For many families, stockings on Christmas morning are as much a part of the holiday tradition as gifts and a Christmas tree. Children dream of getting up and seeing those stockings bulging with toys and sweets. However, I usually forget about stockings until I end up running out to a store during the final days before Christmas to search madly for the overpriced junk that I end up buying. Be sure to include some of these items on your gift list and finish off your stocking stuffers early this year.

• An orange – traditionally occupies the toe
• Treats – candy canes or Andes mints
• Nuts – bag of shelled walnuts or pecans
• Toys – small and unwrapped
• Socks – colorful and rolled up
• Personal ornament – unique to the owner of the stocking (e.g. soccer ornament for a budding soccer player)
• Coins – even children love shiny coins
• Personal care items – chapstick, fancy toothbrush, hair accessories
• Stickers/Tattoos
• Tea bags or hot cocoa mix

What items do you remember finding in your stocking as a child? What are your favorite items to include in a stocking now?