Hi everyone 💚 I hope you’re well! A good while ago I shared a gift guide for bloggers so I thought a festive edition was in order for everyone (and not just bloggers this time round!) focusing on stocking fillers. I know that we don’t tend to fill each others stockings (and that sounds weird) but maybe it’s an alternative gift route? So yeah parents might find this helpful but maybe we ALL can if we choose to give a few little gifts via that mysterious sock if at a loss on what else to do.
In the past I have found it incredibly difficult to shop for family members (friends have been fine for some reason, they’re easy 😂) but with this year being a LOT smoother than before I decided to look into it! 💭
In today’s post we’re starting off by chatting about the thought process behind deciding on a (hopefully 🤞) great gift and then we’ll move onto some ideas that can be universally applied to loved ones when it comes to shopping for a stocking filler (each of the following topics can literally be dipped into as we’re all more than one type of person and that opens up more opportunities/options!). Read on to hopefully be inspired and have something click into place in terms of choosing those perfect prezzies! 🎁
Before I start I just want to say that I am well aware that presents aren’t the most important part of Christmas 🙌. Spending time with family/friends in a responsible way with this pandemic about and keeping in touch with those we’re unable to see alongside holding onto the meaning is! If you can, giving gifts isn’t a bad way to show that you care either tho! 😏😂 This point in the year is the only time certain people I know are open to being spoiled so I’mma take full advantage of that! 😔🙌
To start off we are going to look at a number of things you should try to think about if you are at a loss for what to make/get somebody:
• Start this “journey” early on so as to avoid stress later because gift giving is meant to be a fun thing! The longer it is left the more chance there is of you grabbing something that isn’t worth it in a mad rush to have something other than nothing to give. I don’t see the point in doing that as then there’s no real thought behind it.
• Do a character analysis! 🤔 Are they sporty, adventurous or a bookworm? (to name but a few!). Once you figure this out, finding the right stuff will soon come along. Further below should help with this! 😏
• As well as personality, take relationship into consideration. Who is this person to you?
• Think back to subtle hints that might have been dropped throughout the year 💥.
• When possible if you know what you want to get someone, buy it online because otherwise you’ll walk into a shop and convince yourself you need a load of other things that are nothing but a waste of money and probably won’t be as appreciated as that/those well thought out gift(s).
Not that online shopping doesn’t encourage impulse buys but you’re more likely to find + get a better deal on what you want. There’s nothing wrong with looking through catalogues just so long as you don’t settle. Shopping local might still be possible online too!
• Remember that homemade is appreciated too because then the gift is tailored to the recipient! ⭐
• Ask yourself what they need! Is there anything that they love and have recently run out of or something that would possibly make an area of their life somewhat easier? Do a process of elimination until you uncover what it is. I love a good productive gift 😂.
• In terms of maybe just putting one thing in there (or considering the rest of the day 🎄), try to think of a single good present compared to loads of little objects that add up to that same greatness because they surely won’t add up to the same total in price 🙌💰😂.
it’s time to chat before we move on 😔☕ (that’s a cue for the majority to just keep on scrolling 😂 they be like 😲). I got my Christmas shopping done early whilst my family were focusing on my birthday 😀 (my claim to fame right there 😂) so at the moment I’m helping my parents out because they were initially unsure at first of how to go about placing orders online.
I’m new to it all too because before the very first lockdown set in, all I’d ever purchased online was the odd concert ticket here and there and even just that would get me so damn nervous! 😓 I was too worried to delve into the whole thing but have come to see the benefits of doing so even with holding onto an element of being cautious because you have to be.
In letting this wall down I’ve found that I haven’t been as sidetracked into making unnecessary gift decisions because if I’m gonna go onto a site, I know why I’m choosing to do that and what I hope to gain from it. I’m conscious of my savings and tend to second guess anything random that ends up in my basket until I mostly leave with nothing at all but it’s a learning curve 😌😂. More research goes into what I plan on getting and I like to think I’ve made good decisions…😭 (That’ll be me on Christmas day. People better hide their ungratefulness or I’ll have a hissy fit 😂).
