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Stocking stuffers can be a tricky prompt — they should be thoughtful, useful, and just a little cheeky, plus small enough to fit in a holiday-themed novelty sock. They’re also supposed to be cheap, but you don’t want them to feel cheap. So I did the hard work for you, combing through our archives and asking the Strategist staff for their expert recommendations to round up 49 of the best stocking stuffers under $25, including lots of staff favorites that we’ve tested and loved ourselves. Below you’ll find delightful goodies for all sorts of giftees, from picky sisters to pet parents, but if you need even more assistance in picking out your official under-the-tree presents, we have gift guides for everyone from your hard-to-shop-for husband to teen nephews to your mother-in-law.
Note: I’ve done a final check on this story to ensure everything here is in stock and will arrive by Christmas, but now that we’re squarely in last-minute territory, shipping deadlines will change quickly, so don’t delay.
Update on December 21, 2024: Replaced products that won’t arrive in time for Christmas with items that will; updated prices on all products.
Food and drink
For the kid who loves a surprise
If they love forbidden snack memes, they’ll love these rock-shaped chocolates.
For the dad who craves an umami bomb
He won’t be able to get enough of this sizzly sauce that blends salty ocean-grown kelp, mouth-tingling chiles de arbol, and satisfying fried onion and garlic.
For the friend who’s an amateur mixologist
Soaked in a sweet, rich syrup, these Amarena cherries are an excellent cocktail garnish.
For the culinary-curious tween
With these crafty cooking kits, they can create mini meals like ramen, sushi, or a burger out of candy. “I get a distinct mad-scientist delight when dispensing tiny droplets into a liquid and watching them turn into candy gummy roe,” says Strategist contributor Yvonne Lin.
For the unabashed chocoholic
These Guylian chocolate truffles come in delightful seashell and seahorse shapes.
For the cookie monster
The best surprise is that the tin is filled with actual cookies and not sewing supplies.
For the co-worker whose bakes would earn a Paul Hollywood handshake
For the baker who loves both A Christmas Story and The Great British Bake Off, these vintage leg-lamp-shaped cutters will be a big hit.
Self-care and beauty
For the cousin who’s perpetually flaky
This rose-scented balm “stays on you for a long time. Once you put it on, you’re done, it lasts,” says Winnie Harlow, who uses it on her cuticles and keeps one in her purse at all times.
For the die-hard Swiftie
Swift sported these sparkly freckle stickers from Fazit during one of her recent Chiefs game-day appearances. (Pro tip: get the gold, as that’s the color Swift wore.)
For the mom who’s fully committed to her “mom bun”
These clips have a flat side and a domed top and are meant to be worn sideways, making them comfier than hair ties and regular claw clips, says fellow “mom bun” wearer and Strategist writer Lauren Ro. They’re a nice upgrade from a scrunchie, too.
For the friend who’s always immaculately manicured
These cute press-on nails come in plenty of fun patterns, so they can mix up their manicure in minutes.
For the father-in-law who nurses dry hands all winter
Help him heal cracked knuckles with this cream that can soften the toughest, most calloused hands.
For the college student pulling all-nighters
Topical’s caffeine-infused eye masks help reduce puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines around the under-eye area.
For the tween who loves color
“Some eye shadow is fun for dressing up and hanging out with your friends,” said Ada in our tween gift guide.
For the friend who’s not afraid to go bold
NYX’s Fat Oil comes in 14 colorful shades, ranging from bright watermelon pinks to burnt peachy tones. “Because of the extra vibrance in the NYX shades, I also found that the tint tends to stay on your lips for longer, so you don’t need to constantly reapply,” says Strategist beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton.
For the super-stylish sister-in-law
Help her save on her dry-cleaning bill with Soak’s ecofriendly, plant-derived detergent. It comes in six elegant scents from fig to yuzu, and there’s a fragrance-free option, too.
For the friend trying every blush trend on TikTok
Our top-rated cream blush hits all the right notes: a sensitive-skin-friendly formula, an impactful color payoff, and a versatile shade range, from light peach (Rush Hour) to a rich berry hue (After Hours).
Gadgets and gizmos
For the sibling with a penchant for overpacking
With three USB-C ports and two USB-A ports, this Epicka travel adapter has the ability to connect as many as six devices to power from a single outlet, helping them save room for the 5,000 other things they’re bringing along.
For the gadget dad who’s also a neat freak
The straight-bristled brush scrubs gunk in tight crevices, while the loop brush sweeps away crumbs caught in his keyboard.
For the co-worker who can’t sit still
Speks’ line of adult-friendly fidget toys are stress-relieving and nice-looking enough for an office desk. These crunchy, tactile magnetic stones are mashable, moldable, and stackable.
For the friend who can’t abide loose threads
These compact scissors are TSA-friendly and come in handy for nearly everything, whether you’re cutting off price tags, opening packages, wrapping gifts, or removing event wristbands.
[Editor’s note: Only the lime and charcoal colors will arrive before Christmas.]
For the posh aunt with a cashmere obsession
A cashmere comb helps to remove pilling, balling, and fuzz without damaging the delicate fabric.
