It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, not autumn – holiday shopping. With less than 90 shopping days until Christmas, it’s a good time to think about stocking stuffers. Eye masks for Aunt Liz? Cozy slippers for Mom? Maybe a gag gift for Dad and Uncle Joey? There’s something on this list for everyone, assuming they’ve been Nice.
Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.
A Gift for Everyone to Save Their Winter Lips
I use a ton of lip balm in the winter, and I know I’m not alone there. This Jack Black balm is one of my favorites. I live in the frozen tundra of the northeast US, so it’s brutally cold between the months of November and, usually, April. Jack Black lip balm is the only thing that keeps my lips from flaking off completely. It heals the inevitable chapping, and if I wear it all the time, it keeps some of it at bay. It also has SPF and comes in delicious varieties like Black Tea & Blackberry. If you’re not interested in flavors, there’s also a plain shea butter variety. This stuff is worth every penny.
A Braided Leather Pride Bracelet
There are a huge variety of bracelets in this listing, and all have rainbow beads or charms so they’re great for Pride. My favorite is the braided leather version with the oblong bead, but there are also versions with semi-precious stones, lava rocks, and old-school rainbow friendship bracelets. My gay and lesbian friends and family will love these.
Fuzzy Slipper Socks
I love slipper socks. They’re cozy, easy to clean, and easy to travel with. Once again there are a ton of varieties in this listing, but I love the ones with the skulls. The penguins are also cute. As are the cows. Ok, basically every pattern is adorable and I see at least one that every woman in my family would love.
The Most Budge-Proof Matte Liquid Lipstick
Wearing lipstick under a mask sucks. There’s really no getting around it. I missed wearing lipstick and heard good things about SuperStay Matte Ink so I tried it. The hype is for good reason. This stuff stays where I put it but doesn’t feel dry or aggravate my chapped lips. All of the lipstick lovers on my list are getting at least one of these in their stocking this year.
An Eye Mask to Help Tired, Puffy Eyes
If your holidays are anything like mine, there are many events, many drinks, and significantly less sleep than normal. It’s fun, but it does a number on my skin, especially my under-eyes. This cold mask makes a huge difference for me. I’d love it even if it didn’t because the cold just feels so good, but it really does reduce the puffiness and gives me some relief. This is another thing I’ll be giving to multiple people this year.
The Neutral Nude Lip Pencil of My Dreams
Every makeup lover can use a nude lip pencil. It can be worn alone for a matte look, under another lipstick to keep it in place, or under a gloss for an easy and casual look. Nude lip pencils are an absolute must for anyone who wears any lip products. I don’t love the old-school pencil style that needs to be sharpened, but it’s inexpensive and lasts a long time so I can’t complain.
Two Luxurious Sleep Masks
I love a good sleep mask, especially if it’s made of silk. I use one almost every night to block out the light that filters in through my blinds. A sleep mask is also really important when I travel because I never know what the curtains/streetlight/evil day star situation will be like. This is one of the reasons I love this item. It’s a two-pack, so one for home and one for the suitcase. They’re also silk masks, come in different colors for different tastes, and the straps are adjustable to fit almost everyone.
The Heatproof Hair Tool Bag I Never Knew I Needed
Anyone who uses a flat iron or curling iron regularly knows that it’s kind of annoying it is to wait for them to cool off before putting them away. More often than not I end up forgetting about it until it’s time to use it again. If I’m traveling I don’t always have the luxury of waiting for things to cool off, so that creates a problem. I just found something I didn’t even know existed – a neoprene sleeve that’s supposed to be heat-proof, so whether I need to put my flat iron back in a drawer or in my suitcase, it’ll be safe.
Meat Bandages
Literally, bandages that look like bacon. I suspect these aren’t very good bandages, but I’m not sure that it matters. I know many bacon lovers, and some of them are quite accident-prone. It would be very cute and funny to see them covering their cuts with bacon, as long as it’s fake.
A Personal Water Filtration Device
The LifeStraw personal water filter is supposed to filter out 99.999% of bacteria and parasites. It’s also supposed to filter out microplastics and remove silt and clay. Basically, if you stick this straw in a stagnant pond and take a drink, it’s supposed to filter out the ick and give you clean water without boiling. It’s also supposed to last, with enough filtration power for 1,000 gallons. There are campers, hikers, and preppers on my list, and I think they’ll all be happy with this.
Something Silly for Dad
My dad is finally a senior citizen, so I plan to give him a few little joke gifts, like these mints. He likes mints. They’re cute and inexpensive. It’s the perfect thing to toss in his stocking to give him a chuckle on Christmas morning.
