• Don't disregard your budget! Christmas shopping is expensive, but that doesn't mean you have to overspend. Calculate  how many stockings you have to fill and how much you can afford on each one so that they fit into your overall gift buying budget.
• Keep an eye out for stocking stuffers  when you're doing your Christmas shopping. You'll end up with a better variety of gifts and the stocking won't appear to have been thrown together last minute.
• Keep stocking stuffers  small. No gift  should be larger than six to eight inches.

• Most if not all gifts should be wrapped, except perhaps gifts that will stick up out the top of the stocking, such as a chocolate bar, candy cane , or a doll.
• Small fillers like mint candies  and gum drops are good to use when coupled with bigger items.
• Choose both fun and practical stuffers and maybe something that really stands out as the crème de la crème.
• Make sure that you stick to age-appropriate gifts.

Mittens 

Like socks  and scarves , mittens are a popular stocking stuffer: useful, cute and, most important of all, warm.

Popcorn Balls 

A sweet treat for putting in a stocking, as they're less messy than cookies  or fudge . Still, it's best to wrap  them, just in case.

Novelties 

A flashlight  that's a Lego person, or origami sticky notes , or a novelty pen --they're all great novelty stocking stuffers .

Ornaments 

Stockings are a good place to hide a new bauble, whether it's a tourist trinket  or an ornament  that marks the year.

Gift Cards 

You can't always find the right gift. Why not stick a gift card for music , books, or game systems  in their stockings?

Silly Putty 

A stocking staple. This stuff is fun right out of the box, or in this case, egg. Let's just hope it doesn't get smushed into the tree skirt.

Legos 

A small set with around 100 pieces should fit in an average-sized stocking. They're a good pre-Christmas breakfast diversion.

Rubik's Cube 

A puzzle that doesn't make us think of rainy days. The kids will enjoy this brain teaser...before they open their new video games, anyway.

Finger Puppets 

These little guys can stick out of the top of a stocking, cute as can be, waiting for your child to wake up on Christmas morning.

Nintendo DS Case 

Kids are going to sneak their electronics into places they shouldn't. Make sure the consoles are stylish and protected with a new case.

Art Supplies 

By now your children will likely have ruined a lot of their back-to-school supplies; now is a good time to restock and encourage kids to use their markers and crayons for good instead of evil.

Yu-Gi-Oh Cards 

Really, any cards will do. They can be collectible , or they can be used for a trading card game ; the point is, kids love 'em. A few packs should suffice as a gift.

Pez 

Pez is an okay candy , but everyone knows the best part is the dispenser . Get kids their favorite characters in Pez  form.

Bath Products 

There's nothing more relaxing than a hot, soothing bath . Unless it's a soak in bath salts . Or a divine new moisturizer . Or some new body butter ...

Votive Candles 

Simple candles can suit any bathroom or bedroom, and this gift is perfect for a mom or an aunt.

Coffee Sampler 

Get your java nut some choice beans. A sampler can expand his or her horizons, especially when paired with a cheesecake sampler .

Makeup Palette 

A bit in the sampler mode, a palette will offer some great basics while allowing her to explore new makeup looks .

Ear Buds 

It's a fact: mittens get lost, and headphones break. That's what makes them ideal gifts, people are always looking for a replacement!

Cuff Links 

Men need more than one pair of these, so make sure the ones you know are fully stocked. Formal ,sporty , and even nerdy cuff links  are available.

Shot Glasses 

Shot glasses deliver tiny, alcohol-loaded refreshment in the manliest way possible. If that's really not your male relation's thing, try a beer stein  or a flask .

USB Flash Drives 

A useful way to store and move information; they're not terribly cool but they are useful.

Stress Ball 

Help him kill those holiday woes; focus them in the palm of his hand with a stress ball.

Dart Board 

Darts are another fun way to relieve stress. They're better at this than playing cards  or pool , anyway.

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