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

Hip2Save may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you via trusted partners and affiliate links in this post. Prices and availability are accurate as of time posted. Read our full disclosure policy here.

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. Avasmommy08

    are you wearing your new earrings from novica?? 🙂

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Why of course! 😉

  2. Ilyssa

    Vistaprint is offering 6 products for free. You can personalize them to make great stocking stuffers! We made a mug, tee and tote bag for my daughter. The calendar will go to my mom and the business cards are for my business. Just pay shipping to get all of these stocking stuffers for under $8!

  3. Olivia Douglass

    Thanks for great ideas! My parent’s church gave out stockings to the members that were willing to fill and give to children in DC that are underprivileged… I told Mom that I would fill 2. Most of the stuff I put in there was items that I got as free samples, free with coupons, or just had in my stockpile! It was awesome to be able to use some products that I had on hand to help someone else out!!

  4. Sheri

    Thanks for the new video and “Merry Christmas” to you, your family and your blogging helpers, too!

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Merry Christmas! 🙂

  5. shannon

    Collin Nice variety of freebies to fill that stocking and it really is amazing you did that for under $5! I just got that little Honda pin too and think it is sooo cute. Thanks for fitting a video in for us during your busy holiday season!

  6. shannon

    Oh and I feel so bad for your stocking not making it home with you 🙁

  7. K.

    I feel for you on losing your Christmas items. I went through a divorce about 6 years ago and my children and I had to flee with very few of our belongings to escape the abusive situation. Some of what was left behind were our Christmas things. Every year as I’m putting up our “new” tree, I cry over it, but remind myself that we still have each other and that is what truly matters.

    • Emilytwinmom

      I’m so sorry to hear that, I had a friend go through a very similar situation – she has finally started smiling during the holidays, and has decided to start new traditions with her kids 🙂 I hope you can find your smile too!

  8. nicole

    Thanks so much for the ideas Collin. Happy Holidays everyone.

  9. tracy

    its a great idea to use the freebies,but most of my freebies arnt christmasy,or for young children,so i wouldnt do it,and most freebies will come so uch later than when i fill out the form,so you never know when you will get it,i got those bags from kelloggs,the one with the monsters inc characters,and filled them for my niece and nephew with chrismasy stuff from home depot,you know those 5,10,$15 off amounts,i got a bunch of stuff really cheap,then the dolly parton book club,i have a couple of those,christmas is coming up fast,i should try to fill more lol

    • tracy

      AND ALSO HAS ANYONE GOTTEN THOSE STICKERS YET?THE ONES POSTED BACK,IT WAS SOMETHING ABOUT TOY MACHINE,I HAVNT GOTTEN THEM YET!!

      • Jennifer

        Lol I was wondering the same yesterday, bet they’re just a lil back logged with requests.

      • Ashley

        Haven’t gotten mine yet. DD asks about them everytime she sees the mail truck, lol! I think they’re coming from China and were supposed to ship out 1-2 weeks after ordering.

        • Tabatha

          i got mine in the mail today..very cute freebie

      • Alea

        I actually got an email tonight that they were shipped out today 🙂

  10. Emily

    Thanks for another awesome video collin! I love love watching them 🙂 you make everything seem so much fun!

  11. Marissa

    love your videos 🙂 thanks!

  12. Jennifer

    The 99cent store and dollar tree are great places for lil stocking stuffers 🙂

  13. Lauren

    Hey Collin, my mom makes and sells handmade stockings in her Etsy shop, CreauresAndComforts! It’s just up and running again but since you miss yours so much I thought you might want to check it out.

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Thank you! I definitely will! 🙂

  14. Jennifer

    Thank you 🙂

  15. Autumn

    Always keep your eye out when Target’s dollar spot goes to 70% off. I’ve found 5pks of playdoh, flash cards, and other little items to throw in stockings.

    • Jodi

      Me too! I’ve also lucked into a 75% sale in the dollar section at Michael’s.

    • MommySpendsLess

      Yup, me too, plus Target’s after holiday clearance. Some Christmas and Valentine’s day items are good for Easter Baskets too. CVS occasionally has good clearance deals. I got velvet Disney princess/fairy velvet mini-posters with markers for $0.25 – I think they’re going in my daughter’s stocking this year.

  16. kadi

    Slightly off topic, I have to come up with several handfuls of small items that can fit into a toilet paper roll (for those christmas crackers) for my kid’s class – need to have it by next Thursday. Any clever ideas?

    • ann

      The dollar store has cute packs of small Christmas themed erasers.

    • Emilytwinmom

      Target dollar spot had christmasy small fat pens, erasers, and socks – could you stuff those in a toilet paper roll? Maybe a candy or two?

    • JoAnn

      check out the party section, where the goodie bag stuff is–jelly bracelets, small bubbles, bounce balls. hth

  17. Kim

    Keep an eye on drug stores clearance too. CVS often has up to 90 percent off.

