If you’re like me and always wait until the very last minute to go shopping for Christmas, then you understand the stress of desperately searching google for gift ideas. Whether it is for your mother, best friend, significant other, or sibling, gift giving can be hard! The first part of shopping I do is always for stockings, which is often the easier gifts to think of and buy, because there are endless small items you can get anywhere! In my family, stockings are free-for-alls and you could receive pretty much anything under the sun as long as it fits, and most commonly they are every day items you need and use.
So, I have gathered a lengthy list of 20 items for all of you last-minute shoppers and people who struggle at giving gifts to others to inspire your creative thinking. Many of these can be bought for under $5-15 at certain stores, so do not worry about breaking the bank this Christmas. Plus, do not stress yourself out by overthinking your gifts because I can guarantee whoever is receiving them will appreciate that you bought them something in the first place!
Have fun holiday shopping besties!
skincare
Everyone loves to have clear skin, so this is a no-brainer! You can get a few travel size moisturizers, face washes, toners, face lotion, or oils for them to take with them on the go. Or get full size bottles if you know they are running low on the goods and are in desperate need. Korean skin care products are the way to go for ultimate clear skin, so look to those items for recommendations and spoil that person!
Lip balm
We have officially reached winter and you know what that means…dry skin. Help them out and get them some Chapstick, Vaseline, Aquaphor, or any other brand that is their favorite to make sure they are prepared always. No one wants to have painful and cracked lips in this cold weather! I highly recommend Vaseline because I personally think it lasts and works the best.
socks
Like I said before, everyone needs items that they can use every day, and socks are a prime example of that. But go cute! Get some fuzzy socks with adorable Christmas designs on them like reindeer, Santa Claus, elves, or presents. Regular socks will do the trick too, because you can never ever have too many of those. We need to warm up and layer in this cold weather, so stock up and keep them warm Christmas morning!
Candy
Who could ever NOT want candy? Think of all their favorite chocolates, gummies, candies, and gum and run to the nearest store! Ferrero Rochers, Kit Kats, assorted chocolate trays, hot chocolate bombs, gummy bears, Hershey Kisses… there is so much to choose from! It is one of the few other occasions where you will receive loads of candy for free, so go buy some and let them have their sweet treats.
snacks
Along the same lines of candy, getting someone a bunch of their favorite snacks is a perfect option as well! There are so many tiny snack packages that stores sell that will fit perfectly into a stocking. Mini Nutella jars, chip bags, cookie packs, granola and protein bars…the list is endless! You can easily buy all of the candy and snacks at your nearest Dollar Store.
hair accessories
If they have long hair or like to style their hair often, hair accessories are the way to go. As a woman, my favorite small gifts to receive are claw clips, hair ties, bobby pins, scrunchies, and barrettes because these are the most common and easy thing to lose! I am positive they will appreciate being given these, because who doesn’t love styling and dressing up?
fidget toys
These can be so fun to have for people who fidget or get a little antsy often. There are fidget cubes, marble and mesh, fidget spinners, squishy toys, stress balls, slime, and more to choose from. These are perfect for kids as well because based on my experience, they absolutely love to play with these! Several of my cousins trade and share with their friends, so sneak one in there!
Makeup
If they love to wear makeup and get all dolled up, this is the best stocking stuffer for them! Though this can be on the pricier side depending on what product and brand you buy, if they like to use drug store products, then it won’t be as expensive! Head to an Ulta, CVS, Target, Sephora, or any store that sells beauty products and buy something you know they love to use.
mini toys
Some people love to play with smaller toys such as Tech Decks, Hot Wheels, small Lego builds, Pokémon cards, or even a Tamagotchi! Buy them these and I can guarantee you that they will be so happy to have it. Now they have toys they can bring with them to places as a form of entertainment, enjoy at home by themselves or with others, and keep as a decoration!
