Christmas is less than two weeks away and I’m sure lots of you are doing some last minute shopping. I know I am! For many of us, our pets are like any member of the family. We want to spoil them too which is why I created this list of stocking stuffers for pets.
Toys
Let’s start with the fun items first! There are so many options to choose from, but here are some of the toys my pets have enjoyed. The cats have loved these catnip toys and these Jolly Balls for dogs are basically indestructible. Even when there are holes in the Jolly Ball, it stays inflated.
Treats
What pet doesn’t love treats? Here are some different flavors to try.
Food
I’m not going to list actual foods because there are too many, but here are some ideas to keep cats and dogs busy with their food. Sometimes it’s good for them to work for it like they would in a natural environment.
Grooming
These items would be Diamond’s least favorite. I’m not sure about your cat or dog, but she hates grooming. Unfortunately, with her long hair, it’s a must. If your pet is in need of some new grooming supplies, it’s the perfect time to stock up.
Accessories
Does your cat or dog need a new collar or leash? They can make great Christmas presents either for your own pet or someone else’s.
Small Animals
Do you have a critter at home? Why not get them a little something too? Some blocks to chew or yogurt drops might be the perfect stocking stuffer.
Pet Lovers
Do you have a pet person in your life, but don’t know what to get them? Why not a gift card to their favorite pet store, a picture of their best friend or a cool Christmas ornament representing their fur baby. The options are endless.
What are you getting your pets this year? Tell me in the comments. Happy last minute shopping!
I was thinking about what else to post in my stocking stuffer series and remembered all the great toys and games we had in the 90’s. I thought it’d be cool to get a couple of things for Rosebud and to bring you all down memory lane with this list of fun toys, games and accessories from the 90’s. There are stocking stuffers for kids of all ages on this list.
Games
Let’s start off with games. Board games were a big thing in the 90’s. I remember many weekends playing board or card games with my friends. Now kids are attached to their screens, but it might be fun for them to play an actual game with real pieces instead. Do you remember any of these?
Toys
There were lots of toys to collect in the 90’s. I had my share of beanie babies, troll dolls and the horses from My Little Pony. I don’t remember the show, but I do remember the plastic ponies.
More Toys
Who remembers these water games?
Here’s something for the boys.
Accessories
Here are some accessories and products for girls from the 90’s.
Scrunchies
Jewelry
Bath and Body
Who else remembers these fragrances? Bath and Body Works was one of my favorite stores as a teenager.
Candy
Last but not least, how about some 90’s candy?
Did I miss anything? What awesome items do you remember from your childhood? Tell me in the comments.
At work, we usually do a secret Santa gift exchange the week before Christmas. Sometimes we give to a family in need and fill a box with gifts. Some of our teachers make up bags for the children and some of them don’t. This year, I wanted to do something a little different. Right now, I don’t have a class of my own. I float, so I spend time in all the rooms, but I spend a lot of time with my toddler classes now and that’s who I decided to shop for.
I knew I wanted to put goody bags together, but most of the bulk items I found were for preschoolers or older. It took a little extra time and effort to find the right things, but here’s what’s inside the bags.
These sweet treat rubber duckies for the girls and these doggy rubber duckies for the boys.
I figured most kids love their baths and the novelty duckies would be a unique spin on a classic toy.
I found these bubbles at the dollar store in packs of three. There’s chocolate, strawberry and vanilla.
Bubbles are always a hit with toddlers.
I included 1oz containers of play-dough. You can’t do much with only one or two ounces, but I was on a budget. These small sizes are great for travel.
I found packs of cars at the dollar store and included a car in each bag.
Here is a similar set of Matchbox cars.
What kid doesn’t love stickers? I found this sticker pack on Amazon that has a variety of stickers. There are letters, numbers, smily faces, hearts, animals and more. It’s a good buy if you are in the market for small puffy stickers.
Finally, I wanted to include a ball, but wasn’t sure what to do since most of the bouncy balls are too small for toddlers. I didn’t want to include anything that was a choking hazard. On the other hand, I didn’t want to find something too big for the bag. I was lucky to find these awesome jumbo bouncy balls that are the perfect size.
I found these paper snowman gift bags. They were the perfect size. For the final touch, I used gift tags with 3d stickers.
Is there anything I missed? What fun items have you included in goody bags? Tell me in the comments.
I’m sure the kids will be surprised. I hope they love them. I wish my classes a merry Christmas!
