It is exciting to see a bulging stocking on Christmas morning. Sometimes the excitement is diminished after the stocking is emptied to reveal the same items that were in the stocking last year and the year before. There are ways of keeping the tradition of stocking fillers exciting for children and adults. Traditional stocking fillers can be replaced with unusual items. Different items can be given every year so people do not know what to expect in their stockings.

Chocolate is a common gift in Christmas stockings. This chocolate is often Christmas items such as Santas, presents or bells in decorative wrappers. A person’s favourite sweets could be placed in the stocking in addition to Christmas chocolates. It would be unusual to receive these sweets in a Christmas stocking. The recipient is likely to be pleasantly surprised.

Sweets are not the only tasty treat that can be placed in stockings. Small packets of crisps or biscuits will fit in stockings. Gift cards and gift vouchers for people’s favorite restaurants are another type of gift in the food category. These cards and vouchers can be given to adults or children. The children may need to depend on a kind adult who will be willing to take them to the restaurant.

Small toys are common stocking fillers. Toys could be replaced with items such as cinema tickets and gift cards for shops. The tickets and cards may require an adult’s cooperation so the children can get to the cinemas or shops.

Adults who receive several expensive items in their stockings will be pleasantly surprised. Women are likely to enjoy a pair of earrings or a ring. Watches are suitable gifts for women and men. High-quality refillable pens are a practical gift.

Items in stockings can be small gifts that are related to larger items under the tree. These gifts should be things that can be used with items that the recipient already owns so the surprise of the new items is not spoiled. Readers will appreciate bookmarks to use in new books. Artists will be happy to receive drawing pencils for new sketchpads.