Finding just the right stocking stuffers can be a fun holiday treasure hunt. Small items that fit in what amounts to a giant sock are always a mystery when you unwrap them. Mixed in with chocolate, oranges, and perhaps money could be thumb drives, portable keyboards, luggage tags, paper, and little things that go “bing!”. What will you find in your stocking this year? Perhaps one of these items.
Desktop Quotes
$11.95 or less
If you’re like me, you are inspired or motivated by just the right turn of phrase, quotation, or passage. Something to spur you to action, bring you peace, or just cheer you up. Desktop Quotes are a perfect gift for anyone who is helped out by words. There are several to choose from, so pick a collection that speaks to you. The Mid-Century Modern set is my favorite. Each set comes with 14 positive and motivational cards and a beechwood stand that won’t take up much room on your desk. Swap out the cards when you need a change.
Black Light Science Fun
$17.00
Everyone loves looking at themselves under the black lights found on theme park attractions and this kit will teach your young scientist how it all works!
The Beatles No. 1 Singles Notecard Set
$21.99
Money can’t buy me love, but it CAN buy these rad notecards shaped like Beatles’ hit singles. This boxed set of 27 round cards represents each of the Fab Four’s chart-topping U.S. and U.K. singles. The envelopes double as little album sleeves! The vintage artwork makes these really special. The Beatles fan on your list will flip. (If your special someone is more into art than music, we love Galison’s Cooper Hewitt Design Patterns Notecards too.)
ZAGG Pocket Keyboard
$66.26
The ZAGG Pocket Keyboard is a total standout in my book. At 8.8″ x 2.2″ x 0.6″ when folded up, this keyboard fits in a purse, breast pocket, and even some pants pockets. When unfolded, it includes a must-have staging shelf, and is less than 2″ smaller than my desktop keyboard. This translates into a keyboard experience that beats the pants off of my iPhone’s screen keyboard. Bluetooth enabled, this keyboard turns off when closed, so it won’t drain your batteries if you have to throw it in your bag in a hurry. It makes a great gift for any smartphone or small tablet user, and is durable enough for any level of use. Best of all? It just plain works.
Compose Yourself
$19.99 retail; $14.99 on Amazon
ThinkFun’s musical learning product, Compose Yourself, has music maker cards created by maestro, composer, and cellist Philip Sheppard, who created the product to “enable a child to feel (with goosebumps) that a bar of music can have the potential of a Lego block.” The 60 transparent note cards can be entered into Compose Yourself site, making it easy for budding composers of all ages to manipulate, change and perfect a song. Finished sheet music can also be printed out, so composers can even play their own original music.
Fawnsberg Clothbound Journal
$12.99 or less
For writers and introverts, a new blank journal is always an appropriate gift. Galison makes many different styles, but my favorites are the Fawnsberg and the Mid-Century Modern. Ready to receive all of your thoughts, plans, struggles, and sorrows, these journals all have beautiful covers, contrasting and interesting front and back papers, and 160 quality lined pages. The journal themes will help inspire your words.
Wacom Gen. 3 Bamboo Stylus Duo
$29.95
The Duo is a slim pen and stylus combination. The precise tip of the stylus side is matched by a smooth writing experience at the other end. The transition feels intuitive, and works exactly how you’d expect it to. It also features a satin finish–soft, but comfortable to hold. The Bamboo Duo is a great tool that lives up to the standards that Wacom has displayed for years. It makes a great gift for those on the go, and is a great choice for any stocking.
Fawnsberg Sticky Notes
$10.99
If there’s a teacher or planner junkie on your gift list, this beautiful collection of floral-decorated sticky notes is sure to please. The set comes with eight pads in three different sizes: one large, three square, and four pads of page flags. The complete set, packaged in a pretty folded sleeve, makes an elegant gift–or you could divvy up the individual sticky pads for stocking stuffers (and maybe keep one for yourself).
ThinkGeek Annoy-a-tron Prankster Pack
$14.99
Cubicle warfare anyone? Be warned, these have been tested in an office environment and they can be a little loud. All is fair in love and war though.
Mudpuppy Bag Tags
$9.99 or less
You don’t have to be traveling to need to put identification on a bag. Many schools require it for kids’ bags or lunchboxes, and it’s just useful during a time when everyone’s laptop bag may resemble yours. Whether you’re a kid or kid-at-heart, these Mudpuppy Bag Tags will add fun to your bags or luggage. Made of felt with a metal buckle and clear window showing the identification, these Bag Tags come in robot, butterfly, airplane, cupcake, owl, taxi, Madeline, The Yellow Submarine, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and more. For ages 3+.
