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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Emmy
Date: 12-21-2004, 02:32 PM (1 of 18)
WHAT DID YOU USE FOR STOCKING STUFFERS THIS YEAR?

Just thought I'd ask, I might get some useful ideas. I'm especially interested in low cost items, and things I can make, since we're on such a tight budget this year.

So far I have some sewing notions for my sister (who has almost nothing in this area, but needs it), more sewing notions for my daughter, (over $60 just for a few notions, wow! That's appalling! ) markers, pens and highlighters for everyone, plus chocolates of course, always popular. Surprising how quickly this adds up.

I also made some cat toys for my sisters cat.

I did a birthday calender page for everyone to put in the back of their regular calenders, so they don't forget birthdays. My Aunt used to mark a calender with birthdays, etc for some family members who tend to forget the dates, but I didn't have the money to go out and buy them, so I printed them on the computer and used some of my painted art. Mine are a year at a glance, with just birthdays noted.

I also did door knob hangers, with Merry Christmas on one side, and flowers with Shhhh... on the other side (sort of a do not disturb sign).

I'm looking for a few more things to fill them up with.

I bought some new kitchen linens for some family members, in nice bright colours to cheer up their kitchens.

Made some pot holders in animal prints for someone else, and an adult size bib for a couple of people, LOL!

My husband always goes to Staples and buys a few post it notes, pens, and other stationary supplies for stocking stuffers. That can really add up too.

Anyone have any good ideas they'd like to share?

I think stuffing stockings is the most fun part of doing presents, I just wish it didn't get so expensive. Next year I'll have to start preparing for Christmas in June or July, :smile:

Emmy :bg:
User: Emmy
Member since: 09-01-2001
Total posts: 127
From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 12-21-2004, 04:31 PM (2 of 18)
I'm very boring. I buy practical things. Everyone gets new toothbrushes and toothpaste. Combs or brushes. shampoo & body wash. Like I said...boring!!!
photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004
Total posts: 495
From: DorothyL
Date: 12-21-2004, 04:42 PM (3 of 18)
I made stockings last year and made my daughters take them home with them so I don't have to bother with stuffing them this year.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 12-21-2004, 06:12 PM (4 of 18)
Here is a different slant on stocking stuffers.. Put a price limit on the stuffers, a low limit and then see what you can find.. We do that as a permanent project, so you can be on the lookout all year long, but it makes you pay attention to closeout sales, etc.. all year.. That makes it so much fun for all the participants.. Gets to be kinda competetive sometimes to see who gets the better bargains for their money, but it is all in fun.. Sometimes we see who can make the best item out of trash.. (recycling is important to most of us) Carol Duvall made beautiful snowflakes the other day out of paper towel rolls and a little paint and glitter, and glue... :bg: :bg:
Sew With Love
Libby
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002
Total posts: 2022
From: Raine
Date: 12-21-2004, 06:29 PM (5 of 18)
I look for items on clearance--fingernail polish, small toys, coloring books, gel pens. And candy. We never had stockings as children, so I enjoy filling them. For my husband, I look for small items at the home improvement store.
User: Raine
Member since: 04-19-2000
Total posts: 259
From: sewingrandma
Date: 12-21-2004, 06:58 PM (6 of 18)
Gotta have an orange in the toe! Also Whitman's candy in the little 4 piece size.
Brockie
User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003
Total posts: 432
From: Bama
Date: 12-21-2004, 07:51 PM (7 of 18)
I usually add a pair of wild slipper socks to my kids stockings.
When they still believed in Santa, I always put giant oranges and apples in the foot of the stockings because my mom always did that. Sometimes I put something unusual like a pomegranate. We always put those giant candy canes too. This year I bought giant Hershy bars too. I try to put things they wouldn't normally get the rest of the year.
They always go for their stockings before other presents.

I also put any smaller gifts in it that they might be getting. This year- earrings, nail polish, etc. for dd, a wallet & a playstation game for ds, ...


ideas for adults..... travel sized lotions & body wash, glycerin soaps, chap stick, gum....
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000
Total posts: 2116
From: mamahoogie
Date: 12-21-2004, 10:11 PM (8 of 18)
We love our stockings. I used to stuff them all but a couple of years ago my daughter thought of a better idea to help me out financially. We all buy one gift for each stocking, kids and adults alike - $5. maximum. There are now 13 of us with the latest grandson born in October so it's makes a very full stocking. I made everyone new ones last year - large and colourful. It's amazing what we all find for $5 and its so much fun. We look for things all year for each other too....some things are practical, some funny, some silly but so much fun.
Violet
I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002
Total posts: 461
From: plrlegal
Date: 12-21-2004, 11:22 PM (9 of 18)
Hey Dorothy :bg: :bg: :bg: I really like your idea about making the stockings and then making the kids take them home with them so you don't have to fool with stuffing them again. LOL That works for me!!!

A great stocking stuffer for fellow sewists/quilters is a tube of Udderly Smooth Udder Cream. Wal-Mart carries it for a few cents cheaper than Hancock Fabrics. I keep a tube by my sewing machine at all times.

Patsy
Patsy
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001
Total posts: 318
From: Emmy
Date: 12-21-2004, 11:24 PM (10 of 18)
I used to always put an orange in first too, my parents did that. Back when I was a kid oranges were a treat. Now people want other things, so I only put the orange in if its a little short of stuff, (I use thin skinned tangerines instead). We usually have nuts too, and chocolates. This year I'm skipping the nuts and adding more chocolates.

