New Video: How To Stuff Your Christmas Stockings on the Cheap

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I am finally back with another video! I have been so busy behind the scenes posting deals like crazy so I have not had much time for anything else including videos. Yes, I know… excuses, excuses! 😀 I am pretty darn sure that one of my upcoming New Year’s Resolutions will be to film more videos in 2013!

OK, so on to today’s video! This video details how you can go about stuffing a stocking this Christmas for under $5 (or even for FREE!). Check out my video below for my ideas and tips… and then be sure to come back to share your tips as well.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn1s1dparcc]
* If you can’t see the video, go here to watch it.

HIP Tips to Stuff a Christmas Stocking for Cheap or even Free:

* Stock up on stocking stuffers throughout the year when there are free shipping and % off promotions. One of my favorite sites is Oriental Trading Company; and as I mentioned earlier, you can snag FREE shipping with any purchase (valid thru today, 12/6 only!) which means you can snag a dozen of these Nose Nuggets Gum Bags for just $4.99 shipped (regularly $16!). Check out this post for some other fun ideas.

* Take advantage of all the great freebies and samples posted on Hip2Save.com. To easily view the freebie posts, click on the Freebies Category. As I mentioned in the video, my daughter, Piper, created some adorable free stickers last month (unfortunately, these free stickers are not available at this time 🙁 ).

* Make sure to browse through all of the great online bargains. For example, Bumble & Bumble offered up 8 FREE Travel-Size and Deluxe Samples and FREE Shipping w/ any order on Cyber Monday so I paid just $6 for quite a few Bumble & Bumble products shipped right to my door. You can find all the current online bargains by clicking on the Online Bargains Category.

* Request FREE Magazine Subscriptions (and even consider addressing kid-friendly magazines to your kiddos as they will likely feel extra special when they get their own mail). Some current free magazine subscriptions can be found below…
3 FREE Issues of Cosmopolitan Magazine
FREE Subscription to LEGO Club Magazine
FREE 2 Year Subscription to Rolling Stone Magazine

If you have other suggestions regarding how to stuff your stocking for free or on the cheap, please share them with all of us in the comments below. Thanks!

Join The Discussion

Comments 126

  1. Betsy

    I love your videos – I miss the days of weekly videos! I hope you find your Christmas boxes – maybe the buyers of your old house could keep an eye out for them?

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Yay! Thank you! 🙂

  2. Joy

    Luv & miss your videos! Really liked the Coffee with Collin ones! MISS THEM! Do more if u can! Luv a variety – diff stores, the stocking one, like the home decorations idea one too! U could break it down by rooms – kitchen one time, den the next, bathroom, etc. over a period of time. A Happy box or basket one is always nice but mixed up a little instead of the traditional basket (i.e., in a lunch box).

  3. Jennifer

    I wanted to put something inexpensive & useful in my kids’ stockings this year, so I got them new crayons and markers- perfect for keeping them busy during cold winter months. Next year I will plan ahead & buy extra during the back to school sales.

    • MommySpendsLess

      I NEVER buy anything Dora the Explorer related so my daughter’s getting a Dora toothbrush, toothpaste and underwear in her stocking (among other things). I imagine with the rarity of that character in the house, those ordinary items will seem fun. Plus I think it will convince her that it’s from Santa since she knows Mommy doesn’t like Dora.

  4. Sandy

    So sorry to hear your treasured stocking is missing. I will do the St. Anthony prayer for you. Let me know when you find it!

    • Sandy

      When I was a kid my parents would place an apple, an orange, a candy cane and a popcorn ball in our stocking. I’ve heard of favorite comic books, sudoku/crossword puzzle books, jump ropes, battery operated razors, and perfume sample.

  5. Kimberly Harris

    Your video made me reflect of my childhood memories of Christmas(1970). I’m a bit older than you but can remember my uncle sending me a store bought stocking which was made of a red netting type material ( like a potato sack) with a folded, stapled cardboard across the top. It came with some small toys and packaged candy. Grandest thing I had ever seen. We reused that stocking for many years to follow. Thanks Collin for all you do sure do appreciate you girl.

  6. Dana Rose

    I can’t thank-you enough for all of your hard work posting deals. You have saved me tons Collin!

  7. onepoormomma

    Some of our stocking traditions around here have always been practical, but somehow more fun when it comes in a stocking:?) I wrap them with all the leftover bits of paper that don’t work for anything else:?) There is nearly always a new toothbrush, floss, nail clippers, lip balm…along with some of the fun stuff. Unwrapping all those little items is just part of the fun!

  8. margaret

    I was going to mention Cost Plus World Market is where I got my knit stocking but I see someone else mentioned it already.

  9. Jill

    Hi Collin, Your videos always brighten my day. Thanks for doing what you do, and keep the videos coming:)

  10. Suzanne H

    Cheap ways to fill stockings:
    I always buy during the after Xmas sale one year for the next. I also buy post Halloween clearance candy, etc. for Xmas so long as it doesn’t say Halloween. This year my 4 yo is fascinated by vampires so I bought him a vampire Pez dispenser 90% off for his stocking. He won’t care that it doesn’t “fit” the holiday! I use loads of free samples in my stockings and of course, cheap toiletries. People get razors, toothbrushes, dental picks, etc. But the best way to save is to buy all year long. This goes for stockings and gifts of course!

  11. Denise Dirnberger

    I like to reqeust the freebie Coffee Samples and K Cups all year. I recently gathered them all together and made baskets for neighbors and co-workers. Super cute, easy, fun and frual!