The Best Candy in the World
It’s an objective fact that Ferrero Rocher chocolates are the best candy in the world. I have no bias here, I promise. I only get them at Christmas and it’s something I look forward to all year. I don’t love the coconut and chocolate crunch versions as much as the original, but they’re still delicious. I’ll be buying one of these gift boxes and splitting it between a few stockings.
A Bath Toy for the Most Discerning Toddler
All of my nieces and nephews loved bath time when they were little. I ended up being the auntie who always sent bath toys, and this whale was one of their favorites. It lights up and shoots water, and that’s really all they want out of a bath toy. Some of them are preschool age now, but the whale still makes an appearance at bath time or pool time.
Protect Your Vehicle’s Side Mirrors
I don’t like winter, and one of the worst things about it is cleaning snow and ice off of my windows and mirrors. Then I found these covers. They’re brilliant. I don’t know why I never thought to search for something like this before, but I love them. They keep the snow and ice off of my mirrors, saving me so much time standing in the cold. I may be able to tolerate one more winter in the frozen tundra with these, and everyone who drives needs a set.
A Puzzle To Confound the Most Brilliant Among Us
The craftsmanship on this puzzle is excellent, and it looks really good sitting on a desk or shelf. So many people in my life love puzzles, and none of them were able to figure this out. It provided many hours of consternation, which seems like the entire point. It doesn’t come with instructions or a solution, but you can find this information on YouTube, so you won’t be stuck with a bunch of loose wooden pieces.
A Must for Anyone Who Cares About Hydration
I don’t leave my house without a water bottle anymore. Our bodies are 70% water, and it’s vital for maintaining healthy hair, skin, digestion, so many things. It’s my opinion that everyone should have a nice water bottle, and this is definitely a good one. It comes in a bunch of colors and patterns, it keeps liquids cold for hours, it can also be used for hot liquids, and it’s not too big to carry in my bag. Just about perfect.
A Personalized Necklace That Won’t Break the Bank
I like personalized necklaces. They look fancy, and this one is totally customizable. My name has an uncommon spelling so I’ve never been able to find personalized things in kitschy gift shops, so I appreciate that I can pick my own spelling. I have nieces with odd names and uncommon spellings too, and I know they’ll like having a name necklace as much as I do.
Shower Flowers
I can always use an extra loofah or body pouf, and I don’t think I’m alone there. It’s one of those things that I perpetually forget to buy, and when they wear out they’re a nightmare. These are extra cute because they look a bit like flowers. I’d like to get one of these in my Christmas stocking, and I think my sister deserves one too.
Clean Your Face Without Creating More Waste
I don’t like makeup wipes. They leave a residue on my skin and most of them don’t remove all of my makeup. On top of that, they create a whole lot of waste, and I don’t feel great about that. Cotton pads also create waste, though they’re supposedly biodegradable. I don’t know if that’s actually true, so I invested in some reusable pads. They’re just as soft as cotton pads, but I can wash and reuse them. They’re made from sustainable materials too. Everyone who uses cotton pads is getting a set for Christmas.
Keep a Ninja in Your Wallet
I used to think these flat, credit card-type multi-tools were silly, but this one has basically everything I’d need. I’m forever needing a box opener (I like online shopping, obviously), and can never find an eyeglass screwdriver when I need one. Those two things alone make this worth the price for me, and all of the other screwdrivers, bottle opener, and peeler are just nice bonuses.
The Snot of a Mythical Creature
Glitter is a hateful craft supply because it gets everywhere and never leaves, but I can’t deny that it looks really cute for things like concerts and festivals. Unicorn Snot is one of the better glitter gels – not too stiff but the glitter stays put for hours. My nieces love wearing it with their princess dresses, and I love knowing that it’ll be a mess for my sister to clean.
Lazy Glasses
I like to read and I like to be comfortable. Sometimes those two things don’t go together as well as they should, so I appreciate these glasses. They have mirrors in them, allowing the wearer to lie flat and still see their book. They’d also be great for watching TV from bed. I know a few people who’d be excited to receive these, once they get over the slightly silly look.
Pencils with Rhythm
I’ve been known to fidget during meetings and beat my pencil against my notebook. Yes, my colleagues found it annoying, but not as annoying as actual drum sticks. I would have loved to have these pencils at my disposal. They look really cool, and they would have communicated to my colleagues that I was about to rock the conference room. There are musicians on my list this year, so they’ll be getting some new pencils.
A Pop Socket for the Kids
I don’t get the appeal of Fortnite, but the kids in my life love it. They particularly love this weird llama. I think he has a silly face and a goofy underbite, but it’s not for me to judge or ask questions. The kids tell me what they like, I buy the presents.
The Cutest Flash Drive in Existence
I don’t often have cause to use flash drives, but occasionally they come in handy, so I keep a couple around. This is one I definitely need for myself, plus people in my life who love cats. It’s so cute! It’s 64 GB, which is plenty for the kinds of documents and photos I’d need to use it for, and it comes in different varieties of cat paws. I love it.
