When it comes to holiday gifting, stocking stuffers often get the least attention. But why should kids have all the fun? Stockings can offer delightful surprises for grownups too! From small luxury items to practical gadgets, stocking stuffers can be a thoughtful and creative way to show appreciation for the adults in your life.
Whether you’re shopping for someone who loves tech toys, self-care products, or gourmet treats, there’s no shortage of wonderful items that can fit snugly into a stocking. This year, elevate your gifting game by exploring unique stocking stuffer ideas that promise to bring joy and excitement to the holiday season.
This list of cheap stocking stuffers is perfect for giving great gifts that don’t cost a ton! You’ll love this list of cheap stocking stuffer ideas.
Stop questioning cheap things to put in a Christmas stocking for adults – and use these gift ideas!
Just as you’re never too old to rock ‘n’ roll, you’re never too old for a stocking from Santa. Chances are your stocking was the first thing you saw when you came into the living room on Christmas morning when you were a child, and now it can bring back warm holiday memories.
While receiving a stocking as an adult can be a lot of fun, stuffing one for someone else can be a real budget-buster. You read our articles on how to shop the sales, braved the crowds on Black Friday and saved a bundle, but you could easily blow your savings on filling that little red piece of felt.
If you’re going to spend the money to brighten someone’s day with a stocking, make it count. Read our article on how to stuff it with practical things you know the recipient will use, not useless clutter. Here are some favorites that make good stocking stuffers for grownups. And don’t forget to buy the stockings.
What makes a gift a stocking stuffer?
A stocking stuffer is typically a small, inexpensive gift that fits easily into a Christmas stocking. These gifts are often fun, practical, or thoughtful items that add an element of surprise and delight.
Stocking stuffers can range from novelty items and small gadgets to personal care products, snacks, or even small luxury items. The key characteristics are their size, affordability, and the ability to bring joy or utility to the recipient.
Stocking stuffers for grownups
These ideas offer a delightful mix of practicality, entertainment, and luxury that can bring joy to any adult’s Christmas stocking. Check out these stocking stuffer ideas for adults!
Hand cream or revitalizing oil
Drier winter weather can be brutal on hands. O’Keefe’s Working Hands is a good choice for men or women, or pick up a small bottle of Cuccio Naturale Milk & Honey Cuticle Revitalizing Oil for an inexpensive at-home manicure that’s as good as any salon’s. If you’re really strapped for time, you could also tube of lotion from the dollar store.
- Dry Hand Repair Cream: O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream is a concentrated hand cream that heals; relieves; soothes and repairs extremely dry; cracked hands.
- Dry Hands Treatment: Creates a protective layer on the skin's surface that locks in moisture and keeps your skin hydrated.
- Dry; cracked Hands Repair: O'Keeffe's Working Hands dry hand cream provides guaranteed relief. Makes a difference you will feel within days.
Phone grip
PopSockets and other phone grips make it easier to hold your phone or tablet with one hand, or prop it up on a table. And you don’t have to stick with generic-looking designs everyone else has – Etsy has unique and very personalized phone grips in every style you can imagine.
- Our durable Pop Socket compatible with iPhone, Samsung, and any other devices, we call a “PopGrip” is anti-drop, allows for one-handed use of your device, and the ability to prop up your phone wherever you go
- A little life-changer people like to call: a cell phone holder, phone gripper for back of phone, phone holder for hand, or whichever you name you decide
- PopSockets are compatible with all Popsocket phone accessories including wallets, cases, mounts, slides and non-Popsocket cases for phones
Magazines
Hit your favorite bookstore or magazine section in the grocery store and pick out a magazine or two that meets the recipient’s interest, whether it’s music, scrapbooking, woodworking, whatever. Or order a magazine subscription and keep the gift coming all year. (You can also turn your own old magazines into beautiful bowls; our article tells you how.)
Nail clippers/nail files/emery boards/tweezers
Most people already have these, but it’s always handy to have extras for your purse or backpack — or when you can’t put your hands on the one at home. This is another item you can find at the dollar store, Target or Walgreen’s, or buy them in bulk very cheaply at Amazon.
