Finding quality stocking fillers can be tricky when you're on a budget, but never fear, we've got ideas! We've brought together a selection of small and cheap (yet kind of spectacular) gifts, all for £5 or under which we think make the perfect treats from Santa Claus to your own little elves.
Whether you're shopping for stocking stuffers for toddlers, children or adults, we have found cute tokens of Christmas love ranging from cosmetics to stationery via chocolate, sweets, games and novelty gifts. John Lewis, Tesco, Boots, ASDA, Argos and Amazon are among the sites we've used to select each item, so you needn't even brave the shops!
Quick List - Top Stocking Fillers Under £5
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When it comes to stocking fillers, the possibilities are endless, and if you've got more than one child the receipts can quickly add up. We recommend choosing one small item from a few key categories and stopping as soon as each box is ticked so your don't overspend. Here's our guide to choosing small, beautiful stocking stuffers.
If you're making up stockings for quite a few people, the price doesn't take long to add up. All the gifts on our list cost £5 or less, so with six cute items, you can cap your spend per stocking at thirty quid.
To be more frugal still, check out the items we have found for £3 and under, wrap up two or three, and fill out the stocking with cheap or free extras like Quality Streets, pebbles or pine cones and the pièce de résistance; an orange! (Tip: satsumas cost even less).
To save the stress of scrolling endlessly through pages of possible gifts, try our trusted technique of picking one small present from each of the following categories. This approach works for stocking recipients of any age and gender, saving you time, money and Christmas shopping agony!
If there's no sugar involved, is it really Christmas? A sweet treat is a staple for every stocking, as it's simple, affordable, gender-neutral and loved by almost everyone.
Unless your stocking is for someone who is decidedly anti-sugar, make sure you pop in some jelly beans, wrapped sweets, or something chocolatey to get the ball rolling.
Next on your stocking checklist should be stationery. We love scented pens or highlighters because they're a bit more fun than ordinary versions, but a beautiful notebook or set of art or coloured pencils also work well.
If you know the person receiving the stocking has exams coming up or has just started a new course of study, get them some stationery to fit the topic area. Whether they're a stationery addict or not, everyone will be pleased to find a gift they can actually use on Christmas morning, and hopefully, one that's pleasing on the eye too.
Third into the stocking could go some sort of cosmetic item. Regardless of age, taste, or gender, most people will be pleased to find a pleasant-smelling product wrapped for them by old Saint Nick, even if it's something simple.
From bath bombs to lip balm, scrubs to essential oils, the choice is yours, but there are some really delightful examples costing under £5 as you'll see on our list.
An additional idea that can be used as a stocking filler for recipients of any age is a game or toy, as they're another item with universal appeal to the young and old alike. We think a classic card game is ideal since it will be small enough to stuff into a stocking but still provide hours of fun to be shared among siblings, cousins and other festive waifs and strays.
Another wonderful thing about games in particular is that they create great memories and can be developed into proper family traditions. They get everyone laughing and are a wonderful way to busy everyone while the Christmas feast is cooking or during the post-Turkey lull.
The final addition to each Christmas stocking could be something a little unique, that shows Santa knows more than just the names of everyone on his list. We suggest a beautiful Christmas tree decoration that could be added to an eclectic collection, or a money box with a personal twist to suit the receiver.
Here at mybest we just love the idea of a two-in-one treat, so the Christmas tree ornament could be shaped like their favourite animal, and the money tin could be painted with their name, for example. Check out what we've come up with on our top ten list for a little bit more inspiration!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Terry's Chocolate Orange | ![]() | Classic Confectionery for the Bottom of Every Stocking | |
2 | Mattel Uno Card Game With Wild Cards | ![]() | Classic Family Card Game Fun | |
3 | Barry M Lip Scrub | ![]() | Smoothing Sugar Lip Scrub in a Range of Fruity Flavours | |
4 | Tinc Sweetie Scented Highlighter Pens|Set of 4 | ![]() | A Scrummy-Scented Highlighter Pen Set | |
5 | Tisserand Sleep Better Essential Oils Roller Ball | ![]() | Soothing Aromatherapy Roller Ball for Sound Sleep | |
6 | LEGO LEGO Movie Individual Minifigure | ![]() | A Legendary LEGO Minifigure for Film Fans | |
7 | Jelly Belly Harry Potter Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans | ![]() | Wizard-Worthy Sweet Treats | |
8 | Argos Adventure Funds Money Box | ![]() | Cute Money Box for Big Dreamers | |
9 | Gift Republic Takeaway Dice | ![]() | Handy Takeaway Decision Maker for the Libra in Your Life |
Back in the day, Father Christmas would leave an orange at the bottom of every stocking, which is actually a lovely tradition worth keeping up, we think! But if you want to make everything that little bit more indulgent this yuletide, you could swap the classic fruit for its chocolate alternative.
