Happy nearly Christmas everyone! It’s time to put on the festive music, pick up the mince pie and start planning your presents. Instead of buying a bunch of expensive gifts this year, why not opt for a thoughtful stocking?
Stockings make wonderful gifts for adults as they bring back a sense of child-like wonder. All the childhood stocking favourites (books, games, food) can be made adult-friendly with a little creativity.
To help you make the ultimate, grown-up stocking, we’ve collected 24 stocking stuffer ideas for adults. We cover a huge range of fun items and the best part? They’re all gender-neutral so can be bought for all the beloved 18+ people in your life.
Grab a mulled wine and let the stocking stuffing commence!
24 stocking stuffer ideas for adults
1. Mini games
Miniature games make wonderful adult stocking stuffers, especially when they’re as sweet as this stacking reindeer game. Play this festive game over breakfast on Christmas Day and your day will be off to a jolly good start.
If this game isn’t for you, there’s plenty more available online. You can purchase miniature Monopoly and even tiny UNO cards! Most card games are pocket-sized, making them the ideal adult stocking stuffer idea.
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2. A good book
A book is a classic stocking stuffer for adults that can take many forms. If your loved ones are passionate about reading, choose a book by their favourite author, a new release, or an award winner (think Man Booker Prize or Women's Prize for Fiction).
If your partner isn’t a fan of reading don’t worry! Graphic novels, cookbooks, travel books and photography collections are all interesting alternatives.
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3. Tasty beverages
Is it even Christmas Day if you don’t enjoy your favourite tipple? Whether it’s a cup of coffee, cosy hot chocolate or a morning Mimosa, drink packets and bottles make comforting mini stocking stuffers for adults.
We love these boujee hot chocolate bombs from The Gourmet Chocolate Pizza Co., each one has a different flavouring including Milk Chocolate, Orange, Rum, Coffee, Irish Cream and Salted Caramel. Perfect for drinking while unwrapping presents!
Money-saving hack: Creating your own DIY hot chocolate sachets is easy. Follow our DIY Christmas jar tutorial to make some cute packaging then fill your jar with cocoa powder, sugar, powdered milk and marshmallows.
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4. Miniature craft kits
Christmas is a brilliant time for creativity, no matter your age. Small craft kits make lovely stocking stuffers for adults and can inspire them to try a new hobby.
Plus, many of us have downtime between Christmas and New Year giving us ample time to start on the kit!
Another Studio sells various beautiful miniature craft kits including this foldable castle. It’s suitable for beginners too as all you need to do is fold the premarked metal sheet together.
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Fill your stocking with handmade goodies
Browse our collection of cheap DIY Christmas gifts and find something fun to make! All these ideas would make lovely mini stocking stuffers for adults.
5. Luxurious toiletries
We all buy basic toiletries for ourselves every day but why not take things to the next level for Christmas? Fill your loved ones' stockings with luxurious scrubs, gels, moisturisers and more.
Choose brands you know and love. For example, we love the scent of Sanctuary’s shower products, and they look indulgent
Money-saving hack: For those of you creating multiple stockings, buy a gift pack of toiletries and split the products up between each stocking. This way everyone gets a little bit of luxury and you save buying multiples!
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6. Love letters
Show your loved one you care by popping these mini love letters in their stocking this Christmas. There’s 12 adorable mini letters included, each one personalised with a message from you.
This gift is also brilliant for those with messy handwriting as Hendog Designs types each note out in their signature handwriting font.
If love notes aren’t your thing, why not include a manifesting or goal jar? You can also DIY this stocking stuffer idea by using old-fashioned pen and paper.
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7. Inside joke pins
Teasing your favourite people is the ultimate sign of love. These funny little pins make silly mini stocking stuffers and are perfect for winding up your partner or friend.
There’s a pin for almost anything out there so whether you tease them on their tardiness, coffee fixation or lack of social skills, you’ll find a pin that relates. They don’t need to be worn on clothing either, pins can be attached to bags, laptop cases or displayed on desks.
