I did not think this would be the post that brought me back into the blogging world. My list of post ideas is a kilometer (oh hey, acculturation) long and there's so much I want to share about my new chapter studying in Munich. I miss blogging and the blog world loads. I manage to find time to read blogs on my tablet during commutes, but commenting on a tablet is too time consuming and writing a decent post on a tablet is even worse. I absolutely plan to continue this blogging journey, but school, work, (yep, got a job), and finding time to squeeze in a social life put blogging in the back seat. However, after seeing countless lists of ridiculously priced stocking stuffers I just can't stay silent any longer. I mean, seriously, who gets Kate Spade in their stocking? Not me, and certainly not the 99.9% of other stocking unstuffers.
(Ok, so I did find time to decorate for Christmas.)
Take for example one a blog I've followed for years, The College Prepster. I admire so much how Carly carried TCP over post-grad and transformed it into a brand and a career. So Carly, although you are too big to ever find yourself on this page, I a apologize that I chose your "Stocking Stuffers" post as my example. Below are the adorable items Carly picked out to stuff this year's Christmas stockings. I dig that framed print and there's nothing I'd like more than a entire new set of Hanky Pankys, but let's pump the breaks for a second and get real:
First, how big is Carly's stocking because my mom hung some big-uns over the fireplace when I was young, but it'd take a small shopping cart to hold all of these things. Could your stocking hold a small handbag, or am I missing something?
Second, not sure how much you spend on stocking stuffers, but this set totals $688!!!! According to Gallup polls, Americans will spend $781 on Christmas gifts this year, so that is almost someone's entire Christmas gift budget filling one (massive) stocking.
I really do think so highly of Carly and her blog, so I'm done haters gonna hate-hate-hating on her stocking stuffer suggestions. It's a fashion/style blogger thing and I realize she earns money off these items, so in that case I guess I'd put up more expensive items to gain affiliate commissions from as well. Never mind all of that, it's time to put my money where my mouth is and appease those who know a wanderlust-filled person with an empty stocking and need some more budget-friendly items that actually fit in one of those boot-shaped pillowcases. My mom shaped me into a stocking pro. When I was last home for the holidays (sigh, not going home for Christmas for my second year in a row), my mom sent me off with a $20-per-stocking budget. People got a whole lot of Walgreens in their stockings, I can't even lie, it was less than thrilling to open, but that's what Christmas Eve shopping does to you. My mom who is on top of everything always manages to forget to stocking stuffers, but alas...
Today, I'm going to do you a bit better. Adult stockings are much more difficult than childrens' stockings, which you can stuff with the likes of Play-Doh and bubbles. However, adult stockings are doable. Why? We adults are pragmatic and enjoy the feeling of getting not only things we want, but things we need.
Cheap Stocking Stuffers for Wanderlusters
Durable luggage tag $6.79| Portable backup device charger $16.99 | Passport cover $4.69
Febreze To Go $5.95 | Moleskine pocket notebook $8.82 | Universal travel adapter $7.99
Quirky earbud wrappers $4.99 each | Purell key chain $2.33 | Travel movie on DVD $5.00
Water resistant, drawstring storage bags $6.16 per set | Burt's Bees lip balm $2.49 each
I did not quite hit my mom's ambitious $20 budget, but I also think it's better than a pile of toiletries from Walgreens, and coming in at $66.51, it sure beats the $668 list that doesn't even fit in your stocking.
What are your best stocking stuffer ideas for travelers?
30 comments
Those earbud wrappers look amazing! I love this list of stocking stuffers: inexpensive and useful!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, the gift ideas I have seen floating around lately break the bank just looking at them! Glad to see you back!!
ReplyDeleteHey welcome back! Love the moleskin idea. I always love a good moleskin notebook but I love it even more when someone else buys it for me :)
ReplyDeleteYAY you're back! The travel adapters are an awesome stocking stuffer. I would have loved all of these in my stocking when I was traveling.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. I'm with you on the overpriced stocking stuffer ideas. Almost all of them are way to expensive and would constitute a gift all by itself. Thanks for bringing it back to practical and affordable gifts, because you know us travelers don't have over $600 to spend on stuffers!
