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5 Stocking Stuffer Ideas : For Young Children
By Stephanie | December 17, 2009
The novelty of sorting through a stocking full of treats is enough to make any preschooler’s heart pretty much explode with excitement and delight.
I can just see my 3-year-old’s face now. Her cheeks with be rosy, her eyes will be sparkling, her fists will be clenched from pure excitement, and she’ll say, “Mommy! Look!” again and again.
If you have a wee one (birth to age 5) to “stuff” for, here are a few ideas:
A toothbrush from Oral-B
Exciting? Yes, actually. Our 3-year-old thinks it’s the *best* to go toothbrush shopping. If we take her to Walgreens to get a toothbrush, she thinks we’re having this amazing outing together. It’s the little things, you know.
I think the current consensus in the dental industry is that you’re supposed to change toothbrushes every 3 months so you might as well stick a brush or two in the stocking. Oral-B offers brushes in 4 “stages” to ensure that you get a handle and brush that is suitable for your child’s mouth. There are also power toothbrushes available for about 8 bucks for children ages 3 and up.
Oral-B also wanted me to tell you about their new Smile-Stages website, where you can create an online scrapbook of your child’s “smilestones.”
Body Wash & Conditioner from Jenerations Baby
Rub-A-Dub-Dub. Babies in the tub. Jenerations Baby offers completely natural & organic shampoo, conditioner, hair gel, baby lotion, and soap. It’s 100% sulfate, paraben, and lavender free. And the light smell is clean + refreshing. At $13/bottle, it’s on the pricey side…but it’s also super gentle on your baby’s soft skin.
Hair Gel by Le Baby
If you would have told me that I would buy hair gel for my child when my baby was teeny tiny, I probably would have laughed. But now I think it’s quite a sensible thing to do. The truth is that my 3-year-old’s hair can get a little bit cray-zee sometimes…even after combing. Just a little of this chemical-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, fragrance-free styling gel can chase away fly-aways with ease. I imagine it would work equally well for styling a little boy’s hair…but I don’t have any experience with that. A 2-ounce tube is $9.95.
A Rash Guard from Sun Protection Zone
It’s not summer yet, but it will be soon enough (just think how quickly Christmas snuck up on you this year!). Sun Protection Zone offers stylish rash guards, shorts, and hats – all designed to keep your child’s skin protected from the sun. I, for one, prefer sun protective wear to traditional swimsuits for my little girls – they are more modest and offer more coverage, plus…they are super cute! You can’t go wrong.
The rash guards retail for just under $25. Matching shorts are also available. The company also sells super awesome Legionaire Hats that provide all-around coverage for the face, neck, and ears.
Sunglasses from Real Kids Shades
Did you know that “exposure to bright sunlight increases the risk of developing cataracts, macular degeneration, and growths on the eye, including malignancies“? Yep. That’s straight from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Keep your child’s eyes protected with a great pair of shades year-round. Check out all of the fun and funky options at Real Kids Shades. The shades retail between $14.99-$19.99 and are available for newborns all the way up to age 12. Now if only I could get my preschooler to actually keep them on…Any tips?
WIN IT! One winner will receive:
- four toothbrushes (up to $8 each) and tube of toothpaste (~$2.50) from Oral-B Stages
- Shampoo/Bodywash ($13) & No Tangles Conditioner ($13) by Jenerations Baby
- a tube of Le Baby Hair Gel ($9.95)
- a short-sleeve rash guard ($24) and matching shorts ($22) from Sun Protection Zone
- a pair of sunglasses ($14.99-$19.99) from Real Kids Shades
ESTIMATED RETAIL VALUE OF PRIZE PACK: $137
To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Friday, December 25th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).
FOR A SECOND ENTRY: Blog or Tweet about my Christmas Gift Guide (or about this giveaway)…and leave a second comment telling me that you did.
* I received product samples for review purposes.
*UPDATE* The winner is #49 DesignHER Momma. Congratulations!
Topics: gift giving | 70 Comments »
December 17th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
We always got toothbrushes in our stockings growing up, brilliant idea for after the holidays!