  12. Kendra

    Where are the stockings from in your picture?….love them

  13. Suzanne H

    Colin, I want to thank you for all of your hard work to get the word out on the best deals! I am able to give so much more b/c of this site. For years I have filled “Fox Socks” – they are stockings for local children in need. I started with 1-2 each year but, as I have been reading this site and saving more and more, I have increased my participation. This year I was able to fill 6 socks! Thank you.

  14. Hope

    collin, would you mind posting the link for the free stickers? they look totally cute!!

  15. Tiph

    I love that dinosaur stocking. My daughter would adore it. Where did you get it?

  16. Jodi

    Target’s dollar spot and craft stores like Michael’s and AC Moore have great $1 items!

    • kate

      Always check to see if Michael’s or Target have clearance items in their dollar spot. This is a great way to get 50% to 75% off items. I have found wooden cars, Tinkerbell puzzles, etc. I collect these in a shoe box in my closet or have a large Ziploc bag with each kids name on them and fill it throughout the year. When the bag is full, I know I have enough for their stockings.

  17. kate

    Here is my stocking idea list, if you have any good ideas please add on to the comment. I need some new thoughts.
    New Toothbrush
    Lip Balm
    Hair Accessories for Girls
    New Comb(s) for Boys
    DVD (sale item)
    Candy (take the multiple larger bags divide them up into a cello bag with ribbon)
    Gum
    Deck of Cards
    Magic Tricks OR Gags (Whoppee Cushion from $1 Store)
    New Book (Scholastic Warehouse Sale Item)
    Small toys such as Matchbox cars, Puzzles, Legos
    Art Supplies – Crayons, colored pencils, markers, small craft kits, etc.
    Fun socks
    Mittens or gloves
    Can of Nuts (for older kids)
    Toiletries such as Axe for older boys
    Make up for older girls
    Flashlight
    Batteries (Rebate at Staples)
    Fun items throughout the years: Give everyone a clown nose, Pirate eye patches, Stick on mustaches, then take a photo of everyone with them.

    If you want to spend a little more check out your local museum gift stores. They often have cool items. This year, my son is getting some minerals for his rock collection. We have a musuem membership and these were 15% off with it. One year I found Heinz pickle whistles.

    • Anne

      Love the photo-op idea with the clown noses, pirate eye patches etc. Same goes for knit hats & ear muffs & Mardi Gras beads

      Here’s my additions:
      Any age:
      –Fun book (50 cents-$1 at garage sales, barely used, but loved by our teacher family members)
      –New ornament (usually buy Dec. 26th @ World Market)
      –Hand sanitizer (It’s that time of year)
      –favorite odd candy from bulk section @ Winco
      –Re-usable grocery bag (Trader Joe’s makes pretty cool ones, college towns have their respective college logo bags)
      –Several “Fun-size” of favorite candy (after Halloween)
      –Coffee/hot cocoa mug (25 cents @ garage sales) with sample coffee, tea, or cocoa
      –Any of the company advertising trinkets (Pharmacy Reps, advertizers, fun-run prizes)–it could be notepads, pens, chapstick, mugs, “stress-relief” balls, etc.
      –Odd luggage tags
      –Carabeener
      –Knit hat

      Guys:
      –Freebie flashlight or tools from Harbor Freight Tools
      –Make lead weights for fishing (father-in-law has a contraption to do this & husband collects lead tire weights from the road when he’s jogging!)
      –Home-made jam (we are blessed to live in berry country)
      –Whisp travel/disposable toothbrushes
      –Deer whistle for the car ($2.50) (Yeah, we live in the outdoors)

      Adult gals:
      –Hawaii calendar from Hilo Hattie (usually about $1-2)
      –new hot pad, pot holders &/or kitchen towels
      –Earrings (10,000 Villages has great dangily ones)
      –Bath & Body Works travel size

  18. Cathy

    I would like to see a video about shopping the after Christmas sales for “normal” stuff with holiday designs. For example, I know that holiday themed cereal will be heavily marked down starting about 1/3, along with holiday themed ziploc bags, holiday paper towels, etc. Sometimes I’ll receive a drugstore gift card for Christmas and use it to stock up on this stuff using coupons. Plus there is the reminder to buy ornaments, cards, gift wrap, etc for next year after Christmas.

  19. Michele M

    I don’t know if anyone mentioned this, but a flash drive or memory card makes a good stocking stuffer.

  20. Leah Grady

    Thanks Collin for your videos you have posted! I really enjoy getting to see them! Every time I watch the freebies video I always want to go get freebies! Thank you!

  21. BamaVicki

    Hi Collin!!!!! I know I’m waay late on commenting on a video for CHRISTMAS, Lol but it is true, I have Not been able to get on your site for at least that long! Can you say, ‘Withdrawals?!’ Oh, it has been terrible!It has just been crazy I am telling you. But, I am so happy and excited to see your wonderful blog and face! I have been wondering how everyone and everything is! I can’t wait to take advantage again of freebies, coupons and so on. Thanks for continuing to be awesome! P.S. Your kiddos have really grown! 😉

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      So glad you’re back!! 😀

  22. C

    Stock up on free stuff throughout the year and hold it back for stocking stuffing! YAY!

  23. Bucilla Felt kits

    I am loving the ideas. When I was a kid I used to love all the great stocking items I would get in my bucilla stockings. I have passed that onto my children now. I stuff their stockings with vast amounts of stuff, so much that I have to buy two stockings per kid! Thank you for the amazing write up.

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