We are big on stockings in this family — and this year, it feels like we’re trying to squeeze in even more than usual. (No filler oranges in the toe this go ’round — though based on how much Lana loves oranges, she might actually be a bit disappointed.)
16 Stocking Stuffer Ideas That’ll Still Ship On Time
Below are some of the stocking stuffers I can personally vouch for, plus a couple of gifts on the smaller side for any last-minute folks you may have forgotten. And it all ships free in time for Christmas.
(Note: love the idea of stockings but don’t intend to actually stuff them? Love the neutral, handmade look of these.)
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1. Lavender Eye Masks
My friend Amanda sent these to me in a care package a few months back, and I’ve been buying them ever since. For friends, neighbors — but mostly for myself. They’re like those little boot-warmer packs that heat up when exposed to air, but for your face. A perfectly soothing 20 mins.
2. Lanolips..Well…Anything
I am mildly obsessed with all Lanolips products, but the two I use daily are the Lanostick (basically a lip balm — super-hydrating, non-greasy, non-sticky) and the Lip Tint Hydrating Balm. This little set would make a great gift and features three easy, everyday colors, and all of them are great. Eyeing this serum for myself, too. Per the brand: No petrolatum. No parabens. No artificial fragrance. No mineral oil. No sulfates. No PEG’s. No animal cruelty. No brainer.
3. Big Sur Candle
Pretty big sucker for good candles — especially anything with a woodsy, piney vibe. This is that, but with a dose of ocean, too. At first it smells a little soapy, but when it burns, it really is reminiscent of the wet eucalyptus and redwood forests of California’s coast. The minimal box is gift-worthy, too. (Pssst: if you have candle lovers on your list, we have this wick trimmer and accessory set, too. The trimmer, especially, makes it so easy to burn candles properly to maximize their burn time.)
4. Franklin BBQ Cookbook
We haven’t baked a single loaf of sourdough this year, but boy did we lean hard into Aaron Franklin’s Master Class and smoking all the things. I bought Chris this book for Father’s Day, and we look through it all the time for tips and tricks when we’re playing around with new recipes. We did the pork ribs for Thanksgiving, and we’re thinking we might skip a whole bird and do the smoked turkey breast for Christmas. Solid reference (and recipe) book if someone you is know getting into smoking.
5. Scalloped Slicing Knife
Speaking of Aaron Franklin, this is the slicer he uses for brisket, but now we use it for slicing all the things. Turkey breasts; tomatoes; loaves of soft, fluffy challah. Excellent price point for a workhorse of a knife. (We also use this Dexter boning knife for trimming our brisket — also a great price; just looks like it may arrive after Christmas.)
6. Encha Organic Latte Grade Matcha
I always have to plug my favorite matcha. I’m gifting it to a few people who also picked up a matcha habit during 2020. Smooth and mild, with just a hint of grassy nuttiness. Super verdant green. Perfect. (I make mine directly in this milk frother with Original Oatly, a splash of maple syrup and Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides.)
7. Inflatable Lounger
This thing is such a trip. We bought one for backyard movie nights, and since we all fight over it, I’m picking up a few more. It packs up compactly, then you run around like an idiot to fill the channels with air (honestly, that part is pretty fun), roll it up, clip it and you have a genuinely comfy air lounger in maybe a minute. Would be great fun indoors for extra seating or lounging in a playroom, too.
8. Milk Bar Kids Cookbook
We’re gifting this to Lana for Christmas, but I took a peek, and we might have to break it out early so we can get a jumpstart baking up some holiday sweets. A must for any kiddo starting to show interest in the kitchen, but honestly, it’s just a fun, junky cookbook for the whole fam.
9. Eating Out Loud Cookbook
This is easily my most-used cookbook this year. I’ve been cooking from it nonstop for the past few months, and the flavors and methods are dynamite. Literally every recipe in the book is simultaneously interesting and inspired — and achievable. We’ve made countless batches of pillowy pita (stuffed with roasted eggplant, soft boiled eggs, hot sauce and tahini oh myyyyy). And the sauces and condiments are perfect for the kind of component cooking I rely on for weeknight meals.
10. Surfer Wave Toy
No exaggeration: this is THE BEST GIFT for ocean play. You chuck the toy into the surf, and it surfs back to you every time. We happen to live where the surf is pretty unpredictable, so my number one fear is Lana running in after a toy and getting swallowed up by a sneaker wave, but with this one, she’s not at all tempted to run into the deep to retrieve it because it comes right back. We still always keep an eye on the ocean and we don’t let her play unattended, but this toy has reduced my anxiety about ocean play tenfold. Bonus: it’s as fun for grownups as it it for her.
11. Wobble Cushion
A couple of months into school, we decided to get this for Lana as a hybrid booster seat/wiggle enabler. It took some getting used to, but now she uses it daily. Not distracting at all and allows her to fidget just enough during Zoom school. Fun for play, too. And I use it for balance workouts on the weekend. (Comes with its own pump and spits, too.)
12. OOLY Watercolor Crayons
Everything OOLY makes is so freaking cool. The quality is outta this world, which explains the price, but these watercolor crayons are so neat. Silky and saturated, with the satisfaction of watercolors and way less mess. Washable, too.
13. Projection Night Light
I’ve got this on order for Lana after seeing it at a friend’s house. Pals, this is not just for little kids. It puts on a pretty mesmerizing show that’s just fun — and amazingly not as distracting as I first thought it would be. (You could definitely use it to set more of a “dance party” atmosphere, but I think we’ll use it as a night light.) We’re trying to encourage more overnights with the grandparents (sans parents), and sending along something like this to make Lana feel more at home would be a nice touch.
14. Metallic Scratch-Off Notepad
We were all so into that simple Halloween scratch craft activity from earlier this fall, so I know these would be a huge hit in place of the little post-it note pad we keep on the counter for doodles and notes.
15. LED Light Up Balloons
This is a terrible product photo that doesn’t communicate much, but trust me here. Another win from our Halloween weekend — I now plan to keep these light-up balloons on hand for all occasions. Lana gets excited literally every time I blow one up, and it’s admittedly pretty fun playing a light-up game of Uppy in the dark.
16. Blanket Scarf
I had a colleague once who would always casually drape herself in big blanket scarves, and it made even the simplest jeans and tee combos look wildly chic and cozy. This blanket scarf (in so many colors!) brings that cool, effortless vibe to just about anything.
One week to go! Any other last-min gifts you love to give?
Happy gifting!
Em
Oh, hey! Need gift ideas for 2022? We have a slew. Check out our gift ideas hub here, or go straight to Gifts For Kids, Gifts For Him and/or Gifts For Her.
Guys! Follow me on Instagram for more peeks into our life on the Northern California coast. And if you feel so inclined, pop over to my personal food + lifestyle blog, The Pig & Quill, where I share salty scribblings from my kitchen and home life. Byeeeeee!
This one is for the Pinners!
