I know, it's the middle of August, who is thinking of stocking stuffers?! You are, if your goal is a stress-free Christmas.
As I have mentioned many times before, I have a love/hate relationship with stocking stuffers. I love getting them for the people that are easy to buy for. I hate getting them for the people (men) that are difficult to buy for.
Up until 2016, I only purchased stocking stuffers in the two or three months before Christmas. In 2016 as I was purchasing Easter Egg Hunt items I had an epiphany: some of this stuff would make great stocking stuffers for the kids. Why I didn't think of this before is beyond me. So now I haunt Target's Dollar Spot year round looking for stocking stuffers.
Other good sources are Cost Plus World Market, Harbor Freight Tools, the Clearance corners at Hobby Lobby, and the 99 Cent Store.
On Pinterest I have a
board with stocking stuffer ideas. I need all the inspiration I can get.
To keep track of my SS purchases, I created a simple chart with a column for each family member. During January - July I keep the SS gifts in a small tub with the rest of my Christmas purchases. In August I set up individual gift sacks and load them with the SS gifts. I keep my chart with the gift sacks. This year I have the sacks set up on the shelf in my craft room.
As you can see, yes, I have a sack for myself. Dan is notorious for last minute shopping so years ago I began to buy my own SS gifts and then tell him what he got me! hahaha
On the day before our Family Christmas Celebration I stuff the stockings, fold the bags and store them for next year.
Some years I wrap the SS gifts in tissue paper, other years I just place them in the stockings unwrapped.
If you have a Stocking Stuffer organizational tip, please, share it with us. I hope this tip will help as we work our way to a stress-free Christmas!
