Author Topic: Christmas Face Punch  (Read 7773 times)

Malloy

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Christmas Face Punch
« on: December 05, 2017, 09:45:51 AM »
Have at me. This grinch would rather just spend money and buy people what they want instead of futzing around with handmade gifts.  But the biggest black hole of Christmas spending?  Stocking stuffers.  How do I spend so much on these?  Someone give me some ideas on how to do this for less.

But (the excuse of the face punched everywhere) at least we didn't hire professional light hangers.  I can't throw a dead string of Christmas lights without hitting an installation van in our hood.

NeonPegasus

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2017, 10:26:09 AM »
Our stocking stuffers are new underwear, new socks and candy. Since we need the first two items anyway, the only real expense is the third and that's manageable.

Our kids think it's hilarious that Santa gives us socks and undies.

batemama

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2017, 11:02:37 AM »
Santa always puts cool  underwear in the stockings at our house.  A 5 or 7 pack of underwear does wonders at filling those things up, and I keep my eyes open all year long for clearance sales.*  A toothbrush and toothpaste (bought with coupons so they are cheap cheap cheap) make yearly appearances. Then usually a treat like a small box of animal crackers and a trinket like a tub of play dough or a mini hand sanitizer.  I'm of the opinion that kids get more joy out of opening presents than what's actually in the present.

*As an added bonus, I don't have to spend our small back to school clothing budget on things like underwear.

honeybbq

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2017, 01:16:38 PM »
Stocking stuffers: pencils for the kids, toothbrush and dental floss, little chocolates, stickers, candy cane, small travel hand lotions, chapsticks. I like to go to the little travel section of the drug store and see what neat little kits they have, or nice travel shampoos, conditioners, etc. Tiger balm rub for the athlete.  Fancy sea salts or saffron for the chef. Chef - also new spatulas or tongs.

ixtap

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2017, 01:27:28 PM »
My parents always put an orange and nuts in the bottom of the stocking. The rest was candy, chapstick, and usually something to shoot each other with. Luckily, over the years, they have come up with less painful options than those plastic discs I remember from my childhood.

To you first point, it is often possible to do better with handmade gifts. My sister in law usually gives us candied pecans.

Travis

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2017, 02:59:33 PM »
Stocking stuffers: pencils for the kids, toothbrush and dental floss, little chocolates, stickers, candy cane, small travel hand lotions, chapsticks. I like to go to the little travel section of the drug store and see what neat little kits they have, or nice travel shampoos, conditioners, etc. Tiger balm rub for the athlete.  Fancy sea salts or saffron for the chef. Chef - also new spatulas or tongs.

Our stockings trend towards the random-shit aisle of Walmart.  Christmas can always be counted on as the time of year for new toothbrushes.

Chesleygirl

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2017, 03:19:39 PM »
Dollar Tree store has great stocking stuffers.

MayDay

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #7 on: December 05, 2017, 05:52:05 PM »
Mittens this year.

My freaking 10 year old lost a good waterproof mitten today on the FIRST cold snowy day.

We usually go socks/unders, books, a little candy.

Malloy

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2017, 01:35:55 PM »
Underwear and socks all around! Cheap and high volume.

AMandM

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2017, 07:03:33 PM »
Chapstick, clementine, homemade sugared almonds, individual packs of paper tissues, figs, a Terry's chocolate orange (DH only--it's a family joke that he saves it to share with everyone at Eastertime), figs, dollar store items like a set of mini bungees or small carabiners.

When the kids were little, there would be serving-size boxes of sugary cereal (a once-a-year treat) and also something to do, like a little coloring book or Mad Libs or puzzle. My mother always put in a book to read. The idea was to keep the kids occupied till the parents want to wake up.

Never the stores' version of stocking stuffers--just 'cause it's small doesn't make a $50 bottle of perfume a stocking stuffer!

atelica

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2017, 08:14:29 PM »
Socks, underwear, chapstick, stamps, batteries, makeup, electric toothbrush refills, travel-sized toiletries (if the recipient travels), markers, pens, post-it notes, stationery, candy, gum, mints, art supplies.

Knapptyme

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #11 on: December 06, 2017, 09:19:31 PM »
Hot Wheels cars for my boys are about $1 each and are immediately played with and loved. Count me in on the socks, underwear, and food in the stockings, too.

