Clip-on Animal Flashlights

Check out these cute clip-on animal flashlights! They can be attached to keys, purses, backpacks and more, and contain a bright LED flashlight inside the animal's mouth. The choices include a T-rex, a green lizard, a blue lizard, a panda, a red frog, and a toucan. Personally I like the T-rex, with his oversize head and his stubby little legs. The flashlights measure about 3.5 inches at their longest dimension.

What: Clip-on Animal Flashlights
Where: Solutions
How much (as of today's post): $9.95 (or 3 for $8.95 each) (plus shipping)

Pewter Wall Pegs

I've had these pewter wall pegs bookmarked forever, so when I went back to the link I was happy to see they're on sale for $14.99, down from the original $22.00! (I also note, though, that they've been discontinued -- so once they're gone they're gone.) Uncommon Goods often has stuff priced a little higher than I would like, but at the same time their merchandise always looks to be of very high quality. In any case, I think these pewter wall pegs would make great stocking stuffers, especially for cat or dog lovers. They're perfect for holding a key ring or two, or a dog leash. They're approximately 3 inches long by 1 inch wide.

What: Pewter Wall Pegs
Where: Uncommon Goods
How much (as of today's post): $14.99 (on sale from $22.00) (plus shipping)

Retro Ice Bags

I take some very expensive prescription migraine medicine (I'm blessed to have good prescription benefits through my employer), but I have to admit, sometimes the least fancy remedies work wonders, such as a good old ice bag on the back of the neck. My ice bag is a pretty boring affair, but the Container Store has these designer "retro" ice bags which might make a cute and useful stocking stuffer for someone in need.

The ice bags are made from "rubberized cotton cloth" (I'm not entirely sure what that means) and are leak proof. The four designs are Black Dots, Green Boxes, Pink Hibiscus, and Yellow Ducks. Personally, I like the duckies the best!

What: Retro Ice Bags
Where: Container Store website or stores
How much (as of today's post): $12.99 (plus shipping)

Darth Vader Flexible Spatula

Williams Sonoma has been rockin' the Star Wars stuff lately! Sandwich molds, cookie cutters, pancake molds, and now this awesome Darth Vader spatula. It seems a strange combination of interests, but one of my best friends is totally into Star Wars/sci-fi and she loves to bake!

Details: flexible nylon-silicone head that won't scratch nonstick pans; stainless steel handle; and (most importantly!) dishwasher safe. It's 10 1/2 inches long. Which makes it perfect for sticking out the top of a stocking!

What: Darth Vader Flexible Spatula
Where: Williams Sonoma website or stores
How much (as of today's post): $12.00

Knitters Sweater Pin

First things first: this is way too expensive for a stocking stuffer, unless you're rich. But oh! I love this little pin -- and I'm not even a knitter. (I will learn someday, I will!) It does bother me that the product description doesn't indicate the actual size of the pin, but it's exquisite regardless, and the perfect gift for a knitter. The description says that each pin in handcrafted, and designed by a husband-and-wife team. It says that the pin is made from "laser-cut steel, paint, resin and found objects," and if you look closely you can see the little bits and pieces.

(There is also a quilting brooch, but I like the knitters sweater better.)

What: Knitters Sweater Pin
Where: Wireless Catalog
How much (as of today's post): $79.95

Handisleeves & Dandisleeves

Almost every Sunday, my husband and I go to Panera for lunch. I drink iced tea (unsweetened!) and he drinks hot tea. The hot tea is always very hot, so he uses those cardboard sleeves so he can hold the cup comfortably. Now, we do always recycle the cardboard sleeves, but wouldn't it make more sense to use a re-usable one and save some trees?

Enter Handisleeves and Dandisleeves from the Container Store! The pretty Dandisleeve comes in pink and has a lovely cut-out pattern, while the more manly Handisleeve comes in either green, black, or red. They're $4.99 apiece, making them a nice, useful, affordable stocking stuffer.

And in the meantime.... Happy Thanksgiving!

What: Handisleeves & Dandisleeves
Where: Container Store
How much (as of today's post): $4.99 (plus shipping)

Tank Robot Keychain Watch

About two years ago, I posted a "luxury stocking stuffer" -- a spiffy Tank Robot Clock that was wonderful but that cost $45. Well, here is Tank Robot's baby sibling -- a Tank Robot Keychain Watch for $14.99. The clock came in red or black, but the keychain watch version comes in ivory, teal, or red. (I see right now that the Perpetual Kid website has only ivory in stock, but you can keep an eye out for when they get the other colors back in, or search for them elsewhere.

Perfect for clipping on a backpack, don't you think? They're made of metal and are 1.75 inches tall.

