When I was a kid one of my favorite things to open on Christmas morning was my stocking! I loved digging through and seeing all the little games and treats I got. Now as an adult stuffing the stocking is still my favorite part. Buying stocking stuffers doesn't have to break the bank, and you can still get unique items that will promote play and imagination! To help ease your shopping list, I decided to give you my list of what's going in my son's stocking this year!
Skip Hop Egg Shaker Trio Set
Shake Shake Shake! The Skip Hop Egg Shakers make the perfect gift for your baby. These small easy to hold shakers fit perfect in your babies hand and are a fun, thrifty stocking stuffer. All three make individual sounds that your little one will love to shake.
Skip Hop Roll Around Hedgehog Rattle
This hedgehog has easy to grasp openings and a built in rattle to encourage shaking and rolling! I love this toy because it encourages interaction between it and the child (or me as the parent!) and - bonus - it has a teether with beads on it for that little tongue of his to explore! It's safe to say that any Skip Hop items will make great gifts for Christmas and birthdays!
PlanToys Pineapple Maraca
A bright piece of fruit that your little one will love making music with. PlanToys are eco-friendly, do not use any additives, and utilize all natural dyeing techniques so they are safe for every age. Your baby can start practicing to be in that rock band in no time!
BabyLit ABC Stroller Flash Cards
A great learning toy that will teach your baby characters from classic novels and the ABC's in no time! Any of Babylit's books (all fun dates on classic novels!) would be great in stockings. They can take an adventure with Huck Finn or explore the World of Oz. They will be saying Toto in no time!
Tegu Pocket Pouch
One of my absolute favorite toy brands is Tegu! And my favorite thing for little kids? The Tegu Pocket Pouch! It's a perfect introduction into the world of Tegu for any little kid (or mom and dad). You can take these magnetic blocks when you travel, to church, anywhere! They are a great start to a fun and vast set of Tegu that they can collect over time!
Don't forget an orange
The story I grew up with behind the orange or clementine in the toe of your stocking was that once upon a time, St. Nicholas learned of a poor man who wasn't able to find suitors for his three daughters because he didn't have money for a dowry. St. Nicholas traveled to the house, and tossed three sacks of gold down the chimney for each of the dowries. The gold happened to land in each of the girls' stockings which were hanging by the fire to dry. The oranges we receive today are a symbol of the gold that was left in the stockings. It was always symbolic of giving for my family. So make sure to tell your kids the story so they understand exactly what it means! That way, when they receive all of those wonderful stuffers they won't forget what Christmas is really about - giving to those who have little.
Merry Christmas, everyone!