gift cards
Could anyone ever deny free money to their favorite store? This is the most common and fastest gift you could buy at any store. Figure out what places they like to shop at, what restaurants are their favorite, or online websites they love. Clothing stores like Tilly’s, Zara, Primark, and Marshalls are great. If they love reading like I do, receiving a Barnes and Noble gift card is the key to my heart. Or if they love playing video games, you could get a gift card for GameStop or Steam!
stickers
Stickers are small yet cute ways people love to decorate and create things! Personally, I love stickers and use them in scrapbooking, which I am sure someone you know loves to do as well in their free time. There are hefty books full of stickers with designs, photos, and patterns on them to use as decoration. You can also get them themed ones of activities, shows, movies, or sports they love.
jewelry
If they love to accessorize their outfits, jewelry is the way to go! Get them some new earrings to match their vibes, a necklace to spice up their outfit for the day, or a bracelet to finish it off! I feel so bare without my jewelry if I forget to put them on… that is how important it is to some people. Bonus points if you make them personalized gift, such as a bracelet made from string! The gifts with a lot of thought and love behind them always tend to be the best.
winter accessories
We are officially in the winter season, and for those living in New England… you KNOW it is cold now (though there is a chance it could be 60 degrees on a random day). Therefore we have to keep ourselves warm and cozy on these frigid days by wearing mittens, hats, and scarves. Stuff these items into a stocking and they will be thanking you for saving their body from the cold! It is way easier to get warm than it is to cool off in the heat.
car air fresheners
Some people may love the smell of a new car, but no one loves to sit in a car and smell what you ate for dinner last night or how you just went to the gym. To prevent their embarrassment, get them a car air freshener! Stores have unlimited amounts of scents to choose from, and I can guarantee one of them is their favorite. Nothing beats having a nice and fresh smelling car whenever you are traveling.
jibbitz
Crocs have officially (and unfortunately…sorry) made a comeback in the past few years and nearly everyone has got a pair at home. For some people they even have several colors to match their outfits! That being said, crocs also have accessories that can be put onto the tops of the shoes, called Jibbitz. These can be cartoon characters, food, letters, numbers, animals, and more! Run to Amazon and buy a big pack of Jibbitz that match the personality of the person you are shopping for.
polaroid photos
Here is one thing on the list where you don’t have to spend any money if you have the camera and film already! I think saving physical photos of someone you love in a place that you are at consistently, is such a meaningful action. Whether it is keeping a photo in your wallet, car, or phone case, it shows they are special. So go snap some beautiful photos of you, them, or each other together, and put them in the stocking as a gift!
bath bombs
Though they are not as popular as they used to be several years ago, there are still plenty of people who love to make their baths look and smell pretty. Nothing beats being able to relax after a long day and taking a hot bath with your favorite movie playing or some music. Many stores have their own brands of bath bombs now, but I do think the store Lush makes them the best.
nail kits/razors
It is important that we make sure our nails are always clean and kept up with, so having a nail kit is valuable! You can get very cheap ones off of Amazon or at local stores, and they come with a variety of tools to help you take care of your nails and clean them up. Razors are also a very simple gift to give, but often needed! There is nothing worse than forgetting to buy a new razor when you are already in the shower and ready to get the job done.
pet toys and treats
All of my fellow pet owners out there know how fun it is to get new toys and treats for your pets, but sometimes they can be expensive or you simply do not have the ability to get them, for any reason. I think it is adorable when people I know get my pets little gifts because it makes them so happy! Grab a few little dog bones or cat treats and an entertaining toy, and you are going to be their new favorite person. The human’s and the pet’s.
scratch ticket
Last but not least, a scratch ticket! I know, I know, these are often not worth the money, but every once in a while it is fun to feel the thrill of possibly winning a big prize! I come from a family who loves buying scratch tickets, so I am a little biased, but I think it is a simple interactive gift to receive. It may be all luck, but sometimes small spurts of hope, laughs, and excitement are all you need.