  18. Jennifer

    If u need kid friendly goodies go to the clearance section of toysrus.com and sort from least expensive, u can get some awesome stuff for very little 🙂

  19. Ashley

    Super random question- where did you get your chair? Did you pick the fabric? I love the pattern!

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      IKEA – love that store! 🙂

      • Ashley

        Thanks!

  20. dana

    This year I cashed in some coke rewards for free individual drinks.Also, while your out shopping, go through a drive-thru and order yourself the kids meal.You’ll get skinny for eating the smaller portion and you’ll score a small toy just perfect for a stocking. I also bought a Starbucks card early in the year and would add small increments throughout the year( some were the e-card deals we got periodically). Didn’t break the bank and one of my boys will be getting an on-going supply of caramel frapps in 2013!!! The last idea would probably fall in the “gift” category .

    • dana

      Sorry– didn’t mean to write a book! And if you suggested any of my ideas on your video –sorry! Couldn’t watch it b/c I used up my download quota today watching to see if I won anything!!!

  21. Michelle C

    Collin, you are so cheerful that you made my smile in spite of the fact that I am not feeling well today. I love your videos 🙂

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Awe… you are so sweet! Your comment made me smile. 🙂 I hope you feel better soon.

  22. Kristen

    Aww..I just luv these videos! They make me happy lol

  23. Kristin

    You’re adorable. Thanks for the great tips all day every day!

  24. ang

    I buy clearance candy after Halloween. The big bags of chocolate! The main bag has halloween decor on it, but the individual pieces are just generic. They make great stocking stuffers.

    • Emilytwinmom

      I always grab the halloween bag of little playdohs once they go on clearance too, they are great for stockings, and they have no halloween anything on them! LOL!

  25. Rin

    Thanks Collin! Love your videos and tips! : )

  26. Caitlin

    I am still waiting for my Burts Bees order… I can’t find anywhere on their website to check the status of my order.

    • Anna M

      fyi some of my items were canceled. Not happy about it. I had to search my email to, weird how it didnt just come up

  27. Christine Knecht

    After our move last year , I spent almost 3 months looking for the blessing gowns for all 4 kids. They each had their own and 2 of them were handmade. It made my stomach hurt so bad and I cried! About 6 months later I opened a box I THOUGHT was supposed to be jackets (we were unorganized too) and VOILA!! There they were. I cannot tell you how happy I was. And now I am wishing this same blessing to you, even if they don’t show up til July, I hope they will turn up in the box you labeled “GARAGE” somewhere 🙂

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      I hope so too… 🙂

  28. Kayla C

    Collin whenever I get a gift card for free I use it to get free items to put away as stuffers. This past week I got 8 of the free Disney Store $5 promotion code when you entered 2 codes (made different accounts). I was able to score EIGHT free medium plush princess dolls, completely free, no shipping! these will really stuff my girls’ stockings and they will love them! Thanks for all your helpful tips!!!

  29. Bob

    Thank you for your video! CVS also has freebies on their facebook page throughout the year and another idea is to use promotional gift cards in stockings. Such as the Target $5 gift cards that you can get for purchasing certain products or the $10 Barnes and Noble sent in the mail. 🙂

  30. Donna

    Collin- I LOVE the stockings you have pictured on the fireplace above your video-do you know where they are from? Thanks for the stocking tips!

    • melanie

      I have the same one’s (well almost, mine have Santa and Reindeer) but I’m sure they are from Pottery Barn. Love your Video Collin – I have an idea for your next one – Home decorating. I have watched your ‘new house video’ one on youtube a few times this week. I’m an so not creative, but wow, I can’t believe all the ideas you have for your kids rooms. Please please do a video on home decor’ ideas – I know it has nothing to do with couponing, but I’m sure you could tie it together somehow.

      • Donna

        Thanks for your help Melanie! I found them on Pottery Barn Kids-so cute!

        • melanie

          Also Donna, if you live near a DownEast Home store, they have them there for around $4 – but they have names already printed on them, so you’d have to unpick them and put your own names on them, unless your lucky enough to find one with your name (kids name). My store had hundreds of them last week.

    • cara

      pottery barn kids 😉

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Yep… Pottery Barn Kids. They have such cute stockings. 🙂

  31. are318

    Awesome video Collin…Glad u got the Beauty.com order, mine was cancel 🙁

  32. Carrie Likes

    For a knit stocking, they have super cute ones on personalcreations.com
    I ordered them for my whole family. Not sure if they are what you are looking for but they are good quality!

  33. Martha

    Love the stockings in the first picture. Where can I get them?

    • cara

      pottery barn kids 😉

    • Donna

      Thanks to melanie, I found them on Pottery Barn Kids on sale for $16.99 with free shipping. Alot of them are sold out but they do still have a few cute ones!

  34. Diana

    I love watching your videos because I’m pretty sure we’d be friends in “real life”! Thanks for all you do!

