The $14 Stocking Stuffer That Instantly Improved My Sleep

Nikol SlatinskaShopping Writer, Home
Nikol SlatinskaShopping Writer, Home
In my role at Apartment Therapy, I'm most passionate about making my home look beautiful and organized and helping our readers do the same — often at a discount. Although I cover my fair share of newsy pieces, my work focuses on long-form service articles that help our audience…read more
updated Dec 19, 2024
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Christmas stockings hanging by the chimney
Credit: Rawpixel.com | Shutterstock

Perhaps you’ve already started thinking about holiday gifts, and you know what you’re going to get all of your loved ones. You’re already ahead of the game, but there’s still one tiny detail you can’t forget about: stockings. There’s nothing more disappointing than waking up on Christmas day to find yours empty or full of less-than-enticing items, like floss. As a result, you want to put just as much thought into what goes inside your loved ones’ stockings as the presents you place under the tree.

In recent years, stocking stuffers seem to have gotten more and more luxurious — a far cry from the socks or candy you might’ve received as a kid. But the truth is, you can still delight your friends and relatives without having to spend a fortune. We asked our staffers to share their favorite stocking stuffers (given and received) under $25, and their picks do not disappoint. How about a sleep mask that fits snugly over your eyes and keeps your makeup intact? Yes, please! Check them all out below, and get some inspo for fun and unique budget-friendly gifts.

3D Deep Contoured Sleep Mask
$14

Know any light sleepers? Help them achieve full, sustained relaxation with this 3D sleep mask. It boasts a contoured design that fits over the eyes snugly but comfortably. Sarah says it's comparable to her favorite sleep mask from Ostrichpillow, though this find is more affordable. "The contoured design makes sure no light gets in, and I’ve found my sleep GREATLY improved once I started using one like this, so I think it would be a nice pick," she said.

$14 at Amazon
Wicked Playing Cards
$13

This gorgeously illustrated Wicked playing card deck features magical designs inspired the film. It showcases a variety of characters including Glinda, Elphaba, The Wizard of Oz, and more portrayed by Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Jeff Goldblum, respectively. Made with premium paper and metallic ink, they add a touch of elegance to game night and are sure to impress!

$13 at Barnes & Noble
Ice Cream Scoop Bath Bombs
$25

Treat your giftee to a scoop of relaxation! This set of four bath bombs comes in deliciously fun "ice cream" shapes with soothing scents like vanilla and coconut. Each scoop creates a colorful, fizzy bath experience that’s super Instagrammable.

$25 at Uncommon Goods
Perilogics Universal Airplane Phone Mount
$14$10

This pocket-sized, multi-directional phone mount is a must-have for those wanting to be in full control of your travel entertainment. Able to fit most smartphones, the mount rotates 360 degrees and has a tilt feature so you can adjust the screen for the best viewing. "I never travel without it," says commerce editor Britt. "I love being able to watch my downloaded shows and movies hands-free on flights so I can sit (and snack) comfortably."

$10 at Amazon
Reusable Fabric Gift Wrap Furoshiki
$20

Available in 16 stylish prints, this Furoshiki Wrap can be used beyond wrapping gifts. This gorgeous traditional Japanese wrapping cloth was historically used to transport clothing on trips to bath houses. Today, its function has expanded to wrapping gifts, food, clothing, jewelry, and more as a sustainable alternative. Even better, it can even be worn it as a decorative scarf or bag accessory!

$20 at Keiko Furoshiki
Stitched Notebook Set
$18

Add a pop of floral charm to everyday notes with these beautiful Rifle Paper Co. notebooks. This set of three slim, lined notebooks features vintage-inspired rose designs, making them perfect for jotting down thoughts, to-do lists, or even quick sketches.

$18 at Rifle Paper Co.
7-Day Pill Compact
$22

Finally, there's a chic way to keep up with your daily multivitamins! Dosey's pill organizer may be a bit of an unual gift, but with its adorable (and functional) design, it may just turn into one of their favorite stocking stuffers this year.

$22 at Dosey
Standard Baggu, Thank You Fruit Smile
$18

Brighten up grocery runs and cut down on plastic with one of Baggu’s stylish reusable shopping bags! Available in 24 designs, the roomy, foldable tote holds up to 50 pounds, is made from durable, recycled nylon, and is easy to carry anywhere. It's an eco-friendly stocking stuffer with some personality.

$18 at Ban.do
Charcoal Mini Tin Candle
$12

Apotheke is known for its luxurious, spa-worthy candles, but the full sizes will cost you a pretty penny. Still, you can at least introduce your giftee to their offerings with this mini tin candle, which comes in charcoal, one of the brand's most popular scents. "I'm planning on giving these mini Apotheke candles to all the women in my family this year!" said commerce assistant editor Morgan. "I've been burning one of their full-sized ones over the past month, and the beautifully colored wax, sleek vessel, and super strong scent have made it one of the best candles I've ever tried."

