Repeat after me: if we’re getting a stocking together for a loved one, it will be filled with gifts they’ll actually use. We’re skipping the cheap baubles and bags that will only get an unfulfilling half-laugh and then end up in the trash. We’re giving our friends and families little treasures they’ll be happy to have — and we’re not spending more than $20 on them.
To up your stocking game without making your bank account cry, we rounded up some of our favorite affordable, yet high-quality stocking stuffers, all under $20. You’ll find small tech, comfy cozies and universal body products that will be loved by both your favorite sibling and your cousin’s new fiancé who you don’t really know but are hosting for the first time.
We hope to save you time and money preparing for the holidays this year, and if you grab some of these small treats for yourself, well that’s fine too.
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Adult Lego lovers can make and remake their own unique drinkware with this cool and actually functional building blocks mug. Available in nine base colors, the piece comes with toy bricks that you can build onto the sides and handle. (You can also utilize whatever Legos you already own.)
The mug is BPA-free and can hold both cold and hot beverages, though it should not be put into the dishwasher!
Promising review: “I bought this from my husband and he loved it for his birthday. The sizes grade. The quality of it looks amazing. It’s worth the money and it’s super fun for anybody who loves to build.” — Jasmine Sada
Lip balm is a pretty standard stocking stuffer. An easy upgrade from a $3 drugstore option is anything from my new favorite brand, Poppy & Pout. As a non-makeup wearer I’m big on lip balms and have tried them all.
This brand offers a thicker stick that feels good in your hand and is easy to put on. The balm itself smells amazing and has a bit of good taste that’s not at all sugary or fake or chemically. The balm goes smooth on the lips, lasts long and isn’t at all sticky or goopy or shiny. Find it in a bunch of great flavors but I really love the lemon.
Note: If you buy a group of these for gifts then you’ll get 10% off three, 20% off five and 30% off 10. These deals auto-apply at checkout.
Fuzzy socks are another stocking essential. How cute is this pair featuring ever-green foliage and little cars and RVs carrying trees and gifts home. Your loved one will love to wear them during a movie marathon.
Mini-phone chargers are universal, useful and you can always have more than one. This option is not much bigger than a lipstick tube and comes in a bunch of cute colors like this lovely lavender.
We can’t promise they’ll still look cute once donned, but these hydrating face masks will definitely provide a laugh while helping your loved one attend to their skin care regimen. They’re available in several animal assortment packs, though I’m particularly intrigued by this one — how often do you find giraffe and horse sheet masks?!
You can gift them as a set or split them up for multiple stockings.
Another affordable tech option that you can never too have many of, this set of wireless earbuds is waterproof, have a super long battery life (up to 32 hours) and come in an array of cute colors. They’re lightweight in the ears and reviewers say are comfortable for long wear. Perfect universal stocking stuffer.
Note: Clip the on-page coupon for select colors to score an extra 10% off at checkout.
Promising review: “TOZO is the goat! I’ve been buying these for years and they’re so cost effective I don’t feel bad buying multiples so I can have some at work and some at home. I wear them in the shower, exercising, and pretty much all day at work! Great customer service too!” — JOF
They’re going to want to sleep their way into the new year after finding one of these luxurious cases from Suatien in their stocking. Outside of just being incredibly soft, a silk pillowcase can help promote healthier hair and skin. This option is available in 45 colors.
Why gift one tool when you can give 17 tools in one? This baby includes long-nose and standard pliers, a wire cutter, three screwdrivers, a bottle opener, can opener, fish scaler and bunch of other great stuff. It folds into itself making it easy to carry and makes a great addition to any tool kit or tackle box.
Founded by a third-generation coffee farmer from Kenya, Kahawa 1893 is a Black women-owned company offering smooth, full-bodied coffee in gorgeous colorful packaging. It’s a great gift to give any coffee lover and will look so cute in any coffee cart.
Bring the coffee shop to your kitchen with this easy-to-use hand frother. Step up even the most basic homemade coffee, mix your matcha and make the smoothest hot cocoa out there. It comes with two batteries in a variety of great hues.
Universal grooming products make for great stocking stuffers as well, especially something like the incredibly wearable, unisex deodorant from Native. The packing is streamlined and chic, the scents are interesting without being overpowering and it’s a long-lasting aluminum-free deodorant you’ll feel good about giving.
These sweet little kitties have an important job to do: helping guests remember which glass belongs to them. This set is a fun idea for cat-lovers and wine-lovers.
Whether you get the whole family a set of matching pajamas or just want to treat someone to a pair of comfy pants, this microfiber fleece option feels like a festive plaid that doesn’t scream “Christmas!” so you can wear them all winter. Find them in women’s sizes XS-4XL and men’s sizes S-5XLT.
Salty and sweet, this pack of dark chocolate-covered sea salt caramels is the perfect candy to give from St. Nick. It comes in a resealable bag, so they can’t savor their snack without it going stale.
This is one bag almost anyone who travels even a little bit would appreciate! It unzips and unfolds into a laundry bag that can hold dirty clothes and keep them separate from clean ones when someone is traveling. When not in-use, just fold the travel laundry bag pouch back up into itself, zip it and clip it onto your bag.
It’s the holiday season, why use boring plain old ice cubes? Gift this silicone snowflake ice cube tray so they’re guaranteed to have a white Christmas and a perfectly chilled beverage.
Friendship bracelets are more in than ever, and this sweet set gives you eight Christmas-ready options in a bunch of festive colors that will please kids and adult alike. Stack ’em all, wear them one at a time or split them up among your favorite reindeer.
This could be as much a gift for you as it is for them if you share a bed with someone who stays up late reading every night. The clip-on lamp can hold your place and illuminate the page thanks to the adjustable neck.