Creative Stocking Stuffers

Let's list good ideas for stocking stuffers in this thread. I personally have a 6 year old daughter that I'm shopping for but would like to see all kinds of ideas.

Small games like playing cards, DVDs, small jewelry, nail polish, crayons/markers/etc,

Silly Bandz, scented colored pencils, matchbox cars, mini action figures, harmonica, battery-powered toothbrush, scented lip balms, chocolate santa, clip-on toy for backpack (e.g., koosh pens, light up rubber duck), pullback cars, mini wind-ups, invisible ink pen

(I'm not just throwing these out there, I'll be getting these items for my kids)

Bath and body works samples for kids are excellent. My daughter is getting a new bike so i'm putting a new bell and streamers in her stocking. We always go to Claires when they have those buy 2 get one free earring specials too. Lip smackers, and other little trinkets you might find at Justice or Limited Too have been a big hit. When I was a kid, my mom always added a little candy, nuts, and a tangerine. Random, but traditions are what they are.

Target has little "grow a Christmas tree kits" right now for a buck . Its just a tiny red flower pot with potting medium and evergreen seeds, but real cute. My wife got several for the kids in our family.

St. Nick has always brought a new ornament for each of the boys who are now 13. 16. 19- they still look forward to seeing what one they will get this year; cologne, now as they are older- gift cards ie i tunes, speciality restaurant ie cold stone, their favorite candy, a new fishing lure. St. Nick usually leaves a movie on the hearth, often a classic one ie Polar Express, Christmas Carol or a Christams story book. Be careful if you start a tradition, they come to expect it year after year.

I found Christmas Mad Libs at the local book store for $1. Bath and Body Works has hand sanitizer in many different scents for about $2.50. Lip gloss, nail polish. For men: ice scraper with mitt (for car), tool gadgets. Keychain flashlight, travel games, store gift cards (I prefer these over generic Visa gift cards). I usually find a new tree ornament each year also. Fun Christmas socks are cute too.

At a craft store you can often find in a bargain bin stamps for like 1-2 dollars. I started collecting stamps several years ago for my young nieces and nephews for every holiday (ages 3-11) so we could make our own greeting cards. They love stamping. And stamps can be quite expensive so I love those bargain bins where I can get out of season stamps. And some ink pads to go with them.

And at the craft stores you can find those little Dover books for a dollar each - they have ones with stickers, ones with fake tatoos (which my young ones loves), coloring book ones. They are great and just the right size for a stocking.

There are a lot of really cute inexpensive rubber duckys out now which I have seen at the craft store or at a party store. I ordered through Amazon I think a whole set of fairy tale rubber duckys which my 5 year old niece loved at bath time while visiting.

Inexpensive mittens/gloves and colorful socks can really fill up a stocking too.

I like the idea someone else suggested of a new ornament. That would make a great tradition for each year.

For adults and older children, I like to buy inexpensive fashion watches, interesting pens (I was at a Boeing store this past year and found some great space age pens), cds, fun magnets. Staples or Office Max are both great places to look for stocking stuffers - post it notes, paper clips, etc. I like to buy stocking stuffers whenever I travel throughout the year so this year people will have Chicago magnets and keychains in their stockings (of course, the fun part of that is we used to live in Chicago so it has some meaning for us)

watches, belts, makeup, candy

lottery tickets are our tradition

I would think about what gift or gifts you're going to give her and stuff the stocking with things that compliment those items. A theme of stickers, a particular candle scent, a music tape or cd, an art or craft supply like pencils or paintbrush or glitter.... if she likes sports you could get a pack of baseball, basketball or football cards. If she likes math or word games you could get her a travel sized book. Just think about what she likes and what small things would encourage her interests or compliment her strengths as a person.

we always get a new ornament and my girls both look forward to seeing what Santa picked out for them this year, everyone also gets a few scratch tickets, and a funny pen, and a "book" of life savers.... every year since I was a child ( i am 31 now ) and I have carried on the tradition with my girls 3 and 6

My family pretty much avoids sugar all year long, but at Christmas, my 32-year-old son would be bereft without his Maple Sugar Candy and my 30-year-old daughter wouldn't call it Christmas without her Marzipan Pig. Which reminds me...must start looking...

We typically get movies gifted to us for christmas so the last few years what comes in stockings is the snacks and treats each family member enjoys while watching movies. It has seemed to work great for our family because I absolutely hate little do dads that I have to pick up all over the house. Or how about the little toy you will step on in the arch of the foot. OUCH! So the edible stuffers for movie night works well

condoms

a small frame with a photo (of a pet or favorite celebrity) already in it
movie theater gift certificates
2010 mini calendar or datebook
digital photo keychain
pens, little note pads
sunglasses
matching scarf/gloves/hat
a favorite tv series season on dvd
fun, colorful bookmarks
hair accessories (scrunchies, clips, etc)
bath items (salts, oils, after-bath splash, etc)
wristwatch
skin/cover for cell phone or laptop
video game
set of color markers, sketch book
post-it notes
magnetic poetry set
coffee mug (personalized text? travel mug? cartoon character? personal photo?)
travel games
new wallet with cash or a giftcard inside
small plush animal toy
a 'mix-tape' cd
blank cd's or dvd's
printer ink cartridge