ReplyDeleteI think I need some of those earbud wrappers! Mine are constantly tangled.
ReplyDeleteI was so happy to get this delivered to my inbox this morning! Such great suggestions :) and I'm so glad you're back to blogging!!! xo
ReplyDeleteI have one and am seriously obsessed. It is so easy to use as you can leave it on your headphones all the time and it makes all the difference when throwing the ear buds in your purse.
ReplyDeleteI HIGHLY recommend some, especially for so cheap. It's an essential if you always have ear buds with you.
ReplyDeleteI know, I always thought I got pretty spoiled on Christmas but then I see those lists and can't even believe those are considered considerable stocking stuffers!
ReplyDeleteThey are an essential if you listen to music on the go. I love mine!
ReplyDeleteYep, they are certainly pricey for notebooks, making them hard to buy for yourself, and therefore the perfect gift! I love making notes in mine about my favorite restaurants and cafes while traveling so I don't forget them later on.
ReplyDeleteYeah and I picked an expensive travel adapter, but you can get them on Amazon for only $2 making them an extra great stuffer!
ReplyDeleteYeah no kidding, $600 for stocking stuffers or a flight to somewhere special. Hmmm... tough decision ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell, we will see, I have two exams coming up in December :-| but slowly learning to manage my time better :)
ReplyDeleteI'll take everything in all the colors, please!
ReplyDeleteYou can do it (both with your blog and exams!) Looking forward to the next update :)
ReplyDeletei prefer your stocking stuffers for sure. You are busy! but i admit I do miss your blog!!
ReplyDeleteHere I was thinking my Feedly had not carried over with my latest computer update - phew! My boyfriend and I do wacky stocking stuffers, but I may actually try and get him useful things for our house this time around - fun list!
ReplyDeleteHow can I be planning March menus and still not thought about stocking stuffers Clearly we know what excites me the most ! I think scratch off tickets may be the answer this year .
ReplyDeleteI'm not the most creative person when it comes to stuffing stockings but I did just sent my friends in Qatar a pretty clever Christmas themed care package. Spruce scented candles, candy canes, 3D cards, miniature crackers, egg nog mix, letters from friends. The whole thing cost about $30! (Shipping was another issue, but still… WAYYY less than six or seven hundred bucks!
ReplyDeleteI like stocking stuffers to be 70% things I totally don't need and 30% "I need this thing". I'm much to practical to ever buy myself things I don't need so I do appreciate that about Christmas to just have a bunch of fun little things :)
ReplyDeleteI love stockings so much! I miss having one, but I make one for Luke each year!
ReplyDeleteFebreeze to go is a must! :)
ReplyDeleteTide pens! My parents left a couple of them after their visit this year, and they are such a lifesaver (especially for those of us that can't eat like adults some days). Great list though... my stocking was definitely never big enough for half of the "stocking stuffer" things that people advertise. Chocolate, new socks, and an orange... that was about it.
ReplyDeleteAnd what is it about reading blogs on transport? I'm with you... I read them all the time on my phone, but am absolute crap when it comes to commenting or posting that way. Just does not work. School and life are good excuses though. Hope you're enjoying Munich so far!
Oooh Tide to Go is a great idea!! Thanks for hsaring that one.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying everything, just a total 180 in busy factor from my previous lax life in Karlsruhe! Wishing you a Frohe Weihnachten!
I just ordered some vintage knitted stockings on Etsy, hope they're here in time :-)
ReplyDeleteWell done for supporting etsy! I hope it gets there too x
ReplyDeleteYes! This post is so refreshing - I love the mix of practical and fun (and budget-friendly) gifts.
ReplyDeleteThey made it and are simply adorable! Etsy is such a great community.
ReplyDelete