December’s here! That means it’s time for me to shift into my “Ho, Ho, Ho” persona :) So to start getting into Santa mode, how about if I help stuff someone’s stocking a little early?
You’ve probably already guessed that the winner of my Stocking Stuffer Giveaway will be treated to some yumminess of his or her choosing at America’s favorite coffee shop.
Leave a comment on this blog post by noon Dec. 12, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $15 gift card to Starbucks. To make it fun, tell me about a favorite stocking stuffer — either one you like to give or one you like to receive. If I don’t know you personally or can’t contact you via your own blog, be sure to leave your email address in your comment or you won’t be included in the drawing.
I’ll kick off our stocking stuffer sharing. When my girls were little, I used to put Hershey’s Kisses, Miniature Reese’s Cups, and Snickers minis in their stockings — all in holiday wrappers, of course. Now that they’re grown, I go straight for the big bags of whatever their (and their husbands!) current favorite candy might be. I put a variety of other gifts in their stockings as well, but they can always count on some candy of some sort. If I love chocolate, I guess I figure they will, too :)
This holiday season as we’re busy stuffing stockings and placing presents under the tree for our loved ones, let’s also try to make Christmas a little merrier for someone less fortunate.
There are lots of organizations we can contribute time or money to who carry out wonderful ministries during Christmas, but let’s also be ready to act on unexpected opportunities that come our way. Let’s be ready to reach out with love and kindness and the hope that comes with the good news of our Savior’s birth. Let’s be ready to stuff a few stockings!
“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” Proverbs 31:20
I stuff the stockings with Hershey Kisses, too. And a toothbrush, mints or gum, a piece of fruit, maybe a deck of cards, and a small stuffed animal. Since my boys are still “little” they think the stocking stuff is from Santa. My 10 year old still believes! We don’t decorate until the week before, because we spend the time prior to that focusing on Advent.
I love getting candy in my stocking! We usually get M&M’s, but I’d really like some Reese’s Pieces! (Hint, hint!)
We don’t have our own stockings, so I haven’t started the tradition for us. I just know when we go home, we get the green stocking, not the white one! :)
Stockings can be so much fun. My Mom used to find pennies that belonged to that year and put in the stocking…as well as gifts. I’m not sure as to why that tradition. I don’t have kids…just a cat and guinea pig. I do put up stockings for them…at least I plan to..the question is going to be where!
Leslie-Ann
I always love candy – especially Peanut M&M’s or Reese’s Peanut Butter cups. Kristin can have any and all Reese’s pieces though.
I’m also always a sucker for a good little kitchen gadget or utensil.
I remember getting oranges and nuts every year when I was little. As an adult, I asked my dad why and he said when they were young, during the depression and after, to get an orange and nuts was a HUGE treat. :0) Now a days, I like getting and giving gift cards in stockings. :0) No oranges or nuts.
I think your kids are taking advantage of this opportunity to make suggestions for their stockings. :) Jewelery is a good stocking stuffer!
I like putting a cookie cutter, hot tamales, Reese peanut butter cups, truffles, packs of orbit gum, small tube of hand lotion and a tube of bees wax chap stick in my daughters stocking. I have a daughter that doesn’t care for chocolate so i put everything in her stocking as I do the other except i put spearmint gum drops, peach o in her stocking.
Our family has stocking bags that my mom has made for us. Each one is a material that is something that we like – for example mine is gingerbread men material. My favorite thing to get in my stocking is new Christmas socks to add to my collection! I have over 30 pair and love to wear a different pair each day in Dec.
Growing up in the ’60’s we always got a box of Cracker Jack in our stockings. My kids couldn’t understand why that was a good thing, so I always put gold foil wrapped chocolate coins in theirs.
I stuff the stockings with an apple & orange- always been a tradition plus a good flavored chocolate bar — chili flavored, orange flavored, etc.
Our small country church always gave kids a gift sack with apple, orange, nuts & old-fashioned candy — on Christmas Eve when we had our program.
Small hobby related items- small bike pump for kids, small atlas,ski or running socks, etc.
Lip gloss, chap stick, hand lotion is always a winner for daughter.
Gift cards to their favorite restaurants so they can have a good
time with their friends.
My mother always stuffed my stocking the best. She went the extra mile to think of little things that might mean something to me. Now that it’s up to my husband, I’m glad to get some blistex and Curel lotion–must haves at our house! And yes, you’re right… this is my kind of give-away. Starbucks is less than a mile from my front door!
peace~elaine
Chapstick and scrunchies. Those are the best stocking stutters. Who ever buys those things for themselves?
http://Www.thedesertchronicles.com
Stocking “stutters”? Jeez. Sorry about that. That’s what I get for not paying attention to the auto-correct feature on my iPad!
Hi, I’m Jacquelyn. Came over here from Elaine’s place…nice to meet you :)
I just love Christmas stockings! There is a favorite hamburg place around here that sells “gold” coins for $1 each. You can purchase as many as you want and they even give you a pretty black velvet tie string bag to put them in. The coins then of course are like gift cards. I usually put some of these in our stockings, along with other small gifts…each wrapped in colorful tissue paper.
I love adding more stockings to hang under our mantle as our family is growing…
My Mom always leaves my sisters and me the holiday box of Lifesavers. She has done that since we were little and still does it (we’re now at ages of 43, 38, and 32). I love them!
Cheryl,
I found your blog through a comment you made on Lisa’s blog “Sharing Life with Lisa.”
What beautiful wedding pictures and congratulations!
Favorite stocking stuffer, well, you never can go wrong with chocolate like Hershey kisses are one of my favorites. My hubby has put earrings in my stocking before :) When my children were younger I would stuff their stockings with small games from my childhood memories. Such as cards, jacks, crayons, stickers, search & find books, jump ropes, etc.
Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
Love the Christmas starbucks cup. Not sure whether or not we have those here in England – I’ll have to check next time I go for coffee!!!
In our family, we don’t have a tradition of stockings but usually have a present wrapped up from Santa and Rudolf!! Usually chocolates, socks or a small game. When our little dog was with us we used to get him a stocking which he really enjoyed!!
I always leave the Lindor truffles and Ghiradelli Caramel Squares, along with the kid’s favorite candy, I tunes card and good ole cash!!
This year (so far) each stocking will have a box of crayons, a glue stick, a tooth brush, a package of those stretchy braclets, and a Pez candy holder & candy. I pick these up throughout the year when on sale. With 9 grandchild, economy counts :)
This is Kelli….I can’t get my username to work. I always like getting peanut butter M & M’s and anything Reese’s!
Hey Cheryl,
Thanks for popping in while I was on two week off line break with family. Your message was so funny about our Starbucks giveaways. That would have been something if we both had won each others.
I pray all is well with you and your family. Hugs and Christmas blessings.
We always got socks and underwear in our stocking!
The best stocking stuffer I ever gave Aaron was a six pack of Henry Weinhardt’s root beer that had to be special ordered because it isn’t sold in Jacksonville. It’s his favorite and an essential part of Christmas for him. He was very happy!