Let the 2023 Games Commence! My favorite list to create every year, the annual stocking stuffer guide. I spend hours scouring the Internet for the best unique little gifts kids and teens will love and actually use. I love watching my kids go through their stockings more than the actual gifts (little treasures are more fun!). And I love bringing this list to you all every year.
Happy Shopping!
- Pass the Pigs – We love this game, evident from the “Purchased 4 Times” message in Amazon (we’ve lost a few pigs over the years). It’s the easiest game to travel with–take to restaurants, bring along on vacation, etc.–and great for all ages.
2. Treasure Chest of “Gems” – So yeah, they’re super fake. But they’re colorful, shiny and flashy which is all kids need to think they’re super special. Fun game? Hide them around the house and send your kid around to hunt for them.
3. Ooly Switcheroo Markers – Santa knows we’re big fans of Ooly art supplies, so they always end up in stockings every year. Draw with one color, then flip the marker over and use the other side to draw on top of your art–Presto Chango! The color magically switches.
4. Mini Flashlights – Little things like having your own special flashlight matter to kids (plus they’ll get excited helping you look for the remote under the couch if the can use their flashlight!). These adorable ones come in a pack of six, so you can drop a couple into multiple kids’ stockings.
5. Light-up Bath Cubes – Add a little magic to your kids’ winter baths with these light-up cubes. Yeah, yeah, they’re technically made for cocktails, but they’re even more fun when you throw them in the bath. They instantly light up when they hit water. Turn off the bathroom lights and add some Taylor Swift.
6. Shrinky Dinks Paper – One of our favorite craft things to always have on hand. Add some colored pencils, and you have a Christmas day craft activity. Make jewelry, keychains–the possibilities are endless.
7. Penguin Mittens – I cannot with these guys. They are the cutest, fuzziest mittens that serve a double purpose–warmth and absolute delight.
8. Robo Fish – Another fun one to throw in the tub, these little fish zip around, swimming in five different directions in water–plus they change color. You can also add them to an aquarium for a zero commitment pet.
9. LEGO Parrot – These little LEGO Creator sets are perfect for providing all the fun of LEGOs without breaking the bank.
10. Funny Face Sleep Mask – This is the weirdo stuff my kids always love most in their stockings. Funny selfies by day, sleep mask by night.
11. Monster Zip Case – Nella LOVES pencil cases–fills them with lip glosses, hand sanitizers, all her treasures and takes them to school every day. These monster zip cases are the cutest and come in all different styles (2-ring binder available) and colors. Loving the braces on this one.
12. Magnetic Tetris Cube – We love a good Tetris challenge. Our flat Tetris boards have provided so much fun when company comes over (we have two boards and do races to see who finishes first). This 3D magnet version levels up the fun and challenge.
13. Giant Winter Bubbles Kit – We love making giant bubbles, but I never thought about how much fun they’d be to make in the winter! This giant bubble kit is a winter version and comes with wand stickers that change color in the cold.
14. A Classic Slinky – The OG Stocking Stuffer. You can never go wrong with a Slinky. We have wood stairs now, so this should be especially fun this year.
15. Hibernating Mole – My kids’ love for stuffed animals has never died (has any of ours?). Jellycat has long been a plush stocking staple for us, and this tiny sleeping mole and his little burrow might be the cutest plush they’ve ever made.
16. Squeeze Dumplings – I read a review from a product tester who reviewed a long list of kids’ stocking stuffers for this year and concluded this one provided the most delight. It’s on sale (less than $6!), and it’s as cute as it looks. When you squeeze the little dumpling cheeks (don’t mind if I do!), the little legs pop out and the dumpling lights up and squeals the cutest little peep. Comes in pink (Dee) and blue Dip).
17. LED Lights – Instant Cool Mom for getting these for your kids’ room. Wait, I mean Cool Santa.
18. Rainbow Extension Braids – I bought these for Nella last month, and she LOVES them. They’re super easy to wear. Wrap a ponytail with the elastic and then weave the rainbow braids into a braid.
19. Wool Socks Set – Cute socks are a stocking staple, and this year Santa’s bringing these wool ones because First Midwest Winter!
20. Exploding Dice – This might be my favorite thing on the kids’ stocking stuffer list this year. They’re super affordable (this is a 3-pack, so great for multiple stockings), and the trick blew my mind. It’s such a fun trick to perform and the perfect way to entertain holiday guests.
21. Rattleback – This little science toy only spins in one direction. If you spin it in the opposite direction, it reverses itself.
22. “Friends” Socks – My friend Liz bought me a pair of these last month, and they delighted us all to no end. They made for some fun photos and videos. The arms that dangle from the sides of the socks have little magnets so the socks can hold hands.
23. “Sussed” Game – We love discovering new family card games (especially around the holidays), and this one looks like so much fun and the perfect way to bring the family together to see how well we know each other.
