a great guide to stocking stuffers. I’ve never really given much thought about what goes in…just a lot of stuff. Hehehe I want to try the Kwik Stix and Magic Stix for myself! We’ll definitely be adding these to our art supplies soon!
They are so fun to use and play with
What a fun giveaway.
These are such great ideas for stocking stuffers. Thank you!
My kids (and I) would love to try these!
I keep seeing these in every creative blog/book…have been wanting to try them out!
Not sure how a marker could work still after a week with the cap off. Magic just about sums it up.
These are great ideas!
Already have some for stocking stuffers! Would love to add to the collection!
We love the Kwik Stix can’t wait to try the Magic Stix.
can’t wait to try them
We adore Kwik Sticks
My stockings real bad need some stuff!
These are the best coloring tools out there for littles and for non artist types.
Amazing!
Thanks for the giveaway… always need help with ideas for stuffing stockings!
These would make the funnest stocking stuffers!
so cute!!!
Love this guide. Thanks!
we adore these stix they are so fun!!!!
My boys and I are always experimenting with new art supplies and would love to try out Magic Stix and Kwik Stix!
The Magic Stix and Kwik Stix look wonderful, and I love that the Magic Stix won’t dry out for 7 days even with the cap off!
Love these creative suggestions!
These are great stocking ideas!
I’ve been wanting to try those Magik Stick; everything looks so fun!
These look like so much fun!
My preschool group would love those! Thanks for posting!
I’m totally in the boat of every year I vow to get everything together earlier but somehow the time gets away from me. Thanks for the stocking stuffer ideas, I needed it! And we already love Kwik Stix in our house but didn’t know about the other cool stuff. Thanks for sharing.
Great ideas! We always have a clementine in the toe of the stocking, too.
Great list of stocking stuffer ideas! I always get stuck on these!
We love Kwik sticks. Thanks for the stocking stuffer ideas!
The Kwik Stix look fabulous! Great for stocking stuffers.
Those Kwik Stix look perfect for my kiddo ! and for me to try too (shhhh).
Looks awesome! Thanks for the great give aways! Love your blog!
Gratitude to All for the chance to win creative supplies for the kids!
Thank you for the great stocking ideas. I’ve been trying to come up with some good ideas since my daughter plans to open her stocking things first thing in the morning (before mom and dad are up). :)
I have been wanting to try these for so long!
I love the stocking stuffer ideas! We would love to try these products!
Art supplies make great stocking stuffers!
We LOVE Qwik Stix!
I always forget the stocking stuffers too! This is a great list and a lovely giveaway.
These look awesome!
my kiddo would love creating art with these!
Very cool!
This is awesome
Great ideas!
My kids would love this!
This is the first I’ve heard of kwik stix. They look so cool!
Thanks for the giveaway!
These things look like so much fun!
these look fun!
Great ideas!
Markers and paint that are mess free are great!
These are great ideas!
That’s a good mix. Most of our gifts fall into the stocking stuffer category. Also? Kwik Stix are the best!
Kwik Stix are the best
These look like so much fun!!
Magic Stix Great for the kids.
We are dying to try kwik sticks and so many other cool things you suggested.
So many great ideas
Thank you for the tips.
My eigt year old Granddaughter would love these!!
Kwik stix look cool
The Kwik stix look like a must have!
I would love to try out Kwik stix! They look pretty great!
These would make a great stocking stuffer! Everyone could use them.
These are great stocking stuffers …love all of these
My daughter wold love these!
Merry Christmas
love these how fun
My grandbabies would love this!
I love your ideas for stocking stuffers- Thanks!