As a Virtual Assistant, one of my responsibilities is to save my clients a few bucks while still maintaining high quality service. With the holidays just around the corner (40 days to be exact!!!) and our economical state on the downfall, we are all facing the same challenge; Christmas on a budget! Craft Central Station has compiled an awesome list of 101 ($10 or less) Stocking Stuffer ideas! Take a look:
- Chocolate - any kind will do!
- Mandarin oranges or exotic fruit such as star fruit
- Lottery tickets
- Lipstick - Lipbalm
- Cozy mittens or gloves
- Personalized or Christmas print coffee mug or tea cup**
- Tire gauge
- Picture frames - buy a plain wooden frame and wrap it with Christmas wrap, glue on Christmas ornaments, paint on holly leaves or apply Christmas stickers.**
- Silly Putty - fun for any age!
- Baseball, golf ball, rubber ball….
- Night light
- Christmas ornament - home-made or store-bought
- Unique kitchen gadget like an egg slicer, grapefruit spoon, garlic press, etc.
- Deck of cards - search for one with unusual artwork
- Hair accessories
- A book or magazine
- Magnifying glass
- Gum or penny candy - buy the stuff that takes you back to when you were a kid
- Pot pourri - create your own easy sachet by placing pot pourri in a lace handkerchief, gather the kerchief and tie with a silk ribbon
- Novelty shoelaces
- Stamp pad and stamps
- Batteries
- Decorative wine stopper
- Journal or diary
- Modelling clay
- Touque or a scarf - hand-knit or purchase in a store - you can add your own personal touch to store bought by stitching on ribbon, bows, buttons or beads
- Yo-yo
- Home made cookies
- Wallet or business card holder**
- Travel games
- Coupons for fast food, or admission to museums or other attractions
- Underwear or socks - be racy or pedestrian, your choice
- Candles - and there are so many to choose from
- Slinky
- Popcorn seasoning or spices
- Nail polish
- Toothbrush
- Airplane sized bottles of liquor
- Packets of flavored hot chocolate or cider mix
- Die cast metal car
- Stationary or note cards**
- Bath beads, bubble bath or scented soap - make your own or go shopping
- A copy of the gift recipient’s favorite recipe - you can add some of the ingredients, too
- Stickers
- Pencil or pen - try a pen with purple ink, a giant pencil, a fountain pen, a twig pencil, etc.**
- Desk or wall calendar**
- Keychain
- Soap dish
- The hottest hot sauce you can find
- Seeds - try heirloom seeds or native wildflower seeds
- Fishing lures
- Glasses case
- Coloring book
- Coasters
- Incense
- Paper pouches in novelty shapes
- Craft supplies - paints, brushes, wooden cut-outs, embroidery thread, beads, doll heads, kits, etc.
- House plant tools or decorative watering can
- Sports water bottle
- Vase
- Mouse pad**
- Exercise bands or hand weights
- Snow globe
- Cold mask (the kind you store in the fridge and wrap around your face to relieve aches and stuffiness)
- Travel mug
- Photos of the gift recipient as a child
- Christmas theme costume jewelry
- A tool - hammer, screw driver, pliers, etc.
- Harmonica
- Sewing, knitting, woodworking, needlework patterns
- Poster
- Kaleidoscope
- Decorative bottle opener or cork screw
- Silly straws
- Flashlight
- Address book**
- Cedar balls for keeping closets and drawers fresh
- Blank diskettes, cassettes, or CD’s**
- Piggy bank
- Kite
- Jar of homemade jam or syrup or canned fruit
- Decorative tea towels or hand towels
- Hand held calculator**
- Jigsaw puzzle or other puzzle game
- Tarot cards - they only work if you receive them as a gift!
- Small wooden trinket box
- Small stuffed toy
- Napkin rings
- Model airplane kit
- Personal radio
- Sidewalk chalk
- Personalized birth chart or horoscope book
- Thermal lunchbag**
- Sheet music
- Film for the gift recipient’s camera
- Gift certificate for fresh flowers
- Paperweight**
- Fridge magnets
- Travel maps
- Long distance calling card**
- Bird feeder
A few extra ideas:
- makeup
- jump rope
- hacky sack
- frisbee
- shaving supplies
- jewelry
- watch
- nail clippers
Office supplies**
- Postage stamp
- post-it notes
- paper clips (fancy design ones)
- stain removing pen
Have more ideas? Feel free to add them in comments!