What: Tank Robot Keychain Watch
Where: Perpetual Kid website
How much (as of today's post): $14.99 (plus shipping)

Lacing Cards -- Buy or DIY!

I love Eric Carle illustrations -- in fact, I've been to the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts -- so this set of animal lacing cards caught my eye. The box has 10 cards measuring 6.5 by 5.25 inches and 10 brightly colored laces to attract little ones' eyes. And at the same time, of course, lacing helps children develop all kinds of skills, including sequencing, dexterity, coordination, and fine motor skills.

Of course, this is something that you could easily make yourself for less! You could use extra sturdy cardstock or cardboard, and stamp them with fun images or even just paint or draw. You can look in the dollar store for inexpensive colored shoelaces. You could even put a set of cards with the laces in a store-bought or handmade drawstring bag. The images could even be photographs that you've taken of your kids or pets. The possibilities are endless!

And you know what? I'm just now having a flashback.... I'm pretty sure my mom made lacing cards for us out of recycled Christmas cards at one point!

What: Lacing Cards
Where: Chinaberry or DIY!
How much (as of today's post): $14.95 (plus shipping)

Ambulance Bandages

These are among the cutest novelty bandages I've seen: little ambulances and emergency response vehicles with a decidedly Japanese flavor. There are 24 latex-free bandages in assorted sizes, packaged in a tin that measures 2 5/8 inches wide by 3 5/8 inches high.

This would also make the cute centerpiece of a little homemade first aid kid that you can put together for a college student's dorm room, especially if your college student is into Japanese anime or manga.


What: Ambulance Bandages
Where: Spoon Sisters websiteHow much (as of today's post): $5.95 (plus shipping)

Story Cubes

If you have a budding writer among your family, here's a fun stocking stuffer: "story cubes," which are essentially dice with pictures instead of numbers. According to the product description, the nine cubes with their 54 total images have more than 10 million possible combinations! I also think that in addition to writer-types, younger children might find these fun just in telling stories to each other or themselves. It's certainly the kind of thing that would have appealed to me as a child.

The box measures 4.1 by 2.9 inches -- perfect stocking stuffer size!

What: Story Cubes
Where: Uncommon Goods website
How much (as of today's post): $7.50 (plus shipping)

Medieval Weapons Push Pins

A stocking stuffer for boys: a set of 10 medieval weapon push pins, featuring a sabre, a single-handed sword, a broadsword, a katana, and an axe (not that I know the difference between any of these things!). This would be fun for any boy into knights or medieval history or even Lord of the Rings. The set is a little pricey since it essentially comes out to a dollar a pin, but you have to admit they are clever.

I swear, I think ThinkGeek is my favorite retail website ever. :-)

What: Medieval Weapons Push Pins
Where: ThinkGeek.com
How much (as of today's post): $9.99 (plus shipping)

Thanksgiving Dinner Gumballs

These Thanksgiving Dinner Gumballs would make a cute gift for kids, or for college students who are too far away to make it home for Thanksgiving dinner! There are three flavors: Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, and Pumpkin Pie. I think they would certainly taste.... interesting! But I probably should not indulge myself -- I can't stand the buttered popcorn flavor of Jelly Belly, because the taste is right, but so wrong with that texture! I have to imagine turkey-flavored gum might be a similar experience.... But kids love things that are weird or even gross!

What: Thanksgiving Dinner Gumballs
Where: ThinkGeek.com
How much (as of today's post): $3.99 (or $9.99 for three) (plus shipping)

Little Dancer Pin -- Paired with Books!

I didn't intend to post about another luxury stocking stuffer so soon, but this little dancer has captured my heart! As many of you will recognize, this pin is a replica of the famous Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer, more commonly known as just Little Dancer. The sculpture was originally made of bronze and tulle, while this 1.25 inch high by .75 inch wide pin is made of antiqued bronze finish.

One of the reasons I think this would make a lovely, special stocking stuffer is that it can be so nicely paired with a gift under the tree. The Little Dancer has been featured in several books, including multiple picture books and even a young adult novel depicting Marie's life as an aspiring dancer at the Paris Opera. The novel is Marie, Dancing by Carolyn Meyer, and it's truly a moving story. The paperback would probably even fit in a larger stocking along with the pin, while the hardcover edition could go under the tree if that's what you prefer.

And the picture books would be great fun for younger girls to go with this keepsake pin! Two picture books I know of are Marie in Fourth Position: The Story of Degas by Amy Littlesugar and Ian Schoenherr, and Degas and the Little Dancer by Laurence Anholt. I love the way both cover illustrations capture the mood of the Little Dancer, but so differently!

