Christmas Stockings: Perfect Gifts for All Ages!

1. For Children

It's not all that hard to fill Christmas stockings for children. Your local discount store will supply heaps of candy, crayons, toys, balls, hair accessories, and books, all for about a dollar. That's the great thing about small children: they're still eager and willing to accept just about anything you want to offer!

2. For Adolescents

But what happens when your charming six year old becomes a ten year old with an agenda? Crayons and bouncing balls might not elicit the cheers they once did. Still, there are a wide assortment of things you can use to fill adolescent Christmas stockings:

-candy of any kind is still a big hit (promise)
-their very own mug, maybe with hot chocolate or cider alongside
-packs of playing cards
-comic books
-kids' magazines like Highlights or Owl
-key chains
-"gag" gifts of any kind

3. For Teenagers

Buying gifts for teens can be difficult at the best of times, never mind if you don't want to go broke filling their Christmas stockings. Still, a lot of the old standbys still work, and you can get some new ideas, too!

-cell phone pouches or charms
-inexpensive jewelry
-hair accessories or combs
-gloves, scarves, and hats (hey, maybe they'll actually wear them!)
-magazines that cater to their interests (teen magazines for girls, sports or music magazines for boys)
-coffee shop gift certificates

4. For University and College Students

Your grown children might say they don't need Christmas stockings, but they're lying. They love to receive them and you love to give them, so why stop now? Try:

-personal products (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, etc.
-phone cards
-school supplies (pens, notebooks, etc.)
-fun items they can use to decorate their dorm rooms
-grocery store gift certificates
-junk food
-practical items that might be a pain for them to buy -- stuff like socks, mini kleenex packages, chapstick, etc.

Christmas stockings are fun ways to give a pile of inexpensive gifts, and as your kids grow older, they're also a good way to make sure they have items they need. Have fun, and don't forget to fill Christmas stockings for pets, husbands, wives -- anyone who might need an extra smile!