The Last-Minute Stocking Stuffer Shopping Guide

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.

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 this 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!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

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.

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Again, thank you to Magic Stix for sponsoring this post; all opinions expressed are my own.