The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation. Image via.
I just bought a bunch of items from Ooly, one of my go-to brands for gifting, while 25% off (not sure if promo will still be live when this post publishes!), including a few varieties of these activity cards (my daughter will love the joke decoder), these note card sets, and some new markers for my children (these and these). I figure I’ll use these as Advent calendar surprises or stocking stuffers, or just to give away to little friends. This drew me down a rabbit hole and I filled multiple carts with cute stocking stuffers / small gifts —
WORD SEARCH PUZZLES // HARIBO REINDEER CANDY // PENS // MAGIC 8 BALL // ETCH A SKETCH // WOODEN YO YO
01. These paintbrush-tipped pens were a rec from a pen loving friend — my daughter would adore!
02. Astronaut erasers! (Come in other shapes, like macarons, too.)
03. Cat’s Cradle set. I owned and loved this exact Klutz set when I was maybe eight or nine. Can’t wait to introduce my daughter!
04. Word search puzzles.
05. My daughter has loved these Usborne sticker books since she was three. She’s very into ice skating right now and I know this particular set will go over well.
06. Lego mini figure packs. We recently went to the Lego store at Tyson’s and they have this cute little stand where you can create your own lego mini figure — pick pants/bottom, top, head, hair, and an accessory. My kids LOVED it.
08. Magic 8 ball — a very popular gift (according to Magpie readers!) between the ages of 8-10.
09. Etch a Sketch. A classic for a reason, and great for travel.
10. A great detangling brush for your little lady. I like to mix in utility-type gifts in the stocking. My mom always gave us scotch tape and glue sticks!
11. Crocs shoe charms — my son would flip over the Mario motif.
13. Koosh balls. I didn’t even know they still made these! Iconic.
14. Personalized bookmarks. These were a go-to gift of mine, along with a bundle of books, for awhile!
15. My kids are absolutely obsessed with their book lamps, and they stay charged forever. Anything that encourages reading is OK in my book, even if it means staying up a little late.
16. Slinky!
17. Color your own sticker set.
18. Puffy 3D sticker playhouse.
19. Wooden yo-yo.
20. Bombas socks.
21. Tennis grips for your little racquets lady.
22. Squish-a-long set.
23. Beanie-boos. (My local Safeway often sells these for like $6 or $7 each — check there first!)
24. Rainbow shoe laces.
25. Potion play!
26. Fill in the blank thank you notes.
P.S. Will be sharing what we’re buying for our kids in an upcoming post, but some good shopping starting points here and here.
P.P.S. The Nutcracker and holiday tradition. A bit ironic because this year, we are actually not going to see the Nutcracker! We had one of those scenarios where we were trying to thread too many needles at once — coordinating with other family members, trying to pick a showing in which one of mini’s friends was performing, and wedging it into an increasingly busy holiday season. We had gone through three or four rounds of trying to coordinate this and finally I said to Mr. Magpie, “or maybe we just don’t go this year,” and we both felt it was the right thing. Sometimes doing one less thing also makes space for more room to breathe and enjoy! I am feeling two ways about it though…
P.P.P.S. Some great bedtime books for kids.
Jen, I hear you with the nutcracker!!! Something to remember is that Christmas will be around again next year, and what makes the holiday for your kids, as much as any of this thoughtful preparation, is you all together. That said, many ballet companies have a high quality nutcracker recording available! Here’s where to watch the New York City Ballet version. https://marquee.tv/videos/new-york-city-ballet-george-balanchines-the-nutcracker
Could be a nice addition to movie night! My kids are little so I play it in the background over several mornings.
That Klutz book was my favorite too!! Such a classic.
My 3yo is getting tiny gummy hamburgers, a lip gloss that looks like a blue Icee, Cars die cast figurines, a pirate eyepatch, a soft crown, doll clothes from Little Adventures (I got him the fireman and woody) Sun-Staches glasses in Olaf and Daniel Tiger, a marshmallow lollipop that looks like Chase from Paw Patrol, a Spiderman hat, the Melissa & Doug shave kit that includes the fake beard. My 1yo daughter is getting realistic toy animals from Papo. Fisher Price little people, the Learning resources fidget triceratops, a faux fur crib sheet (she loves our fur blankets), mini books including one that looks like a fire truck, cookies, and various whistles and baby instruments. Her brother made her a Yoto player card (I read the story and he drew the picture) and I’m helping her make him an ornament of them.
My mom used to give us post-its, cool paper clips, pens, deodorant, razors and shaving cream! And a pomegranate in the toe. Practical gifts are wonderful too.
LOVE this note about the televised Nutcracker — so funny too because my mom suggested we come by to watch her VHS tape of the Bolshoi (?) production of the Nutcracker instead. So we’ll get it in one way or another. Such a good reminder that “Christmas will be around next year” and sometimes too much is just too much…
These are SUCH great stocking stuffers! And I love that you have them already laid out!
xx
Because my kids have birthdays that bookend Christmas, I’m very strategic and transparent about what they’re getting. My MIL still refuses to tell me what she’s going to buy, but I at least tell her, because when my son had his first Christmas his special gift from us was a toy truck, and she bought him nearly the same one amongst many other gifts, and I spent that night sobbing. But! Onward, and here we are two years later at yet another Christmas.
Oof, I can totally imagine that letdown!! Smart to approach it your way.
We love the Ooly joke decoder cards! I recently bought 3 boxes — 1 box for my daughter and then split up the 2 boxes among 24 kids for a non-plastic goody bag item.
Oo yay! I feel like they’ll be an enormous hit with my daughter too.
xx
Oh, my girls are for sure getting scotch tape in their stockings now! Thanks to your mom for this tip! We go through SO MUCH tape in this house – we should buy stock in 3M. Grateful for the “wall safe” version (my dad had a house painting business so I’m trained never to tape things to the wall).
Also intrigued by the mother-daughter Christmas tea mentioned in your Talbots post. Such a sweet idea! And I’m sure tons of work (that I may not be up for after hosting yesterday!!). But would you be willing to do a post on this, or share details separately, in case I recover my hosting strength? 🙂
Yes!! Tape is a classic 🙂
And I’m going to chat with my mom about the tea – she really had it down to a science the last few years! Will ask for her thoughts/tips/ideas!
Ooh those bookmarks are so cute!
Throwing in a rec for this adorable book I just ordered for my nieces! Xo
https://www.amazon.com/product/dp/1454952156?&linkCode=sl1&tag=sumait-20&linkId=5db09359e1078df5dada51b81de8c045&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
OMG how cute!!!! My daughter would love this!
Yay! I threw in a pack of washi tape too… I’m so excited to see their creations!