The 38 Best Stocking Stuffers of 2020 That Aren’t Socks or Candy (We Promise)
Oh, the stocking stuffer. A Christmas tradition that is devilishly tough to do right. It’s one thing to get a gift, but an entirely different battle altogether when that gift has to be small enough to fit in a stocking. Sure, you could go with cash or a gift card, but do you really want to be the one who phoned it in again? No, we didn’t think so.
There’s a complicated list of best practices for stuffing a stocking and picking the best stocking stuffers. Just a few of these rules are:
- Don’t include anything more expensive than the main gift you’re giving the recipient
- Don’t include anything that costs less than $5, unless you’re sure it’s a quality product
- Make sure everything inside a stocking is useful or enjoyable
- Include mostly edibles if giving to children, but only some edibles for adults (but is there really such a thing as too much chocolate?)
- All stocking stuffers must be small enough to fit in the stocking
- Some of the gifts in a stocking should be wrapped
This list might sound confusing and complicated, but as long as you’re stuffing a stocking with love, there isn’t really a wrong way to do it. And with the right stocking stuffer ideas, this might become your favorite holiday tradition.
Luckily, we’re here to help. We’ve rounded up a handful of unique, fun Christmas gifts that almost everyone will enjoy unwrapping this holiday season — and will actually use throughout the year. So instead of tearing your hair out trying to stuff a stocking with a handful of throwaway items, check out our recommendations for the best stocking stuffers for Christmas 2020.
1. Everlane 100% Human Face Mask 5-Pack
It’s with no surprise that we tell you 2020 has been the year of the face mask. For obvious reasons, face masks are one of the year’s most popular stocking stuffer ideas. We’ve been strutting around since March rocking facial coverings ranging from mom’s sewing hobby to your local deli’s disposable face mask side hustle. Gift everyone you love a dapper face mask from Everlane and take the needed trend to the next level. Everlane offers a number of assorted packs to pick from, so gift on which you think your giftee will like the best. All of these masks are totally breathable so you won’t feel like you’re suffocating and Everlane promises to donate 10% of all profits from this line to the ACLU, which has been fighting tirelessly to protect our fundamental freedoms for the past 100 years.
2. What Do You Meme? Game
What Do You Meme? is similar to other adult card games (i.e., Cards Against Humanity) in which you have a topic card and other cards to find the most humorous pairing. The spin here is that the game brings the online world of memes offline, allowing everyone to pair their favorites with a prompt to create some hilarious results. It’s a perfect gift for someone that loves to throw a good party or the meme-obsessed person in your life.
Buy: What Do You Meme? Game $29.99
3. ThermoPro Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer
For the aspiring chef in your life, an instant-read digital thermometer can mean the difference between meat that’s overcooked and meat that’s just right. This one from ThermoPro folds nice and neat to save on storage and can provide a reading in three to five seconds. The clear digital display can provide a temperature readout in both Fahrenheit and Celsius depending on preference. Plus, the foldout nature means it’s easy to collapse back into itself, which means there’s less of a chance for a burned finger.
Buy: ThermoPro Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer $11.89
4. Casper Nap Pillow
The same company behind one of the most comfortable mattresses in the world has reinvented the travel pillow. Lovingly called the Nap Pillow, Casper’s take is nearly silk-like in its construction, softly cradling the head. The microfibers nestled inside the 100% cotton plain weave shell allow for air to move through the pillow, which provides cool comfort while you drift off to sleep. Plus, with its included travel bag, it’s easy to carry around anywhere a nap needs to be taken.
5. Vantic Portable Reusable Drinking Straws
In the same way that we saw a big movement away from single-use plastic water bottles to multi-use bottles, the straw industry is now undergoing a similar revolution. This reusable straw from Vantic is perfect for the savvy environmentalist in your life, as it collapses down into a keychain to fit nicely wherever it may be needed. Made from stainless steel, it’s tough enough to handle all kinds of traveling and works for both hot and cold liquids without worry.
Buy: Vantic Portable Reusable Drinking Straws $3.99
6. Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray
We all know the feeling. You’re out and about, and you really have to go #2. No one likes to drop a deuce in public, but if you have to do it, you better have a can of Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray. Simply squirt the spray into the bowl before you sit down, and no one will ever know you’ve pooped. While this may seem like an odd Christmas gift, it certainly falls into the category of something you wouldn’t likely buy yourself. So, if you know the person you’re gifting it to well enough to know their feelings on pooping in public, it could either be a hilarious or super useful item to them.