And there are probably even more books out there -- clearly I'm not the only one whose imagination has been caught by the Little Dancer!



What: Little Dancer Pin, paired with a book!
Where: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston website (or other museum stores)
How much (as of today's post): $48.00 (43.20 for members) (plus shipping)

Julienne Peeler

I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm the type who actually likes kitchen gadgets in my Christmas stocking (a fact which my husband has picked up on!). Here's one I wouldn't mind finding in my stocking: a julienne peeler. I have it in mind for carrots*, but I do note that one of the customer reviews mentions this as a better alternative for grating hard Parmesan cheese!

(*I make a skillet lasagna that I like to sneak extra veggies into, such as carrots and spinach -- julienned carrots would work better, because as it is it takes forever to chop up the carrots into small enough pieces that they'll cook through well.)

What: Julienne Peeler
Where: Solutions website or kitchen store
How much (as of today's post): $5.95 (plus shipping)

Cosmic Cat Pendant

At this price, this is definitely not your everyday stocking stuffer, but it did catch my eye, and I haven't listed a "luxury" stocking stuffer in a while. What drew me to this Cosmic Cat pendant is that I'm into cats (duh!) and I'm also into the stars, both fictionally via reading so much science fiction, and with my interest in the space program. In any case, the Pyramid Collection catalog describes this as "a handcrafted pendant of antiqued sterling silver by fantasy designer Uma Silbey." It's 1.5" long and the stone is genuine opal. The online description doesn't specify, but I don't believe the chain comes with it, which is something to keep in mind.

What: Cosmic Cat Pendant
Where: Pyramid Collection
How much (as of today's post): $39.95 (plus shipping)

Build-Your-Own-Kaleidoscope Kit

Here's a fun stocking stuffer that makes a great parent-and-child activity for later on: a Build-Your-Own-Kaleidoscope Kit. This kit lets you assemble the included plastic lenses, mirrored strips, and cardboard tubes to showcase the colored beads, and you can add your own little decorative bits and trinkets as well. I can also envision drawing on the outside tube to personalize the kaleidoscope, or perhaps decorating it with stickers.

I imagine the crafty among you could also figure out how to do this yourself from scratch -- I think it's a bit beyond me, though!

What: Build-Your-Own-Kaleidoscope Kit
Where: FredFlare.com
How much (as of today's post): $14.00 (plus shipping)

Chewdriver Utensil Set

Check out this cute "Chewdriver" Utensil Set, featuring a fork, spoon, and knife top, each of which can attach to the screwdriver handle! I admit this certainly isn't an inexpensive stocking stuffer, but at the same time I think it is so much harder to find good stocking stuffers for boys!

(And my usual caveat stands -- I was a such a tomboy growing up, that I would have loved this. So don't forget this can work for girls too, depending on their tastes!)

What: Chewdriver Utensil Set
Where: Spoon Sisters website
How much (as of today's post): $15.00 (plus shipping)

Mushroom Pencil Sharpener & Eraser

In keeping with yesterday's small, cute art and school supply type stocking stuffer, here is another cutie from the Library Foundation of Los Angeles: a mushroom pencil sharpener and eraser in one. They're two inches tall and come in several colors, although you unfortunately don't get to choose the color. Still, most kids won't mind which color they get, since they're all adorable.

What: Mushroom Pencil Sharpener & Eraser
Where: Library Foundation of Los Angeles
How much (as of today's post): $3.00 (plus shipping)

Mini-Capsule Colored Pencils

I know colored pencils are colored pencils, and you can surely find a set cheaper if not so elegantly packaged. But it's the lovely packaging that would make this set of mini colored pencils such a perfect stocking stuffer. The 12 pencils are only 2 inches tall, so this little set will fit almost anywhere.

I found these in the Library Foundation of Los Angeles store. There's a good bet you could find them, or something very similar, in an art supply store, though.

What: Mini-Capsule Colored Pencils
Where: Library Foundation of Los Angeles
How much (as of today's post): $4.50 (plus shipping)

Body Double Magnets

This is a stocking stuffer that is too large as is to put in a stocking, but which can be easily repackaged or even split among several recipients to keep down the cost. The overall pack of these "body double magnets" measures 6.5 inches wide by 10 inches high, but the individual magnets are only 2.5 inches high. Splitting them among recipients lowers your cost-per-stocking-stuffer quite a bit!

So what are these "body double magnets"? They're magnets that let you put a new body on a familiar face. Turn your husband into a body builder or your little girl into a prima ballerina. (I could turn me and my husband into the nerd with the pocket protector, but it's already pretty obvious we're nerds!) I think this would be especially fun for teens and college students, who are always plastering their rooms with photos of their friends anyway.

