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Some of the best holiday gifts are small and delightful. Anyone can pick out a big-ticket appliance or fancy candle, but there’s a real art to finding a stocking stuffer that’s affordable, thoughtful, and won’t end up in the junk pile, all while being compact enough to fit into a stocking. To help you find the perfect little presents for everyone in your life, we’ve combed through our archive for items in the center of the inexpensive, small, and very fun Venn diagram recommended by Strategist staffers and other experts we’ve spoken with. All are available on Amazon — if you’re open to buying stocking stuffers from a few different retailers, may I recommend our guide to teeny-tiny gifts? — and for more gift ideas for different kinds of people in your life, find all of our curated picks here.
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 chocolate maximalist
Whether they’re a kid or a kid at heart, they’ll be thrilled to receive a container full of chocolate rocks — they’re half-toy, half-candy.
For the parent with a trade-secret popcorn seasoning blend
Strategist food and dining writer Emma Wartzman gave this high-quality cheddar-cheese powder to a friend last year “and received so many exclamation points in their text response that I knew it would become a regular in my gifting rotation,” she says.
For the co-worker who takes a 4 p.m. coffee break
These Italian candies contain approximately one-third of a shot of espresso encased in a chocolate shell. They’re “light, crunchy, rich, and not too sweet,” writes Strategist contributor Caroline Weaver. “It’s the perfect portable caffeine and sugar kick.”
For the friend who overuses the phrase “umami bomb”
This single-origin Turkish sun-dried-tomato powder will amp up all of their savory cooking experiments.
For the Japanese-candy collector
These matcha-flavored biscuit cookies are a classic — they’re one of Christine Chiu’s favorite things — or you could get a bunch of different flavors and gift them a stocking full of Pocky.
For the friend who always hosts
Gift them these festive Korean dish sponges (there are also some amazing ones on Etsy) before begging them to let you do the dishes just this once.
For the garnish god
Icelandic smoked salt that could top an open-face sandwich or line the rim of a cocktail.
Beauty and self-care
For the friend who wears full glam to the grocery store
For the sister looking for a fresh start in 2025
If she’s had a tough year or just wants to cleanse her energy, she’ll love these smudge sticks.
For the skincare tween
Byoma has blown up this year with teens and tweens, reports Strategist beauty writer Rachael Griffiths.
For the theater kid
If they’re bringing Macbeth energy to arguments over who gets the last pudding cup, they’ll make good use of this shortcut to fake tears. It’s recommended by actress Annie Hamilton: “Crying not only felt good, but it sure looked good,” she writes.
For the cousin who loves an onsen
This beautiful, aromatic Japanese incense is easy to fit in a stocking, and the faintly sandalwood-scented wooden box it comes in can also be repurposed for next year’s gifts.
For the mom who’s allergic to fragrance
An olive-oil-and-mineral-salt soap with just three ingredients, perfect for those with sensitive skin who still want the fancy soap experience.
For the mom who doesn’t buy anything unscented
These elegant French incense papers give off a beautiful, sweet rose scent as they burn.
For the friend who FaceTimes in a face mask
The cutest pimple patches ever created come highly recommended by two expert dermatologists we spoke with as well as our beauty writer, Rio.
For the sibling who’s on her fourth core of the year
An oversize hair bow that could skew dark academia, coquette, or whimsigoth, plus whatever aesthetic movement is coming next.
For the budding MUA
If they love putting together avant-garde makeup looks, they’ll find plenty of use for a high-pigment blue or pink mascara.
For the Lip Smackers collector
Any flavored-lip-balm enthusiast (or cheap bodega tea drinker) will love this Arizona-flavored three-pack.
Electronics and gadgets
For the couple with different bedtimes
A soothing amber book light to ease negotiations over when to turn out the lights.
For the selfie artist
An aesthetic photo requires an equally aesthetic phone case.
For the sibling who’s gone all in on cottagecore
Because there’s nothing cozier or more delightful than a glowy mushroom night-light.
For the vacation photographer
If they’ve always got the best pics when you travel together, they’ll love messing around with this retro disposable camera that can shoot underwater.
For the brother who carries everything he owns in his pockets
He’ll optimize his daily carry even further with this lighter holder that doubles as a multi-tool.
Stationery and art supplies
For the friend who has their best ideas in the shower
These are John Wilson’s favorite waterproof notebooks, perfect for jotting down notes in inclement conditions.
For the sibling who defends Marie Antoinette as a cinematic masterpiece
Gift them the pen Sofia Coppola uses to mark up the script for Priscilla.
For the obsessive note-taker
Sticky page markers in muted jewel tones will make their stacks of books look less chaotic.
For the kid who’s filled up five sketchbooks this year
These double-sided colored pencils, recommended by designer Nikki Chasin for their sturdiness, will give them 24 colors to work with for the price of 12.
[Editor’s note: Only the set of 6 will arrive before Christmas.]
For the fiber artist
Remembering what row you’re on or how many stitches you’ve knit can be hard. This small handheld counter makes it easier.
For the best gift-wrapper in the family
According to Caroline Weaver, founder of the Locavore Guide and a former stationery-store owner, MT makes the best washi tape. “It is significantly stickier than any other washi tape. They have so many solid colors that are really lovely, and the finish is really flat too,” she says.
Toys and games
For the kid who’s still tweaking their own slime recipe
Give yourself a break from Elmer’s glue and Borax spills with this tin of slime from kid-favorite brand Crazy Aaron’s.
For the kid who insists on carrying bugs outside instead of killing them
This magnifier, recommended by comedian Kate Berlant, lets them inspect their little insect buddies before flicking them out the window.
For the sibling who goes way too hard when you play Settlers of Catan
Yes, it’s another social-strategy game, but at least the rounds are about 15 minutes long, so you can bow out when they get too obnoxious.
For the kid with village of miniatures
These cute penguins from cult-favorite toy company Calico Critters come with a tiny car and removable driving glasses.
For the design-minded games nerd
For the kid who dressed up as an animal for Halloween
Cute and highly detailed finger puppets from the brand Folkmanis are among our favorite gifts for 2-year-olds — they’re a great way to learn about new animals.
For the carpenter-in-training
An adorable pair of kid-size leather work gloves, so they can “help” with gardening and home DIY projects.
Gifts for pets
For the nervous cat
The soothing toy has a touch-activated purring mechanism.
For the food-motivated dog
Although freeze-dried beef liver may not sound appetizing to you or me, we’re not dogs, and dogs love it.
For the chaotic cat
For the dog who’s a shedding machine
This soft-bristle rubber brush gently removes loose fur and undercoat during shedding season.
For the dog who likes getting dressed up
If you’re going to paint your dog’s nails, do it with these nontoxic, quick-drying, low-odor pens.
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, pillows for side sleepers, ultraflattering pants, 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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