What makes an ideal stocking stuffer?
For one thing, it has to fit in a stocking. So, nothing larger than a human foot.
Beyond that, it should be cute, fun, useful, or otherwise make the recipient happy. Not too happy, though. The stocking is not where you want your gift-exchange partner to find the climactic showstopping thrill of the morning. You got your sweetie a Swiss vacation? Great, put those tickets under the tree. A Ford Raptor? Keys under the tree. A priceless antique? Under the tree. (LONE EXCEPTION: If the antique is a reliquary of a saint’s foot, you have to put that in the stocking. It will ruin the dramatic arc of your gift exchange, but it’s too perfect an opportunity to pass up.)
Relatedly, a stocking stuffer probably isn’t anything the recipient asked for, or wanted, or even knew existed. He or she should look on it with quizzical amusement and go “huh! This will be handy!” S/he isn’t speechless. No tears of joy materialize. It’s fine, there’s plenty of Christmas left. The stocking gifts are the appetizers.
Also, a great stocking stuffer should be a vaguely appropriate gift for a broad variety of people, so everyone in your family (kids, tweens, seniors, tweeniors) can get one. The contents of everybody’s stocking will not match from hem to toe, but it’s good for them to share a few items in common. It helps keep things fair, reminds your kin of their family bonds, and it simplifies the shopping.
You can probably guess where this is going.
If you’re looking for the quintessential stocking stuffer, we think these power banks pretty much nail it. Everyone can use one of these. They’re right-sized for sticking in a sock. They’re right-priced for sticking one each in several socks. And they leave plenty of room on the excitement meter so your Christmas morning gift exchange doesn’t peak too early.
Another option: You could go with little tins of candied cashews. Candied cashews are pretty good.
