15 December 2009

grocery store stocking stuffer ideas

i like stocking up on stocking stuffers at the grocery store for three big reasons.

01. splurging at the grocery store feels wonderfully rebellious since weekly grocery budgets are something we try to stick to throughout the year; cutting costs, cutting coupons and cutting out superfluous items we really don't need. this time of year, i get to go wild and buy random goodies like fig newtons, big league chew bubblegum, cute cupcake papers, and People magazine.

02. there are so many options when it comes to stocking stuffers. i believe they don't have to be fancy to be appreciated. i love giving something completely unpredictable and fun. it seems classic childhood items are welcome at any age. as are novelty items that one never goes out of their way to discover during the rest of the year; tiny transparent post-it notes, twistable crayons, specialty shape paperclips or perhaps a package of crazy cores skittles.

03. and obviously, shopping at your grocery store means more bang for your buck. of course, stores like wal-mart and target offer even more options; itunes gift cards, cool flashlights, matchbox cars, paperdolls, dvds, mittens, coloring books and boxes of animal cookies galore.

without further ado, here is my official list for 2009.


last year's list is still very much my go-to.


now, it's beginning to feel a lot like christmas...

• don't forget, today is the last day to buy christmas goodies at the mini mart! merci.

24 comments:

Hil said...

Love it Marta! My grandma always gives us a $2 bill for Christmas and our birthdays. I think it is the cutest little tradition... most people don't even know $2 bills exist!

kami @ nobiggie.net said...

I love these lists! Thank you Marta!

summer said...

hooray! tiny gourmet cheese and ice cream, $2 bills, and mini lint rollers! i was crossing my fingers that today would be the day 'the list' comes out. i just love seeing it. sadly, i already stuffed grant's stocking, but i tried really hard to think like you as i shopped for it.

ps. the fresh box of crayons.. oh man. i've already told grant that our future kids should each get one of the jumbo boxes under the tree someday. they will love it. it's one of the best feelings ever.

Rasmussen Family said...

can you really fit all those things in a stocking?? haha

shirley elizabeth said...

You're amazing! You've just done all my work for me!

Francine said...

Great list. I always like to stock up on the random new candy bars found at the register that you don't see everywhere, like the latest Reese's incarnations. I like their "whipped" chocolate bar, and the dark chocolate Reese's.

brooke said...

I always love your ideas--this year someone gave me the great idea to put gift cards to McDonald's in my kids' stockings. They will think it is so great to go to Micky D's and use their own gift card to get a happy meal! And I would have spent the money anyway!

Dawn said...

Lovin' it.

Micayla said...

Lists are my fave....alway gotta have one or two on the go!

Johanna said...

i adore your stocking idea lists marta! i agree, little useful but extravagant surprises are the best!

kh said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
heather said...

I love your 2009 list (and actually just used your 2008 list last week)! Thank you for sharing and inspiring some fun gifts!

Anonymous said...

Marta, I LOVE your gift ideas and expecially your stocking stuffer ideas. I loved it last year and was looking forward to it again this year. You didn't let me down. Love your ideas and can't wait to go grocery shopping now. :)
-Tara

Unknown said...

LOVE the ideas!! now if you could only tell me what to get my husband....who is NOT into sports/trucks etc. totally a music/artsy guy...and i am stumped this year...

Tiffany said...

Oh how I love these ideas! Marta, you are a gem!

Dansie Family said...

babybel, sugared cereal, toothbrushes and dried mangoes are standards in our stockings. but we also love a good bottle of fancy soda (izze or weinhearts).

Rachel said...

My mom always put hair clips, bobby pins, ponytail holders and chapstick in our stockings. So useful and still fun to get.

Crumbs and Quibbles said...

I just learned that a friend stuffs the tops of stockings with a mini box of cereal and a Satsuma and the children can then make their own breakfast thus giving mom and dad a little break on xmas morning. I love this grocery store idea!!!

Amanda said...

Love love love the lists you come up with. I actually used ideas that you made up for last year's Christmas!

Ann said...

your tips are always the best. i think stocking shopping is my new favorite part of christmas - i never did it growing up but my boyfriend and i do it now for each other. it's fun & anything goes!

Hannah said...

brilliant. thanks! i'm off to the store tomorrow to pick up some last minute things thanks to your wonderful ideas.

i know you hear it all the time, but your blog is fabulous. everything you share and say is so simple, yet so wonderful. (how do you do that??) it always makes me happy. on cry-fest days like today, i'm especially grateful for the little pick-me-ups from your writing.

christina said...

seriously, these list are love!
: )

Megan @ Chicago Girl said...

Love these ideas! My parents always gave us stuff we "needed" in the stocking (toothbrush, underwear, socks, fruit, etc). So when my aunts and uncles asked us what we got, they always thought my parents didn't get us toys. Great idea from the parents who lived through the Great Depression.

Tracy said...

This is my 2nd year using these lists. Such a fantastic idea!
Thanks ..do you mind if I join a link from my blog to yours?

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