A Book Full of Sheroes
I have young nieces, and more than anything I want to give them gifts that remind them that they can do anything. I want them to have real heroes, not just the ones they see in cartoons. This book has been one of my favorite middle-grade reads to gift since it was published. So many of the women in this book were my heroes growing up, and I still aspire to be like them.
A Basic Beanie, for That Perfect Bohemian Look
My teenage nieces and nephews have perfected that, “I don’t care about hygiene,” just woke up and don’t want to be vertical look that’s so popular. This beanie would be right at home over their unkempt hair. It’s made from acrylic so it’s easy to care for, can be machine washed, and have the added benefit of keeping them warm without being too hot. They’ll all love it.
An Interesting Take on Coasters
Coasters are one of those stodgy things that people need but don’t like to use because they’re usually not cute. Companies try to make them cute with little sayings and whatever, but they’re still really lame. I find these record coasters pretty funny though. They all have song names related to beverages or covering something, so that’s clever. It’s clear that they put some thought into these, so I’ll buy a couple for the real adults in my life.
A Tabletop Mini-Game That Reminds Me of College
I played a lot of cornhole when I was in college. It was one of those things that no one was really good at, but we pretended we enjoyed it because there was nothing else to do. This desktop cornhole set is consistent with that. I have friends heading back to the office soon, and they won’t have anything better to do than play this game in their cubicles.
A Ring Light for Your Phone
Ring lights are a sure way to look amazing in photos and videos, including dreaded Zoom calls. They can also be expensive and take up a lot of floor space. The solution: a ring light that clips right to your phone, laptop, or tablet. This one is small and lightweight, rechargeable, and compatible with basically any device. There’s no more excuse for bad lighting.
A Time Capsule for Yourself
I’ve kept journals for most of my life, and they ended up being a little bit like time capsules. The problem is that they were mostly unorganized brain dumps, so I haven’t been able to glean much wisdom from them or feel like I’ve grown as a person. That’s why I think these prompted letters are brilliant. A few kids in my life are graduating from high school and college in 2022, and I think these are a great idea to get them to think about their futures.
A Cozy Scarf
Scarves are like universal gifts. People who don’t own them should, and people who do own them need more. I really like this plaid one. It’s made from acrylic so it’s really soft but easier to care for than wool or cashmere. It’s also not too masculine or too feminine, so it would be a good gift for just about anyone.
Custom Keychain
I love the idea of making custom gifts for people, but sadly, I’m not good at making things. I really like these keychains because the level of customization is really nice, as you can choose the color of leather and the font used for printing. Choose someone’s initials, a full name, a short quote, the possibilities are endless.
A Silly Card Game
It’s a card game about poop. I know that my dad and nephew would love it, and love playing it together. They’d also make the rest of us play with them. It’ll be some good, old-fashioned, family game time talking about poop, and I can’t wait.
Wake Up Your Skin
Caffeine has been showing up in all manner of skin care products in the last few years, and I don’t hate it. This is the first caffeinated shaving cream that I’ve seen so far. Caffeine is supposed to reduce the appearance of redness and razor bumps, and they say a little of this goes a long way. And it’s not just for men – anyone, of any gender, can use this to shave whatever they need to shave.
A Personalized Knife
I’ve only recently discovered how great having a pocket knife is. I don’t have to search for scissors or struggle to open things when I can’t find said scissors. Mine doesn’t have my name on it and I didn’t get to choose the color, both of which make these superior to the one I own. I’ll likely buy one for my own stocking.
Unlimited Bubble Wrap
I’ve loved popping bubble wrap since I was little. There’s something really soothing about it, and I find that it helps me focus. I had no idea that they made fidget toys that mimic bubble wrap, but I’m so excited now that I’ve found these. They even come in different animals shapes and colors. My best friend is definitely getting the dinosaur.
Slimy fun
I don’t get the appeal of slime, but I don’t need to. So many people I know, from all walks of life, really enjoy making it and playing with it. This one is really pretty, despite being called ‘poop’. It’s unicorn poop though, so I guess that makes it ok.
Go Wolverine on Your Meat
Moving and shredding meat are greasy chores that I don’t particularly enjoy. I want to eat the meat, not spend a bunch of time cutting it up. These meat claws look like they’ll make quick work of it though, and I’m intrigued. They’re heat resistant and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
A No-Nonsense Self-Help Book
I don’t normally read self-help books, but when there’s cursing in the title I can’t help myself. This book is actually really good. It’s the antithesis of so many other books that spout endless, borderline delusional positivity. The author encourages readers to recognize and accept their limitations and embrace their flaws because humans are flawed. Also, there are poop jokes. It’s a self-help book for people who don’t like self-help books.