Buy: Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray $4.99
7. Kikkerland Cactus Dryer Balls
More environmentally friendly — and decidedly cuter — than dryer sheets, these cactus dryer balls from Kikkerland quickly inject a bit of character and fun into the doldrums of doing laundry. The prickly stems of the cactus work in real-time to help better fluff and aerate your giftee’s laundry as it tosses and turns around in the dryer, ultimately saving time by cutting down the drying time by as much as 50%. Plus, they’re just super adorable.
Buy: Kikkerland Cactus Dryer Balls $9.50
8. Tile Pro With Replacement Battery
As Guardians of the Galaxy will tell you, we’re all losers, especially in the sense that we lose stuff. And while we all know one that one person that seemingly can never find anything, there’s a way to ease that frustration: Tile. Capable of being used to find any number of frequently lost items (keys, phone, wallet, and more) a simple Bluetooth tracker helps keep your sanity. The pro version has a replaceable battery so your giftee won’t need to buy a whole new device when it’s on its last legs. What’s more, this one is water-resistant, durable and louder than before — making it a compelling purchase even if they’re the most organized person in the world.
Buy: Tile Pro with Replacement Battery $56.00
9. Jason Markk Shoe Cleaning Kits
We love our sneakers and boots, but a true sneakerhead knows that your shoes are only as good as your shoe cleaning skills. If you don’t know how to waterproof, clean and protect your kicks, then you’re one puddle away from ruining your most expensive sneakers. That’s why we love Jason Markk shoe cleaning kits, which are also the perfect stocking stuffers for men and women alike.
Buy: Jason Markk Shoe Cleaning Bundle $29.82
Buy: Jason Markk Essentials Kit $14.00
10. Schitt’s Creek Funko Pop! Figures
SELLING OUT FAST!
The best Funko Pop! figures let you celebrate your pop-culture fandom and add a touch of whimsy to your home or office decor. From our list of the best Schitt’s Creek gifts and stocking stuffer ideas, we have a truly inspired gift for all fans of this hit Canadian comedy show. These adorable Funko Pop! figures celebrate the Rose family and their eccentric and unforgettable style.
Buy: Funko Pop! David Rose Figure $10.99
Buy: Funko Pop! Moira Rose Figure $8.99 Buy: Funko Pop! Alexis Rose Figure $24.00 Buy: Funko Pop! Johnny Rose Figure $14.9911. Encased Safety Santa Face Mask
Santa may be immune from COVID-19, but we aren’t. Encased was kind enough to send the SPY team these awesome Santa-inspired face masks, and we love them. Order one for every member of your Christmas bubble.
Buy: Safety Santa Face Mask $13.99
12. lululemon Always in Motion Boxer 3 Pack
These boxer briefs from lululemon are some of the most comfortable briefs available, due in part to their soft, Modal-fabric construction. Part of the brand’s “Office Travel Commute” line, they’re underwear that can keep up with the busy, active lifestyle of the modern man — all while keeping warm and dry by actively wicking away moisture.
13. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Never underestimate the amount of power in a small package. Two speakers in one package, the Wonderboom from Ultimate Ears is capable of producing a shockingly large sound that provides rich, clear and crisp audio via Bluetooth connection. And since it’s 100% waterproof, you can toss it in the water without ever getting concerned (seriously, it’ll even float!). With 10 hours of playback on a single charge, that’s more than enough power to keep the party rolling all day long. This isn’t the first time the Wonderboom has been on lists of the best stocking stuffers (for men and women), and Christmas 2019 is no exception.
Buy: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom Bluetooth Speaker $69.95
14. Fujifilm QuickSnap Flash 400 Disposable 35mm Camera
Take it back a couple of years with a way of shooting your giftee can’t get from their iPhone. The Fujifilm disposable camera is great for that friend or family member that’s a constant shutterbug. It comes with an easy-to-use design and a bright flash that can easily fill up a dark room. This is a pack of two, so they’ll get tons of use out of both. Plus, it’s small enough to fit into their stocking on Christmas morning.
