15 Perfect Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Under $15

Sometimes, trying to figure out how to stuff someone's stocking with a series of small, memorable presents is more of a stumper than picking out big-ticket Christmas gifts. After all, it's far easier to blow someone away with a fancy new kitchen gadget than it is to impress them with a gift smaller than a fist. But when you get it just right, those smaller gifts can sometimes be the ones people remember most. From artsy socks to reusable straws, here are 15 fun (and functional) stocking-stuffer ideas for every type of person you're shopping for this holiday season.
1. Artist Series Socks; $4-$13
Socks might be the greatest stocking stuffer of all time—inexpensive, useful, and oh-so-cozy. Surprise your loved ones this year with a pair that features their favorite artwork, be it Munch’s scary The Scream, Klimt’s romantic The Kiss, or another classic piece.
Buy It: Amazon
2. Reusable Silicone Drinking Straws; $9
It’s now widely acknowledged that plastic straws are an environmental nightmare, so this Christmas is the perfect time to gift a good, sturdy set of reusable ones. These silicone straws are long enough for 30-ounce tumblers and even come with a cleaning brush.
Buy It: Amazon
3. Kitty Drink Markers; $10
Parties are all fun and games until you can’t remember which wine glass is yours. These color-coded, curled-up kitten markers wrap around the stem of your glass so you can keep track of it in the most adorable way possible.
Buy It: Amazon
4. Supersize Mad Libs; $6
In the absurd world of Mad Libs, everything is hilarious, everyone wins, and you’re allowed to use spaghetti as a verb without getting in trouble with the grammar police. You can give the gift of laughter this holiday season with a $6 collection that includes five Mad Libs books, including Unicorns, Mermaids, and Mad Libs; Escape from Detention Mad Libs; and more.
Buy It: Amazon
5. 365 New Words-A-Year Calendar; $10
If you know someone whose New Year’s resolution is to learn something new each day, we know exactly what you should stick in their stocking. From schadenfreude (enjoyment obtained from the trouble of others), to tintinnabulation (a jingling sound of bells), this 2020 word calendar from Merriam-Webster can turn a wordsmith-wannabe into a master of vocabulary in no time.
Buy It: Amazon
6. Invisible Ink Pens; $8
These invisible ink pens are perfect for the a-spy-iring secret agent of any age. Simply scrawl out a top-secret hidden message on paper (or your skin, since the ink is washable), and then use the blacklight attached to the top of the pen to reveal what it says.
Buy It: Amazon
7. To-Go Hot Sauce Bottles; $15
If Beyoncé keeps hot sauce in her bag, so too should we all. Spice up someone’s stocking with this set of five 1.6-ounce bottles of gourmet hot sauce from Cuba, Brazil, Australia, and other flavor epicenters around the world.
Buy It: Amazon
8. Lightsaber Chopsticks; $14
With Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hitting theaters just five days before Christmas, the lucky fellow who finds these in their stocking might just be inclined to eat their holiday ham with chopsticks. They’re made of BPA-free plastic, batteries are included, and the Force, of course, is strong with anyone who wields them.
Buy It: Amazon
9. Jeopardy! Card Game; $10
Not only is this portable card game an excellent gift for Jeopardy! aficionados, trivia lovers, and all-around know-it-alls (we mean this as a compliment), it’s also a fantastic activity for the whole family on Christmas afternoon—or any time, really.
Buy It: Amazon
10. Pop Culture Soap; $6
This honey and oatmeal Bob Ross-themed bar is just one in a collection of novelty soaps that will be almost as fun for you to pick out as it will be for friends and family to open. There’s a lavender-scented Jane Austen “Suds and Sensibility” bar for Pride and Prejudice fanatics; an Earl Grey-scented Jean-Luc Picard bar for Trekkies; and tons more.
Buy It: Amazon
11. Culinary Herb Collection; $14
Whether you’re shopping for someone with a green thumb or someone who’s just green, this seed collection will help them make a seamless switch from store-bought herbs to fresh leaves. Not only does it contain parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, and six other essential herbs, it also includes a 96-page growing guide. Here’s a handy food-and-herb pairing chart to pass along to the recipient, too.
Buy It: Amazon
12. Cat Sticky Notes; $6
Coffee mugs don’t have to do all the heavy lifting when it comes to personality in the workplace—office supplies can help, too. These cat-shaped Post-Its will make notes and reminders way more fun.
Buy It: Amazon
13. Planetary Refrigerator Magnets; $8
Know an astronaut hopeful or lover of all things outer space? They can stick their moon phases calendar to the fridge with these awesome planetary magnets.
Buy It: Amazon
14. Tropical Fruit Stud Earrings; $8
Sometimes, the perfect statement piece to complete your ensemble is a tiny pop of tropical color on each ear. This six-piece set of fruity studs includes everyone’s fruit favorites, from sweet strawberries to tangy limes.
Buy It: Amazon
15. Reusable Grocery Bags; $14
The adorable illustrations on these reusable grocery bags will remind users just how much they’re helping animals by doing their part to eliminate single-use plastic waste. For people who prefer a more understated bag, there are plenty of other patterns and solid colors to choose from.
Buy It: Amazon
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