Culture

25 Sweet Stocking Stuffers That Will Surprise and Delight

Because stockings are the best part.
25 Stocking Stuffer Ideas That Will Surprise and Delight in 2020
Image courtesy of the brand

While gifts under the tree are great, arguably the most delightful part of the day are the smaller gifts that can be found in the depths of your chimney stockings. There’s something undeniably magical about waking on Christmas morning to giant, hanging socks filled with little goodies. The best kinds of stocking stuffers are small in size, whimsical, witty, and sometimes unexpectedly useful. They aren’t things anyone necessarily puts on their wish list, or things you even really need. But it’s that element of not needing, of not knowing, of reaching your hand into the woolly interior of your sock to pull out a tiny treat intended purely for enjoyment, that makes stocking stuffers so wonderful and worthy of commendation. Unpacking stockings signals that the holiday is really, truly here—a signal we could all use in a year that feels like one long blur.

The thing is, with the mad rush of online shopping for more significant gifts, it’s easy to let the collection of stocking stuffers fall to the wayside, especially during a global pandemic. We’re here to remind you that the little things that spark joy are often the most worthwhile. Below, we’ve assembled fun, funny, and practical stuffers—suited for everyone from the gardener to the gastronome—that are sure to please even your pickiest of girlfriends and family members. A word to the wise: Order ASAP, as time is running out and shipping delays abound.?

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

  • Image may contain Text Advertisement Poster Brochure Paper and Flyer
    Amazon
    1

    Post-Punk Postcards: 50 Designs Inspired by Influential Albums

    For the music lover in your life, this is the perfect addition to their coffee table: A deck of postcards that display iconic album covers from post-punk bands including The Cure, The Smiths, Depeche Mode, and more.

    $18 at Amazon
  • KonMari
    2

    Creative Co-Op Wool Felt Strawberry Bookends

    How sweet are these strawberry bookends? Made from soft wool felt, they’d look adorable framing picture books in any child’s room—or just on your grown-up shelf, if you’re a berry fanatic.

    $50 at KonMari
  • Nordstrom
    3

    Baggu x Jason Polan Standard Zoo Ripstop Nylon Tote

    For your quirky friend (or low-key Baggu collector), this unique ripstop nylon sack is printed with animal illustrations from New York–based artist Jason Polan. It’s a fun tote to look at and holds up to 50 pounds of whatever you need it to.

    $12 at Nordstrom
  • Amazon
    4

    Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler (3-Pack)

    This is Ina Garten’s favorite vegetable peeler (and Giada De Laurentiis’s too), and since Ina recommends that you ditch your peeler every year, this colorful three-pack is a practical stocking stuffer for anyone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen.

    $14 at Amazon
  • Nordstrom
    5

    Crocs Fun Trend Assorted Shoe Charms

    For your friend who swears by Crocs, here’s an assortment of cute Jibbitz charms they can use to personalize their pair.

    $15 at Nordstrom
  • Food52
    6

    Sukeno Little Food Socks (Sets of 2 and 3)

    Once unrolled, each pictured item (pizza, donuts, sushi, and more) is actually a pair of socks, and who doesn’t love transformer socks? Try not to buy them all—or do, because why not?

    $26 at Food52
  • Urban Outfitters
    7

    World’s Smallest Vacuum

    This mini vacuum is the epitome of a stocking stuffer: It’s absurdly cute and more functional than it has to be. The vacuum is USB rechargeable, comes with different attachments, and will swiftly demolish the traces of any 3 p.m. snacks on your laptop without accidentally pressing all of the keys and sending your boss a Slack that looks like an obscenity. Not speaking from experience.

    $16 at Urban Outfitters
  • Catbird
    8

    Catbird Piece of Cake Candle, Lemon

    If you think we’re recommending you shove a slice of cake into someone’s stocking, look more closely. Made in Italy by sixth-generation candle makers (they know what they’re doing), this citrus-scented candle smells as good as it looks.

    $20 at Catbird
  • Amazon
    9

    Luminam Book Light

    This slender, USB-rechargeable book light is a SELF fave for its practicality and ability to help establish a healthier wind-down schedule. After struggling to fall asleep at a reasonable hour because she couldn’t put away her phone, writer Abigail Glasglow discovered this $16 light at her therapist’s recommendation and now finds herself wanting to tell people, “Yeah, your rosewater face mask is nice, but have you tried reading a book?”

    $16 at Amazon
  • Backcountry Gear
    10

    Puffin Beverage Parka

    This beverage-size puffy coat is perfect in every way, down to the tiny fur trim. Slip your fingers through the “arms” of the jacket for extra grip and enjoy how warm your hand stays—instead of bitingly cold from the icy can. It’s a handy stocking stuffer, and who could resist its cuteness?

    $16 at Backcountry Gear
  • Nordstrom
    11

    Qushini Retro Robot Portable Bluetooth Speaker

    Your friend is sure to fall in love with this pocket-size robot, which is actually a Bluetooth speaker. Its buttons along the top enable them to play, pause, and skip songs, and music can also be played directly from a Micro SD card.

