This holiday season, my friends and I decided to spice things up with a friendly competition for best stocking stuffers. And trust me, there’s nothing “friendly” on my side—I’m out for blood this year. I will become the Best Stocking Stuffer.
To be fair, I’ve had plenty of training. Over the years, I’ve gotten just about every kind of stocking surprise imaginable—from the classics (ChapStick, candy canes) to the questionable (AA batteries), plus stacks of scratch-off lottery tickets I never win. (Love you, Dad, but you’ve GOT to start investing those Lottos in your less favourite kids.)
But here’s the thing: most of those gifts didn’t make it past Christmas Day.
So this year, to really earn the coveted title of Best Stocking Stuffer, I’m stepping up my game. I’m going for useful, thoughtful little things that last well beyond the holidays.
If you’re also getting a head start on your holiday prep, here are 13 stocking stuffers (sorted by budget) that are small enough to fit in a sock but smart enough to earn a spot in anyone’s daily routine.
Budget-friendly, affordable stocking stuffers
Fun-sized gifts that say “I’m broke, but I still care about you.”
Whoosh! Screen Shine Go cleaning spray with microfibre cloth
Not here to judge, but everyone’s screens are gross. This handy little spray is alcohol- and ammonia-free, so it cleans without damage. It gets rid of smudges, fingerprints, and all that mystery gunk from phones, laptops, glasses—you name it. Just spray, wipe, and Whoosh! Grime be gone.
Safety alarm keychain
A literal pocket-sized lifesaver that’s loud enough to scare off creeps, alert others in case of a fall, or summon help during emergencies. Perfect for that friend who’s always saying, “Text me when you get home,” but never actually does it themselves.
N6 portable charger 35,000mAh power bank (with four built-in cables)
My sister never leaves home without her two Pixels, a Samsung, and two iPhones (for whatever reason). This powerful, portable power bank is perfect for her and any multi-device users. It can charge six devices at once and comes with all the cables they could ever need.
Tile Mate Bluetooth item tracker
For the scatterbrained among us (guilty), this tracker saves time and sanity. I once spent a solid 30 minutes panicking over my missing phone…while literally talking on it. With Tile Mate, they can simply attach it to anything and track them instantly via the app. What if they lose their phone? Just ring the Tile. What if they lose both? Well…Godspeed.
Mid-tier stocking stuffers
Gifts that say, “I spent a little more, but I still care about my wallet.”
JBL Vibe Beam 2 earbuds
Sometimes you just need to tune out the world. JBL Vibe Beam 2 features active noise cancelling, keeping the audio clear and focused anywhere. It also delivers powerful JBL Pure Bass, perfect for music lovers who crave deep, punchy sound.
Roku 4K Streaming Stick with remote
Know someone who’s always complaining there’s “nothing to watch” but can’t eat anything until they land on something? This little Roku stick has them covered. It streams Roku Originals and channels like Disney+, Prime Video, Netflix…the list goes on (subscription may be required). It even listens to voice commands through Siri, Alexa, or Hey Google, so finding a stimulation is easier than ever.
Google TV 4K streamer
My dad, like yours truly, is a die-hard movie lover. He still flips endlessly between apps trying to remember which service has what. The Google TV streamer will save him from that back-and-forth by pulling all his shows and movies onto one screen and even suggests what to watch next without scrolling for half an hour. The redesigned voice remote means no more hunting through menus; he can just say, “Play The Martian,” and it’s on.
Garmin vivoactive 5 Bluetooth smartwatch
The easy-to-use Garmin vivoactive 5 tracks steps, sleep, workouts, and even show notifications, so they can stay on top of everything without checking their phone every two seconds.
Fitbit Charge 6 fitness tracker with GPS
The Fitbit Charge 6 is perfect for friends whose “move more” resolution pops up every single year. It tracks heart rate in real time and got over 40 exercise modes, so they can mix up their workouts or just see how many steps they actually take in a day.
Splurge-worthy stocking stuffers
These gifts say, “I went big because you deserve the best.”
Oakley | Meta Vanguard glasses with Meta AI
These sweat-resistant Oakley Meta Vanguard AI glasses are perfect for the active person on your list. With a centred ultra-wide camera to capture every moment, Meta AI to track workouts, and wind-optimized audio, they keep up with even the most intense adventures.
Ray-Ban | Meta Wayfarer (Gen 2) glasses with AI
Got a friend who’s glued to their phone 24/7? I do. Always snapping pics, texting, or Googling instead of actually enjoying the moment. The Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer (Gen 2) glasses let them do it all hands-free—take photos, play music, and get answers—without missing a thing happening around them.
Oura Ring 4 smart ring
Minimalistic and mighty, Oura Ring 4 tracks over 30 biometrics, offers accurate, round-the-clock insights, and comes in various colours and sizes. With its sleek design that goes well with any outfit, it’s perfect for your uncle Mitchell who loves smart tech that looks good.
Oral-B iO Series 8 smart electric toothbrush
Here me out. This toothbrush is a bit on the pricier side but it’s worth it for anyone serious about oral health. The dentist-inspired design gives a professional-level clean every single day. With six brushing modes, like Super Sensitive, they can easily personalize their routine. Plus, the smart pressure sensor and AI guidance help them brush better and protect their gums.
Whether you’re celebrating with your family by blood or by choice, these stocking stuffers are sure to make them smile—and an even brighter grin with the Oral-B iO Series 8 toothbrush *wink wink*.