This is the third post in my stocking stuffer series. Click here if you are looking for stocking stuffers for infants and here if you are looking for stocking stuffers for toddlers. There are so many options for this age group. It’s hard to narrow it down.
1. Art supplies
To encourage some creativity, why not go with something different than the standard crayons?
You could get these metallic crayons by Crayola that have a shimmer in the wax.
Make a drawing you can smell with these washable scented markers.
Add a little sparkle to your projects with this glitter glue.
Your child can get some practice cutting with child safe scissors.
2. Books
There are endless choices of books for preschoolers. I usually include a Christmas book or two in Rosebud’s stocking, but you could go with a book from any theme.
3. Felt story board kit
To go along with story time, a felt board story kit is a great idea. On Etsy, you can find homemade versions and support someone’s small crafting business or find a felt story on Amazon. The kids love moving the pieces to follow along with the story or creating a story of their own.
4. Items from our childhoods
How about this retro style mini Etch a Sketch?
This toy is similar to the Light Bright, but this one is travel sized without the paper.
Who else remembers these water games?
5. Puzzles
Puzzles are a great quiet winding down activity. Preschoolers can handle puzzles that are a bit more challenging.
6. Night light
Many preschoolers are scared of the dark and what may or may not be under the bed. Why not get them a cool night light to make night time a little less scary.
7. Games
Preschoolers can start learning games with simple rules.
8. DVD’s
These are good for a quiet rainy day afternoon inside or a long road trip. These are some of Rosebud’s favorite shows and movies.
9. Accessories
You could get hair bows, hats or jewelry.
10. Magnetic letters and numbers
Preschoolers can get some practice with letter recognition and learning sight words.
These aren’t magnets, but they are great for bath time.
I hope this post has helped you fill your preschooler’s stocking. Stay tuned for more gift giving ideas as the holidays get closer. Until then, happy shopping!
This is the second entry in my stocking stuffer series. If you missed it, here’s my list of Stocking Stuffers for Babies. Click here for Stocking Stuffers for Preschoolers.
Today, I’ll focus on toddlers. Between one and three years of age, children become interested in a wider variety of activities and generally they put things in their mouths much less, so they can use toys with smaller parts. Of course, all this depends on the ages and developmental levels of your children. Rosebud still puts things in her mouth and chews on things that she shouldn’t, so there are still things I won’t let her play with especially on her own. The theme for her stocking last year was creativity. I included a lot of things that she could use for art projects, play-dough etc. Sometimes picking a theme for the stocking can help narrow down what you want to buy, but for this list, I will include a variety of items.
1. Large crayons
Toddlers don’t quite have the control and grip for standard sized crayons, but the larger sizes are perfect. Using crayons is a great introduction to drawing. Those scribbles will eventually become lines and the lines will eventually become drawings. Let them explore and imagine and before you know it, they’ll be drawing their own little world.
Don’t forget a mini notebook or drawing pad.
If you’re more adventurous like I was, you can try washable markers. Rosebud loves both crayons and markers and these particular markers by Crayola have washed off everything she’s drawn on.
Don’t forget to pick up a Magic Eraser to save your stuff and your sanity. Keep out of reach of children though because they are toxic, but they do an amazing job getting rid of scribbles on the furniture or walls.
2. Paints
To continue with the creativity theme, how about these water color paints? They aren’t as messy as finger paint, but you might choose to go that rout. Rosebud loves water colors. Now if I could only get her to remember to dip in the water first and then the paint. Not the other way around. You might want to include some extra brushes.
3. Play-dough
Play-dough is another great stocking stuffer. You can either make your own or get store bought. I’d suggest using homemade play-dough because it lasts longer, you know exactly what’s in it, you get a lot more than what’s in the little store bought containers and it feels smoother and easier to work with. Also, you can personalize it how you like. You can add scents, glitter, food coloring, textured items etc.
You can use tools specifically for play-dough, cookie cutters or items laying around the house.
4. Dramatic play
How about something for dramatic play? Maybe a small baby doll, stuffed animal or small set of toys.
This small tea set is for the bath, but it is small enough to include in a stocking. Rosebud loves this tea set.
This mini feeding set with bottles is another good choice.
5. Building
You could buy small cars, a mini block set or toy people to encourage building and pretend play. Another tip is to take things out of the boxes so they fit into the stocking.