    $30 at Nordstrom
  • Nordstrom
    12

    BP. DIY Beaded Bracelet Kit

    This customizable bead kit conjures up campfires and canoes—a great gift for anyone (or any tween) who loves crafting, misses the heat of summer, or gets a kick out of nostalgic activities.

    $15 at Nordstrom
  • Etsy
    13

    J.B.W Personalized Rose Gold Face Mask Chain

    With a mask chain, your loved one will head into the new year with no mask left behind. This dainty chain can be personalized with their name (or an inside joke) and easily converts into a necklace (for post-pandemic life) or sunglasses holder (with the addition of elastic loops). If rose gold and pearls aren’t their style, check out our full round-up of face mask chains here.

    $18 at Etsy
  • Nordstrom
    14

    Pineapple Collaborative Olive Oil

    Fancy olive oil is a foodie’s best friend. This oil is made by New York-based, female-run brand Pineapple Collaborative and milled from organic Koroneiki and Picual olives. Drizzle away!

    $34 at Nordstrom
  • Olive & June
    15

    Olive & June Merry Mani Ornament

    I’ve written about my love for Olive & June’s Everything manicure box, which easily enables you to DIY your mani at home. For the holidays, the brand has three different seasonal sets available as ornaments—a must-have for anyone missing nail salons.

    $16 at Olive & June
  • Nordstrom
    16

    W&P Design Spice Grinder

    Level up any aspiring gourmet’s game with this stylish, porcelain spice grinder. They’ll thank you when a recipe calls for freshly ground nutmeg or cumin and they actually have the tool on hand to achieve this.

    $35 at Nordstrom
  • Jiggy
    17

    Jiggy Bathing With Flowers Puzzle

    One thing you maybe didn’t see coming a year ago? The rise of adult puzzling. But here we are, and faced with a winter inside, a puzzle is the perfect snowy-day craft. Jiggy offers a range of beautiful puzzles, all featuring art made by women, and each puzzle thoughtfully includes glue, so that when you’ve finished your masterpiece, you can hang it as decor.?

    $49 at Jiggy
  • 18

    Bread Baby-Picnic Scrunchie and Purse

    For the girlfriend who hoards scrunchies or keeps meaning to get in on the trend, here’s a gingham-patterned tie from buzzy new hair-care brand Bread Beauty Supply. It’ll look pretty in her hair or on her wrist, and it comes with a plastic pouch too.

    $24 at Bread Beauty Supply
  • Amazon
    19

    Dolcal Cooking Timer

    This tiny modern timer is pretty on any counter and endlessly useful—for steeping tea, workouts, keeping time in games, and more. And since it’s mechanical, you’ll never need to worry about batteries.

    $14 $7 at Amazon
  • Sephora
    20

    FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Glossy Posse Mini Gloss Bomb Set: Holo'Daze Edition

    Oh, na, na, what’s my name? Fenty Beauty x Rihanna, baby. Here’s a holiday set featuring her best sellers, including the universally flattering Gloss Bomb and Fenty Glow illuminator, ideal for anyone craving a splash of summer on their skin.

    $36 $26 at Sephora
  • Urban Outfitters
    21

    Sun USB Hand Warmer

    Harness the power of the sun—or a very small flame, at any rate—into this pleasing pocket warmer. Charge it via USB, then let it heat your hands like a hot stone.

    $30 at Urban Outfitters
  • Amazon
    22

    Intelligent Change The Five-Minute Journal

    Though there’s no right time to start a journal, sometimes the new year feels like the most natural place to start. For your loved one who’s either short on time or feels intimidated by keeping a journal, this slender notebook is designed with gratitude prompts to keep writers on track and on their way, while carving out space for reflection in the slog of days.

    $26 at Amazon
  • Bala
    23

    Bala Sliders (Set of 2)

    A nifty gift for anyone’s home gym, these portable coral sliders add a new level of exertion to workouts. When used, you have to dig your feet or hands into them to stop yourself from sliding all over, which may feel like ugh at the time but will leave you feeling amazing after.

    $20 $15 at Bala
  • The Incense Match
    24

    The Incense Matches (Pack of 16)

    Forget Poo-Pourri and traditional incense, which spreads ashes everywhere. With the strike of an incense matchstick, my apartment smells like a fancy forest. One purchase includes 16 different scents, so you can distribute the matchbooks between stockings, if you’re buying for a bunch.

    $17 at Amazon
  • Nordstrom
    25

    ADAMJK Ok Tarot: The Simple Deck for Everyone

    If your friend’s seeking guidance, or loves to provide it, here’s an excellent deck of tarot cards featuring line drawings by Brooklyn-based illustrator Adam J. Kurtz.

    $30 at Nordstrom
Malia Griggs is a writer, editor, and social storyteller who joined SELF's commerce team in July 2020. Previously, she worked at The Daily Beast, Comedy Central, and Cosmopolitan. In addition to shopping, she has written about mental health, burnout, epilepsy, race, and relationships.

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

TopicsShoppinggiftgift guidesHolidayChristmas