Monday, December 23, 2024

The 19 best stocking stuffers for everyone on your Christmas shopping list — all under $20

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Kids aren’t the only ones who hang their stocking by the chimney with care each year. Who doesn’t love to wake up on Christmas morning to find their stocking stuffed with goodies? Chocolates and candy canes, are the natural go-to stocking stuffers, but there’s a world of fun and unexpected tchotchkes just waiting to get stuffed into a sock. I’ve rounded up a list of the best stocking stuffers that put the “fun” in functional, all under $20.

This list includes a bunch of out-of-the-box ideas for kids and adults alike. I’m talking a soothing, skin-repairing hand mask for just $4, adorable straw covers for your teen’s Stanley cup and a bag of cotton candy disguised as reindeer farts (yep, you read that right). From tech problem-solvers and budget-friendly beauty faves to card games for the whole family, these ideas are proof that the best things often come in the smallest packages.

Broken down by price for easier shopping, keep scrolling to find a few stocking stuffer ideas for everyone on your list — men, women, teens, kids, you name it. And while you’re in the shopping spirit, check out our main Christmas gift guide, along with curated lists for the men and women in your life.

Quick Overview

Shop the best stocking stuffers by category:

Best stocking stuffers under $5

Amazon

Don’t let dry, scaly skin take away from her merry mani this holiday season. These shea butter-infused masks work their skin-saving magic in just 10 minutes. Just slip ’em on, rub in any visible products once the time is up and reveal smoother, softer hands. 

$4 at Amazon

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Amazon

A little swipe of color goes a long way. This bestselling multi-tasker works as an eyeshadow, blush and lipstick — all for a fraction of the price of popular brands like Ilia and Jones Road. Editor Janelle Randazza wrote a love letter of sorts about this makeup MVP, raving that they’re “dewy without being slick or sticky.” Pick from seven gorgeous colors, from a shimmery peach to a bolder berry.

$5 at Amazon

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Best stocking stuffers under $10

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Amazon

A car vacuum is great for the floor mats and seats, but this slime-like gel can tackle all of the nooks and crannies. Press it into air vents, cupholders and other hard-to-clean spots, then pull it away slowly to remove dust and debris.

$6 at Amazon

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Amazon

Give kids a good laugh with this toot-tastic treat, which smells— and tastes? — like cherries. Cue the fart jokes (sorry, parents).

$10 at Amazon

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Amazon

Hot take: Our Senior Beauty Editor Jennifer Romolini suggests you skip the buzzy Laneige lip mask and pick up this potent, moisturizing balm instead. She’s not the only one who stands by this fragrance-free favorite — thousands of Amazon reviewers say it effectively treats dry, cracked lips, with one writing that “it’s incredibly hydrating without being greasy” and the “effects last for hours without needing constant reapplication.” 

$10 at Amazon

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Amazon

No flames or fuel here. Charge this long-necked lighter with the included USB cord and use it up to 800 (!) times before it needs a power boost.

$6 at Amazon

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Amazon

Slip these editor-approved eye masks into her stocking to encourage some overdue TLC. Dubbed an “energy drink for your eyes,” these glittery gels target all the usual suspects: puffy eyes, dark circles, fine lines and dryness.

$10 at Amazon

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Amazon

Pint-size spies can write special messages for their eyes only — or the eyes of the ones they trust (ahem, you). The ink is totally invisible unless they shine it with the blacklight from the pen’s cap.

$8 at Amazon

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Amazon

Everyone in your life should have an AirTag (or five) by now. On the off chance that they don’t, pick up a four-pack and divvy them up between stockings. Then stick the trackers in these sleek holders, which they can slip into any card slot in their wallet. “It was super easy to pop the AirTag in and it fits securely,” one smart shopper wrote, adding that they also keep one in their passport holder when they travel. 

$10 at Amazon

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Amazon

Hair products aren’t cheap. This little doodad ensures that shampoo and other treatments are evenly distributed, ultimately giving her better bang for her buck. Plus, as one five-star fan wrote, “it makes it feel like you are getting your hair professionally washed at the salon.”

$6 at Amazon

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Amazon

Maybe there’s a “big dumb cup” waiting for her underneath the tree. Or maybe she already has a collection of ’em. Either way, she’ll love dressing up her tumbler(s) with these silly (yet stylish) straw covers. 

$7 at Amazon

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Walmart

Paid for by Walmart

UNO is having a bit of a resurgence right now, so why don’t you kick things up a notch with this new-and-improved version? “It is chaotic, fast-paced, and can easily turn casual players into cutthroat revenge-seeking enemies,” one customer raved. That’s because the rules are stricter and the actions are way more brutal (like Skip Everyone and Wild Draw 10).

$10 at Walmart

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Amazon

Talk about a tea-riffic stocking stuffer: Place any loose-leaf variety in the base of this flower, then watch the flavors blossom as it steeps in hot water. “It stands well, defuses well, and washes well,” one tea lover gushed, adding it’s a “cheerful addition to my tea cup.”

$9 at Amazon

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Amazon

A whopping 90,000 Amazon shoppers picked up this sensory squish in the last month. The reason: “It is satisfying to hold and squish without being too squishy. There is a slight firmness to it,” one happy shopper wrote, plus it “doesn’t have the sticky gross feeling that comparable products can have.” It’s all about how you squeeze it — go slowly for a softer feel or pick up the speed to increase its firmness.

$5 at Walmart

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Best stocking stuffers under $20

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Amazon

You know what’s always “in”? Taking care of your tech. Use this double-sided tool to clean laptops, smartphones and tablets — the retractable brush sweeps away crumbs and dust, while the microfiber pad gets rid of smudges and fingerprints.

$15 at Amazon

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Amazon

This silicone stick-on is every influencer’s (not-so) secret to quality videos and selfies. Snag one for your budding social media star — or better yet, for anyone who simply wants to watch videos, read recipes or follow directions on their phone hands-free. “It sticks on most surfaces, as long as it’s flat and smooth,” one five-star fan wrote. “Doesn’t leave any suction cup marks or anything.”

$15 at Amazon

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Amazon

If they’re the practical type, reusable food wraps are a no-brainer. They’ll get three sizes in this pack —a small one for half a lemon, onion or avocado; a medium wrap for sandwiches and snacks; and a larger one to cover bowls or pie dishes. “Eliminates the need for dozens of rolls of plastic wrap, so saves money and the environment at the same time,” one eco-minded reviewer wrote.

$17 at Amazon

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Nordstrom Rack

There’s more than meets than eye to this retro-inspired speaker. It looks like a mini version of Crosley’s popular turntable, but it has all the modern-day tech to play up to eight hours of music via Bluetooth. 

$18 at Nordstrom Rack

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Amazon

He’s spent a near fortune on his clubs, and now he’ll be able to properly care for ’em. He can clip this brush onto his belt or bag, so he can quickly remove dirt and grass before his next play. Mix a little soap and water in the squeeze bottle for a deeper clean. 

$12 at Amazon

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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

Your go-to shopping guide: See all of our gift guides in one spot. We’ve got gift ideas for all the different people in your life — men, women, kids, you name it.

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