Buy: Fujifilm QuickSnap Flash 400 Disposable 35mm Camera $28.29
15. Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2
Luckily, Christmas falls in winter, and winter is the best time to gift mugs. But, as a master of stocking stuffing, you aren’t going to give your loved ones any old mug. No, you’re going to give them an Ember mug. This innovative item actually keeps your coffee and tea warm for up to 1.5 hours. Simply set the temperature at which you like to sip your beverage using the smartphone app, and you’ll never have to drink lukewarm coffee ever again. The Ember mug is available in both black and white, and it’s occasionally also available in other colors, such as the most recent copper edition.
Buy: Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2 $149.99
16. Mission Farms Rest CBD Goat Milk Soap
CBD has become exceptionally popular in the past few years and for good reason. It has so many benefits, from pain-relieving, sleep-inducing and mindfulness properties. Recently, one of our favorite brands to snag our CBD topical products is Mission Farms. We’ve been loving this CBD soap made with real goat milk and essential oils that doesn’t only promote a restful night’s sleep, but also soothes and helps your skin by reducing common redness and irritant issues. Its all-natural, chemical-free recipe is one for the books and it will fit nicely in anybody’s stocking this holiday season.
17. Tabasco Sauce Keychain
We all know a hot sauce lover who can’t go a single meal without at least a drop. This Tabasco keychain is perfect for anybody who needs to add a little bit of heat to anything they’re snacking on. It’s tiny enough to easily fit on your keychain without being too bulky, yet it packs just enough power to add the flavor you might need to your foods. Refill it again and again with your favorite hot sauce when it’s out and keep it on your keychain for the rest of your life.
Buy: Tabasco Sauce Keychain $11.88
18. Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm
Compact enough to fit in any stocking but supremely useful, the Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm is a Christmas winner. As you probably already know, winter brings dry air and, therefore, chapped lips, but this lip balm offers protection against extreme temperatures and windburn. It also contains SPF to protect against sunburn. Plus, the included vitamin E and green tea provide antioxidants to the lips to relieve irritation. If you’re buying for a man, lip balm can be tough as many seem quite feminine. Luckily, this Jack Black product is designed with men in mind and is therefore scentless with only a slightly minty flavor.
Buy: Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm $8.00
19. Apple Watch Standing Charger
When you have a product as beautiful and as elegant as an Apple Watch, it’s absolutely deserving of its own special place in your home. That’s why this Apple Watch stand makes a great stocking stuffer idea for those who are obsessed with their wearable. Crafted from high-quality aluminum, the stand has a place for your giftee to run their charger through, keeping it nice and snug while the Apple Watch clicks into place. From there, it’s easy to toggle the watch over into nightstand mode for a quick bedside view of the time. And since it works with all Apple Watch series, there’s no need to worry about getting the newest version, as compatibility across models won’t be an issue with the stand.
Buy: Apple Watch Standing Charger $8.99
20. Kicking Horse Coffee Kick Ass Dark Roast
If there’s one thing coffee lovers enjoy getting for Christmas, it’s new coffees to try out. That’s why a small bag of coffee beans might be the ideal gift for your friends and family. This Kicking Horse Coffee Kick Ass Dark Roast has incredible reviews on Amazon. This bag offers a whole bean coffee that’s sweet and smoky with notes of molasses, chocolate malt and licorice, but Kicking Horse Coffee also produces several other roasts, too. As an added bonus, this USDA organic and fairtrade coffee was grown in a socially and environmentally responsible manner in Indonesia and South America.
Buy: Kicking Horse Coffee Kick Ass Dark Roast $9.18
21. WizGear Magnetic Phone Car Mount
If you know someone that hasn’t bought a quality phone mount for their vehicle, it’s time to introduce them to the wonder that is the WizGear phone mount. By slipping this mount into the air vent in a car, it quickly provides a safe and secure position by which to use helpful car applications like Google or Apple Maps without having to look away from the road. The other nice feature about the WizGear mount is that it can quickly swivel the display depending upon the preferred method of use.
Buy: WizGear Magnetic Phone Car Mount $11.99
22. Carhartt Watch Hat
The holidays are a perfect time to go ahead and invest in a really good beanie or winter cap. Fortunately, Carhartt’s Watch Cap is one of the best around, at a price that won’t break the bank. The uni-sex Watch Cap comes in just about every color under the sun, so there’s more than likely one for everyone’s stocking.