If I had more time, and hadn't had surgery on my wrists this year, I could have done things through the year, crocheted, painted, sewn, etc.

I've done toothbrushes, and toiletries in other years. One year I made the mistake of putting in fragrant soaps, and chocolates in the same stockings. Guess what our chocolates tasted like? Yep, soap! Yuck! :bluesad: :mad: Had to toss them! Never again!!!


We always open our stockings before breakfast. The last few years I've done a cheese strata cassarole for breakfast, which is a real treat. It sure is nice to get up to a hot breakfast. Its all put together the night before, put in the fridge, and then all I have to do is pop it in the oven when I wake up, and an hour later, we have a yummy breakfast.

Well, I'm off to bed, its getting late!
Hugs
Emmy :smile:
User: Emmy
Member since: 09-01-2001
Total posts: 127
From: Magot
Date: 12-22-2004, 03:40 AM (11 of 18)
Got to be an orange in the toe, walnut in the heel, gold coins, bubble mix, lip balm, we have a rule that the stocking contents must not be worth more than £5 -so you have to get inventive. super bouncy ball. more chocolate. tube of love hearts. Last year my daughter gave me the contents of the year befores crackers! The fortune telling fish! cheap executive desk toys ( the top of my computer has wile Cayote,Taz, A silver surfer,a cockroach and a rhinocerous beetle...
a rubber snake! Can't do without a rubber snake!
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: susies1955
Date: 12-22-2004, 07:15 AM (12 of 18)
My kids are 22 and almost 25 so they are getting battery terminal cleaners and deluxe toilet plungers. Yes, they will hang out but will work fine. :smile:
Susie
northern NY
http://community.webshots.com/user/susies1955
User: susies1955
Member since: 11-07-2003
Total posts: 124
From: Magot
Date: 12-22-2004, 07:29 AM (13 of 18)
Mine are 20 and 17, just got the rubber snakes - couldn't resist the snail poking out it's tongue. They've just been playing Glenn Miller on Kazoos followed by Carmen on the violin - it's a surreal experience in my house.
I'll remember the deluxe toilet plunger for another year.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: dmoses
Date: 12-22-2004, 08:46 AM (14 of 18)
When I was a kid, we always got food...an orange, a big five-point apple, grapes, nuts, candy(licorice allsorts, hard striped 'Christmas' candy), potato chips, cheesies, and a chocolate bar. There were never any toys, or other things in there. Actually we never had real 'Christmas' stockings, either...we used nylon stockings-nice and stretchy, so everything could fit in, and somewhat see-through so you could find what you wanted easily! Lol. :bg:

Since getting married and having children, we have been using store-bought Christmas stockings. I offered to make some new ones, but the kids don't want to give up the ones they've used since being babies! :smile: Isn't that how it goes...

These days, I put various things in their stockings, but no fruit. I've replaced the orange with a chocolate version, and added some more 'junk'. I also toss in little things that I find when I'm out shopping...pens, pencils, makeup, socks, a small Christmasy thing(e.g. ornament, pin), and so on. :re:
Take care,
Donna
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002
Total posts: 964
From: Emmy
Date: 12-22-2004, 12:20 PM (15 of 18)
Had to post this one...


One beautiful December evening Huan Cho and his girlfriend Jung Lee were sitting by the side of the ocean. It was a romantic full moon, when Huan Cho said "Hey baby, let's play Weeweechu."

"Oh no, not now, lets look at the moon" said Jung Lee.

"Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I play Weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time," Huan Cho Begged.

"But I rather just hold your hand and watch the moon."

"Please Jung Lee, just once play Weeweechu with me."

Jung Lee looked at Huan Cho and said, "OK, we'll play Weeweechu."

Huan Cho grabbed his guitar and they both sang.....

"Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year."

AND SO DO I!

Y'all thought it was gona be something bad, didn't you????

Hugs and Merry Christmas,
Emmy :bg:
User: Emmy
Member since: 09-01-2001
Total posts: 127
From: Emmy
Date: 12-22-2004, 12:29 PM (16 of 18)
Got to be an orange in the toe, walnut in the heel, gold coins...

I forgot all about gold coins! We used to love those! I'll have to see if I can find some. And we all loved licorice allsorts.

My husband stuffs in office supplies and my daughter puts in some chocolate usually. Last year we all added a bit and by the morning they were almost overflowing. I hope we get the same result this year. LOL!

I have to find alternatives for my Mom who is diabetic now.

If I could get to the dollar store I'm sure I could find a few things.
User: Emmy
Member since: 09-01-2001
Total posts: 127
From: wild800
Date: 12-23-2004, 10:51 AM (17 of 18)
So many great ideas! My son is in college so I am giving him a few gift cards for the grocery store in his stocking, and now perhaps I will swing by Staples and grab up some office supplies as well.
User: wild800
Member since: 10-27-2004
Total posts: 48
From: mamahoogie
Date: 12-23-2004, 03:45 PM (18 of 18)
Last year for my grand-daughter I filled her stockings with odds and ends for doing scrapbooking. Lots of different scissors, papers, punches etc - most from the dollar stores. She loved it.
Violet
I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002
Total posts: 461
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