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8. Quirky sweet treats
Chocolate is a stocking stuffer staple, so why not mix it up with something a bit more adventurous this year? Novelty chocolate has come a long way in recent years so it no longer just looks good, it tastes good too.
How fun is this chocolate fish and chips? There’s a quirky chocolate for every item so choose something close to your loved one’s heart. That could be their favourite dish, animal, hobby or just something Christmassy.
Money-saving hack: Follow our gingerbread recipe here on Gathered to make biscuits that look like little bobbins. They’re the ideal stocking stuffer for a crafter!
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9. Photo Memories
Photos are a special way of remembering the past and present moment. The sentimental among us will love looking through nostalgic, funny or heartwarming photos on Christmas Day.
There are plenty of different ways to include photos in your stocking. Keyrings, albums, plaques and even car ornaments are all available to personalise and buy.
Choose photos based on events, key milestones, family, friends or Christmas’ gone by.
Money-saving hack: Print your own photos off and turn them into a DIY scrapbook album. We show you how here on Gathered.
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10. Personalised pet prints
Pay the ultimate homage to your beloved pet with this stocking stuffer idea for adults. We can guarantee your loved one will adore a painted portrait of their furry best friend.
From digital drawings to handpainted canvases, pet portraits make fantastic additions to stockings. All the ones we’ve picked out are miniature, making them stocking-friendly and extra sweet.
Your loved one can proudly display their mini pet portrait on their desk or pop it on the fridge for all to see.
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Buying for a creative friend?
Make sure you explore our list of the best gifts for crafters.
11. Funky socks
We firmly believe no stocking is complete without a pair of fun socks. You could opt for ultra-fluffy ones, practical sports socks or a novelty pair like this sushi set. There are endless sock possibilities!
Money-saving hack: If you’re a knitting or crochet wizz, why not whip up a pair for your loved one? Use our how to make knitted socks tutorial or our colourwork crochet socks pattern.
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12. Eco-friendly ideas
This year we’re all about eco-friendly options for stocking stuffers. Recyclable packaging, practical gifts and items that help make the world a better place. If you’re on board we have a few sustainable stocking stuffer ideas for you:
- Wildflower seed packets
- Reusable cutlery
- Small business soy candles (we love the ones above from By The Magnolia Tree)
- Glass straws
Money-saving hack: Learn how to make your own beeswax wraps and seed bombs for the ultimate sustainable stocking stuffer idea.
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Go green with your adult stocking stuffers
Check out our collection of eco-friendly gift ideas for more planet-friendly options.
13. Gift cards
Gift cards are a fab way of letting your loved one buy themselves a special treat. £5, £10 or £20 can go a long way, especially in this economy! Here’s a few potential gift card ideas:
- A gift card for their local coffee shop (many small businesses provide gift cards)
- A gift card for their local bakery
- A gift card for a subscription service (think Spotify, Disney+, Grind coffee)
- A gift card for their favourite game (Steam, Nintendo Shop, PlayStation)
- A gift card for their favourite shop (Urban Outfitters, Next, Argos)
14. Shower steamers or bath bombs
There’s nothing better than waking up on Christmas morning to a hot shower or soaking in the tub after a long Boxing Day. Shower steamers and bath bombs make brilliant stocking stuffers for adults of all ages and genders.
These shower steamers will elevate their morning routine and leave the bathroom smelling delicious.
Money-saving hack: Make your own! We show you how to make bath bombs and how to wrap them up in reusable Furoshiki wrapping.
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15. Music memorabilia
Music fanatics will love these stocking stuffers. Pick up a novelty gift that relates to their top genre, artist or band. We love these album cover coasters.
If your loved one plays an instrument, think about purchasing an item that will be useful to their practice e.g. guitar picks, flute reeds or trumpet cleaning set.
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16. Capture the day
Help your loved one capture Christmas Day with their very own camera! Disposable cameras make fantastic stocking stuffers for adults and the results will become treasured keepsakes.
We love the nostalgic look disposables give and the developed photos will become a bonus present.
