Inexpensive Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Kids

After all the gifts have been purchased and placed under the tree, that is the time that many remember in a panic that the stockings over the fireplace still need to be stuffed. Holiday budgets have most likely been spent and there isn't a whole lot of extra money available. Even with a limited budget, there are a number of quality stocking stuffer ideas that are both practical and will bring a smile to to faces of the little ones.

If you are at a complete loss of what to get, take a trip to your local dollar store and walk the isles. There should be a large selection of goods at a price that is right for you to choose from which should quickly fill up the stockings. In addition, consider the following Christmas stocking stuffer ideas that can have a dual benefit:

Batteries: Instead of wrapping up the batteries with the gift, separate them into stocking stuffers. Since you'd need to purchase them anyway for the toys, they aren't an extra expense. By separating them out, you make a start on your stocking stuffing and the kids will love them because they can start playing any electronic devices they received.

School Supplies: Here is another practical stocking stuffer that you'd have to purchase in the future for your kids anyway. You kill two birds with one stone by getting them the school supplies they need and filling up the stocking a little more.

Disposable Camera: With all the activity going on during Christmas day, you probably don't have the time to take pictures and document the day. Let your children do it for you. They'll have great fun taking photos from their own unique perspective that will add to any photo album.

Art and Craft Supplies: Again, these are supplies that you are likely to need for other activities in the future. Kids love to create and any arts and craft materials make great stocking stuffers. Coloring books, crayons, colored pencils, markers and paints all fit the bill and can be used for other activities long after Christmas is over.

Mini Games or Card Games: Travel size editions of their favorite games or card games that can be played in the car are another good stocking stuffer. The kids can play these on their own, but they have the multiple benefit that they can be used in the car to keep the children occupied during any holiday trips you make.

Christmas Letter: You might want to consider writing a Christmas letter to your child telling him or her all the fun things you remember from the past year. This doesn't cost any money, can become a lovely Christmas tradition and will be a gift that the child will treasure long after Christmas is over.

By taking a little time to consider stocking stuffers, you won't need to spend a lot of money to fill those socks over the fireplace mantle while still bringing smiles to the faces of your children when they peak inside.

Jeffrey Strain is owner of http://www.savingadvice.com -- a website dedicated to providing useful money saving tips and articles

Latest News


Financial Post

Early Sales May Not Mean Strong Holidays, Group Says (Update1)
Bloomberg - Dec 1, 2008
1 (Bloomberg) -- A post-Thanksgiving bump may not be enough to rescue what might be the worst holiday season for US retailers in six years. ...
Holidays still a boon for Alaska retailers Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Black Friday Results: Holidays off to a Good Start Marketnews.ca
Shoppers Search Out Black Friday Deals KLAS-TV
Las Cruces Sun-News - Youngstown Vindicator
all 1,143 news articles

Animoto brings the holidays to video
CNET News, CA - 6 hours ago
According to the company, the new holiday feature will use a snowscape to set the scene for the greeting and with the help of its new text feature, ...
Animoto Announces Animoto Holiday Greetings; Video Creation Site ... MarketWatch
all 9 news articles

Extra Cash for the Holidays or Anytime With the Launch of Diamonds ...
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
Extra cash just in time for the holidays or anytime has never been so easy, with the online system put in place by the subsidiary of Gold & Diamond Source ...

ReliaTech Rings in Holidays With Deals for Its Bay Area Customers
MarketWatch - 7 hours ago
This holiday season marks the accomplishment of several goals at ReliaTech. "We are especially gratified to have had such a successful year, as ReliaTech's ...

The Money Times

E-tailers expect 8% bump for holidays
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - Dec 1, 2008
By Bob Keefe If there’s any good news for retailers this holiday season, it may be online. While retailers brace for declines in sales at traditional ...
Video: Online Retailers See Monday As Black Friday AssociatedPress
More 'holidays' happen once Thanksgiving has passed Nashua Telegraph
Online spending forecasted to be flat through Holidays Global Surf News
Consumer reports - Napa Valley Register
all 1,321 news articles

Sky News

Holiday firms prepare for package tour slump by slashing summer ...
guardian.co.uk, UK - 43 minutes ago
Chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa said deep industry-wide cuts in the number of holidays offered in Britain, combined with the collapse into ...
Thomas Cook confident consumers will still go on holiday Telegraph.co.uk
Travel Firm Hot Prospects Sky News
Thomas Cook reports profits rise The Press Association
The Associated Press
all 138 news articles

Just in time for holidays, top chefs release tomes
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 2 hours ago
With people returning to the kitchen to save money, these recipe and reference books make ideal gifts for the holiday season. ...

Hero Astronauts Offer Out-Of-This-World Club for the Holidays
MarketWatch - 4 hours ago
Unlike other 'flavor-of-the-month' services, the Astronaut Autograph Club makes for the perfect gift that will be long-treasured after the holidays and for ...

Cellular South Welcomes HTC Touch Diamond in Time for the Holidays
MarketWatch - 3 hours ago
RIDGELAND, Miss., Dec 02, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Cellular South, a leader in wireless solutions and innovation, today announced the availability of ...

AMA Phoenix Invites Valley Residents to Celebrate the Holidays at ...
MarketWatch - 4 hours ago
-- Good music -- Piping hot hors d'oeuvres -- Fine wine from around the globe. There will be a wine-tasting of three- to-four specially selected varieties. ...

Resources