5 years ago

Stocking Stuffer Ideas That Don’t Promote Overconsumption

Author Bio

I am a Moroccan-American freelance writer who loves good vegan food, living consciously and dressing... Read More

What comes to mind when you picture a child’s full Christmas stocking? Lots of shiny plastic trinkets? Perhaps a few candy canes? Maybe a couple of small games to play while waiting for everyone else to open their gifts?

The holidays are a time for celebration, abundance, and family, but they’ve already turned into a time of overconsumption and waste. No one wants to give up their stocking being filled on Christmas eve, that’s why we’ve put together a list of stocking stuff ideas that will keep the Christmas spirit alive without hurting the planet.

Food

Spicy Chocolate Almond Butter Tahini Cups

Food is a great stocking stuffer. It can be gobbled up Christmas morning instead of sitting in a cupboard for months untouched. We think you should opt for vegan edible stocking stuffers like dairy-free chocolate or gelatin-free gummies. Think about what the stocking owner’s favorite food is. Who cares if it doesn’t sound very festive? If curry powder and soy hot dogs make that person happy, get them for them!

Coupons for Activities

Experiences make the best gifts. Printing out or drawing cute coupons for activities is a great way to jazz up a stocking without filling it with objects. Simple gestures like going out for coffee or driving to their favorite mountain for a hike go a long way. It shows the stocking filler (Santa?) cares about the stocking owner and wants to spend time doing something special for them.

Art Supplies

Getting creative is fun any time of the year! This is a particularly good idea for children who always need something to scribble with and on. A set of watercolors or coloring pencils is affordable, compact, and encourages the child to get away from material objects and digital screens.

You could also include a small paper pad for them to bring along on trips. Bonus points if the pad is made from recycled paper!

Small Books

This idea works for Christmas-lovers of all ages. Sliding a smaller book into a stocking is a personal and educational way of celebrating Christmas. For younger children, you could opt for a fun storybook. Adults might appreciate a paperback novel or a book of sudoku or crossword puzzles.

This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate how much you know the stocking owner. After all, books can be a very personal gift to give someone. Have fun finding the right literature for each person and watching their sleepy eyes light up when they pull it out of the stocking on Christmas morning!

Avoid Christmas-Specific Items

We strongly suggest avoiding Christmas-specific items for stocking stuffers. Seasonal trinkets like mini Santas and Christmas tree ornaments may sound like a good idea, but they won’t be able to enjoy them for very long.

Instead, opt for items that can be used throughout the year, not just for the week or so following Christmas.

Have Fun!

Christmas shopping is supposed to be fun! Giving is just as rewarding as getting, so enjoy finding caring ways to show the people you love that you care about them. At the end of the day, the connections we make with one another are far more valuable than the items we give. So, be creative, get personal, and enjoy the holidays without creating copious amounts of waste and feeding a culture based on overconsumption.