Want to go the extra mile? The Instax smartphone printer will allow your friends and family to print their festive snaps on the day. It will give your photos that retro look in an instant.
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Give your presents the wow factor
Follow our unique gift-wrapping ideas and make your stocking stuffer ideas look extra special.
17. Crazy condiments
We all love a good condiment. Whether it's a chutney, spread, sauce or dip, Christmas is just that bit better with condiments! Pick up your loved ones' favourite and pop it in their stocking – bonus points if you make it yourself.
For those of you feeling brave, gift a crazy concoction like this malt whiskey marmalade. It’s something they wouldn’t buy for themselves but may just become their new favourite.
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18. Winter woollies
Get ready for festive walks with this stocking stuffer idea! Gloves, ear muffs, hats and scarves all make pretty and practical gifts.
Gloves and earmuffs are ideal as they’ll fit in even the narrowest of stockings.
Make this gift extra special by making winter accessories yourself. We have a huge collection of patterns here on Gathered including a bobble hat knitting pattern, crochet ear warmers and an easy mitten pattern.
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19. Preemptive painkillers
Indigestion tablets, painkillers, Ibropeun – all these will be necessary for Christmas Day especially if children or alcohol are involved! Mini medical kits are a funny and easy stocking stuffer idea for adults of all ages.
Money-saving hack: This stocking stuffer idea for adults can easily be DIY’d. Pick up a packet of all three tablets and pop them in a small fabric bag along with a note inside. Ear plugs and a mini bottle of alcohol can also be added depending on how desperate things get…
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20. Mini puzzles
Puzzles are a wonderful winter activity and mini ones make great adult stocking stuffers. From 50 pieces to 200 pieces, most mini-puzzles can be completed in a matter of hours making them beginner-friendly.
There’s lots of fun designs on the market too. We love this festive cottage one, but you can also find puzzles based on famous artworks, monuments and moments in time.
It’s the ideal activity for the time between breakfast and Christmas dinner.
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21. Upgrade your cases
Precious items need to be protected. Cases are useful stocking stuffers as they will be used daily. Maybe your loved one doesn't use a case or maybe it has had its fair share of wear and tear – either way, a new case makes a handy gift.
Not sure what to buy? Here are some suggestions: Glass cases (or sunglasses), tablet covers, e-reader sleeves and laptop bags.
Money-saving hack: Learn how to sew a laptop bag pattern and personalise it with your loved ones' favourite fabric.
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22. New Year organisation
The New Year is creeping up making Christmas the perfect time to get organised. Give your loved one a helping hand by buying them gifts for the new year.
New stationary, planners, notepads and whiteboards are all welcome stocking stuffers. Items such as pens, highlighters and sticky notes are handy and will be much appreciated.
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23. Silly novelty items
Practical, beautiful and edible gifts are all great but remember Christmas is the prime time for silliness. Stockings even more so!
Novelty gifts will make your friends and family feel like big kids again and are perfect for providing a laugh. Pick a gift that relates to an inside joke or simply something that will make them smile.
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24. Don’t forget the satsuma or coal!
Last but not least, every stocking needs a satsuma or coal at the bottom. It all depends on whether your loved one has been naughty or nice.
If they’ve been nice, chocolate oranges make a delicious treat at the bottom of the stocking. For those who have been bad this year, fake coal makes a hilarious stocking stuffer.
Money-saving hack: Use the real thing! A lump of coal and a tasty orange won’t cost much but will bring the feeling of nostalgia.
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Give the gift of nostalgia with our stocking stuffers for adults
Opening stockings is a beautiful childhood memory for so many, making it a lovely gift for adults. Seeing a stocking brimming with presents they haven’t specifically asked for will bring excited feelings and treasured memories.
Tailor our stocking stuffer ideas to your loved ones and get ready to see their joyful faces!
Get creative with DIY Christmas gifts
All the ideas in our collection of DIY Christmas gifts would make brilliant stocking stuffers for adults.
Have a browse, grab a mince pie and start your Christmas crafting!
