One of Recycla’s favorite things about Christmas is filling her husband’s and children’s stockings. Even though she generally dislikes shopping, she really enjoys scouting around for yummy treats and fun gifts to sneak into everyone’s stockings on Christmas Eve. And she LOVES pawing through her own stocking on Christmas morning.
[Stocking stuffers are a family affair in Recycla's house. Sneaking the goodies in when no one is looking is part of the fun.]
Recycla is picky about stocking stuffers. She does not buy plastic crapola for her family’s stockings. Oh no. No plastic toys or gimmicky nonsense of any kind. And, she tends to stay away from cheap, mass-produced candy too; instead favoring special treats for this special day.
What kinds of things does Recycla put in her family’s stockings?
- small fun things — compasses, magnifying glasses, bike bells, marbles
- stickers, pens, pencils, Post-It notes — Recycla’s daughters love having their own office supplies.
- soaps, lotions, and other personal care products — If she can find locally-made options, all the better.
fun socks, gloves, and other accessories — It may seem boring, but for some reason this one is actually quite popular.- gift cards
- CDs
- jewelry — Recycla and her daughters love it when they get bling-bling made by local artists or Etsy crafters.
- homemade coupons — Recycla would love it if her husband would give her a coupon toward a future back rub or her children would promise to unload the dishwasher!
- sauces and condiments — Recycla’s husband likes spicy foods, so she seeks out new sauces and slips a small bottle or two in his stocking.
- gourmet organic chocolates and treats
That’s just a short list, but surely you get the idea. The important thing is to be mindful about the overall impact of what you buy. How quickly will the item end up in a landfill or is it something that might be fun or useful for a long time OR will be consumed immediately?
Tell the Eco Women: What is your favorite thing to find in your stocking?
Hmmm, I like to find a CD in there, and maybe a some Burt’s Bees lip balm. But it isn’t Christmas unless there’s a Terry’s chocolate orange sticking out of the top.
Lip balms and chapsticks in ours! I look for sales on fun kinds. I like to stock up so we can carry one in every coat and a few around the house.
Oh I love stockings and we have a Danish tradition of hanging a gift on each of the 24 days of Christmas on the advent calendars.
So, lots of little gifts.