Vintage Holiday Shopping Guide: Stocking Stuffers

Once long, long ago...okay, technically not that long ago, rather three years ago, in the equally chilly days of December 2009, I wrote my first two vintage holiday shopping guides. One was devoted to gifts for children, the other to gifts for home decor lovers. I had a blast putting both together and had hoped that they would be the first in an ongoing (annual) series of guides. Life had other plans however, in the two years that followed, and so this series went on a wee bit of an unintentional hiatus.

Today however, I'm pleased as punch (or should I say "pleased as wassail", given what time of the year it is) to announce that this delightful series is back and that this year's edition is devoted to one of my very favourite areas of holiday gift giving: stocking stuffers.

Perhaps it’s because I've always been drawn to collecting various small things (brooches, miniature toys, buttons, etc) or maybe it's that there have been Christmas when I felt the gifts I received in my stocking were my favourites of all, whatever the case, I've always truly loved shopping for, and also receiving, those fun, charming, sometimes silly, sometimes breath-takingly special presents that one pulls merrily from their stocking each Christmas morn.

Stocking stuffers (also known as stocking fillers in some parts of the world) are, by their very nature, generally small presents that are meant to supplement or accompany a larger gift or gifts, that is often to be found under the Christmas tree. Sometimes however - say, for example, if you were giving someone a gorgeous antique sapphire ring - one of the presents nestled into a stocking could certainly be the most important (and/or expensive) gift you're giving.

More often than not however (at least when I was growing up) stocking stuffers were not particularly costly presents at all. Toys, beauty products, small items of clothing (socks, ear muffs, mitts, belts, jewelry, etc), Christmas ornaments, candy, mandarin oranges (there was always an orange in the toe of our stocking when I was a child), pens or pencils, tiny handmade crafts, and practical day-to-day items were the most common, just as they still are for many folks to this day.

While it's not usual for people to keep the price of each stocking stuffer to less than $20 or even $10, as everyone has a different holiday budget that they're comfortable working with the items in today's post will all come in under $40.00, with some costing less than five dollars. (Please note that all prices are in US dollars unless otherwise specified and that they were accurate as of the time of writing.)

Each one of these Thirty gift ideas covers a broad range of individuals who may enjoy receiving them. They’re tied together by the fact that they have a vintage, beautifully classic, timelessly practical, or just plain adorable feel to them that make them absolutely ideal for all the vintage lovers on your shopping list - as well as for yourself, if you happen to have anyone asking you what you might like in your own stocking this year.

{In these modern days of heating pads and central heating in our homes, many people no longer turn to hot water bottles for warmth and comfort. However, they remain as a useful and lovely a source of heat and soothing care as they ever have been, and this Scottie Dog Hot Water Bottle has to be one the sweetest to be had anywhere today. £11.95 from The Oriental Magpie.}




{Handwrite or type out a few of your favourite holiday recipes to include when you give this timelessly cute Pantry Design Yellow Recipe Box. £6.95 from Dotcomgiftshop.}



{If like me, you - or anyone on your holiday list - is as much a fan of the packaging a product comes in as what's housed inside, this immensely prettily, vintage inspired wrapped bar of Lollia Imagine Shea Butter Soap is sure to be a welcome treat. $10.00 from Layla Grayce.}




{Help ensure you're loved one's specs are always at hand, as well as safe and sound, with this Crystal Embellished Faux Leather Ladie's Eyeglasses Case. $16.95 from the Victorian Trading Co..}




{Treat everyone of the little outer space lovers in your family to a set of these Spaceboy Childrens Cutlery and watch their eyes light up like stars. £9.95 from Dotcomgiftshop.}




{Adorable and practical in one fell swoop, this darling Standing Cat Pewter Ring Holder measures 4.5 cm tall and 9 cm long with a 7 cm tail, and is a fantastic way to ensure that cherish rings never run the risk of getting misplaced again. £5.95 from The Oriental Magpie.}




{Treat the special gent in your life to a classic Ceramic Shaving Bowl filled with Mitchell's Woolfat Soap. This soap is known for its soothing emollient effect and is sure to turn even the most ardent foam-in-a-can-fan into a shaving soap convert. £21.00 from Rose & Co. Apothecary.}




{The holiday season is the best time of the year to go all out when it comes to glamour and sparkle, and this gorgeous, vintage looking Red Crystal Poinsettia Headband delivers both in spades. $19.95 from the Victorian Trading Co. (note, it's also available in clear crystal flowers).}

{To quote the site itself, "This vintage-inspired Marbles Tin Game is timeless, doesn't need batteries, won't break, is fun for children of all ages, and can be played by many people at once". Marbles are always a great way to pass a relaxing afternoon, so why not pick up a set for the young - or young at heart - in your family this Christmas? $9.99 from Retro Planet.}




{Help make getting those that mountain of post-holiday feast dishes more enjoyable - and definitely more fashionable, too - this this charming pair of latex-free, hypoallergenic Vinyl Dish Gloves that come adorned with lovely red, white and navy blue polka dot fabric ruffles (this is just one of many cute fabrics this brand offers). $22.00 from Carolyn's Kitchen.}




{Whether for use in Movember or all year round, give the facial hair fans in your life this charmingly fun Mustache Grooming Kit that comes in a great little carrying case shaped like a classic handlebar mustache. $12.00 from Fred Flare.}