TheGrimSqueaker

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #12 on: December 07, 2017, 10:00:38 AM »
Mini flashlights, nail polish, hair elastics, bobby pins, beef jerky sticks, Pringles (tube of potato chips that slides nicely into a stocking), any junk food that isn't normally allowed, deodorant (family joke), and those fuzzy socks you can get for about $2 with non-slip soles or aloe lotion in them.

kimmarg

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #13 on: December 07, 2017, 12:31:47 PM »
historically santa has been partially to school/office supplies in our house.

ltt

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #14 on: December 09, 2017, 07:22:32 PM »
Packs of hot chocolate--3 for $1, beef jerky (a little pricey), make-up removal wipes for teen girls ($5), lip balms, books--as long as they aren't too large, lip sticks (a little pricey); jams and jellies.  I also find it difficult to cut the expenses for stocking stuffers.

kanga1622

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #15 on: December 09, 2017, 10:44:37 PM »
I tend to put granola bars and fruit snacks in the kids’ stockings. Makes an easy breakfast while we open gifts. They also usually get toothpaste and toothbrushes. Hot wheels, a few pieces of candy, a $5 Lego set, a movie from the $3 bin, lottery tickets (for my DH), socks, underwear, watercolor set, or new crayons/markers are always a hit. We certainly don’t fill the stockings completely.

AnnaGrowsAMustache

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #16 on: December 10, 2017, 01:59:59 PM »
Stocking stuffers are mainly stationary type products around here. Think cute journals or pads, or pens and novelty erasers. Also things that are needed but slightly more expensive for older kids - batteries, powerbanks, cables, usb drives, socks or tights, quality skin care products or hair care products, nailpolish, maybe some art/craft supplies if they're into that etc. And some candy, or perhaps a food product that they're particularly into that they don't have to share with anyone else. Little kids might get small lego sets to add to their collection or a disposable camera to play with. I try and keep it to things they will actually use during the year.

chouchouu

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #17 on: December 11, 2017, 07:22:50 PM »
Somebody bought my kids mini lego sets for their birthday in February so I quickly hid them before they noticed and will put those in their stockings. Last year I gave them child sized cooking tools-whisk and wooden spoon, aprons etc so they won't fight over mine when they help with cooking. Play dough and giant bubble wand are also popular. I also put in art supplies last year and this year will have stationary for school and underwear. I also have a slinky this year, thought that would be fun. Hair ties are another thing that needs replenishing. 

better late

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #18 on: December 11, 2017, 08:46:02 PM »
For my teen daughters: air vent/detangling brush, new mascaras (to replace their old ones), their favorite face sunscreens, crystal nail file, croc clips for styling hair, false eyelashes (for fun), skin masks, freebies from Sephora (I purchase an expensive cream from there a few times a year for my crazy sensitive skin so reap the benefits of their rewards program), art and craft supplies, those pockets that stick on the back of their phone cases for ID/debit cards, candy, socks, gear for their instruments - strings and picks, rosin etc.

jc4

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #19 on: January 03, 2018, 10:05:06 AM »
Probably the most mustacian, and not that uncommon among those of lower means as well, is to fill the stockings with iregular consumables needs. The socks, underwear, toiletries, etc approach. If you wanna spice it up throw in a single low dollar fun thing.

frugalnacho

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #20 on: January 03, 2018, 10:35:36 AM »
A severed foot is the ultimate stocking stuffer.

Roe

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #21 on: January 05, 2018, 04:44:54 PM »
A severed foot is the ultimate stocking stuffer.

Stuffed or fresh?

eliza

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #22 on: January 05, 2018, 06:12:07 PM »
Probably the most mustacian, and not that uncommon among those of lower means as well, is to fill the stockings with iregular consumables needs. The socks, underwear, toiletries, etc approach. If you wanna spice it up throw in a single low dollar fun thing.

I'm in my mid-30's.  My mom puts socks in my stocking every year.  One of the gifts I most look forward to (since my socks seem to constantly disappear into the ether).

sparkytheop

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #23 on: January 05, 2018, 10:12:59 PM »
Do people actually stuff stockings full?  If so... smaller stocking.

Really, it's a question though.  I've never stuffed one full, and never had one stuffed full as a kid.  There would be an orange, some peanuts, candies, and one small gift.  This year is the first time my son's was ever stuffed, and that's mostly because I made him a new one this year, and it's fairly small.  Two "fancy" chocolate bars from Grocery Outlet (so would have been much more expensive elsewhere), a can of caviar (because he's never had it, also found at G.O. for $3 instead of the $25 it was going for on Amazon), and a gift box with a Hamilton keychain and tickets (most expensive stocking ever, but I have started doing theater as a gift with him more often).

Usually there is the gift, some candy, and a whole lot of floppy, empty space.

Hula Hoop

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Re: Christmas Face Punch
« Reply #24 on: January 06, 2018, 01:05:57 AM »
My kids got: socks and underwear, tissues, school supplies, hair ties and hair bands, coloring books, colored pencils (needed for school), small chocolates and books.  Seemed pretty happy and most of these things are things we'd get for them anyway.