$12 at Apotheke
Mad Hippie Holiday Bag, Skin Care Travel Set
$25

This limited edition travel set of Mad Hippie skincare comes with serums, night cream, and a trendy pouch your giftee can use even after the products are gone.

$25 at Amazon
Meredith Dairy Marinated Feta
$15

All of our editors are fans of Murray's Cheese, and we can always count on the brand to deliver fresh charcuterie staples every time, regardless of whether you're into cheddar or brie. Of course, if you stick a chunk of cheese in a stocking, it's bound to get stinky after a few hours, so we recommend this jar of marinated feta instead. Your giftee can spread it over crackers, sprinkle it over salad, or add some to a steaming bowl of tomato bisque. Don't be surprised if they end up repurchasing it.

$15 at Murray's Cheese
Hair Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush
$8

Bring the luxury of a spa to their daily shower with this soft silicone scalp massager. Perfect for a stress-relieving scalp massage, it helps boost blood circulation, promotes healthy hair growth, and gives a deeper shampoo experience — all for under $10!

$8 at Amazon
Espresso Blend
$20

I won't lie, I hate buying coffee for myself because it's gotten pretty expensive in the past couple of years, especially for high-quality grounds. So anytime someone gifts me a bag, I'm thrilled! My friends sometimes bring me back coffee from the places they've traveled to, but if I had my pick, I'd choose Zend's espresso blend. I've been drinking Zend for over a year, and I find the brews to be strong but smooth and never jitter-inducing.

$20 at Zend Coffee
Clipa2 Bag Hanger
$18

Anyone who carries a purse will be happy to receive this innovative little gadget, which prevents them from having to set their bag on the ground when dining out. Commerce SEO editor Sarah says all her friends ask her about the purse hanger, and it's no wonder why. "To say this gadget has been life-changing is no joke," she says in her review. "I’ve used the Clipa2 everywhere. From restaurants and bars to bathrooms, parks, and even my work desk, this hanger is always with me, keeping my bags safe and sanitary." And, with its gold finish and simple design, this particular hook is one of the nicest-looking versions we've come across.

$18 at Amazon
Chili Crunch Hot Honey
$13

Anyone who likes their food on the spicy side will appreciate this special blend of chili peppers and wildflower honey. David Chang developed the sauce with the same ingredients used in his restaurants, so it's a great (and super easy) way to upgrade home cooking while experimenting with new flavors. "You can't go wrong with gifting some top-tier hot honey to your cooking-obsessed loved one," Ian said. "Slather it on toast, ice cream, sandwiches, pizza, and more."

$13 at Momofuku
By Rosie Jane Fragrance Discovery Set
$25

As a lover of all things beauty and fragrance, few things make me as excited as trying new perfumes. This discovery set from By Rosie Jane is great because it has a wide variety of scents, so it'll please your giftee no matter what they like. They can throw the 1.5 ML bottles in their purse and freshen up throughout the day or while traveling.

$25 at Sephora
MarieBell BG Cylinder of Dark Chocolate Almonds
$18

Many New Yorkers turn to MarieBelle when it comes to finding the perfect gourmet chocolate gift. The luxe treats have price tags to match, but you can snag this sleeve of chocolate-covered almonds for $18. If you don't live in the city, you can still shop the brand's chocolates online or even find them at legacy department stores, like Bergdorf's. Check out that snazzy BG packaging! You'll have no problem slipping the cylinder into a stocking, no matter how narrow the opening.

$18 at Bergdorf Goodman
Mini Travel Set - Fresh Linen
$20

If you have a friend who geeks out over bougie cleaning products like I do, gift them L'Avant Collective's mini plant-based cleaning set. It comes in the brand's Fresh Linen scent, which is divine, and includes 2-ounce bottles of hand soap, dish soap, and multipurpose cleaner. The set is obviously made for traveling, but it's also a great way to introduce your bestie to a plant-based brand that makes some of the best household products on the market.

$20 at L'Avant Collective
Taper Candles, Set of 6
$17$10

Taper candles are a classic piece of home decor for a reason. Turn off the lights, light a few of these, and any space will suddenly feel 10 times cozier and more romantic. Even if your giftee already has some, they'll appreciate you for keeping their stash full.

$10 at Pottery Barn
Jacobsen Salt Co. Flake Finishing Sea Salt
$17

Those who frequently cook at home will also appreciate this special pick, which comes highly recommended by our sister site's former senior commerce editor, Ian. "Finishing salt is such an underrated gift because it literally makes everything taste better," he said. "Plus, everything Jacobsen Salt Co. makes is super high-quality!" And, with this 4-ounce bag, your recipient will have enough finishing salt in their cupboard for a good few months.

$17 at Williams Sonoma

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