For the brother planning to backpack through Yosemite
When he gets to week three and needs to do laundry, he’ll appreciate this lightweight travel clothesline from Sea to Summit that doesn’t require any clothespins.
For the sister-in-law training for a half-marathon
Made from sweat-wicking polyester, Buffs’ all-purpose “headwear” is useful for staying warm in the winter and dry in the summer during long endurance runs.
For the husband who works up a sweat while standing still
It doesn’t matter if it’s the dead of winter: He’ll love being able to cool down with a personal, portable hand-held fan when the radiators are running full-tilt.
For the sister who’s always itching
A great gift for those “mosquito buffet” types, these bracelets are infused with citronella and lemongrass to keep pesky bugs away.
For the friend who’s a bread head
A whimsical pair of tongs that takes the pain out of extracting hot slices of toast from the toaster.
Hobbies, arts, and crafts
For the friend who hosts game night
Just make sure your friend group is strong enough to withstand the chaos that comes with this highly addictive card game.
For the father-in-law relaxing with The Power Broker before bed
Since the hue of this book light is warm and amber-y rather than a cooler blueish-white, bedtime bookworms can wind down without feeling like they’re staring at a screen or disturbing a sleeping partner.
For the sister who can’t leave home without her amethysts
This tarot deck features vibrant illustrations of familiar archetypes like the Queen of Swords, updated with a modern sensibility — great for the 21st-century witch-in-training.
For the brother who likes to tinker
Handy people can always use an extra pocketknife. This one by French company Opinel comes recommended by fourth-generation butcher Cara Nicoletti — she’s owned hers for over nine years and says it’s “the cutest knife I own.”
[Editor’s note: The No. 7 style is the only one that will arrive before Christmas.]
For the grandpa who’s always gardening
These nitrile gloves come recommended by Marc Hachadourian, the New York Botanical Garden’s director of glasshouse horticulture. They’re “thick enough to protect me” but thin enough that he can still feel the difference between a weed and a real plant, he explains.
For the grandma who does the crossword in pen
Simon & Schuster’s Mega crossword books are bound to keep a recent retiree busy — I’ve been working my way through one for over a year now and I’m still not even halfway through.
For the great-aunt who always sends a (handwritten) birthday card
Assuming she already has a stash of fountain pens, gift her this shimmery teal ink. Strategist contributor Iva Dixit says it makes her grocery lists resemble the Magna Carta.
For the high-schooler with an elaborate bullet journal
“You haven’t tried a glitter pen until you’ve tried these,” declares Strategist contributor Caroline Weaver. The gel ink and the super-fine glitter are two different colors, making your handwriting “look dimensional and shiny yet still surprisingly legible.”
Kids
For the kid who loves visiting the zoo
Gund’s classic collection of cuddly stuffed animals are especially soft and huggable.
[Editor’s note: We recommend choosing Nordstrom’s expedited shipping to be safe.]
For the tween who vibes with Frog and Toad
A color-changing mushroom nightlight that will transform their bedroom into a cottagecore wonderland.
For the preschooler who’s an avid puzzler
Containing just 48 pieces and beloved by multiple Strategist parents, Mudpuppy’s colorful mini puzzles take up a fraction of the space that bigger puzzles do.
For the kid learning how to ride a bike
This easy-to-install bike bell is equipped with a twinkling LED rainbow to help light their way home.
For the toddler who scribbles on every wall
These delightful rock-shaped crayons are easier and more ergonomic for smaller hands to hold.
[Editor’s note: The box with 8 colors is the only option that will definitely arrive before Christmas.]
For the first-grader who gets bored easily
Lego’s versatile three-in-one sets let them create different builds using the same bricks. With this one, they can make a roller skate, a skateboard, or a boom-box radio.
For the baby cousin who’s a musical prodigy
This fun storybook plays snippets of Mozart when you press a certain icon. “My kids like pressing the buttons more than the story itself, honestly, but I like that they learn about classical music. The illustrations are pretty, too, meaning the books make very nice gifts,” says Ro.
For the niece with an eye for style
Klutz’s paper fashion studio kit provides tons of stencils, stickers, and patterned stationery, so she can create all the mini-outfits of her dreams.
For the elementary-schooler trying to save up
A fun twist on a traditional piggy bank, this interactive one features a kitten that pokes its head out and steals the coin. It’s one of Diptyque director Myriam Badault’s favorite gifts for kids.
For the budding entomologist
This insect magnifier, recommended by Kate Berlant, lets them get a closer look at any spiders, centipedes, or other creepy crawlies they might encounter.
Pets
For the cat with a nervous disposition
This cuddly sloth toy has a touch-activated purring mechanism that helps to soothe anxious or easily stressed cats.
For the dog who loves the groomers
These water-based, nontoxic polish pens come in multiple colors and dry in under a minute to give their paws a little extra pizzazz.
For the friend whose cat appreciates the finer things in life
The banana is the perfect shape for cats to play with, says Nora Wood, adoption-event coordinator for Anjellicle Cats.
For the friend who spends hours walking their dog
Wild One’s poop bags are biodegradable and extra thick, and they come with a stylish dispenser that conveniently fastens to a leash or key chain.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, bed sheets, coffee makers, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
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