This is also another possibility for a DIY stocking stuffer, using adhesive-backed magnetic sheets, the kind that let you turn photos into magnets.

What: Body Double Magnets
Where: Spoon Sisters website
How much (as of today's post): $7.50 (plus shipping)

Chocolate and Peppermint Crusted Marshmallows (buy or DIY!)

Here's an elegant food stocking stuffer that's so simple even I could do it myself! These marshmallows-on-a-stick are coated in chocolate and then dipped in crushed peppermint, making them perfect to swirl in a cup of hot chocolate.

And even if you're not handy in the kitchen, the price of these isn't too outrageous when you consider that you have four individually wrapped marshmallow pops to a pack. Stick one out of the top of each Christmas stocking, and you have a pretty stocking stuffer for about $2.

But really, I suspect most of you are handy enough in the kitchen to try this! And the possibilities are endless. Don't like peppermint? Try something else, like crushed toffee or chocolate sprinkles.

What: Chocolate and Peppermint Crusted Marshmallow
Where: Crate and Barrel or do-it-yourself!
How much (as of today's post): $7.95 (plus shipping) or pennies if you DIY

Snowman Spoon Swizzles

When I was in high school and college, I was a bookworm who was almost completely antisocial. I'm still a bookworm, but now I love socializing, and especially throwing parties. My husband and I give huge New Year's Eve parties that are themed with optional costumes. Some of our themes have included a "Don't Worry Be Happy" beach party; a supervillains and superheroes party; an aliens party; and a Swingin' Sixties/Psychedelic Seventies party. This year we're having a "Phantasmagorical Literary Salon", which will be book-themed with people dressing up as any literary creator or character.

And although I love these big, sprawling themed parties, sometimes I get the urge to just have an intimate, classy dinner party -- but we don't, because we have no dining room table. Actually, we have no real furniture, not even a couch -- we just have several hand-me-down, cat-clawed armchairs. That works fine for a party of 80 people, but not so much for a elegant dinner for 8.

Anyway (yes, there is sort of a point to all this!), I love love love to see elegant partyware, and fancy little touches like these Snowman Swizzle Sticks. I can just see these adorning a pretty holiday table. And while I won't buy these for myself considering the kinds of parties we give, I can see these as a lovely little stocking stuffer for the kind of entertainer who does host the more intimate dinner party-style gatherings.

(I have to admit, I'm mentally ready for the holiday season. I'm really looking forward to it, and I've made a good dent in my holiday shopping. Let's hope my enthusiasm stays the distance!)

What: Snowman Spoon Swizzles
Where: Pier One stores (link is to view only; cannot be purchased online)
How much (as of today's post): $8.95 for set of 4

Sock Monkey Wine Cozy

Yesterday I received a Solutions catalog in the mail, and they always have lots of cute stuff for the holidays. I was struck by this sock monkey wine cozy -- it seems sock monkeys are everywhere these days!

Anyway, this little guy would be fun as a hostess gift when you're going to a Christmas party -- he'll certainly stand out from all the Christmas-themed wine bags and boxes!

What: Sock Monkey Wine Cozy
Where: Solutions website or catalog
How much (as of today's post): $9.95 (or three for $8.95 each) (plus shipping)

Ninjabread Men Cookie Cutters

It's the Ninjabread Men! These little cookie cutters put a new twist on an old classic -- perhaps inspired by the Gingerbread Man of the Shrek movies?

In any case, these would be great stocking stuffer for any mom whose kids take karate, and I understand it's more and more popular these days. They would also be great for said kids if they also enjoy baking or would like to take a treat to their karate class. Or they can even be used to make cookies for men who never grew out of their kung fu movie phase. I love the way the sample cookies are decorated!

What: Ninjabread Men Cookie Cutters
Where: Uncommon Goods website
How much (as of today's post): $12.00 (plus shipping)

Jelly Belly Sugar Plums

I tend to think of November 1st as the first real day of the "season." Halloween is over (we had 130 trick-or-treaters last night!) and it's time to begin holiday preparation in earnest, especially because my husband's family is in Canada, which means shipping a lot of gifts internationally. So it's time to get serious!

Here to start off the season with a stocking stuffer: Jelly Belly's "sugar plums", which are plum-flavored jells with light sugar sanding. I adore their raspberries and blackberries, so I think these plums would be delicious, and I just love the idea of "sugar plums" in the Christmas stocking. Jelly Belly's website lists this 9 oz. bag at $5.99. You should be able to find these in any mall candy store.

How about you? Are you ready for the season?

What: Jelly Belly Sugar Plums
Where: JellyBelly website or candy stores
How much (as of today's post): $5.99