68 Stocking Stuffers They'll Actually Use

On top of holiday shopping this year? Prepared shoppers likely have a long list of what to buy, but stocking stuffers are often forgotten until the last minute, when useless items — often marked-up for just this reason — are grabbed in the checkout line out of desperation. Don't end up with gifts no one really wants by making that money-wasting mistake. Here's a list of stocking stuffer ideas that may not be as fun as a bit-coding robot but won't trash the budget or end up in the trash.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: Fun and Funny White Elephant Gifts Everyone Will Want to Steal (Most Under $20)

On top of holiday shopping this year? Prepared shoppers likely have a long list of what to buy, but stocking stuffers are often forgotten until the last minute, when useless items — often marked-up for just this reason — are grabbed in the checkout line out of desperation. Don't end up with gifts no one really wants by making that money-wasting mistake. Here's a list of stocking stuffer ideas that may not be as fun as a bit-coding robot but won't trash the budget or end up in the trash.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: Fun and Funny White Elephant Gifts Everyone Will Want to Steal (Most Under $20)

$10 from Amazon
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All natural and never tested on animals, this pampering travel kit from Burt's Bees contains cleansing cream, body lotion, hand salve, foot cream, and lip balm.

Related: 50 Last-Minute Gifts You Can Pick Up at the Drugstore

$10 from Amazon
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All natural and never tested on animals, this pampering travel kit from Burt's Bees contains cleansing cream, body lotion, hand salve, foot cream, and lip balm.

Related: 50 Last-Minute Gifts You Can Pick Up at the Drugstore

$11 from Amazon

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Here's a fun stocking stuffer for that child of the 1980s who loves snacking: a set of four clips designed in the style of popular games of the era, including the Magic 8 Ball, Speak & Spell, and more.

Related: Rad Gifts for People Who Just Love the '80s

$11 from Amazon

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Here's a fun stocking stuffer for that child of the 1980s who loves snacking: a set of four clips designed in the style of popular games of the era, including the Magic 8 Ball, Speak & Spell, and more.

Related: Rad Gifts for People Who Just Love the '80s

$12 from Amazon
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People have been stuffing packs of sticky notes into stockings since humans first learned to put glue on little pieces of paper. But you can up your sticky note game with this 125-pack from Amazon. Complete with a wooden stylus, it lets you scribble, jot, and doodle in multi-colored style for just a few dollars.

Related: Creative Gifts for Artists That Are Sure to Inspire

$12 from Amazon
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People have been stuffing packs of sticky notes into stockings since humans first learned to put glue on little pieces of paper. But you can up your sticky note game with this 125-pack from Amazon. Complete with a wooden stylus, it lets you scribble, jot, and doodle in multi-colored style for just a few dollars.

Related: Creative Gifts for Artists That Are Sure to Inspire

$5 from Sur La Table

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This cheerful fellow would make a great stocking stuffer for anyone who enjoys cooking but isn't so crazy about cleaning up. There's also a rubber ducky version that's just as cute.

Related: The Best Funny and Gag Gifts to Bring a Smile to Mom's Face

$5 from Sur La Table

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This cheerful fellow would make a great stocking stuffer for anyone who enjoys cooking but isn't so crazy about cleaning up. There's also a rubber ducky version that's just as cute.

Related: The Best Funny and Gag Gifts to Bring a Smile to Mom's Face

$20 and up from Walmart
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Give the gift of safety with the BASU eAlarm, a tiny but loud personal alarm that can go inside a pocket or hang from a zipper or key ring. The 120-decibel alarm is on par with an ambulance siren, and the included batteries last up to five years.

Related: Gifts for Teenage Girls (That They'll Actually Like)

$20 and up from Walmart
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Give the gift of safety with the BASU eAlarm, a tiny but loud personal alarm that can go inside a pocket or hang from a zipper or key ring. The 120-decibel alarm is on par with an ambulance siren, and the included batteries last up to five years.

Related: Gifts for Teenage Girls (That They'll Actually Like)

$20 from Amazon
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A great stocking stuffer for beauty buffs, high-end Beautyblender sponges have racked up plenty of awards and a big cult following among makeup lovers. These edgeless, reusable sponges are water-activated and promise even application of foundations, powders, and other products.

$20 from Amazon
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A great stocking stuffer for beauty buffs, high-end Beautyblender sponges have racked up plenty of awards and a big cult following among makeup lovers. These edgeless, reusable sponges are water-activated and promise even application of foundations, powders, and other products.

$13 from Amazon
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This slender unisex wallet is ideal for any minimalist who wants to get around without worrying about keeping track of a bulky bag. Made of real leather, it comes in more than two dozen colors and has RFID blocking to prevent data skimming and ID theft.

$13 from Amazon
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This slender unisex wallet is ideal for any minimalist who wants to get around without worrying about keeping track of a bulky bag. Made of real leather, it comes in more than two dozen colors and has RFID blocking to prevent data skimming and ID theft.

$10 from Amazon
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An ideal stocking stuffer for insomniacs, Badger SleepBalm is a blend of essential oils including bergamot, balsam, and lavender that help speed them off to dreamland naturally. It's made in New Hampshire, certified organic and cruelty-free, too.