Additionally, a good manicure set is a stocking stuffer or small gift that will be appreciated for a long time.
- Professinal Nail File Kit: Nail files and buffers set with 6pcs 100/180 grit nail files and 6pcs nail buffer block. Size: the nail file for natural nails is 7.01 x 0.79 x 0.16 inches/ 17.8 x 2 x 0.4 cm, the nail buffer is 3.74 x 0.98 x 0.98 inches/ 9.6 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm.
- Double Sided Emery Boards: Nail files are made with quality EVC+ Emery board materials. File and rough up the hard fingernails and toe nails in 100 grit, 180 grit smooths up your nail edge with refined shape.
- DIY Yourself freely as like at Salon: 100/180 grit nail file for acrylic nails with rough grit that can grit down the large ridges in your nails and get the glue off. The nail filers work quickly. The blocks are ideal for polishing and smoothing acrylic nails, fake nail tips or natural nails. You can save money from nail's shop.
Lip balm/lip gloss
Opt for unscented, flavor-free unless you know the recipient’s preferences. Another item best bought at the dollar store, Target or Walgreen’s. Or opt for Burt’s Bees.
- ULTRA CONDITIONING LIP BALM: One package contains two 0.15 oz. lip balm tubes of Burt’s Bees Ultra Conditioning Moisturizing Lip Balm to hydrate and condition dry lips
- MOISTURIZED LIPS: Each balm is infused with kokum butter, shea butters and antioxidant-rich marula oil for a conditioning lip treatment that keeps your lips happy, healthy and juicy
- RICH IN BUTTERS AND OILS: Made with more butters and less wax than other balms, this unflavored lip therapy balm leaves your lips soft and super smooth for up to four hours
Socks
Socks are actually a great stuffer, and not only because they take up a lot of space in the stocking. Nobody ever seems to have enough socks. And, you can find sock in all kinds of colors, fabrics, designs and lengths.
- Cute Cat Socks: These cute socks are featuring lovely cat paws pattern and cute cat face on the top.
- Great Cat Gifts: These novelty funny animal socks are perfect cat gifts for cat lovers, cat mom gifts, gifts for women, gifts for teenage girls, lady and mom. They are very good choices for Christmas gifts, birthday present, Mother’s Day.
- Size: Free size 22.5-25.5cm Suitable for women US Size 5-8
Earbuds/earphones
These darn things pick the worse time to stop working, so most cell phone/iPod users would appreciate an extra set to have on hand when that happens. You can find them at a lot of places. We like this wraparound headset because it’s super comfortable, especially for people who have trouble finding earbuds that fit their ears. Another inexpensive but dependable pair is Skullcandy Jib at Target.
- [Great if you can't stand earbuds] It would rest outside of your ears instead of within the ear canal. Ergonomic design of this bluetooth headphones over the ear when you are on the treadmill, it stays in place so much better than earbuds. Wearing these with glasses is still comfortable. Would not getting ears ore like with earbuds.
- [Extremely lightweight & compact] The headphones are light enough that you don't even notice them when go for a run with them on which makes running easier to get through with my music shuffle. Use these behind head over ear headphones for backs packing and in the gym. Can easily put them in the pocket. Can wear them with your head on a pillow or under a hat.
- [Easy to control music & calling] Over the ear headphones have 4 control buttons, not two like in-ear ones. The right-hand earphone has controls to pick up calls, raise or lower volume, and skip ahead or go back a bit. Each button is indicated with a raised dot but if you take a minute to situate your finger on the dial it's easy to navigate. Experience true hands-free calling and enjoy music on the go. Calling is in stereo, call quality sounds like when you are holding a phone.
Disposable razors
Visit your local dollar store or discount store for these. Be sure you know the recipient’s preferences as there are many options.
- DISPOSABLE RAZORS: Sensitive disposable women’s razors. No refills needed
- SAVE TIME: These female razors have 3 blades, shaving hair quickly and effectively
- 3 BLADES: The razor's 3 blades and SkinElixir lubrastrip for glide, deliver a close shave with ease and comfort
Gift cards
Some gift cards can be purchased in increments as low as $5. Throw in a few for their favorite coffee shop or fast food restaurant, and they’ll be thankful when they need a pick-me-up or a bite to eat. This time of year, many restaurants offer bonuses when you buy their gift card, so be sure to check out those deals too.