Buy: Carhartt Watch Hat $16.99
23. World’s Smallest Vacuum
Everyone deserves a ridiculous yearly additive to their stocking. This time around, we’re suggesting you snag the world’s smallest vacuum for a pleasantly odd surprise as they stick their hand down their festive red sock. The best part about this thing? It actually works. Pick out tiny specks of dust with ease because this vacuum has great suction qualities. It’s ideal for cleaning tight nooks and crannies like the spots between your keyboard of the crumbs underneath your toaster.
24. LEGO City Arctic Ice Glider
LEGOs are always one of the best stocking stuffers, to give or receive! There’s just something about Christmas that makes you want to relive your childhood years. Thanks to the LEGO City Arctic Ice Glider, the recipient of this stocking stuffer can do just that. While this kit is aimed at ages five to 12, it’s also small enough to fit in the average stocking and will keep any adult or child entertained for a few hours. The kit comes with 50 pieces and directions for creating an epic ice glider with a spinning fan. The included explorer minifigure has his own lights, map, radio, snowshoes and saw to complete the snow-filled fantasy.
Buy: LEGO City Arctic Ice Glider $13.00
25. Toilet Paper Christmas Ornament
The toilet paper crisis of 2020 is something that in years to come, we will never, ever forget. Gift someone you love a memory of the hellish year we’ve had for decades to come with this toilet paper Christmas ornament ready to situate itself forever on your tree. It might not be so funny as of yet, but will be a comedic relief in the future, that’s for sure.
26. V-MORO AirPods Leather Case
AirPods have quickly become the preferred Bluetooth headphones of Apple users everywhere, but that tiny case can be a little difficult to keep track of among the hustle and bustle of daily life. This handsome carrying case helps keep track of where those earbuds are at any given time. For loyal AirPods users, this is definitely one of the year’s best stocking stuffers. This particular version from V-MORO is made from stylish, quality leather with a refined look and feel. Additionally, the front LED is visible through the case, so users will be able to tell at a glance where their battery life is — all without needing to remove the case.
Buy: V-MORO AirPods Leather Case $14.99
27. W&P Carry on Cocktail Kit
Sure, you’ve heard of BOYB, but have you heard of BOYC? With the Carry on Cocktail kit, your giftee will have everything they need to turn the unrefined and sometimes chaotic experience of flying into something that’s a lot more palatable. Each kit has all the tools you need to craft a premium cocktail from 20,000 feet. And with several different options to accommodate everyone’s personal favorite drink, they’re great to keep on hand for the hotel minibar should they be so inclined. Although the majority of us aren’t flying right now, it’s a surefire hit in any stocking. Overall, it’ll be sure to make flying a little easier — or at least a little bit more fun.
Buy: W&P Carry on Cocktail Kit $16.08
28. Baron Fig Confidant Hardcover Notebook
For the person in your life that’s inherently creative or is always journaling, they’ll certainly appreciate a hardcover notebook like this one from Baron Fig. The clothbound hardcover notebook comes in three different sizes, but each journal is still compact enough to carry around all day, but large enough to work effectively in. The notebook will sit flat, avoiding that troublesome issue of pages flipping shut on their own.
29. Upcycled Record Coasters
For the music lover that enjoys a good drink, or the craft cocktail connoisseur that loves a good tune, this is one of our absolute favorite stocking stuffer ideas. These upcycled record coasters will elevate the traditional drink coaster to something that’s a bit more elegant and refined. And if your giftee is a real music buff, they’ll recognize some long-forgotten classics among the coasters.
30. Rolling Stone, The Music Trivia Game
Rock & Roll lovers, this one is for you. Combining two different styles of gameplay (a head-to-head round and a charades-like round) Rolling Stone’s Music Trivia Game is a must-have party game for the holidays. With a minimum of four players, teams of two go head to head beginning with the rapid-fire round, where each player has 15 seconds to name song lyrics from different categories. The last player standing then gets the advantage to start the charades round, wherein players must sing or hum lyrics to get their teammate to guess the song. Each correct guess awards a record card, the first team to get one record card from each of the available genres wins the game! Best played with a large group, this music trivia game will be a blast for the whole family.
Buy: Rolling Stone, The Music Trivia Game $12.85
31. Anker Powercore Portable Charger
The problem with the best tech gifts is that it’s difficult to buy something that’s stocking stuffer worthy without it costing an arm and a leg. There’s an easy solution though: a portable charger. While it’s not the sexiest gift for techies, a portable charger like this one from Anker makes perfect sense for those friends or family members that are constantly on their devices. Being prepared always helps, and having a quick and easy charging solution is a gift they’ll continue to use again and again and again. For all these reasons, this compact portable charger is one of the year’s best stocking stuffers for him, for her, and for anyone on your list.
