For years now my extended family has been doing inexpensive gifts for one another. We call these “stocking presents” and for a lot of years the presents did get stuffed in a stocking at my mother’s house. Now we are more scattered, so the presents get mailed.
Stocking presents are a nice way to still buy for a large family. It’s fun to see what people come up and it is fun to still be wrapping up tiny presents for my siblings, and for their spouses and children.
The challenge though is to find nice gifts for under five dollars. We’ve had some very creative ideas over the years and I thought I’d share a few here.
A roll of quarters – great for college kids who need quarters for laundry and vending machines.
A Starbucks gift card – five dollars doesn’t go very far – but it’s still a nice thought. Whenever I get a coffee card I treat myself to a coffee and a biscotti and an hour of browsing around Barnes and Noble.
Five scratch off lottery tickets.
Large candy bars. Cadbury bars often go on sale for under two dollars. They have great flavors like Irish Crème, English Toffee, or plain chocolate.
Tins of deluxe nuts like cashews or roasted pecans. I even saw chocolate coated cashews at the store the other day.
Lip gloss. Hand lotion. Body wash.
High temperature cooking spoons and spatulas.
A pack of deluxe tea. Tea comes in so many exotic varieties now.
Small sample bags of flavored coffee.
Individual bags of hot chocolate. These come is so many flavors too, peppermint, raspberry, and white chocolate.
Coffee mugs.
This year a lot of people are getting fossils and crystals that we bought on a trip to the Rocky Mountains.
Packs of altoids and other mints.
Candy from our childhood (pop rocks, the storybook of lifesavers, Mary Janes)
Once I start looking, I find all sorts of things in the stores. I just found some White Chocolate sauce that promises to be the secret behind Café Mochas.
What I try to find is something fun and special, either a favorite treat they wouldn’t normally buy for themselves, or one I think the person will love. And now it’s time for me to mail some gifts.
Also See:
The Elf Shelf – Including Children in Holiday Fun
Fun Treats and Surprises For Advent Calendars
More Frugal Stocking Stuffers For Under $1.00
Frugal Stocking Stuffers Under $5.00
Stocking Stuffer Picks from the Dollar Store