6. Toothbrush
Does your child like a specific character they see on TV? They make lots of toothbrushes with characters on them. Some have lights, music and come in cool colors. Find a toothbrush that they will love and include it in their stocking. It’s practical, but it will get used.
7. Water bottle
It’s important to stay hydrated, so why not include a cool new water bottle. There are water bottles in every color, character and type imaginable.
8. Books
Books are amazing. They can introduce children to new concepts, reinforce things you’ve taught them or getting lost in a great story. I always include a book or two in the stocking.
9. Warm and cozy
Finally, why not include something warm for the winter? Rosebud loves slippers and there are so many options to choose from. Again, if your child has a favorite character you could buy something like this.
Maybe you want to buy something more cute and or fashionable like these.
Mittens or fuzzy socks come in handy during the winter as well.
10. Puzzles
Simple puzzles also make great stocking stuffers. They help toddlers use their fine motor and problem solving skills. I started by giving Rosebud puzzles with ten pieces or less.
If you are on a tight budget And are looking for thrifty and educational stocking stuffers for toddlers, check out this post from Organizing Chaos 101.
I hope you have gotten plenty of inspiration to fill your toddler’s stocking. Don’t forget to check out my other stocking stuffer suggestions. Happy shopping!
I know it’s early to start thinking about Christmas, but it’ll be here before you know it. Filling a stocking can be challenging because you need items that are small, useful and thoughtful. Who wants to get a bunch of junk in their stocking? Although finding stocking stuffers can feel like a scavenger hunt, I love it when I find something neat that I know the person will enjoy. Click here to find Stocking Stuffers for toddlers. Click here for Stocking Stuffers for preschoolers.
For babies, finding appropriate stocking stuffers can be hard because they are limited in what they can play with and let’s not forget their tendency to put everything in their mouths. It’s developmentally appropriate of course, but it definitely limits what we can put in their stocking. Here are some ideas to help you create your baby’s first stocking.
1. An all time favorite, stacking cups. These cups are great for fine motor skills as they can be stacked, put together and taken apart. They can be compared by size, color or another attribute depending on which set you buy. Some have numbers, letters or shapes on the bottom. They can be used for pretend play. Rosebud often serves cupcakes in them. They can be used for bath time fun or even in the sand box. Rosebud still uses her stacking cups in the bath. I chose this particular set because they are BPA free.
2. Bath toys are another great stocking stuffer for babies. There are cute little toys that squirt like these sea creatures by Munchkin. They can be squeezed and fit well in small hands.
There are bath time baby books that squeak and have nice colorful pictures like these.
Of course, you can’t have bath time without a rubber ducky. You could buy a classic version like this.
If you want a modern rubber ducky, this one is a little more high tech. This particular ducky gages the temperature of the water. It’s a cute toy for your baby and a functional item for you. When the water gets too hot, the word hot appears in white on the bottom of the duck.
3. You can never go wrong with books. There are so many books to choose from. I chose a bath time book to go with Rosebud’s bath toys, but you could choose anything.
How about this photo book? I included this in Rosebud’s baby stocking and put pictures of the cats and I. She still loves looking at the pictures to this day.
4. Don’t forget to include something soft like a my first teddy or small security blanket.
How about a security blanket?
I put an octopus rattle in Rosebud’s stocking. I don’t see it anymore, but it is similar to this lamb.
5. Every baby I’ve ever known is fascinated by bubbles even if you have to blow them inside. This multi pack is great if you are shopping for more than one child.
6. Teethers always come in handy. There are some that are actual toys like this rattle.
Then there are the classic ones that you can freeze.
7. If you are looking for something more practical, a sippy cup is a good choice.
Rosebud loved this Nuck learner cup until she bit through the nipple making a huge hole. She still loved this cup, but I didn’t anymore because she started dumping it out.
The Munchkin 360 came in handy after that. One feature I like about this cup is it feels more like a regular cup. A regular cup without the mess.
8. These bowls have also worked well for us. They are small, light weight and will stick to a table or tray. Rosebud learned how to unstick them, but they still work great. They come with covers so you can save food as well.
If you get bowls, you have to have spoons. These have longer handles, are soft and have no sharp edges.
9. You can’t have a child’s stocking without toys. Rattles or balls are good choices for babies. Rosebud loved anything made by Obal.
10. Finally, you could include a snack. Rosebud loved puffs.
You could also do yogurt bites or another treat depending on your baby’s age.
Have I left out anything? What will you be putting in your baby’s stocking?
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