Top 10 Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Candles - they may not be our go-to source of light anymore (thanks, Edison...), but they’re still a hot item come Christmas time. Everyone likes a good candle, especially a scented one. Anybody who tells you otherwise is either lying or simply hasn’t found the right scent yet. Sure, you can stick with a classic like vanilla or lavender, but you can also go in a seasonal direction with gingerbread, candy cane or Christmas tree. The last decade has seen a serious boom in artisanal candle-making, meaning that Etsy is overflowing with unique scent combinations made by an independent small business that you can feel good supporting. Are you stuffing the stocking of a real manly man? Try “85 Diesel” - a smoky, leather-scented candle.

As a general rule, it’s ill-advised to give beauty products as gifts unless you know the exact products used in your recipient’s regimen. But with nail polish, you can go out on a limb. For this year’s stocking, why not surprise the ladies in your family with a holiday specific set of colors? Another popular choice is this “Chinoiserie” set from JINsoon, which includes three striking shiny metallic lacquers that are sure to catch the eye. There are endless possibilities out there. But who says nail painting is just for women? Just ask Seal, Brad Pitt, Jared Leto, Zac Efron and the many other men who have been known to sport painted nails. Some men paint just a single nail, as a show of support for a good cause.

Everyone, even kids it would seem, have smartphones nowadays. So whether it’s an iphone, an android phone or an ironic vintage Blackberry… everyone needs a way to keep the portable device safe. For the average person, you’re going to want to find a balance between aesthetic and functionality. Basically, it should look good and actually protect the phone. If the lucky recipient is prone to breaking their phone however, go with a real heavy duty option - they’ll thank you in 6 months when, for once, they’re still using the same phone. Sure, most people already have a case, but in this world of accessorizing, why not give their phone options too? Everyone is different, and a phone case should suit the style and needs of the user.

Call it old fashioned… call it the accessory of the alcoholics... but there’s no denying its appeal. A flask might not be exactly be a must-have item for the average person, but there’s something classic about a flask - like a monocle, pocket watch or top hat, but, you know... less ridiculous to have on you in the modern age. With so many different flasks out there, it’s easy to find one that even the least likely flask-user can appreciate. The classic stainless steel flask gets a personal touch with a monogram. For more fun, pick up a Game Boy-shaped flask for the gamer/drinker in your life. For the more fashion-forward, try this stunning Liquid Boy flask from Areaware, with its super modern design.

What better to put inside an oversized sock than… more socks! Awww, it’s like the Christmas stocking is pregnant! We know… socks found under the Christmas tree or in stockings have been eliciting groans from children for decades. But Christmas is a winter holiday, and winter is cold (in most places anyway), and so, socks are a good choice. The key is to not only give the gift of warm toes to your loved ones, but to do it in style. Get Dad some dress socks he’ll be proud to wear to work. Pick out a super comfy pair of massive reading socks for the bookworm in your life. Want to buy socks for children? Make sure to pick socks they’ll actually enjoy. Plain white… will not do.

Mason Jars… love ‘em or hate ‘em, they are here to stay. They may eventually lose some of their popularity in the mainstream, but for the foreseeable future, the go-to container for home preserving is being used in not only the kitchen, but also home decor, the service industry and beyond. So why not give people a gift to help them keep up with the times? They may just find themselves falling in love with mason jars too. The mason jar tumbler, complete with a lid, straw and (optional) glass handle makes a great vessel for cocktails when things start to get sloppy. And for a nice holiday touch, you can fill it with candy, or all the ingredients needed for a fancy holiday cocktail.

Christmas is one of the few times a year when you can spend real quality time with friends and family. It’s also a great opportunity to bust out the board games. But Monopoly rarely ends well, Scrabble always gets ugly, and everyone is sick of playing Settlers of Catan with you because you always win. Enter… Exploding Kittens. It’s a fast-paced, fun, family-friendly card game that everyone is sure to enjoy. In fact, it is in the top 5 of the most-backed Kickstarter projects in history. Games can last as short as 5 to 10 minutes with endless replay value. Why not double the Kickstarter-funded fun with Cards Against Humanity? Just wait until the young ones go to bed before breaking out this excessively vulgar game.

This one can be a bit of a minefield, so tread lightly. Cologne and perfume are probably two of the most re-gifted stocking stuffers out there. Why? Because no one wants the cheap stuff. Also… everyone’s tastes are different. As such, cologne or perfume should only be purchased for people who a) like wearing it... b) already have a scent of choice or trust your judgement implicitly, and… c) can exercise self-control. If all these conditions are met, you have a truly great gift on your hands. You’re giving someone a present that they will genuinely enjoy, use regularly and that should last until next year. If all goes well, you’ve got yourself a yearly stocking staple.

Hey, we said that we weren’t going to worry about budget. The Fitbit Alta might be a little steep from a stocking stuffers’ perspective at $169.95, but it certainly fits a lot of “wow” into such a small package. With other fitness trackers, it can be easy to forget about them, but with a touch screen display, reminders to keep moving, as well as text, call and calendar alerts - the Fitbit Alta makes its presence known, and looks pretty darn good too. Some people take offense to receiving fitness equipment for Christmas, but the Fitbit Alta isn’t just another tool for weight loss, it’s all about promoting healthy living and self-awareness. If it’s in your budget, this little gadget will take you far Christmas morning.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Pac-Man Connect & Play

VR Viewer
Bag(s) of Coffee Beans

For some... the holiday season is all about activities - seeing family and friends, skiing, skating, going to the movies, and even a little gingerbread house construction. For others, it’s an opportunity to get some much needed R‘n R - and that means binge-watching! In the modern age of online content, a streaming device has really become a must-have item. Google Chromecast is a great choice that gives your recipient a lot of freedom with its minimalist approach. But the Amazon Fire Stick is the perfect choice for anyone in your life that would prefer more structure in their streaming devices. It’s a great central hub for online content, which, paired with optional voice commands, makes for a remarkably user-friendly, feature-rich experience.

Do you agree with our list? What are some of your favorite stocking stuffers? For more inspiring top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.