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December 17th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
We always have an apple or an orange in the toe. We also often do the toothbrushesThis year we also have a wallet for the big one (who wants to start doing work and getting an allowance so she can save, tithe, and spend some money), bubble bath for both, a little plant they can grow, and some other fun/useful stuff. :) My girls would love the sunglasses!
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December 17th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
My kids love receiving toothbrushes too. You should have seen them at the dentist this fall. They acted like it was Christmas when they got to pick a new toothbrush and toothpaste. This year I will be adding travel sized toothpaste to their stockingS because my son is now convinced that it is the only “kind” of toothpaste good enough for him.
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December 17th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Living in Colorado sun protection is very important. I actually rarely had sunburns growing up in AZ but I never even have a tan here. I go straight to red if I’m not wearing a high SPF lotion. So I am very dilligent with my sons’s sun exposure. The sun glasses, rash guard and shorts would make that easier this summer. PS. I’m very jealous of the weather AZ has been receiving lately. I’ve heard talk of 70 degrees.
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December 18th, 2009 at 12:21 am
toothbrushes are one item my girls always receive in their stockings… and just like yours they truly love getting them!
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December 18th, 2009 at 5:55 am
Those are some great ideas! Our little guy is only 9 months but he already loves his “gum” brush – since he has no teeth yet. Truw, he loves anything he can chew on, but if we keep up with it now, he’ll be used to it later and that will make it fun for all of us.
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December 18th, 2009 at 6:10 am
Our kids always get a toothbrush in their stocking for Christmas. I did as a child too. My son (4 years old) and daughter (2 years old) think getting a new toothbrush every couple of months is fantastic. They love picking out a new color every time. My son has already asked if he will be getting one or two toothbrushes this year because he really wants a red one and a green one.
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December 18th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Ha! We are thinking alike on a few of these. My daughter is getting toothpaste and an electric toothbrush in her stocking, and my husband is getting beef jerkey and a flashlight in his.
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December 18th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Each of those items would be well-used in our house. My kids are getting toothbrushes in their stockings, too. :)
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December 18th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Stockings are always some of my favorties things the get. I love putting practical stuff in the toothbrush, slippers, a cute outfit. Why not put in stuff they like and need!
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December 18th, 2009 at 8:03 am
My 3 year old also loves toothbrushes. she has about 5 right now, and it is part of a night ritual to choose which one will be use this time :)
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December 18th, 2009 at 8:05 am
I think toothbrushes are a great idea – I’d never thought of that! My kids think new toothbrushes are very exciting also, & I don’t change them out as often as I should. Gotta add those to the shopping list…
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December 18th, 2009 at 9:13 am
My daughter is getting tights, a small puzzle and a board book this year!
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December 18th, 2009 at 9:21 am
My youngest would love all of these. We were going to do candy and books in the stockings this year.
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December 18th, 2009 at 10:17 am
I like to put toothbrushes in our stockings too. (And in our Easter baskets, for that matter…) ;)
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December 18th, 2009 at 10:27 am
I got my daughter a new toothbrush and toothpaste along with other little items, hair clips, a coloring book etc. So many little gifts I think she will have a hard time getting past it to open her other gifts!
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December 18th, 2009 at 10:28 am
tweeted it for ya! Oh and I want to try the styling gel as well. My 18 mo old daughter has some crazy hair days!
http://twitter.com/SaraMama/status/6802565151
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December 18th, 2009 at 11:04 am
We’re actually getting our son a rechargeable electric toothbrush for his stocking this year – he LOVES to brush his teeth & we go through them so fast, we thought this might be smarter =)
autumn398 @ yahoo.com
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December 18th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I love the idea of the sun protective wear instead of the traditional swimwear. My kids spend SO much time outside in and out of the pool during the warmer seasons. We always do toothbrushes too! :)
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December 18th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
My daughter loves to go toothbrush shopping as well! She can’t wait until her little sister can go pick out a toothbrush and start brushing her teeth as well!
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December 18th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Why do kids love toothbrushes?? :) So cute.