NOW, here are some character (or should I say personality) themes that you might find it easier to shop under:
For the adventurous 🛶
An experience – Such as a voucher to go ice skating (I’m choosing ice skating because it’s relatively cheap at around €15, if it was more it would NOT be going in a stocking! 😂). Don’t go mad because then it might as well be given later on. Where I am the ice rink hasn’t opened up this year what with all that is going on but there are sure to be loads of socially distanced if not private-based things to do that are a fair enough price to pop in a stocking! ⛳ Sure I’d be happy with something like that as a main present out of the entire day because it’ll drag out the festivities for longer 😍✨.
A book that tells them things to try for each of the 365 days of the year – if you can’t find one, make one! these are a great positivity boost and are good to take a look at if you get bored ✨.
The gamer 🎮
A wooden/metal mindgame – those little tricky toys that make you think! I haven’t recieved one in a while but I’ll steal them from others to see if I can win by all means 😂.
Playing cards 🃏 or a mini boardgame – my favourite would have to be uno! There are loads of options out there such as a travel version of Cluedo or Monopoly 🎲.
Maybe there’s something that relates to their favourite game out there? For a long time I loved Zelda and I’m pretty sure I got something to do with that once (I’m forgetful but never unappreciative I swear 🙏😂).
For the writer ✍️
Stationery – who doesn’t love stationery?? (You better say you do 😂). From a mini notebook to a fancy pen! I’m wishing for stuff to use on my bullet journal this year but I don’t think that would go in my stocking seeing as the pretence needs to be held onto that I’m not getting any for longer into the day 😂🖍️.
A poem – a gift like this shows how much you care ✨. I’m rubbish at writing on demand about someone or something though so I doubt this is going to be one from me.
On the subject of poems, there are loads of trinkets and detailed books dedicated to poet lovers on Etsy!! It’s one of the many rabbit holes I get sucked into on there and my God the stuff you’ll find is BEAUTIFUL 🐇.
For the beauty guru 👄
Lipstick/balm/gloss (whatever, throw it in there 😂) – They are small enough to fit in a stocking but are kind of a big thing and are bound to get used. I don’t wear makeup but I do have some bits and bobs here and there that I always say I’ll use 🙈. I’m more likely to use skincare stuff but I do like to obsess over pretty products and for a while I wanted to do a cat eye 👁️. I got a blue pen so it stood out and strangely enough for someone that never usually does that, it’s what I wanted 😂. But yeah, twas one of my many phases.
A good idea for what to get people like me out of that list is a balm because in this Winter weather a lot of us get sore/dry lips so a soother is a lifesaver and surely won’t go to waste!
Another good idea is a coupon that entitles them to use their makeup abilities on your face 😘😂.
Small items that keep in with this theme could be make-up brushes, a beauty blender or even mascara. But I suppose if they’re wishing for that then they have a particular brand in mind and won’t be stocking level as it’s just an excitement builder, not the main event so keep in mind what it is exactly that should go in there vs under the tree 🎄.
For the sporty one 🏀
Exercising stuff is a great idea like resistance bands and maybe those wrist bands that soak up the bad stuff 😂.
If they have a pet, why not put a small ball in there that can be passed onto them? 🐕 Because then it’s like both them and their owner are into sports 😂. This makes me feel like I should add in a petlover section but I’d have no idea what else to put for that so we’ll just swiftly move on! 😁
For the artsy type 🎨
A mini craft kit – For example you could make them a personalized Christmas tree decoration 🎄. One year I got a wooden knitting doll and she is the bane of my existence! I just can’t seem to figure her out but it won’t stop me from trying 😡.
A useful tool – This is what I’m hoping the knitting doll will turn into one day when I get the hang of it. From paint pots to highlighters or even crochet hooks (I have a limited amount of ideas for this one but there are many possibilities! 💫).
For the foodie 🤤
A candy cane FULL STOP 🙌😂. They just scream Christmas and would get the day off to am amazing start. I always try to not get too full early because we’ve always been made to have breakfast before the big day begins 😑 but a candy cane is basically a light snack so it’s fine 😂.
Choccies – truffles are a great idea! I can’t lie, what I’m looking forward to the most is the Lindt chocolate santa/reindeer that is always there (am I really looking forward to it if I can’t remember which one it is?…to be fair on myself I don’t really look, I just eat 😂).
