Clutter-Free Stocking Stuffers
Clutter-Free Gift Guide – This gift guide is a compilation of all the gift-lists published on the blog, from toddlers to grandparents and everyone in between. Clutter-free and toy-free ideas. Click here to get this 33-page PDF for $7.
So, you want to know what a minimalist puts in a stocking?
Well, first off, some minimalists don’t have stockings. Which is perfectly acceptable. And if I didn’t have kids, I know I wouldn’t either. But:
As a child, one of my favorite memories is getting my stocking on Christmas Eve.
My mom didn’t do stockings for us, which I’m thankful for because my Grandmother did and it made them special. I would visit my Grandparents regularly, as they lived across a field from us. From when I was young, I remember walking down to my Grandparent’s house, just to see what Grandma was doing. She was a very industrious woman: when the weather was good she was outside, working in the yard, the garden or her greenhouse. During the winter months, she would be in the house baking, sewing or crocheting. She was always great about giving me projects to work on, so we would work side by side. Of course, that made me feel important! During the month of December, each day that I visited Grandma, I would peek into the living room and see the stockings filling up on the fireplace mantle. Each time, there was a little bit more in them. She had stockings for all 10 of us grandkids. There was always an orange and a silver dollar in the toe of the stocking. The orange always reminded me of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and how oranges were so special back then. My Grandma was born in 1907, so I think oranges meant something special to her too. My children don’t have stockings hanging on their grandparent’s mantle, so I have them hanging in our home. I made the stockings myself, and I made them a bit smaller than typical stockings, so it doesn’t take much to make them look full. I typically limit it to 3 or 4 items in each stocking, and my rule is: they need to be consumable or useful. No little trinkets to clutter the home!Clutter-FreeĀ Stocking Stuffers:
- Oranges (Tradition, tradition!)
- Toothbrushes
- Socks
- Lip Balm Here is my DIY recipe- love this!
- Breath Mints (for the older boys)
- Honey Sticks
- Amber Necklaces
- Gift Cards (for the older boys): Amazon, Movie Theatre, Starbucks, or iTunes.
- Money and Coins (for the younger kids)
- Character Band-aids (like Angry Birds)
- Fair Trade Organic Chocolate (with almonds or espresso beans- YUM)
Want more gift ideas?
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- 18 Non-Toy Gifts for Children
- 18 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas for Teens
- 18 Clutter-Free Gifts for Men
- 18 Clutter-Free Gifts for Women
- 18 Clutter-Free Gifts for Teachers
- 18 Clutter-Free Gifts for Grandparents
- 15 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas
- 20 Homemade Gift Ideas
- 11 Ways to Get Friends and Family on Board with the Limited Gifts Idea
Clutter-Free Gift Guide – This gift guide is a compilation of all the gift-lists published on the blog, from toddlers to grandparents and everyone in between. Clutter-free and toy-free ideas. Click here to get this 33-page PDF for $7.
What a beautiful memory about your grandmother! I loved stockings as a kid too. These are good ideas. No clutter!
Would you share how you made the stockings? I’d love to make some for my family, did you use a pattern? knit them? Thanks!
Leslie, I sewed them. I made my own pattern. I didn’t get the dimensions right though, so the “toes” ended up too skinny. Hence: me not sharing pictures of them. š We are expecting a “bonus” baby in the next month, so I’ll need to make a new one. So maybe I’ll make up a better pattern for next year and share it.
Great ideas!
Although recently I switched to the free toothbrush my dentist gave me because mine was looking decidedly battered and I couldn’t run out to the store, normally I use Preserve toothbrushes. They’re made from recycled yogurt cups. I have some questions about the sustainability of bamboo–yes, it’s probably biodegradable if it doesn’t wind up in a landfill, but what’s involved in making things that look like wood out of a giant blade of grass? I also like closing the recycling loop. So there’s another toothbrush option–and when you’re done with it you can mail it back to Preserve to be turned into plastic lumber.
I love your list though. Some awesome ideas here!
Ours have my DIY Lip Balm as well ( peppermint), banana ( instead of orange), socks, toothbrush, panties, our daughter has coloring book added, and some flash cards.
I always include something healthy as a pre-breakfast. Granola bars, dried fruit, favorite cereal, a juice box (my kids never have those so its a special thing), etc. This buys us a few moments to cuddle together before having to go cook real breakfast. I also love warm socks, hats, and mittens- useful things that go to the season.
That’s a great idea Susan!
Growing up we always got lots of practical things like this in our stockings. Toothbrushes, soap, etc. We also usually got some kind of special treat like chocolate or nuts. Yum!
If I gave anyone breath mints they wouldn’t want to be my friend anymore and if I was given breath mints (32 year old female) I’d be offended.
This is what I put in my children’s stockings Toni, and since I never buy gum, mints or even candy, they are quite pleased with mints. š
Thank you for the great ideas! I always put $2 bills, which can be hard to find, but are such a treat!
We always got a pomegranate and whole nuts in the shell- So we could use our Nutcracker that sat guard on the fireplace.
Great ideas. I like practical items related to sports activities kids love, such as hockey pucks, tennis balls and swim goggles. Other fun but useful items like hair accessories and school supplies are always a hit.
My kids are 24, 26, and 30 and they still love their stockings. Now I have the spouses and Grandchildren to do too. I wrap everything in tissue paper. Pencils, pens, and most of the stuff you listed. The dollar store is my friend!!
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