- A Starbucks Card is Always Welcome
- Starbucks Cards redeemable at most SB locations
- It’s a great way to treat a friend. It’s a convenient way to pre-pay for your own regular purchases.
Lottery tickets
While they’re unlikely to get rich, scratch-off lottery tickets are a fun option for a stocking.
Pocket tape measure
I know this sounds silly, but measuring tapes are one of the most used tools in my house, yet one of the least likely to be put away. Pick up a small retractable one so he or she can keep on in a car or purse to measure things while shopping. You can usually find these in a dollar store or just have some cute, inexpensive ones shipped to you from Amazon.
- 16-foot retractable measuring tape for personal or professional use
- Provides both SAE and metric measurements
- Wide 3/4-inch blade with easy readability
Roll of quarters
Even if you’re not feeding washers and dryers when you do the laundry, everyone has scrambled to find quarters for a parking meter from time to time. To go easier on your stocking budget, give half rolls.
Portable cell phone charger
Anyone who’s ever had a cell phone run out of juice at a critical moment will appreciate a portable charger that provides an extra boost of power.
- Portable Charger with Built-in Foldable AC Wall Plug: With a built-in ac plug, you can simply plug it into the wall to charge up the power bank without needing a separate power adapter
- Battery Pack with Built-in Cables: there are two charging cables built-in the battery charger for easier charging your devices on the go. With integrated cables, you don’t need to worry about forgetting the cord anymore
- Pocket Friendly Size: This external battery backup designed to be an ultra mini and slim model with dimensions of 4.4 x 2.7 x 0.65 inches and 0.29 pounds, size of a standard deck of cards, is easier to slip into your pocket or bag,
Cell phone charger cord
While we’re on the topic, phone charger cords wear out and get misplaced (especially in home with teenagers). Throw in a new charger cord that they can use in a different part of the house, or to replace a worn or missing cord. Or opt for an inexpensive wireless charging pad like the Yootech pictured above from Amazon.
- 【10foot/10feet/10FT Long iPhone Charger Cord】 Super Quick USB C to lightning iphone 14 13 12 charger cables equipped with smart chip and high quality copper core allows you to fast charge your iPhone at home/office/travel in bed, hotel rooms, and more. The lightning cable built-in smart chip to match the current required by devices automatically.
- 【20W 3X Faster Charger for iPhone 14 13 12】PD 3.0 iPhone charger fast charging with iphone charger 10ft supports 20w power delivery fast charge, which will charge iphone 14,iphone 13 or iphone 12 up to 50% just in 30 minutes--3x faster than the 5W original iPhone charger,which can save more time in your life and work.
- 【2Pack Safety Efficient Fast Charger & 2Pack Long iPhone Charger】2set iPhone Fast Charger Compliant with UL safety standards, this iPhone charger comes with a wide range of safety features.The iphone charger block is sturdy enough to prevent scratches, collisions and drops, while the lightning cable has been lab-tested to withstand 10,000 bends without breaking.
Disposable hand warmers
This is a great stocking stuffer for the sportsperson or someone who has to wait for a bus to get to school or work. You can find hand warmers and toe warmers in the sporting goods departments of many discount stores and at Dick’s, Cabelas or online at Amazon.
- 【14000mAh Hand Warmers With Charging Case】： With 2024 New unique design, it not only solves the inconvenience of storage and charging, but also magnificently increases the battery capacity within the comfortable size range of the hand warmer. Equipped with 14000mAh rechargeable battery, this portable pocket hand warmers can heat up for about 60 hours.
- 【Long-Lasting Warmth】: Both hand warmers are individually equipped with a 2000mAh battery, which can be set to three different temperature modes. A single hand warmer can continuously generate 10H(95-107℉)/7H(107-118℉)/4.5H (118-131℉) when fully charged.Also,the charging case is equipped with a 10000mAh battery which can charge two hand warmers 1.5-2 times at the same time when fully charged.