32. Brita Premium Filtering Water Bottle
Quality water bottles are a dime a dozen these days, but bottles with built-in water filters are less common, which makes this superlative version from Brita particularly handy. As one of the most trusted names in water filtration, the 26-ounce water bottle will actually filter water as you drink it, ensuring the water inside is safe and clean to drink. With its rounded bottom, it’ll fit nicely into most car cup holders, making it easy to carry around from home to work and back again.
Buy: Brita Premium Filtering Water Bottle $19.94
33. Jaxon Lane Bro Mask Facial Sheet Mask
This facial mask by Jaxon Lane has somewhat of a silly name, but its results are a far cry from a joke. Design and tested with men in mind, the Bro Mask is thicker than normal skincare masks in order to better clear the denser, oilier and more acne-prone skin that men tend to have. Additionally, the Bro Mask actively hydrates better than typical skincare masks, providing better results due to its high-quality ingredients. Don’t let the men in your life get left behind by the self-care craze.
Buy: Jaxon Lane Bro Mask Facial Sheet Mask $28.00
34. Homesick City Candles
Let’s face it, we all yearn for our homes when we’re away from them. Each of those places has their own unique energy and feeling that’s hard to capture when someone isn’t there — but that doesn’t mean we can’t try to recapture that feeling. Homesick Candles are the closest thing out there to bottling up the scent and vibes of a particular place and bringing it along elsewhere. With a unique scent for most major cities in the United States, there’s more than likely a candle for everyone. Just take this New York City candle for example, which evokes notes of Central Park, luxury department stores, and that concrete jungle (where dreams are made of). And with approximately 60-80 hours of burn time, there’s plenty of good feels to go around.
Buy: Homesick New York City Scented Candle $29.95
35. M3 Naturals Himalayan Salt Scrub
While bath-themed gifts may be generally overdone at Christmas, we would argue that gifting someone a quality bath item is always worthwhile. Just do your recipient a favor and stay away from scented lotions, shower gels or other items he or she probably already has a stockpile of. One example of an excellent bath item to gift this holiday season is the M3 Naturals Himalayan Salt Scrub. With almost 8,000 reviews, this scrub maintains a five-star rating on Amazon for good reason. The natural Himalayan pink salt scrub includes lychee fruit and sweet almond oil to clean the skin. It’s also infused with collagen and stem cells to provide anti-aging benefits. These properties along with its pure luxuriousness make this a skin scrub anyone would be happy to receive.
Buy: M3 Naturals Himalayan Salt Scrub $29.19
36. Google Chromecast Ultra TV Stick
For those unfamiliar with Chromecast, the device is essentially Google’s version of a Roku or a Kindle Fire TV stick. Even though Amazon Fire TV Sticks are one of the best stocking stuffers of the year, you can’t always order one in time for Christmas. Fortunately, this Google gadget is a great Fire TV Stick alternative. By plugging the device into a high-definition television’s HDMI port, users are then granted access to a host of web-contented applications like YouTube, Netflix, and more all on their television screens. The Chromecast Ultra also allows for 4K ultra high definition output, providing the clearest and best-looking picture (assuming you have a set that takes advantage of it, of course).
37. BARNEY Leather Electronics Organizer
When traveling, it can be unwieldy to keep track of all your various electronic cords. A cord organizer eliminates that issue, placing everything in one convenient accessory and keeping them always at the ready. This leather rollup case from Barney also has dedicated spaces for a passport, credit card, cash, and whatever else your giftee may need to tuck away in a safe place.
Buy: BARNEY Leather Electronics Organizer $47.49
38. The Ridge Carbon Fiber 3K Wallet
Minimalist wallets are all the rage right now, which makes sense as most people only need to carry a few cards in their pocket rather than a pile of cash and membership cards for every store in town. If you want to buy the man (or lady) in your life one of the best minimalist wallets available, check out The Ridge Wallets. These wallets have an innovative and customizable design. Cards are housed between two metal plates held together by an elastic band. Cash can be carried, too, by adding either the money clip or money plate to the wallet. For a wallet that looks good and will last for years, you can’t beat a Ridge Wallet.
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