Stocking ideas for kids...no clue!

[wly]

I don't know if this is in the right forum or not but here goes. I have 4 neices and nephews. We are on a tight budget this year for christmas. We have to drive home (gas) get a hotel for 2 nights ($$$). spend a ton on gas while were home ($$ -dd 1st christmas, everyone wants to see her!) and buy presents. They are 10y (girl) 7 years (boy) 3-4 years (girl) and 1 1/2 (boy). What are some good stuffer ideas based on their age?? I have some left over playdough I handed out for halloween, and Im getting a good deal on the purell hand sanitizer at kmart (the 2oz) bottles. I know candy is a good idea...what else?? Thanks!!

[rumsum25]

For the girls Polly Pockets! The regular size Polly Pocket dolls that are sale for 4.99 would be free after the $5 coupon. However, those may be too big for a stocking. The smaller polly pocket cars are on sale for $3.29 at my Albertsons. They would end up being free and are a perfect size for a stocking.

[pattydileo]

For the 10 yr old you can get some of those lip smackers, nail polish, etc. the 3-4 yr old girl you can use the $5 Polly Pocket coupon and some of those, 7 year old boy you can get those little lego sets and 1 1/2 yr old you can get some little bath toys, little books. I will think of some other things.

[tacatcon]

My kids always liked disposable cameras at that age. You can get those dirt cheap now and sometimes with characters on them.

Candy is the obvious choice but we also always put pencils, matchbox cars for my son, silly things we would buy at the Christmas Tree Shop or Dollar Tree like straws with a reindeer on them or
little fun books. The dollar spot at Target has so much cute stuff too, like I bought some "happy bunny" note pads for my daughter and a little manicure kit. And some "spongebob" note pads for my son.

Stuff like that.

[Jenna26]

I second all those ideas! Check Target's $1 Spot if you have one - most are 75% off now, so you can grab a lot for 25c each.

[billig]

The dollar store would also be my suggestion. Puzzle books, crayons, markers, etc.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Trial sizes (kids just love little bottles of shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, etc. Check the forums for the stores you have for the trial size threads (target walmart etc) and match them up to your coupons for free stuff! My girls love the lip smackers and usually around the holidays there have been either printables or tearpad coupons for them making them just about free with the right sales.

Check out the freebie forums for things you can sign up for in hopes that they come in time to use as stocking stuffers. Thinks like samples of lotions, perfumes, cologne etc. Right now you can buy leftover halloween candy and could put that in thier stockings. Look for candy that is not too Halloween themed like mini candy bars.

You can do dollar store for little toys and what nots like mentioned above (coloring books, crayons, hair stuff for the girls, little match box type cars, etc)

In our family you always get a few of the above items (samples, trial sizes, toys, perfume etc) and a orange in the toe of the stocking and a large peppermint stick and a lifesaver candy book. This is what I remember getting in my stocking when I was a kid and I have continued that tradition.

And if the little toys from the dollar store are even out of your price range how about making something for them? A little homemade playdough or finger paint (search the forums we have posts with recipies for these things or google it) print out your own coloring pages, make some homemade candy or cookies. Be creative! There is only so much room in stockings anyways so set a little budget and see what you can do!

[mmb1996]

Are you buying a gift and getting the stocking stuffers? If so I would forget about the stocking stuffers and just get the gift. I think a thoughtful little gift means more than a bunch of cute do dads that usually get tossed during the Christmas cleanup. I know my family spends a fortune on a bunch of dollar store trinkets that I end up throwing away. I wish they would learn they don't need to have 5 presents for each child to open, one nice little thing is plenty, even if it came from the dollar store.

[jujubee]

Also, keep on the lookout for Bath and Body works coupons that start to come out during the holidays - usually they are get free lotion (or something eqiv) with ANY purchase, and then the small gift bags are .99. Those make really nice stuffers, especially for the older girl.

I don't know about anyone else, but as a mom to a kid who apparently eats crayons, and constantly leaves the tops off markers, I am always asking for art supplies when someone wants to know what to get dd. You can even split boxes of markers between kids - take out of the box, either tie up bundles of 3-4 markers with curling ribbon, or roll in wrapping paper/tissue and tie the ends "candy" style.

Check the $ store for Fun Pads that come in packs of 3, and that can be split among kids.

Check the $ store for packs of stickers that has 2-3 sheets per pack, that can be split among kids.

You can purchase a book of McDonald coupons, and split among the kids.

I love making up stockings! It's one of my favorite traditions! Good luck!

[billig]

Another idea:
Make some cookies, but make 2 different kinds.
Bring over a plate of one kind for the kids to 'leave for Santa'.
And then with some of the other type of cookies, wrap them up nicely for their stockings and attach a note that says:
"Thanks for the cookie (their name), I'm so glad you thought of me. Love, Santa"