Hanging stockings is something we enjoy every year for the holiday season. On Catherine’s second Christmas, I pulled out stockings I purchased long before Merle and I had children and monogrammed the names for both girls on them. Christina was so excited when she saw the stockings that she accidentally pulled down all the decorations from the mantle. Let’s just say we had to make a few repairs and recouped the decorations.

I am especially enthusiastic as Catherine is now actively initiating so much about the holiday season and it’s so much fun to see the excitement through her eyes. This year I am asking both girls to select one small gift for each other for their stockings, sort of a small gift exchange not cannot exceed $10.00.

In the meantime, I wanted to share a few ideas you may want to add to your stocking stuffer gift list for this year.

1. Small Card Game
UNO, Old Maid, Crazy 8 or Go Fish – These are family favorites I remember playing as a child and is fun to pass on.

2. Christmas Ornament
This commemorative event for the holiday season is so much fun. The ornaments I purchase each year often represents and activity, interest or milestone for each child. It’s a way to build a story on our tree.

3. Thank You Notes
The art of writing a personal note is lost to email and text messages but is something I hope to keep alive. I always love to receive a hand written response as it shows just a little extra care. It is also fun to personalize them with names or initials.

4. Sudoku Puzzle or Word Find
I love playing Sudoku and is a game Christina and I will work on together from time to time. Word Find has been an excellent for Catherine to build her vocabulary.

5. Portable Charger
You are never too prepared and this is an inexpensive electronic to keep around for emergencies. There are so many fun shapes and colors.

6. Money!
This never fails. (I would cap it at $10.00)

7. Movie Tickets
Every Christmas there are so many fun, warm, family movies and this is a great invitation for an outing. Every Christmas break Merle seizes some Daddy-daughter time and takes the girls out for a movie.

8. Gift Cards to a favorite store.
Catherine loves headbands, bracelets and necklaces and Claire’s is a good option for her. iTunes gift card are great and knows no age limit.

9. Small Toy
Car, dolls, yo-yo (great for fine motor skills) or bubbles.

10. Journal
One of my favorite items to receive. I have numerous journals I’ve kept over the years where I capture my thoughts, gratitude or uplifting quotes.

There are really no hard and fast rules around Stocking Stuffers. It is really what makes sense for you and your family. Just create fun memories that you can treasure for years to come.