I can’t stop thinking about the idea of a recipe sheet that perhaps means something to you and the person who would receive it 😍. Maybe it could be given and if another lockdown shows up you could do a video call baking session 🙌.
A piece of fruit – it’s not Christmas without a piece of fruit such as a satsuma or banana in your stocking! One year in the leadup to Xmas when I went looking for my sock I found a banana from the year before 😌, I’m better off with satsumas as a part of me can’t let them go to waste, they’re so SWEET 🍊😂.
For the one in need of a bit of self care 💅 (don’t tell them that tho, issa bit rude 😂).
Nail polish – yeah this could have been added above to beauty guru but I felt like it had to go under self care as there’s something so calming about putting time aside to pain your nails 😍. I’d love to get a random colour because then it would kind of start 2021 of with a new look 😂.
A homemade voucher booklet – fill this with free passes on chores and fun stuff that they love to do! 🍿I’ve added quite a lot of these types of gifts to the list today but only because they go down so well! Anything on this list could go down as self care depending on what a person is like because the best way to take time out for yourself is to do what you love 💕.
A bath bomb – they fit perfectly into a stocking and make for a relaxing bath 🛀 Similar to bath salts but they’d weigh down a stocking so will stick with them!
For the fashionista 💃
Socks ~ I suppose these can be gifted to anyone really as you can never have too many socks! (You actually can but I’m just rolling with it at this point 😂). I only wear fluffy socks because they’re nice and loose so I know what I’ll be getting this year! 😅
A beanie hat ~ Tis the perfect time for them! I’m obsessed with my hat from UrbanBearco that I showed you HERE!
Accessories – Penney’s are the perfect place to find unique accessories! ✨ (Update: I wrote this way before the pandemic and Penney’s is no longer an option for me seeing as it’s not online but there are still loads of places that are fairly priced in this area!). ASOS are great and H&M have a lot of nice bits and pieces…who am I kidding? I want it all! 😆😂
For the joker 🤡
This is very specific as you’ve got to take into consideration what they’re joking about! I’ve gotten my sister some funny gifts but at the same time I’ve kept it to things that will get used and not just random objects. Unless you want a one time effect it’s good to get a joke that can be appreciated for a long time because then that memory will stay of when they received it 😆🎁.
Even so, it would be funny to find fake spiders in a stocking 🕷️ (and I mean FAKE 🙌 cannot emphasize that enough 😌). Those can be passed on and reused which is brilliant!
For the film buff 📽️ or musician in your life!
Small items merchandise from their favourite film/tv show (merch is great for any of these topics as everyone is a fan of something!).
Create a booklet of tickets that they can use to watch a movie of choice (only one ticket can be cashed per week tho, don’t want them getting greedy and taking control of the TV😂).
For someone who loves music, why not create a playlist and burn it to a disc? You could even do one per genre and have a compendium going on 📚😂. I don’t think I’ve ever done this for myself, I’ve always seen it as a thing to create and give away but I might just change that as the idea has got me all excited 😍🎶.
For the bookworm 📚
A bookmark – I am forever losing bookmarks so they are treasured when I get a new one (…until they disappear again! 😂).
A pin/badge – like I said above, merch is the best! You could pick a logo of their favourite series and get a badge or pin of it.
A sachet of herbal tea/hot chocolate/coffee – what’s better than to relax back with a book whilst clasping a piping hot mug? This could have been put down as foodie but like I said, they’re all interchangeable (and I’m untidy 😂).
Disclaimer: All product recommendations throughout this post have been chosen purely at random and are not being advertised in a sponsored format as you can well tell because I haven’t been specific about much 🤷😂.
Thank YOU for reading! 😉 I hope you found it helpful in some way. Now that I think about it…I’m a combination of the lot! 🤣 There is bound to be more categories I completely forgot about (so don’t hate on me 😏) but in realizing what they are, does that mean I’ve sort of directed you in a better direction towards those perfect gifts? 🤔 I think so and that wasn’t even the main aim so yay! 😂 What would you like to find in your stocking on Christmas morning aside from fruit? Let me know in the comments below and have a wonderful day ✨🎄❤️.
22 Comments