- 【Intelligent temperature control, comfortable and lightweight】: This portable rechargeable hand warmers has UL,CE,and FCC certifications, also equipped with intelligent temperature control chips and multiple protection systems which makes it save to use; It's made of aviation grade aluminum heating element and ABS material, with a smooth surface formed in one piece, lightweight and comfortable to use widely for indoor work, study or outdoor activities.
Batteries
In a world that runs on mini-packets of power, who couldn’t use more batteries? If you’re feeling particularly generous, opt for the rechargeable kind. The recipient will thank you many times over.
- RELIABLE PERFORMANCE: 8-pack of AA rechargeable NiMH batteries (2,000 mAh)
- DEVICE COMPATIBLE: Ideal for remote controls, flashlights, clocks, and more
- LONG LASTING: Can be recharged up to 1000 times with minimal power loss
Screen cleaning cloths
Anyone who has a screen — and most people have more than one these days —will love this handy little cloth to clean it. Works great on eyewear, too!
Maglite
These tiny but powerful flashlights come in handy on many occasions. We carry one in our luggage when we travel because you never know when the lights will go out.
- Durable and reliable
- Efficient power usage
- Water and shock resistant
Small stapler
Sure, your recipient may have a big version on his or her desk, but you’d be surprised how useful a small stapler in your backpack or briefcase can be.
Playing cards
With electronic games on your computer and cell phone, playing cards may seem like an anachronism, but a deck comes in handy when you’re out of power or trying to save it while you need to kill some time.
- STANDARD INDEX PLAYING CARDS: Enjoy the ideal balance of size and functionality with our Bicycle Rider Back Playing Cards. Perfect as poker cards, these standard index cards are adorned with the iconic Rider Back design
- TRUSTED BICYCLE QUALITY: Experience the feel of perfection in every game with these high quality playing cards. Each card boasts an Air Cushion Finish, providing an easy handling and shuffling experience
- VERSATILE GAMING: These cards open the door to countless games of skill and chance. From poker and blackjack to euchre, pinochle, rummy, and canasta. Unleash your inner gamer with this versatile deck of playing cards
Books and DVDs
If you know their preferences, a good book or DVD is a wonderful gift. Check out our article on ways to find cheap books.
Mini liquor bottles, or mini champagne bottles
If the recipient consumes alcohol, an airline-sized bottle of liquor can be a fun treat. You can typically find these at liquor stores near the register for just $2-$3. Baileys, Kahlua, or other type of rum are great options if you don’t know their favorite. My husband usually puts a mini-bottle of champagne in my stocking so I can enjoy a mimosa without worrying about a whole bottle of champagne going flat.
Of course, you’ll want to fill out the stocking with some edible goodies: chocolate, nuts and maybe individual packets of cookies or specialty crackers. We tell you how to make your own food gifts in this article. Half the fun of getting a stocking is the shower of candy a recipient gets when spilling its contents.
Travel-sized toiletries
These are great stocking stuffers because anyone who travels needs toiletries in small sizes. You can often get them for a buck at the dollar store, Target or Walgreen’s. Don’t forget a travel toothbrush; this clever one folds down to protect the bristles from whatever else is in your bag.
- ✅BRIGHTEN UP YOUR SMILE: Each toothbrush is made with medium bristles that are safe for adults and children. Prevent cavities, strengthen your gums and promote a healthy brushing routine for your kids.
- ✅NO MORE DAMAGE TO GUMS: Our bristles are made soft to the touch to prevent any damage from being done to the enamel of your teeth when removing plaque. Brush away & feel the difference with our medium strength bristles.
- ✅ERGONOMIC DESIGN: We've made these toothbrushes with you in mind - The ergonomic shape and soft handle will make brushing enjoyable for you again!
If you liked these inexpensive stocking stuffers, you may also enjoy:
- Last-minute stocking stuffers for kids
- 15-plus stocking stuffers from dollar and discount stores
- How to holiday shop for people who have everything
- 35 ways to save money and time during the holidays
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