Let’s face it. Stocking stuffers are HARD for babies. I mean really…all they do is eat, sleep, and poop. You don’t need much equipment for that type of activity. Just food…and on that one I’m the sole supplier for my babies. So maybe this should be a list of things that I need in order to produce milk: chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, and peanut butter with chocolate.
When buying for a baby I try to keep in mind the upcoming months before the next Christmas, instead of focusing on the here and now. So, right now Andy might not be eating or teething, but he will be before our next Christmas. So, I buy in advance…because that’s how I roll.
Again, I buy my stocking stuffers at Dollar Tree, Ross, consignment stores and in the $1 Target section. There is this fabulous children’s consignment store around here called Once Upon a Child – this year I found most of Annie’s stocking stuffers there and some for Andy too. Check out your local consignment stores.
–Socks
I have a love/hate relationship with baby socks. I can’t get the stinking things to say on. I like this type with the cuff – they work better. I know there are devices that control sock slippage, but I just can’t bring myself to buy one. All babies need socks – so that the elderly lady in the grocery store won’t fuss at you for “bringing that baby out without socks!” Cost = $1 at consignment store
–Hats
I have this thing for baby hats. They speak to me. Shop consignment and you can get some good deals on them – and find some CUTE patterns. If they have ears, all the better – the hats, not your kids – we would hope they’d have ears already. Cost = $1-5
–Winter clothing
I love winter hats – and they tie under the chin. So. Stinking. Cute. Gotta keep that baby’s head covered – because that lady in the grocery store is as concerned with hats as she is with socks. Cost $1-5
–Fruit
This depends on the age of your child. Bananas and oranges are a good idea – back in the day, oranges were THE thing to give in Christmas stockings…and peppermint sticks. Embrace Old School.
–Spoons
That baby is eventually going to eat. So, be prepared with some kickin’ spoons. For me, I like this type best. Most people call them Sporks….but most people are wrong. They are in fact called FOONS. So, I buy foons. Foons rock. Cost = $1.99 at Ross
–Bowls
I first saw these bowls at my friend Leigh Ann’s house. They’re rockin’ y’all. Put food in and it doesn’t spill. Yay for Cheerios and other various little foodies. I’m a fan. Cost at Ross = $3.99. Your carpet will thank you.
–Teethers
Annie never used a teether – she chewed on a spoon instead. I found this BPA free teether at Ross for $1.99 and I picked it up for Andy…they say all your kids are different so maybe he’ll embrace teethers.
–Baby washcloths
These aren’t just for baths anymore y’all. You can use them as baby butt wipes, or cloths to wash off dirty faces at the dinner table.
–Pacis
I think every child determines which pacis they like and which pacis they hate. For us, Andy likes the Dr. Brown’s pacis. And really, can you have too many? They disappear like socks in the dryer. I like to have one in every room. Again, I bought in advance here because these are for 6-12 months. Cost at Ross = $2.49 for a pack of two. Money well spent.
Those are my ideas! Leave your ideas for baby stocking stuffers in the comments…
Love it! Except that lady at the grocery store is my mom 😛
🙂 Ha ha!
These are great ideas! I also struggle with baby stocking stuffers – even for my 1 y/o, since he’s still not very aware of what’s going on. So I was thinking… maybe I could just wrap a bunch of empty boxes and toilet paper tubes and let him go to town on those? I mean really, it’s no secret they like the wrapping paper and boxes best. Why not embrace the truth?
Just kidding… kinda. This year I stuck with edibles since we usually travel around the holidays. Baby fruit leather, applesauce squeezy packs, I even indulged in a box of animal crackers. And a few board books because he really like those.
Ooooh! I totally should have included Stretch Island Fruit Leather!
I had the same problem with baby socks for my little boy, then I found ankle socks at Old Navy- they are white with either gray or blue around the cuff, have the size on the bottom in nonskid paint, and they stay on like glue! My little boy has worn them from babyhood until now, and is in the last size they have of them (5t). Sniff. And he still can’t keep other socks on…….
I have some of those…but they’re too big for Andy right now. 🙂 I’m looking forward to them though!
My little one will be almost 11 months old at Christmas. We have stockings at each grandparents house, too. So between his 3 he’ll get puffs, lotion, maybe a small toy or a part if the toys that he’s getting, and possibly some of the things from your list, too. Also, since he’s only 3 weeks different in birthdays (and 6 years) from my first, we are just wrapping up some of the toys from my first son’s first Christmas instead of buying more stuff.
And I betcha he won’t know the difference. 🙂
Oh such cute ideas!
🙂 File them away!
Last year I also included a couple little ornaments with my son’s name. I snapped the cutest picture of him looking at the ornament mesmurized. 🙂 (of course the ornaments were not toys – just decoration).
🙂 That’s so sweet!
I’m in the same dilemma this year as my little man will only be two months old but he surely can’t go without stocking stuffers! I decided to grab some of those rice snacks to throw in there as well. Thanks for all the ideas!
Can’t forget the baby! They’re people too. 😉
I went stocking stuffer shopping yesterday, and was right there with you on the spoons and bowls. It seems that somewhere between baby #1 and baby #2, most of our baby bowls have disappeared. Or are in use. We love them for small snack bowls. Added to those items was a sippy cup. Perfect size for the top of the stocking, and it gives me some time before I have to pull baby #1’s old sippys out of the box and wash them. 🙂
Barry and I are very guilty of using Annie’s snack bowls. LOL
Great ideas–as always! Now…some ideas on what to give babies whose big sisters already “have it all”to pass down!
Yeah girl, you’re sitting pretty. Just take some of the stuff you already have and put it in a stocking. LOL
I do many of these things, and also baby wash/lotion, sippy cups, and dollar store bath tub books are all great baby items too!
I still have all of Annie’s tub books. 🙂 Those are great toys!
Once Andy’s wearing his little converses, they’ll keep the socks on well 😉
Love the ideas! Maybe Sock ons might be worth it to keep the socks on as well? I’ve heard good things about them, and you can get them on amazon! http://www.sockons.co.uk/
We’re in Texas, so our son didn’t wear socks much!
I’ve seen those – but for some reason I just can’t buy them. LOL Pretty soon I’ll have him in shoes (yours) and it won’t matter. 🙂
Haha! I love it! Little old ladies are the sweetest and the worst. I am getting my sweetie a toothbrush in the hopes that sometime this year a tooth will emerge from her adorable gummy smile (she’s 11 months!). Awesome bandaids are a must and I am also making each of the kids they’re own “baby” sock monkey. I think they will be adorable!
I <3 sock monkeys!!!!
Great ideas! I also bought some Toy Story band aids for Mason stocking. Saw them and knew he would like them, so they got added to the stash!
🙂
Where is the Once Upon a Child near you? Didn’t think there was one this side of Roanoke…
It’s in Blacksburg – Jamey lives there so I get to visit. 🙂 It’s about 1 1/2 hours away….so I only go when I’m up there with her.
Great ideas!
🙂 Thank ya!
Great post with excellent ideas. You are so right about the little old ladies, I always hear them in my head before I go out the door because you have to have a coat, hat and socks for the baby at all times!
Or ELSE! lol