Stuffing the Stockings

Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without those “stockings hung by the chimney with care.” Well... assuming, of course, that those stockings are filled with goodies by Christmas morning. But if you happen to forget to stop by the corner store and pick up the requisite candy and Christmas nicknacks, don't worry. I've developed a short list of common household products that can be used to stuff the stockings of even the most demanding of children.

• Children love anything sugary, even leftover tubes of frosting, sprinkles/jimmies, or any other cake decoration.
  
  
• Stickers, postage stamps, bumper stickers, or anything else that can be stuck to a child's bedroom door make great stocking stuffers.
  
  
• The attic is a stocking stuffer heaven. Just riffle through a few of the duster boxes to find old Polaroid cameras, hand-me-down toys, and pet mice.
  
  
• The telephone book, dictionary, or volume J-K of the encyclopedia make useful gifts that can fill up an entire stocking.
  
  
• Who doesn't like money? Why not fill the stockings with spare change you find under your seat cushions, in the laundry, or at the bottom of your desk drawers? Just be certain the children don't start to play mob boss by swinging their stockings around at each other.
  
  
• Colorful rubber bands make great hair ties or bracelets for girls, or simple slingshots for boys.
  
  
• Kids love things that fizz, so why not give them some Alka-Seltzer, or a bottle of Diet Pepsi and some Mentos?
  
  
• We all have our secret candy stash, so if all else fails – dip into your candy bank and share something with the kiddies.

So if you procrastinated on that stocking stuffer shopping, don't worry. A quick midnight stroll through the house, and you should be able to find enough stuff to fill out those traditional Christmas socks.

Well, I'm off until after New Year's, so allow me to now say - Merry Christmas everyone!