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December 18th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
One of Sugar’s favorite things to do is to brush her teeth! I’ve never thought of using hair gel to help control Sugar’s hair – great idea and thanks for the product recommendation!
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December 18th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Those sunglasses look so cute on your daughter! I’d love some for my son. He sneezes every time the sun gets on his face so I know his eyes are very sensitive to sunlight.
I’ve been using Aveeno ‘sensitive skin’ products and recently discovered that they are full of nasty chemicals. I really appreciate hearing about nicer products!
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December 18th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
My daughter loves to brush her teeth and I hadn’t thought about putting a toothbrush in her stocking but am going to now!
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December 18th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Our children almost enjoy checking their stockings as much as their wrapped gifts! I love shopping for stocking gifts; even for our Daisy Beagle Puppy!
I try to put a very unusual toy type puzzle in everyone’s stocking! Like the new Rubik’s Cube.
Many thanks, Cindi
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December 18th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
“Tweeted” your giveaway: http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/6808743714.
Merci, Cindi
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December 18th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I like books/toothbrushes, and new art supplies for the kiddos
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December 18th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
tweeted
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December 18th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
My little guy loves getting new toothbrushes too. He always gets one in his stocking. Great suggestions and fantastic giveaway!
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December 18th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Levi is always trying to put my sunglasses on. A pair for little munchkins would be well received around here.
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December 18th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Oh my gosh, the Hair Gel by Le Baby looks like something we need. Our little one’s hair is just getting long and this may help keep it in place. Plus, I think he’d love some spikes too. Wonderful suggestions again!
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December 18th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Tweeted ~ http://twitter.com/susanlanai/status/6817848286
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December 18th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
My kids LOVE new toothbrushes!! I always put one in their stocking because it’s fun for them!! :) All of those products look great!
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December 19th, 2009 at 3:00 am
I’ve been wanting to get some kind if hair gel for my baby: she has this one section of misbehaving hair that needs taming. I hadn’t found any styling products designed for kids yet. (I saw some hair clips, but they said choking hazard, not for kids under 3). I’ll have to look into Le Baby!
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December 19th, 2009 at 10:54 am
What a great idea to put in a toothbrush. I’m going to have to copy this too. I wonder what gel would be like in Allison’s curls? She always wakes up a frizz ball, makes me want to bathe her in the morning so the pretty post bath curls last all day.
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December 19th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I always do toothbrushes in my kids’ stockings! Practical, necessary, and they love it! They would love sunglasses in their stockings! Thanks for that idea!
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December 19th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Tweet! http://twitter.com/JacobsenFamily/status/6840034249
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December 19th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I hear ya on the hair gel…even for boys! I haven’t bought any gel for him but after I wet it down and comb it I stick a tiny dab of baby lotion in it to keep the fly-a-ways and crazy looks at bay. Works like a charm!
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December 19th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Thanks for the neat tips! Growing up, we never did xmas stockings and I’ve been at a loss for what to stuff in my daughter’s stocking.
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December 19th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I usually always give my kids toothbrushes on the holidays like Easter and Christmas because it is a good gift for either an easter basket or a stocking and they can never have too many. At least not my kids they lose them sometimes as fast as I buy them.
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December 19th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Toothbrushes are a bit hit with my 3 year old as well. I think that was her favorite gift (from Grandma) for her first birthday too. Little kids just like them.
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December 20th, 2009 at 7:47 am
We always fill stockings with essentials too. My son is always excited to see what fun new toothbrush he’ll get. Adding body wash is a great idea too. The stocking is always the first thing we open on Christmas morning.
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December 20th, 2009 at 7:48 am
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/MommaStaciA/status/6861723902 Thanks!
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December 21st, 2009 at 7:00 am
This looks awesome! All of the items are so useful. The Oral-B Stages toothbrushes would be really handy. I’m always stressing to my son how important it is to take care of his teeth.
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December 21st, 2009 at 7:00 am
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/status/6893718376 – tweet
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December 21st, 2009 at 11:17 am
Ohh, never thought about toothbrushes for the girls. They LOVE toothbrushes! Wow, all of these items would be fantastic. Thanks!