{Give the Wizard of Oz or classic movie buff in your life a fun reminder of one of the most popular and beloved films of all time, with this cute pair of Ruby Slipper Magnets. $3.99 from Retro Planet.}




{If the lovely packaging alone doesn't sell you on this classic set of Three Round Biscuit Cutters, then their eternally practical purpose definitely will. £4.95 from Dotcomgiftshop.}

 
{It's always fun to unwrap a Christmas themed gift in your stocking, as this delightful tin of Strawberry Crush Glossy Lip Balm - featuring a beautiful vintage pin-up girl illustration - is an especially great way to do just that. (According to the website) This balm is infused with nourishing Fragaria Ananassa (strawberry seed) oil, Pure Golden Beeswax and Sweet Almond Oil, and is perfect for lips needing moisture and protection. £5.00 from Rose & Co. Apothecary.}




{The past meets the present in case of this wonderfully cute 1950s inspired Poodle USB Hub. $12.00 from Fred Flare.}




{Start saving pocket change up for next year's yard sale season, bingo nights, or simply to have a little mad money on hand whenever needed, in this timelessly pretty cabbage rose print fabric Kiss-Clasp Coin Purse that looks every bit like something our grandmas or great-grandmother's might have tucked into their handbags back in the day. $9.95 from the Victorian Trading Co. (also available in a floral on black fabric).}




{For all the adorable animal lovers on your list, this cuter-than-cute Chunky Silver Rabbit Ring is sure to be equally popular for Easter as it every other day of the year. £6.50 from The Oriental Magpie.}




{Flashlights are one of those things that no house can ever have to many of - especially if they have a thoroughly old school look to them like this terrific Vintage Metal LED Torch. £4.95 from Dotcomgiftshop.}




{Inject a fantastic dose of nostalgic holiday spirit into any kitchen or bathroom with this adorable 100$ cotton Retro Snowman Towel. $9.99 from Retro Planet.}




{Like something you just know Zelda Fitzgerald would have loved: (handmade) Circle Monogram Itty Bitty Post Earrings. $12.00 from etsy seller Elizajay Charm.}




{Measuring in at just 11cm wide by 6cm high, this wee little Bakelite Red Alarm Clock is a marvelous way to inject a vintage aesthetic into a bedroom or any other corner of the house (*please note that in the case of this product, the word "Bakelite" refers to the alarm clock's colour, not to the material it is made out of*). £9.95 from Dotcomgiftshop.}




{Make any night as festive as a luau with this cute 2 ounce Tiki Shot Glass, or why not give a few and ensure your recipient is always ready to throw a Polynesian themed shindig at moment's notice? $2.49 (per shot glass) from Retro Planet.}




{Infused with notes of coriander, white sage, birch wood, and tundra moss, Paper & Cotton No. 17 is a candle in a tin that is not to missed - especially when you factor into the beautiful 1950s illustration on the lid. $12.00 from Tokyomilk.}



{I have many fond memories of receiving arts and craft supplies in my stockings as a youngster, and would definitely pick up a pack each (especially considering how well priced they are) of these classic Traditional Crayons in their lovely vintage inspired box for my kids, if I had children. £1.00 from Dotcomgiftshop.}




{It may look like a classic peppermint treat, but one lick is all it will take to let you know that what you're enjoying is in face Bacon Candy. Packaged in a festive red tin with a great old-fashioned style font and illustration, this sweet snack is a must for all bacon lovers on your list this year. $6.79 from Retro Planet.}




{One of the best loved travel novels of all time lends itself to this fantastic Plot Your Course Passport Cover that is sure to appeal to literary fans and those with passion for wanderlust alike. $24.99 from ModCloth.}




{Whether for Junior or Grandpa, this cheerful, wonderfully fun red plastic and metal Harmonica In A Box is sure to be enthusiastically received. £2.95 from Dotcomgiftshop.}




{If you have a recipient on your list who adores both card games and watching classic TV shows, then this delightful deck of I Love Lucy Playing Cards might be right up their alley. $12.99 from Retro Planet.}




{Lend one of today's most current gadgets a definite sense of the past with this timelessly elegant Vintage Postcard Case available for iPhone 4, iPhone 5, Samsung S2 & S3. $16.99 from etsy seller On Your Case.}




{Whether for a child, paper crafter, Christmas lover, or snail mail envelope decorator, you'll be hard pressed not to find someone on your shopping list who wouldn't adore a tin of these preciously cute vintage inspired Christmas Stickers. $13.49 from Retro Planet.}

♥ ♥ ♥

I hope Santa is reading this post, because there's certainly a few items here that I'd be tickled pink to receive any year in my stocking, too! I am so happy that I was able to revive the vintage holiday shopping gift guide series this December, and look forward to putting together future editions next year and in future years to come as well.

Stocking stuffers are such a joy. They're like the appetizers of the Christmas present world, and can be such a fantastic way to give those special people in your life little presents you've picked up, or created, for them throughout the year that generally don't carry the same potential stress (will they love it, hate it, regift it the moment you leave the room) that larger presents can sometimes entail.

Whether you like to give put just a couple of gifts into a festive Christmas sock or cram it to capacity, I hope that that today's roundup of vintage stocking stuffers will give you plenty of holiday shopping ideas for this season and well beyond.

Now, time to go hang those stockings, stick a yummy candy cane into each, and fill - I mean, let St. Nick fill - them up for all the loved ones in your house.