Related: Gifts For Women Who Are Serious About Self Care

$10 from Amazon
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An ideal stocking stuffer for insomniacs, Badger SleepBalm is a blend of essential oils including bergamot, balsam, and lavender that help speed them off to dreamland naturally. It's made in New Hampshire, certified organic and cruelty-free, too.

Related: Gifts For Women Who Are Serious About Self Care

$2 from Amazon
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For jotting down notes or making a quick to-do list, a stylish notepad makes a good alternative to a phone or tablet. Give recipients the satisfaction of physically crossing off each item as they go. Look for cover designs that reflect their interests and style — like this Van Gogh notebook for someone who loves art.

Related: The Best Gifts for Writers (and Not One Pen — We Promise)

$2 from Amazon
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For jotting down notes or making a quick to-do list, a stylish notepad makes a good alternative to a phone or tablet. Give recipients the satisfaction of physically crossing off each item as they go. Look for cover designs that reflect their interests and style — like this Van Gogh notebook for someone who loves art.

Related: The Best Gifts for Writers (and Not One Pen — We Promise)

Prices vary from USPS
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Even in the era of digital everything, there is one universal truth at the holidays — everyone can use some stamps. A book of stamps will undoubtedly not go to waste.

Prices vary from USPS
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Even in the era of digital everything, there is one universal truth at the holidays — everyone can use some stamps. A book of stamps will undoubtedly not go to waste.

$25 from Amazon
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Socks as a gift? They won't sneer if they're these Vermont-made wool-blend socks, ready for anything thrown at them. All Darn Tough socks are also guaranteed for life.

Related: The Best Gifts for Men Who Love the Outdoors

$25 from Amazon
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Socks as a gift? They won't sneer if they're these Vermont-made wool-blend socks, ready for anything thrown at them. All Darn Tough socks are also guaranteed for life.

Related: The Best Gifts for Men Who Love the Outdoors

$23 from Manly Man Co.

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Have something really important to say to a jerky lover? Have it laser-engraved on a greeting-card-size piece of jerky so they'll be sure never to forget it.

Related: The Best (and Most Delicious) Gifts for Beef Jerky Enthusiasts

$23 from Manly Man Co.

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Have something really important to say to a jerky lover? Have it laser-engraved on a greeting-card-size piece of jerky so they'll be sure never to forget it.

Related: The Best (and Most Delicious) Gifts for Beef Jerky Enthusiasts

$7 from Amazon
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It may not be an obvious item to add to a shopping list, but a travel sewing kit, small enough to slip into a purse or pocket to save the day when a button comes loose or a seam pops, is so practical that it's bound to inspire gratitude.

Related: Fun and Creative Gifts for Women Who Like Crafts

$7 from Amazon
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It may not be an obvious item to add to a shopping list, but a travel sewing kit, small enough to slip into a purse or pocket to save the day when a button comes loose or a seam pops, is so practical that it's bound to inspire gratitude.

Related: Fun and Creative Gifts for Women Who Like Crafts

$18 from Amazon
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If they're not going to text you back, at least make sure they can't use a dead phone as an excuse. A great stocking stuffer, this compact little external battery has enough juice to charge most phones twice.

Related: Stylish Tech Accessories That Don't Look Techy

$18 from Amazon
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If they're not going to text you back, at least make sure they can't use a dead phone as an excuse. A great stocking stuffer, this compact little external battery has enough juice to charge most phones twice.

Related: Stylish Tech Accessories That Don't Look Techy

$19 from Amazon
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Christmas doesn't exactly conjure up images of backyard grilling in most of the country, but barbecue season will be here before you know it. When it arrives, whoever's stocking you stuff will be happy you got them the Grate — the universal, non-damaging brass cleaner that works for all gas grills.

Related: Cool and Practical Gifts for Men Who Like to Grill

$19 from Amazon
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Christmas doesn't exactly conjure up images of backyard grilling in most of the country, but barbecue season will be here before you know it. When it arrives, whoever's stocking you stuff will be happy you got them the Grate — the universal, non-damaging brass cleaner that works for all gas grills.

Related: Cool and Practical Gifts for Men Who Like to Grill

$41 from Amazon
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One of the most well-known flashlight manufacturers, Maglite makes its entire product line in the U.S. The 272-lumen Mini Maglite Pro, crafted from diamond-knurled aluminum, is a great stocking stuffer for anyone who needs a reliable flashlight to stash in a kitchen drawer or glovebox.

$41 from Amazon
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One of the most well-known flashlight manufacturers, Maglite makes its entire product line in the U.S. The 272-lumen Mini Maglite Pro, crafted from diamond-knurled aluminum, is a great stocking stuffer for anyone who needs a reliable flashlight to stash in a kitchen drawer or glovebox.

$12 from Amazon
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Let them forget those old pencil tire-pressure gauges, which aren’t especially accurate anyway. Many sport a built-in LED light for easy viewing and some even come with carrying cases. This stocking stuffer is especially useful for a driver with an older car that lacks a built-in tire-pressure monitor — remember, properly inflating tires extends tread life and helps with gas mileage.