Embrace Your Inner Minimalist
My wallet gets out of hand really quickly. Every time I clean it out and reprioritize, it seems like I add another card to it. This is especially annoying when I’m getting ready for a trip. I only need like three cards, so why take my huge wallet? This tiny wallet is exactly what I need. It fits a surprising number of cards and comes in a ton of colors. It’s also RFID blocking so you protects your cards.
A Bracelet Morse Would Love
Morse code is a bit of a lost art. I sure don’t know it, but these bracelets are so cool. There are a bunch of different phrases to choose from, and the beads are sterling silver. I like the idea of having a bracelet with a secret message just for me, and my best friend will be the lucky recipient of one this Christmas.
Make the Best Lattes at Home
This small, portable, handheld milk frother will make the lattes of your dreams. It’s powered by two AA batteries and is easy to clean. It even comes with a stand so it can live right on your kitchen counter. I use mine for chai lattes, but it also works great for dalgona coffee, scrambled eggs, and small batches of meringue.
Portable Fishing Scale
There are a few fishermen in my life, and I’ve noticed that they’re prone to exaggeration. Every fish is the biggest, the longest, whatever. So these individuals will be getting portable scales for Christmas. Oh, that was the biggest fish in the lake? Now they can prove it.
Take Better Photos Out in the World
I like going places, and I like taking photos of my adventures. Sometimes I’m alone on those adventures though, and taking photos can be kind of difficult, so I got myself a combination tripod and selfie stick. It collapses to be really small so it’s easy to travel with and store, and there’s a Bluetooth remote built right into the handle, so I don’t lose it. It’s pretty good, and more people need them.
The Duality of Octopi
I appreciate cute things and I’m always on the lookout for them to keep in my office. Cute things in my office make me happy. These octopi are particularly cute, and they’re reversible. One sad is happy, the other is angry, and I know that my niece will love the glow-in-the-dark version, so she will be getting it in her stocking.
The Cure for Winter Cuticles
OPI makes some really great nail products, and this oil is no exception. My cuticles suffer mightily during the winter. They get so dry, so I’ll be buying one of these for my own stocking. I’ll also be getting them for my mother, sisters, and friends. Moisturizing oil for everyone this year!
GuitART Picks
The guitarists in my life can always use more picks. They seem to grow legs and run away, so having Santa toss some in their stockings would make them happy. These picks come in really cool prints by actual artists, like Dali and Van Gogh. They come in a tin and includes a pick case, so it’s not a bad deal.
Rubber Bands for Health
I like the idea of resistance bands. They’re versatile, lightweight, easy to store, easy to travel with, and don’t require a huge investment. This set includes five levels of resistance and a carrying case. Simple, straightforward, and easy to use.
Lights and Memories
Fairy lights look so cool. I especially like the ones with multiple patterns and remote controls. These have both of those things, and include clips for hanging photos to make the coolest decoration ever. These are perfect for all of the teenagers in my life. They could all make their own awesome bedroom walls and thank me for it later.
A Head Massage Every Day
One of the best parts about going to the salon is the scalp massage. My stylist is so good at it that I’d pay her just to wash my hair. This brush is almost that good, and I think that it would be a welcome addition to anyone’s stocking.
A Light for Serious Readers
I like to read in the evenings when everyone else is asleep, and sometimes it’s nice to have my own private light. I don’t run the risk of waking up the other people and pets that live in my house, and I can control how bright it is. This light has an especially long battery life and is lightweight enough to use with paperback books. It’s a must for anyone who loves to read.
The iMac Is Back
Has there ever been a cuter Apple Watch charger? I think not. It looks like the iMacs of my youth and still allows the clock face to shine through while it’s charging. Even if it’s a terrible charger and takes longer than a normal charger I think it’s worth it. Elder Millennials rejoice.
A Helpful Dinosaur
This is another cute office thing that I enjoy just because it’s cute. It’s also a functional phone holder. It’s great for when I want to watch carpet cleaning videos on YouTube while I’m working. I’m sure that other dinosaur lovers would appreciate finding this in their stocking.
Straight Hair On the Go
This is a really handy travel straightener. It’s small, but it heats up to over 400 degrees in only 30 seconds. The floating plate means less breakage, and it straightens just as well as a bigger, heavier straightener. It’s comfortable to hold, so it’s great to keep in a suitcase or with your travel stuff and makes a great gift for anyone who likes straight hair and vacations.
Backup Power
I don’t go anywhere without a power bank like this one. It has dual outputs so you can charge two devices at once if you need to. It’s high-capacity so it will charge large batteries, like those in newer Samsung and Apple phones, without issue. It’s also a flashlight, which may come in handy. It’s a good battery for a great price.
