8 Tips on filling kids Christmas stockings

Kids Christmas stockings or Santa sacks are a simple Christmas tradition that dates back centuries and is still very popular today, but where do you start when it comes to filling them?

Check out these useful tips.
 

8 Tips on fillings kids Christmas stockings

1. Make a budget

Kids Christmas stockings are usually filled with small, inexpensive items, but it’s always a good idea to start by working out how much you can afford to spend on them and on the stocking itself.  

Leave more expensive gifts for under the tree.
 

2. Think about themes

Think about whether your stocking fillers will be themed or will have a wide selection of items in them.  

Perhaps if your kids are into dinosaurs or fairies you could theme the stocking fillers around this using small toys, lollies and accessories.
 

3. Size matters

Think about the size of the Christmas stocking or Santa sack and the size of the items you’ll put in them.

Try to have a mix of one or two large items, two or three medium items and as many small items as you see fit.
 

4. Keep your child in mind

Before you buy or make anything ask yourself if your kids would like it and use it. Be honest with yourself. Even if you think they’ll look adorable in a pink scarf, if they hate pink don't buy it!

Also if you have more than one child, they are likely to have very different personalities and tastes, so bear this in mind too. What works for one child, may not work for another.
 

5. To wrap or not to wrap

Wrapping presents to go into stockings is a matter of personal preference.

Some families enjoy wrapping the presents whilst others only wrap some of the presents and leave a few without wrapping paper, and others don't wrap any at all!

6. Filling the stocking

Once you have bought everything you're going to put into the Christmas stocking or Santa sack, it's time to fill it up!

Spread all the items out on a table or the floor so you can see everything easily.

Then decide what you’re going to put in first to fill out the stocking toe. Something small and roundish such as an orange, socks, stuffed animals and small clothes work well. Adjust the item until the toe of the stocking looks good.

Add another item of the same shape to fill in the heel area, then add a sprinkling of small chocolates or other small toys.

Put larger or rectangular items, such as books or craft supplies in next, coming up the leg of the stocking. Add any remaining smaller items around the larger ones.

For more effect try to leave something sticking out of the top, such as a stuffed animal with its arms hanging over the edge or a candy cane.
 

7. Hanging the stocking

Where your kids hang their Christmas stocking or Santa sack is down to what you think works best or perhaps your family traditions.

They can be hung on the mantel or put next to the fireplace or the Christmas tree. Some people hang stockings from their kids bedpost or put it across the foot of the bed so it’s the first thing they see when they wake up on Christmas morning.
 

8. Stocking filler ideas

Why not have a mix of traditional and more modern items in the stocking such as:

Something edible

• Cookies in Christmas shapes (Santa, gingerbread reindeers or Christmas trees)
• Christmas mince pies
• Candy canes or other lollies
• Fruit
• Nuts
• Oranges

Some small toys

• Toys in their favourite characters
• Cuddly toys
• Toy cars
• Play Doh
• Lego
• Bouncy balls
• Bubbles
• Slinkies
• Mini jigsaw puzzles

Something to wear

• Costume jewellery
• Dolls clothes
• Clothing & accessories such as socks, sun hats, jandals, hair clips etc

Something practical or creative

• Fun stationery
• Books
• Arts and craft supplies
• Sticker books or stickers

More kids Christmas articles to enjoy:

• Christmas present ideas for 0-5 year olds
• Create a Christmas tree decoration tradition
• Christmas birthdays

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