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December 21st, 2009 at 8:37 pm
I love rashguards too, and I wish they had been common when I was little, especially when I went to summer camp. I would have loved to wear one over my swimsuit, especially on really sunny days when I sometimes burned, even with sunscreen.
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December 22nd, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Great giveaway – my daughter LOVES sunglasses. She wears them ALL the time. We call her HOLLYWOOD. Thanks for the chance!
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December 22nd, 2009 at 6:50 pm
my girls are getting toothbrushes in their stocking this year! (kinda combats all the candy they will be chewing on…)
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December 22nd, 2009 at 8:24 pm
My parents always gave us toothbrushes, too. And socks. I can’t wait to see my 3-year-old’s face this year at Christmas, she definitely “gets it” and is going to be so excited!
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December 22nd, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Tweet! http://twitter.com/thxmailcarrier/status/6952014259
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December 22nd, 2009 at 8:32 pm
the baby wash and condition looks awesome! and my mom and dad still to this day put toothvrushes in my stocking, and now they put them in a stocking for my husband too :)
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December 22nd, 2009 at 9:56 pm
My bible study group adopted a family and we ended up with at least 2 toothbrushes for each stocking! Does Santa fill everyone’s stocking with a toothbrush? I think so!
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December 23rd, 2009 at 9:44 am
twitted http://twitter.com/letomama/status/6969531383
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December 23rd, 2009 at 2:09 pm
My toddler LOVES toothbrushes! Unfortunately, she likes to chew on them so we go through them quite frequently. We could definitely use this prize pack to replenish our stock!
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December 23rd, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Stockings are so fun! Filling them is one of my favorite things. I love to get creative and see everyone’s faces as they pull each thing out. My husband is European so we also do St. Nikolaus day on the 6th…but we fill our real boots with sweet treats. Stockings for Christmas are filled with fun, creative things. Love the toothbrush idea!
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December 23rd, 2009 at 7:29 pm
The hair gel is a good idea. I’m thinking it would help with the hat head my son seems to get, especially with his winter hat.
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December 23rd, 2009 at 8:36 pm
I love rash shirts. My kids have all grown up wearing them. My family would send them over from Australia. I’m so glad that they are so easy to find now.
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December 24th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I really love the idea of the sunglasses in the stockings
harborlad@optonline.net
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December 25th, 2009 at 1:35 am
We always put the toothbrushes in all the stocking. Everybody gets small tubes of toothpaste and lotions. The kids like it because it makes them feel like they are getting grown-up stuff. We also add small oranges and apples too. Toss in a few small toys and they have a blast comparing everything they got.
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December 25th, 2009 at 3:27 am
Cannot believe I forgot the toothbrush and toothpaste this year! The swim cover up did make it though.
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December 25th, 2009 at 3:56 am
I had such a hard time this year coming up with ideas for stocking stuffers. I have a huge stock pile (being a avid couponer) so the kiddos didn’t need the traditional toothbrush and such. I did find some cute finger puppets and stuff like that though!
Thanks! aunt_putz@hotmail.com
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December 25th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
tweet http://twitter.com/phxbne/status/7042344359
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December 25th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Great giveaway my son is in need of a new toothbrush and you can never have too many extras!
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December 25th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Great assortment of stocking stuffers! I gave my son some small toys this year but am already thinking about what to put in for next year’s stocking!
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December 25th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
My daughter takes her sunglasses off, puts them back on, takes them back off, puts them–I think you see the pattern here….
I would love to try the hair gel to see if it could tame winter static!
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December 25th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
We could definitely use the rash guard outfit. I had purchased one for this past summer, but my little one is growing so quickly, we’ll need another for the coming summer. (Thanks for getting me thinking about summer in the midst of this cold winter!)
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December 25th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
tweeted about your gift guide:
http://twitter.com/MamandeEDS/statuses/7055169412
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December 25th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
tweeted about your gift guide:
http://twitter.com/MamandeEDS/statuses/7055169412
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June 3rd, 2010 at 8:25 pm
wow,good!
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