24. Would You Rather? Book – Dash can play “Would You Rather?” all day and loves to send his questions to other family members. Santa’s excited to bring him this book this year.
25. Super Mario Spin Toothbrush – Hoping Mario helps in the Brushes Teeth Without Being Asked category.
26. Fairy Door – Such a fun way to bring a little enchantment to any home. Add the fairy door near the floor in a corner of your home and start your own fun traditions of magical little things that happen there (candy deliveries, little notes on special days, etc.).
27. Suction Cup Extendo Robots – These little guys would make a fun addition to bath or shower time.
28. Magic Thumbs – Cup of Jo blog reported these as one of the best gifts to give kids, and I instantly snatched one up for this year’s stockings.
STOCKING STUFFERS FOR TWEENS AND TEENS
- 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think – Lainey asked for this earlier this year and has read so many passages aloud to me. It’s full of highlighted paragraphs and golden thought nuggest great for young people.
2. Rechargeable Portable Hand Warmers – I recently tested these out (my cousin’s husband uses them for outdoor band rehearsal days), and they are amazing–such a cozy little convenience on cold days.
3. Muk Luks Slippers – The classic Muk Luks slipper, perfect for Christmas morning and currently on sale.
4. Mushroom Bookmarks – We’re always on the lookout for unique and fun bookmarks. These little mushrooms are charming. They tuck hidden in your book when it’s closed and sprout from the stem when you open it.
5. Boho Ring Set – These have Lainey’s name all over them–trendy stackable boho rings.
6. Checked Winter Beanie – My kids love this checked “Vans” print. I just ordered this hat for Dash and was pleasantly surprised when it arrived–well made, and I’ll totally be borrowing it.
7. Aquaphor Moisture Stick – Santa’s bringing one of these for each kid to toss in the backpack, a great way to hydrate and sooth dry winter skin throughout the day.
8. Cute Face Socks Set – How cute are the little ankle tabs that stick out from the back of the shoe? It’s like your socks are giving everyone behind you a delightful little hello. This 10-pack gives plenty pairs to toss in multiple stockings.
9. Tree Hut Scrub – This makes it to Lainey’s Christmas wish list every year. It fits perfectly in a stocking and comes in so many delicious scents.
10. Burt’s Bees Lip Set – Burt’s Bees is our favorite go-to for dry lips, and Santa’s stocking up the kids for winter this year.
11. The Root Beer Float Challenge – I’m excited about this one–it looks like so much fun, and we always love a new game to play Christmas Day when we’re lounging around and watching movies.
12. The Billie Razor Kit – We’re big Billie fans over here–the only razor we use. Every shower needs one, especially with multiple leg shavers in the house.
13. How to Adult Book – An entertaining read with lots of tips toward more independence and functioning in the real world.
14. Highlighter Set – Lainey’s favorite way to read a book is with a highlighter. She asked for highlighters in her stocking this year. This pastel set is as pretty as it is functional.
15. Ramen Noodles Sticky Notes – This can of noodles is actually full of noodle-printed sticky notes, a delight for tweens and teens. It also comes as a can of beans, fruit cocktail and sushi.
16. The Hell You Looking At? Cat Mug – This company (Genuine Fred) makes the funniest gifts. This mug’s sure to bring a smile to even the sulkiest of teens.
17. Over-rated Sticky Notes – I love these (another Genuine Fred product) and the way they invite more humor and fun in a home. Now your kids can rate everything you make and do–subpar dinners, epic school lunches, mornings that didn’t go well (don’t worry, you can steal some and rate their actions too).
18. Birdie Safety Alarm – A necessity for independent kids who are spending more time away from home, driving alone or out at night. It’s a personal safety device that can be clipped to backpacks, pockets and purses. Pull the pin to activate a LOUD siren and flashing strobe lights. Replace to pin to deactivate and reuse.
19. Hair Wax Flyaway Stick – This Bed Head hair wax dupe is a staple around here–so great for taming flyaway hairs right before you run out the door to school.
20. Palo Santo Room Spray – to make “their apartment smell mossy. ”
21. The Mighty Patch – Are you even a teenager if you aren’t using the Mighty Patch?
22. “Selective Hearing Specialist” Socks – Make them laugh but also make your point this Christmas.
23. Catrice Under Eye Brightener – This stuff is a miracle. All the cousins on our family text thread bought it and are raving. A little under the eyes, and you look awake and ready for the day. Teen girls will thank you.
24. Phone Case – The rectangle phone cases are having a moment. This simple sleek design comes in a lot of fun colors.
25. Sharpie Gel Pens – The best pens ever–slides like buttah across the paper.
26. Dashboard Nail & Cuticle Oil – Winter months call for nourished cuticles. This nail oil is the bomb.
27. Jovi Patch – The Jovi patch is magic for cramps, absorbing pain signals before they reach your brain. Get $20 off with this link and code KELLEGIFT.