Related: Cool Gifts for Men Who Love Cars

$12 from Amazon
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Let them forget those old pencil tire-pressure gauges, which aren’t especially accurate anyway. Many sport a built-in LED light for easy viewing and some even come with carrying cases. This stocking stuffer is especially useful for a driver with an older car that lacks a built-in tire-pressure monitor — remember, properly inflating tires extends tread life and helps with gas mileage.

Related: Cool Gifts for Men Who Love Cars

$18 from Uncommon Goods

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Each bottle of this vegan nail polish is "infused with micronized crystals related to each sign in the zodiac." Made in Florida, it would make a great stocking stuffer for an astrology devotee. 

Related: The Best Astrology Gifts for Your Horoscope-Loving Friends

$18 from Uncommon Goods

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Each bottle of this vegan nail polish is "infused with micronized crystals related to each sign in the zodiac." Made in Florida, it would make a great stocking stuffer for an astrology devotee. 

Related: The Best Astrology Gifts for Your Horoscope-Loving Friends

$12 from Amazon
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Don't let loved ones get caught in the dark if the power goes out in a storm. There are lots of mini-flashlight options out there for $15 or less, including this one, which comes with legs that can prop up the LED light or attach it almost anywhere.

Related: 16 Emergency Essentials You Don't Want to Be Without

$12 from Amazon
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Don't let loved ones get caught in the dark if the power goes out in a storm. There are lots of mini-flashlight options out there for $15 or less, including this one, which comes with legs that can prop up the LED light or attach it almost anywhere.

Related: 16 Emergency Essentials You Don't Want to Be Without

$22 from Amazon
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Keep your favorite traveler more organized with these convenient double-stitched packing cubes, made from water-resistant nylon. A laundry bag is included to keep other clothes smelling fresh.

Related: Gifts for Women Who Love to Travel

$22 from Amazon
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Keep your favorite traveler more organized with these convenient double-stitched packing cubes, made from water-resistant nylon. A laundry bag is included to keep other clothes smelling fresh.

Related: Gifts for Women Who Love to Travel

Prices vary from CVS
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Some of the best stocking stuffers are the ones that help the people who receive them stock up their medicine cabinets. Headache medicine isn't glamorous, but it's necessary and practical. Scoop up a 100-count bottle of Advil tablets from CVS.

Prices vary from CVS
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Some of the best stocking stuffers are the ones that help the people who receive them stock up their medicine cabinets. Headache medicine isn't glamorous, but it's necessary and practical. Scoop up a 100-count bottle of Advil tablets from CVS.

$10 from Target
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This classic piece of Americana makes a great, inexpensive gift for a co-worker. "Will the boss let us go home early today?" "Outlook good."

Related: Retro Gifts for Kids With Too Much Screen Time

$10 from Target
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This classic piece of Americana makes a great, inexpensive gift for a co-worker. "Will the boss let us go home early today?" "Outlook good."

Related: Retro Gifts for Kids With Too Much Screen Time

$15 from Amazon
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Train your mind while you look for the one answer that is correct on this classic 3x3 Rubik’s Cube. Twist it, turn it, try again. Rubik’s Cubes teach spatial intelligence, problem-solving logic, memory, focus, and above all, patience!

Related: Great Gifts to Buy Your Grandkids

$15 from Amazon
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Train your mind while you look for the one answer that is correct on this classic 3x3 Rubik’s Cube. Twist it, turn it, try again. Rubik’s Cubes teach spatial intelligence, problem-solving logic, memory, focus, and above all, patience!

Related: Great Gifts to Buy Your Grandkids

$20 from Amazon
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Bendable and stickable without any special tools, American-made Wikki Stix are a molding toy made from knitting yarn and non-toxic wax that can be shaped into just about anything. This set includes 48 3-foot neon pieces for mess-free fun.

$20 from Amazon
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Bendable and stickable without any special tools, American-made Wikki Stix are a molding toy made from knitting yarn and non-toxic wax that can be shaped into just about anything. This set includes 48 3-foot neon pieces for mess-free fun.

$14 from Amazon
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This holiday give the gift of preparation with an emergency tool that the stocking stuffees — this is a four-pack, after all — will hopefully never need, but will certainly be glad to have if the situation calls for it.

$14 from Amazon
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This holiday give the gift of preparation with an emergency tool that the stocking stuffees — this is a four-pack, after all — will hopefully never need, but will certainly be glad to have if the situation calls for it.

$25 from Amazon
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The multitasker in your life will love having this screwdriver-flashlight hybrid on hand, great for common projects around the house. It's compact and rechargeable, and the handle pivots for a more comfortable grip.

$25 from Amazon
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The multitasker in your life will love having this screwdriver-flashlight hybrid on hand, great for common projects around the house. It's compact and rechargeable, and the handle pivots for a more comfortable grip.

$20 from Amazon
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Whether the chef in your life is a novice or a pro, these vibrant knives will liven up their kitchen. Backed by a lifetime warranty, they have a nonstick coating and come with protective slides.