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      🙂

  35. nicole

    Love the ideas ladies. collin i just ordered the cosmo mag for my 13 year old daughter. hope it gets here in time for christmas If not i will put it in there before winter break is over.Thanks

  36. Krista G

    Thanks Collin. Your borrowed stocking is so cute too. You really can’t miss by giving people items they’d normally need. You mentioned facebook and have to admit, I have a deals/couponing page. I used my first and middle name, for a couple of reasons. 1) it helps me remember what on earth I’ve been up to when things arrive or get calls, 2) only friends who want to hear about thriftyness are on my page. That way I can keep things seperate and not annoy family and friends who don’t give a hoot about saving money (lucky them or maybe poor them). And….Thanks for making your site fun, love it.

  37. Ana

    Collin, check Hellosheila on Etsy, Shes a good friend who makes a bunch of cute stockings and bags from fun fabrics.

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Will do. Thanks for sharing her Etsy site.

  38. Teri

    Collin, I love you vids. It feels like I am talking to a friend. I really love your ideas. I am just now printing a coupon for $10 value of Canyon Creek dog food. I was stressed thinking I can’t spend anything on my dogs this year. You gave me a whole new perspective…Thanks again for all you do for us. Merry Christmas. And I hope a little elf finds a way to put a new stocking under your tree this year.

  39. alice

    🙂

  40. Amanda

    Hey Collin, Im so sorry about your stockings! I was on Plum District today and they had a free 20% off Red Envelope voucher, and Red Envelope has just the knit stretchy stockings you’re looking for! They have 4 colors of super cute 1s on sale all have different words on them, love, peace, joy and family. They also haveperson 1s, they arent cheap but with something like this you will use year after year, I just paid a little more than I usually would for a set on etsy, though Im disappointed because they’re burlap and lace and I hadnt thought of room for stretch and they have no give to them- they are beautiful though! Hope this helps!

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      Oh I love this stocking…

  41. shannon

    Oh no..i just copy and pasted the url. i’m not sure how that huge pic got there? So sorry.

  42. Ashley

    I’ve done this with my husband’s stocking stuffers the past few years. I can’t believe how much I used to spend! Cologne samples, free razors, shave gels, free head and shoulders samples…and he loves it all. Last year I did a whole stocking for my mom just from samples, and she loved it as well. She said she used the samples all year. It goes to show all those samples, freebies etc add up to a lot!!

  43. Stephanie

    Thanks so much for the new video. You must have read my mind, because I was just thinking yesterday that it had been TOO LONG since your last one! I know that they must be labor-intensive to coordinate, however, so it’s just a treat when you do make one.

  44. Em

    So, I just wanted to share this idea because I think I’m freaking brilliant for it (I kid…sort of): World Market has awesome hot sauces! I went and bought a bunch of different ones for my husband’s stocking, because he loves all things spicy. They had loads of mini ones in their mini food section. They had little cheese blocks, maple syrups, nutella, etc as well, but he’s a weirdo and doesn’t like that stuff. It was all pretty much 1.99 a piece, which isn’t to bad.

    They all had mini bottles of wine and champagne for 9.99ish a bottle.

  45. Laine

    I would like to see a video for Kmart shopping.

  46. Alycia E.

    I put a orange or apple in the bottom. I dont know why we had this tradition when I was a kid. Then I usually have 2 to 3 toys that fit. Like the free kreon thingy. Then I fill it with all the low cost candy Ive been stocking up on all month.

    • shannon

      That is exactly what we do. I grew up with apples, oranges, nuts, and then like one piece of candy and some chapstick or something lol. My kid is getting a slightly less healthy version of this though 😉

  47. nonebetter

    Love the freebie deals you post from 1saleaday (I think that the name k
    Of the site) the drinking straw glasses and the pearl earrings are going in my daughters stocking

  48. Kris

    Collin,

    We have hand knit stockings that a woman in the small community that I grew up in has made for us. She charges $35 each and we add stockings each year as we add family. If you are interested I can send you a few photos of them 🙂

    • Erin

      Speaking of Bumble and Bumble, check your orders if you haven’t received them. My order is backordered, and the freebies were cancelled. 🙁

      • Alea

        You should have received a follow-up email from them – they promise they will honor the Black Friday and Cyber Mondays with the freebies.

        • Erin

          I didn’t get any emails from them.

          • Erin

            Not even a confirmation, and I searched my email and spam.

    • Erin

      Sorry! Didn’t mean to reply to your post.

    • Collin (Mrs. Hip)

      I’d love to see a photo! Thank you! 🙂

  49. Alea

    Great video!! I just wanted to say that I absolutely LOVE the free Baltic Amber candle too – it smells sooooooo amazing 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

It's not your Grandma's coupon site!

Sign up for a Hip2Save account (it's free) to access all of the awesome features!

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account? Register

Forgot Password

Don't have an account? Register

Become a Hip2Save Insider

Don't Miss Out! Join our large community of insiders - it's totally free! Once you join, you'll be able to save & share your favorite deals, rate posts and recipes and add items to your HipList and Cookbook! What are ya waiting for?!



Already have an account? Login

Thank you for rating!

Would you also like to leave us a comment?