Great for sharing or saving as an evening treat to nibble with a well-loved family film by the Christmas tree, Terry's Chocolate Orange is a delicious mini gift to pop into any stocking and it's a snip at only one pound! Consider the dark chocolate alternative for more discerning snackers or buying in bulk if you have several stockings to stuff.
No stocking is complete without a card game that will have every last stroppy sibling tense with excitement and howling with laughter. UNO is a quick-reaction game that everyone can pick up easily, though it's officially aimed at ages 7 and over. Why not while away a wintry afternoon together?
This top-quality card set uses sturdy, silky material which feels great to the touch and will withstand hours of the rowdiest snatching, swapping and slamming. The bold colours and clear print make this simple game appealing to the eye, and for just £5, you get literally years of family joy!
This gift comes in at £4.99 and is an actually useful product that will leave the recipient with ultra-soft lips; an ideal present for the frosty winter months in particular. Choose from mango, watermelon, apple and peppermint flavours, depending on your loved one's personality and preferences.
Barry M is a gorgeous brand as all the makeup and cosmetics are cruelty-free. We enjoy this scrub in particular because it tastes so delicious on your smackers (and is harmless if swallowed!). A match for any good boys or girls who like to keep themselves preened and pampered for the festive season.
We love a gift with a twist, and these highlighters are more than just stationery – they actually smell like sweets and will make schoolwork or diary writing so much more fun! The pens and lids are also shaped like real old-fashioned wrapped sweets, which we think gives a retro twist.
In bold shades of purple, blue, pink and green, this highlighter set could be gifted as a whole, but if you've got a whole clan to cater for, why not pop just one into each stocking? The fact they are useful with an unexpected sensory twist makes them a cute little token on their own. This works out at around 87 pence per pen. Absolute bargain!
Essential oils are a lovely gift but in stocking filler terms, pure blends can be costly. Instead, opt for this handy rollerball which has a mixture of lavender, jasmine and sandalwood oils to relax the recipient at bedtime, all for around a fiver – though the price varies depending on where you shop.
Tisserand products are excellent quality and all crafted by aromatherapy experts here in the United Kingdom, and the scent mixtures are carefully chosen with super-soothing results. This will be perfect for popping into pockets, purses or pencil cases and suits stockings aimed at any age group!
If you and your family love the LEGO movies as much as we do, then one of these little characters will make a sweet and inexpensive addition to any stocking. Choose one of these bold little characters and for less than a fiver they can sit beside the recipient at their desk or join future LEGO builds!
One online reviewer said they used these LEGO figures instead as table favours at Christmas in the place of crackers, which is a novel idea. They could even be made into Christmas tree ornaments, cake toppers or jewellery! The list really does go on. They're not suitable for children under 5, however.
We dare you to eat them all! These iconic sweets are still loved by kids more than 20 years after Harry Potter was published, and the excitement of guessing which gorgeous (or god-awful) flavour of bean you've picked provides endless laughs. Suitable for Potter fans of any age!
If a box of beans isn't enough, John Lewis do a set for £8 which also includes the famous chocolate frog Ron receives on his first Christmas at Hogwarts – a perfect pair for dividing between two stockings, we say. Just make sure sweets are saved for after the Christmas roast or hyperactivity will ensue. Also, these won't be so good if the recipient hasn't read the books, sadly.
For exactly five pounds you can buy the dreamer in your life this gorgeous teepee-shaped savings tin, decorated with leaves, birds, toadstools and trees. The recipient can put away any spare cash and get excited about their next adventure, whether it's a world tour or a staycation.
Perfectly acceptable as a gift for kids, teens and adults alike, this 20 cm tall MDF money bank allows you to give your loved one the gift of excitement and encourages them to save their pennies for something special. The only downside is that it could be tricky to cram into a stocking!
Always umm-ing and ahh-ing over what to have for dinner? This bright, cheeky dice will help even the most indecisive person settle on an answer in seconds. With sides suggesting burgers, Asian food, chicken, tacos, curry and pizza, you'll never argue over takeaway food again.
If takeaways aren't your thing, eBay lets you choose from 9 other dice including movie themes, body parts to massage, excuses and sex positions, though you may need a die to help you choose! The takeaway version is suitable for adults, teens and kids, and comes in at just over £4. It's costly for such a small item, but this is a novelty idea that's actually useful too.
No. 1: Terry's|Chocolate Orange
No. 2: Mattel|Uno Card Game With Wild Cards
No. 3: Barry M|Lip Scrub
No. 4: Tinc|Sweetie Scented Highlighter Pens|Set of 4
No. 5: Tisserand|Sleep Better Essential Oils Roller Ball
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