With toy giving, it’s sometimes about quality, but, especially for children, there is also the sheer joy of ripping open wrapping paper and diving through mounds of tissue.  So how can we create a feeling of abundance without loading up on a lot of junk?

For stocking stuffers, one idea is to stock up on some supplies — that way there are plenty of gifts to open, and practical needs are fulfilled:

for children, stockings can be stuffed with crayons, pencils, paper, paints — things you find your self buying throughout the year and that are fun and always good to have around.  Additional practical gifts:  stainless steel water bottle, winter hat (maybe homemade), little snack containers (put a few treats inside for the occasion).  Gifts from nature:  a small crystal, a carved stick, a pressed leaf, a plant, some seeds.  And of course, some small toys — a wooden top, marbles, a deck of cards, a little game, a book, and a chocolate Santa or two (if you and they indulge in that kind of thing on special days — a note about sugar:  We avoid it for the most part, but it isn’t forbidden — it is a treat for special days).

For adults:  toiletries of all kinds — shampoo, nice soap, shaving cream, a special lotion — I’m partial to Weleda, Dr. Hauschka, Jurlique (among others), office supplies — paper clips, stapler, printer paper, printer, stamps, ink cartridges, batteries, a flashlight, candles, chocolate (for me), coffee, tea, a local honey, a book, a bottle of wine.

Just for fun (and Time Labs Blog is fun), check out this graph from Time Labs Blog about the “Most Valuable Objects, by Weight.”

Stocking Stuffers:  Stamps, Wine, Ink Cartridges (To make the picture bigger, click on it).

And for adding lumps to the stockings of children and adults alike, I sometimes throw in some tangerines or clementines and apples and some nuts (and nutcrackers).