stocking stuffers that don't contribute to clutter • Mid Century Mom

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I can earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

The title of this blog post makes me sound like a real buzz kill but I know you parents feel me! It’s a sad day and age we live in where we have to purge the play room before Christmas arrives just to be able to handle the influx of toys coming in.

First world problems, yes. But some of you do that too, right?

The great pre-Chrismas toy purge?

One plus side is that it does bring up the concept of donating those toys that are in great condition and I’m glad to have that talk with my kids. But still…so much stuff.

I will admit I went way overboard last year at Christmas so I am part of the problem. Every time the kids had a new notion of what they wanted I got it. I was so worried how they might feel if Santa didn’t bring one of the things they asked for.

This year I’ve already let them know you can’t ask Santa for a million things…he has a whole world of children to make toys for so that just doesn’t work. They have 2-3 ideas each. Phew!

But then there are stockings…and a lot of the stocking suggestions you see online just sound like junky clutter to me. Mean mom? Maybe. But silly putty and finger puppets and tiny cheap toys picked up last minute at the dollar store? Bleh.

They’ll all wind up half broken at the bottom of the toy box in this house.

Here are some ideas for stocking stuffers that I think my kids will really enjoy, but that aren’t doomed to be thrown away next year in the purge.

Schleich animals

I’m starting off with an actual toy that technically adds to clutter, but these are so nice. I will gladly add to our bucket of Schleich animals any day. No others compare with this brand. My kids play with them and use their imaginations without needing batteries. They are nearly indestructible and the level of quality that I will keep to pass down to the next generation one day.

Character Bandaids

These can live happily in the medicine cabinet. It’s practical but still exciting for little ones. Your kids will be sure to have every paper cut tended to when Spiderman bandaids are available, am I right?

Bath colors

Or bath bombs or bubbles or bath crayons. We mow through these things so they are a constant in stockings, Easter baskets, etc. We even gave some out for Valentines Day one year. We talk about how a yellow plus a blue tablet makes a green bath–no clutter plus bonus for education on the sly!

Character tooth brushes

Aldi saves the day with fun kids electric toothbrushes every few months so I always grab them so set aside for Christmas! Even I enjoy a fresh new toothbrush as an adult…add some talking characters and this is a solid stocking staple.

Socks

This is a need, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Character socks are always well-received by my boys. I just recently saw these socks with capes and know they would be a great hit and one less thing to toss into the playroom Dec 26th.

Cups

Sam got a super hero sports water bottle earlier this year (Aldi, of course) and he is obsessed with it. Whether it’s a thermos for their lunchbox or a style to take to the soccer field or even a step up from sippy cup to big kid status, this is an idea they may like and that won’t contribute to play room overload. We have these and really like them for on the go hot or cold!

Food/Candy

One easy way to make sure the stocking stuffers don’t wind up as forgotten clutter is to ensure they are eaten up by 9am. Enter Reese’s Christmas trees or any other tasty treat.

This year “action figures” are actually on my kids’ list from Santa so I’m betting some super heroes will be peeking out of stockings as well. I’d love to hear your stocking stuffer ideas!

Happy Christmas shopping everyone!