Christmas is such a magical time that brings joy to families all around the world. Putting up the decorations with loved ones is always a special tradition. Many families share moments like putting up the Christmas tree and hanging Christmas stockings. The smell of Mum’s baking throughout the house is a fond memory I still have from my childhood!
Countries worldwide have been enjoying different traditions for centuries, yet the humble tree and stocking seems to be an almost universal culture. Seeing the joy on your children’s faces when they wake up on Christmas morning is irreplaceable for a parent! The happiness is reflected in their smiles, and when they see presents under the tree and stockings full of goodies from Santa Clause, it just doesn’t get better.
“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”
A Visit From Saint Nicholas – Clement Clarke Moore 1822
In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore first mentioned the humble Christmas stocking in his poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas”, and since then, parents all around the world have been filling their children’s stockings up with special treats, goodies, toys and other gifts.
Do you ever run out of stocking stuffer ideas? I hope to make it easier for you this Christmas, so am sharing my 101 list of stocking stuffer ideas with you.
101 CHRISTMAS STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS
- A letter from Santa
- Packets of flower seeds
- Lollies
- Popcorn
- Chocolate
- Card games
- Bookmark
- Storybook
- Puzzle book
- Colouring book
- Notepad
- Diary
- Address book
- Book about me
- Magazine
- Pens
- Pencils
- Pencil case
- Crayons
- Erasers
- Bubbles
- Stamps
- Nail polish
- Manicure kit
- Hairbrush
- Body wash
- Lip Balm
- Perfume
- Makeup
- Makeup bag
- Hair Ties
- Temporary Tattoos
- Stickers
- Bracelet
- Bubble bath
- Lotion
- Scented Soap
- CD
- Play-dough
- Goo
- Paints
- Paintbrushes
- Chalk
- Gingerbread man
- Keychain
- Magnets
- New toothbrush
- Shoelaces
- Batteries
- Character bandaids
- Gift Card
- Dress up items
- Dolls clothes
- Doll
- Action figures
- Lego
- Trading cards
- Matchbox cars
- Marbles
- Watch
- Rubik’s Cube
- Ball
- Torch
- Undies
- Socks
- Singlets
- PJs
- Clothes
- Belt
- T-shirt
- Purse/Wallet
- Craft packs
- Glow sticks
- Yoyo
- Slinky
- Kaleidoscope
- Backpack dangly label
- Teddy
- Travel games
- Water bottle
- Tools
- Silly straws
- Snow globe
- Small trinket box
- Silly bands
- Lanyard
- iPod touch case
- USB Drive
- Nintendo DS Game
- Wii Controller
- Scratchie
- Kids gardening gloves
- Small alarm clock
- Umbrella
- Headphones
- Tickets to a theme park
- Bath toys
- Bike pump
- Bike lock
- Charms
- Goggles
Download this FREE Advent Calendar & Stocking Stuffer Ideas Chart from my shop with the below coupon HERE.
THE URBAN LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING…
Every tradition has some kind of urban legend attached to it. Here’s one that I remember from my childhood. Whether it’s completely true or not, it’s definitely one of the fables that some of us come across from time to time!
IT HAS BEEN SAID that around the 14th Century, there was a rich nobleman who was happily married to his beautiful wife and had three stunning daughters. One day a famine hit his village and people began to starve. The nobleman was a kind-hearted man, who spent his entire fortune on helping the starving villagers survive.
His kindness went a long way, but sadly he and his family ended up so poor, that his daughters were no longer able to marry because their dowries were empty, and their mother sadly passed away from the shock of her three daughters being unable to secure husbands. Not only did the poor nobleman lose his entire fortune, but also his wife. Eventually, he and his daughter’s survived the famine and struggled through.
One day a preacher by the name of Nicolas heard of their troubles. Nicolas was one of the people the nobleman saved in the famine, and he wanted to help the family back. You see, he came into a large inheritance, and legend has it that one night, the preacher snuck into their cottage and left some gold coins in each of the daughter’s socks. The three daughters found the coins the next morning when they tried to put their socks back on to warm their cold feet. They used the fireplace to hang their socks on to dry them every night, as they only had one pair and washed them every evening.
The three daughters eventually found noble husbands, married and lived happily ever after.
DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS STORY, TRADITION OR LEGEND THAT’S BEEN PASSED DOWN?
Share with us in the comment section below.
2 comments
We add one of the packets of the little box cereals (6 or 8 different ones), a punnet of raspberries or a mango (their favourite fruit), little jar of Nutella or tin of Milo to the Christmas stocking. These are things that the kids don’t get throughout the rest of the year – and they don’t have to share!
This is a great idea!! Thanks for sharing Nikki 🙂