5 stocking fillers the whole family will love

So, I had a word with Father Christmas, and I reminded him that whilst anything that might turn up in our stockings is appreciated, it would be even more appreciated if the elves could think a little bit about the finite storage capacity of our house when helping choose what they send.

For example, stuff that will a) get used b) hopefully used often and c) is appreciated by as many family members – big and small – as possible would be absolutely awesome.

Here are the top five suggestions the elves came back with:

Scalextric. (Or in fact, Micro Scalextric) 29.99, Stocking Fillers.

For big stockings, this fulfils all three criteria – and being Micro it is smaller than standard Scalextric and therefore takes up less precious house space. The cars are quite small (about 2.5 inches long) and I did wonder whether they might get lost / broken / devoured by the cat – but so far, so good. They have been whizzed off the track and under the sofa, thrown about, AND swiped by the cat – and they’re still working. As is the track, which was a little fiddly to put together (especially with a six year old excitedly pulling on my arm) but once it WAS together it stayed together well.

Scalextric is something that younger and older kids can enjoy, and even Little B (once she’d learned to keep her feet off the track) was big enough to give it a try, with a bit of help. As a grown up, it is quite enjoyable too although I am a bit trigger happy and have discovered all manner of fluff that suggests my vacuuming skills need some work, having dug the car out from under the armchair a few times now…).

Marble Run £7.99 to £39.99, also Stocking Fillers

You can get the plastic kind. Or you can get a more grown up, metal kind with a lift that works by itself. You can even get glow in the dark ones! What they all have in common is that they make something that seems like it might be a bit boring into something that actually turns out to be really interesting. A few bits of plastic and metal and a few small balls can turn into hours of fun and competitions to see who can make the most innovative/fastest/elaborate runs from all the various bits. I love our plastic set and its probably one of the most used toys that Seb ever received, when he was only around a year old. You can use the plastic one with water in the summer too!

A day out at the theatre – various prices, various places

We’ve been to see a few lovely shows at the theatre lately, and we have all enjoyed them. Finding tickets in your stocking gives something to look forward to after the whole Christmas buzz is open too – and best of all, memories take up no room in the house!

Biscuits. Or, even better, biscuit making stuff.

A packet of some ingredients to mix up, perhaps a baking tray (always handy), and some sprinkles or chocolate chips or other exciting yummy things – the kids will enjoy making them, everyone will probably enjoy eating them.

Cake is also acceptable.

Membership to the local farm/interesting place/National Trust

This has twofold benefits. Firstly, it takes up NO SPACE AT ALL.

Secondly, it stops the family taking up space in the house as well, because it encourages us to get off our bottoms, work off all the biscuits and cake we just made and ate, and enjoy spending time together exploring outdoor things.

It works equally well for indoor things. We love our membership to Discover – the Childrens’ storytelling centre – too.

 

What would you like to find in your family stocking?